Engage & Empower Online Assists with Co-Creation of Farm and Farm Family Risk and Resilience Guide for Extension Educational Programming

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In May 2019, eXtension’s Impact Collaborative program launched its Engage and Empower Online (EEO) platform. EEO is a social intranet platform powered by LumApps that has been customized for eXtension members and partners to deliver strategically-themed professional development and networking opportunities that allow participants to discover opportunities, scale their talents, multiply ties generating positive change, and leverage their time efficiently at the pace of change. Included in the EEO platform are opportunities to take advantage of exclusive publications, virtual events through the Impact Collaborative, webinars, and Learning Circles. 

In November 2019, the Impact Collaborative hosted a Learning Circle series, Creating Thriving Family Farms, as one of its EEO offerings. This Learning Circle was led by Bonnie Braun, Professor Emerita, University of Maryland School of Public Health and Extension; Maria Pippidis, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension; and Dr. Jesse M. Ketterman, University of Maryland Extension Educator. 

The Creating Thriving Family Farms Learning Circle explored frameworks, assessment and teaching tools for professionals to use for managing their own stress and for working with their clientele. It enabled participants to explore an integrated approach to physical, mental, emotional and financial health and well-being of individuals, families and farms with the end goal of building farm enterprises that can face and address change, with accompanying stressors, effectively. For four weeks, Braun, Pippidis, and Ketterman met once per week for a video conference with Learning Circle participants, and maximized the social intranet features of the EEO platform to deliver assignments, solicit feedback, and engage more deeply in the content between those meetings. 

Braun, Pippidis, and Ketterman leveraged the experience of the participants in the Creating Thriving Family Farms Learning Circle to assist with the review and development of a Farm and Farm Family Risk and Resilience Guide for Extension Educational Programming. The guide and three additional tools in a toolkit were shared through the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and the Northeast Region Extension Risk Management Education websites. This guide was created to provide a framework as a starting place for programming that not only informs but moves individuals, families, professionals, and public policy makers to take action to prevent or mitigate sources of stress (Braun & Pippidis, 2020). According to Ketterman, “the Learning Circle platform (EEO) allowed participants to engage in meaningful discussions which contributed to the final product.”

This Learning Circle was grounded in adult education and ten of the participants took time to review and provide feedback on the first edition of the guide. These participants were listed as reviewers in the final product and include:

  • Leslie A Forstadt, Ph.D., Extension Associate Professor, Human Development Specialist and Director, Maine Agricultural Mediation Program, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
  • Erin Kimbrough, Program Manager, Texas A&M University
  • D. Elizabeth Kiss, Ph.D., Extension Specialist Family Financial Management, Kansas State University Extension
  • Sonja Koukel, Professor/Extension Health Specialist, New Mexico State University Extension
  • Teresa Matteson, Soil Health Coordinator, Benton Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Makenzie McLaurin, Program Coordinator, Texas A&M University
  • Heather Neikirk, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University Extension
  • Anu Rangarajan, Sr. Extension Associate, Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Emily Wilmes, Extension Educator, Livestock & Director, Rural Stress Task Force, University of Minnesota Extension
  • Lorna Wounded Head, Family Resource Management Field Specialist, South Dakota State University Extension

According to Braun, “Learning Circle participants were at once both learners and co-creators. Their questions and critiques helped us improve the guide.”

For 2020, the Impact Collaborative is continuing to host Learning Circles and other professional development opportunities for eXtension members through the Engage & Empower Online platform. Members can register for a free account at eXtension.org/register or learn more here. Included with the 2020 offerings is a ten-month series in partnership with the Scattergood Foundation on Investing in Community Resilience and Deploying Trauma-Informed Practice. The first part of this series begins on March 11th, 2020 with a webinar. Interested members can learn more here.  

About the eXtension Foundation

The eXtension Foundation is a membership-based non-profit designed to be the engine fueling U.S. Cooperative Extension’s advancement in making a more visible and measurable impact in support of education outreach from land-grant universities/colleges located in every state and territory. eXtension provides an array of opportunities for Extension professionals that foster innovation creation, the adoption of innovations at member institutions, and increased impact of Extension programs.

Braun, B., & Pippidis, M. (2020). Farm and Farm Family Risk and Resilience Guide for Extension Educational Programming. University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 1.

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45 Cooperative Extension Professionals Join eXtension’s Impact Collaborative Program as Innovation Facilitators

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In February 2020, the eXtension Foundation’s Impact Collaborative program hosted its first Innovation Facilitator training for the year. 45 new Innovation Facilitators representing 18 Land-Grant universities completed the training, joining 107 others that represent 49 Land-Grant Universities.

Participants spent three days learning the Impact Collaborative’s Innovation Skill-Building methodology and obtained skills and tools that will help catalyze innovation with local project and program teams and also assist with the delivery of the Impact Collaborative program nationally. Additionally, Innovation Facilitators serve as coaches at the national Impact Collaborative Summit to help project and program teams across Cooperative Extension identify gaps in their project and program planning and connect those teams to resources that help fill those gaps.

This particular training session was unique as it marks the first time that the Impact Collaborative has delivered the Innovation Facilitator training virtually. Some highlights from this training include:

  • 100% of participants responded that they would likely or possibly recommend this training to others.
  • 98% of participants stated they would definitely or probably use the information presented in the training.

The newest Innovation Facilitators are:

Colorado State University

Lacey Taylor

Florida A&M University

Alejandro Bolques
Conchita Newman
Dreamal Worthen
Sandra Thompson

Fort Valley State University

Cynthia Wilson Willis
Terrence Wolfork

Kansas State University

Gayle Price
Laurie Chandler
Rachael Clews
Robin Eubank-Callis
Trudy Rice

New Mexico State University

Amanda Benton

North Dakota State University

Kelli Anderson

Oklahoma State University

Cindy Conner
Claude Bess
Jane Carpenter
Kegan Herrick
LaDonna Hines

Penn State University

Capri Stiles-Mikesell
Kimberly McCarthy
Mary Alice Gettings
Natalie Aiello

Prairie View A&M University

Cynthia Pierfax

Purdue University

Kara Salazar

South Dakota State University

Ann Taecker

Southern University

Gerald Williams
Krystle Allen
Tiffany Franklin

The Ohio State University

Michael Schweinsberg

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alda Norris

University of Maryland

Catherine Liu

University of Minnesota

Kristen Mastel
Michael Compton
Regina McGoff

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Beth Nacke
Carroll Welte
Crystal Powers
Holly Hatton-Bowers
Linda Reddish
Shawn Kaskie

University of Wyoming

Mary Louise Wood

Virginia Tech

Megan Seibel
Melanie Barrow

The training was led by the Impact Collaborative team alongside ten previously trained Innovation Facilitators that served as coaches during the training including:

  • Tira Adelman, eXtension Foundation
  • Ashley Griffin, eXtension Foundation
  • Megan Hirschman, eXtension Foundation
  • Molly Immendorf, eXtension Foundation
  • Annie Jones, eXtension Foundation
  • David Keto, University of Wyoming
  • John Porter, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Kittrane Sanders, North Carolina State University
  • Donna Schwarting, University of Idaho
  • Bekah Sparks, Mississippi State University
  • Chuck Stamper, University of Kentucky
  • Stacy Wang, North Dakota State University
  • Jason Weigle, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Allison Young, Kentucky State University

About the eXtension Foundation
The eXtension Foundation is a membership-based non-profit designed to be the engine fueling U.S. Cooperative Extension’s advancement in making a more visible and measurable impact in support of education outreach from land-grant universities/colleges located in every state and territory. eXtension provides an array of opportunities for Extension professionals that foster innovation creation, the adoption of innovations at member institutions, and increased impact of Extension programs.

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Ashley Griffin Named New Innovation Facilitator Manager for eXtension’s Impact Collaborative Program

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Ashley Griffin, Impact Collaborative Program Manager and eFieldbook Producer for the eXtension Foundation, will assume responsibilities as the Innovation Facilitator Manager for eXtension’s Impact Collaborative Program.

Griffin has been part of the eXtension staff since 2005, starting as a Content Design Leader for  eXtension’s 70+ Communities of Practice and Learning Networks. Beginning in the Fall of 2017, Ashley accepted a new position with the eXtension Foundation as the Impact Collaborative Program Manager which incorporates design thinking and lean experimentation into member experiences to better serve the Cooperative Extension Service. As part of the New Technologies for Cooperative Extension USDA-NIFA Cooperative Agreement in partnership with Oklahoma State University, Griffin leads the production of eFieldbooks for project fellows associated with the program. Prior to her time with the eXtension Foundation, she gained practical extension programming experience and delivered content through distance learning technologies as the coordinator of the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program from 1996-2002 and later served as an Extension Communications Specialist for the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture. Ashley has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences and her Master of Science degree in Equine Nutrition from the University of Kentucky.

She will serve as the primary point of contact and liaison to the 152 current Innovation Facilitators trained in the Impact Collaborative Innovation Skill-Building methodology, assist in leading future Innovation Facilitator training sessions, and provide a connection to this group for future Impact Collaborative events and professional development opportunities. 

Griffin will be taking over these responsibilities for Dr. Annie Jones, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, who has served as eXtension’s Innovation Facilitator Manager since 2019 on a one-year appointment. Jones will be continuing her role at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Community and Environmental Sociology and Division of Extension as Professor, Organization Development and Tribal Nations Specialist. 

During her time as the Innovation Facilitator Manager for the Impact Collaborative, Jones led the training of more than 100 new Innovation Facilitators representing 50 land-grant universities across Cooperative Extension. Innovation Facilitators play a crucial role in the delivery of the Impact Collaborative program and also serve as a local resource to Extension Directors and Administrators in catalyzing innovation with local programs.

Jones played a critical role in the delivery of three national Impact Collaborative Summits, and led ten local Innovation Skill-Building events across the nation for more than 800 Cooperative Extension professionals. She has also been a leader in the Impact Collaborative’s transition to a virtual program for 2020 to make it more accessible to eXtension members, ensuring the success of its first virtual Innovation Facilitator Training and co-leading the delivery of the first virtual Innovation Skill-Building Experience. 

About the eXtension Foundation

The eXtension Foundation is a membership-based non-profit designed to be the engine fueling U.S. Cooperative Extension’s advancement in making a more visible and measurable impact in support of education outreach from land-grant universities/colleges located in every state and territory. eXtension provides an array of opportunities for Extension professionals that foster innovation creation, the adoption of innovations at member institutions, and increased impact of Extension programs. 

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New Learning Series! Investing In Community Resilience: Deploying Trauma-Informed Practice for Funders & Capacity Builders

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Who Can Attend?:

This learning series is for eXtension members and as part of Engage & Empower Online. A list of eXtension members can be found here.

As a Cooperative Extension professional, your passion for building just, healthy, resilient communities is evident. Until recently, we have been missing critical information that can help us develop best practices to achieve such a goal.

Today, the science is clear – adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma can impact the brain and body, contributing to a host of negative outcomes in all aspects of life. Some effects can even be passed from generation to generation. In the last two decades, we have come to understand that ACEs and trauma are pervasive and distributed inequitably among vulnerable communities.

The good news is that trauma-informed, healing-centered practice can hold the keys to preventing and mitigating these impacts. Researchers, service providers, philanthropists, policymakers, community residents, and others are coming together to build a movement for resilient communities, improving outcomes in areas as divergent as health care, education, and criminal justice.

In partnership with the Scattergood Foundation, the eXtension Foundation is providing an exclusive 10-month learning series opportunity for eXtension Members focused on how Extension Professionals can use ACEs and trauma science to improve community outcomes.

This series will guide the conversation around how communities can deploy resources in creative ways to build knowledge and capacity throughout the human-serving field. The series will be delivered in three parts, each of which will include two educational webinars and one interactive learning circle:

Part I: Using ACEs and Trauma Science for More Effective Practice
March, April, May, 2020

In Part I, we will explore:

  • The science behind ACEs, trauma, toxic stress, resilience, and healing, and

  • What it means to be trauma-informed and how individuals, organizations, and communities can implement practices that reflect this knowledge

Webinar 1: An Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) and Trauma Science

March 11th, 2020
3 PM – 4 PM EST
Presented by: Dr. Donielle Prince
ACEs Connection San Francisco Bay Area Community Facilitator
Registration Deadline: March 10th, 2020

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Define key concepts related to the science of:
    • ACEs, trauma, toxic stress, and early life stress; and
    • Healing, resilience, and protective factors
  • Explain how ACEs and trauma science is relevant to their work
  • Describe the implications of ACEs and trauma science for individuals, families, organizations, communities, and systems

Register Here

*On the registration page, there is a link to a pre-test. Please take this pre-test prior to participating in the webinar.

Dr. Donielle Prince
ACEs Connection
San Francisco Bay Area Community Facilitator

In her role as the ACEs Connection San Francisco Bay Area Community Facilitator, Dr. Donielle Prince supports communities that are organizing to build resilient neighborhoods, cities, and counties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, drawing on her background in psychology, education, and research. Donielle holds a B.A. in Psychology, with a minor in education, from Wellesley College; an MS.Ed in Psychological Practice from the University of Pennsylvania; and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy from Stanford University, with a minor in sociology.

Donielle’s past roles have included therapist and researcher. Donielle has studied community-based youth development programming in Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as school reform strategies implemented in New Jersey and the San Francisco Bay Area. She also worked for the Chancellor’s Office of the California State University, at the Center for Teacher Quality, studying effectiveness of teacher preparation programs.

Donielle is from the Bay Area, where she currently serves as Community Facilitator for ACEs Connection. Donielle lives in Sacramento, where she is active in community organizing on school based mental health.

Save the Dates for the next webinar and learning circle in Part I. Registration will be available soon on eXtension.org.

Webinar II: What Is Trauma-Informed Practice?
April 15th, 2020
3 PM – 4 PM ET

We invite you to join us for a webinar exploring trauma-informed principles and frameworks and what they mean for your practice. This webinar will guide you through the process of reflecting on internal practices and operationalizing your organizational values.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • List and compare frameworks for trauma-informed practice
  • Plan strategies for applying a trauma-informed lens to their work

Learning Circle: Using ACEs and Trauma Science for More Effective Practice
May 13th, 2020
3 PM – 4 PM ET

Connect with philanthropy and extension professionals for an interactive learning circle to discuss the concepts explored in the first two webinars of the Investing in Community Resilience series.

What Do You Need To Attend?:

This learning series will be facilitated through Zoom video conferencing. You will receive the link to the Zoom meeting room closer to the meeting date.

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Request for Proposals: Marketing Firm for New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Project

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eXtension Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, requests services from a marketing firm experienced in providing marketing services to not-for-profit organizations with an emphasis in agriculture and the food production industry. Services are funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute for Food and Agriculture. 

  1. Background
    1. The eXtension Foundation, founded in 2006, is a membership-based non-profit organization designed to fuel Cooperative Extension’s growth, leadership, competencies, entrepreneurship, and stewardship for innovation and technology supporting Cooperative Education professionals. Cooperative Extension is a national system of educational outreach from land-grant universities/colleges located in every U.S. state and the territories. eXtension generates value for its members and partners by offering professional growth and learning and fostering innovation at member institutions.
    2. Locations. eXtension is a national organization and operates as a multi-state entity: we are incorporated in Missouri. Given the broad geographic distribution of our staff and Board of Directors, we are also a virtual organization highly reliant on video conferencing and other tools for collaboration in addition to email.
  2.  Communications & Marketing Function.
    1. Assigned duties. One employee has been assigned communications, marketing, and engagement duties: the Communications & Engagement Manager, who is primarily responsible for providing proactive and strategic communications to our members and to the Land-Grant University system.
  3.  Overview: Scope of Services, Please address the following required services in your proposal:
    1. Coordinate an audience assessment and program awareness campaign in Year 1 (November  2019 – August 2020) to support the Bridging the GAPS (BG) program and position this program as a valuable, trusted, resource for fresh produce growers in select communities across Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. 
      1. Conduct market research 
        1. Determine current levels of awareness of fresh produce growers in regards to surface water pathogens and what steps they are presently taking to protect against these pathogens. 
        2. Determine fresh produce growers understanding of regulatory requirements for ag water treatment in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
        3. Survey what existing water treatment systems are used
        4. Survey whether employees are trained in the use of the water system, maintenance, and repair.
      2. Determine best channels, including Cooperative Extension, for reaching the target audience with BG program resources and information.
      3. Identify potential messaging strategies to better engage target audience to engage with BG Program and CES resources
  4. Bridging the Gaps Program 
    1. Background
      1. Preventing foodborne illness and the protection of public health is objective 7.1 of the US Department of Agriculture 2018-2022 Strategic Plan. Sanitary irrigation water for produce is mandated by the USDA, including monitoring, treating and verifying compliance. Proper food sanitation is imperative to prevent situations like the Yuma, AZ  outbreak in the spring of 2018 that ultimately resulted in 210 reported illnesses from 36 states, 96 hospitalizations, 27 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and five deaths. The outbreak was linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma region.
      2. In March 2019, FDA published a rule called Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption; Extension of Compliance Dates for Subpart E, which:
        1. Extends ALL provisions of Subpart E (Agricultural water) other than sprouts including the safe and sanitary quality, annual inspection, and postharvest water monitoring requirements.
        2. FDA has stated that the reason for this extension is to allow time “to address questions about the practical implementation of compliance with certain provisions and to consider how we might further reduce the regulatory burden or increase flexibility while continuing to protect public health.”
        3. Until the process of consideration is finished, the water requirements are the Rule.
      3. A multi-state, interdisciplinary team of public and private sector experts have partnered together to create a curriculum designed to help producers 1) Understand the regulatory requirements for ag water treatment in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), 2) Find the right water treatment system for their farm, 3) Developing standard operating procedures that will be effecting in treating water on their farm and to monitor its implementation, and 4) Ensuring that the proper system is implemented correctly and that employees are trained in its use, maintenance and repair.
      4. This curriculum, Bridging the GAPS – Approaches for treating water on-farm, is a four-module curriculum designed for a producer audience. This curriculum has been piloted on a limited basis to make initial improvements to improve its effectiveness. This curriculum is ready for a broader implementation. Being part of the current New Technologies for Agricultural Extension federal grant will bring the additional resources of the NTAE team to work alongside the Bridging the GAPS team to expand its scope and refine its effectiveness to impact the safety of the national food supply, particularly irrigated produce. The associated eXtension Fellow and action team will develop documentation to create an eFieldbook to support the curriculum and and possibly seek expansion opportunities through assisted market research.
    2. Audience & Location
      1. Fresh produce growers in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee. 
    3. Specific Crop and/or Product Involved
      1. The food safety landscape is continually evolving, and the fresh produce industry is no exception. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011 has emphasized prevention of foodborne illnesses rather than responding to outbreaks.  In response to FSMA, the FDA has finalized 21 CFR Part 112:  Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (Produce Safety Rule). This regulation has fundamentally changed the expectations of produce growers, particularly with respect to characterization of foodborne pathogen risks and application of appropriate mitigation strategies. 
      2. Currently, the safety of produce relies on the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to prevent microbial contamination during growing, harvesting, and packing. Because irrigation water is one of the most likely points of pathogen contamination during fruit and vegetable production, the Produce Safety Rule calls for rigorous water testing in order to verify the microbial quality of surface-source irrigation water that will contact the edible portion of the plant during growing, unless a water treatment method is used.  The testing expenses will greatly impact U.S. fruit and vegetable growers since many utilize surface water as an irrigation source or source of water for herbicide and insecticide sprays. More importantly, quantifying generic E. coli does not always indicate a food safety risk.  If we are to begin reducing the risk of produce contamination, effective mitigation strategies must be utilized in irrigation water application systems.   
    4. Key Performance Indicator
      1. Program evaluation is essential to determine the overall impact of the curriculum on our stakeholders. In the short-term, participating growers’ knowledge gained, attitudes towards agricultural water treatment technologies (including perceived cost/benefits of adoption), and intent to use water treatment technologies will be evaluated by our fellow. More importantly, the adoption rate of agricultural water treatment systems by participating growers will be measured to assess actual change resulting from the taught curriculum.
  5. Proposal Outline (Please organize your proposal as follows)
    1. Executive summary. Describe your understanding of the work to be performed and your firm’s ability to complete it within the March 2020 to August 2020 timeframe. 
    2. Professional experience. Provide a description of your firm including philosophy, size,structure, and qualifications. Include a list of current engagements in the agricultural sector or Cooperative Extension that you believe are comparable to the size, mission focus, and complexity of our organization.
    3. Team qualifications. Identify the specific individuals – partners, managers, and in-charge staff – who will be assigned to this engagement if your firm’s proposal is selected, including the qualifications and experience of each.
    4. Fees. Provide a firm estimate of the fees for services to be provided during each year of the proposed one-year engagement.
    5. Additional information. Additional information not specifically requested but nonetheless helpful in evaluating your proposal is welcome.
  6. Proposal Deadline
    1. The deadline for receipt of your proposal is March 2nd, 2020. Documents should be emailed to aaronweibe@eXtension.org. Proposals received after this date will not be considered. For additional information, questions, or clarifications, please contact me via email or phone at (667) 228-4583.
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Catalyst Team Panel Discussion, New Technologies for Agricultural Extension, February 24th, 2020

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New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Catalyst Team Panel Discussion
February 24th, 2 – 3 PM ET
Available for eXtension Members
Register Here

 

As part of eXtension’s New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA, the eXtension Foundation partnered with four existing programs aligned with USDA strategic goals across Cooperative Extension in year one to explore new methods and models for program scale and implementation. These initiatives are being documented in a series of eFieldbooks to inform the system of the models, learnings, and outcomes. Professional development opportunities will be created and delivered centered upon these learnings and offered to the entire system beginning in 2020 through the new FlexLearn platform.

Scott Reed, Fred Schlutt, and Jimmy Henning are the eXtension Catalyst Team. These former Extension Directors work to identify early stage, high potential projects and programs across Cooperative Extension to partner with eXtension through this NTAE initiative.

eXtension will be accepting project nominations with potential impacts aligned with objectives identified in the USDA strategic plan for 2018-2022. Identified projects can partner with eXtension to rapidly scale the project, create professional development opportunities based upon the learnings, and help highlight your projects as a national model for the Cooperative Extension Service.

This panel discussion will discuss the four NTAE projects for 2019-2020 and why they were chosen, outputs of these projects, and how projects can be nominated for consideration in 2020-2021.

 

About the Catalysts

 

Scott Reed
Professor Emeritus
Oregon State University

Scott Reed (Scott) is a career Extension educator trained as a forester and economist. He began working in the private sector where he discovered the value of partnerships with university outreach activities. Early in his career, Scott spent ten years at the University of Minnesota where he was initially an extension specialist in timber harvesting and economic development before stepping into leadership positions of program leader and field center coordinator. Moving to Oregon State University in 1990, he served as associate dean in the OSU College of Forestry before becoming dean and director of the OSU Extension Service. Before retiring in 2019, he was vice provost for university outreach and engagement. More than 20 organizations have honored Scott for a variety of accomplishments. His contributions were recognized in 2018 with the coveted Ruby Award from the Joint Council of Extension Professionals. Scott holds BS and MS degrees from Michigan State University and a PhD from University of Minnesota.

Jimmy Henning
Extension Professor & Extension Forage Specialist
University of Kentucky

Jimmy Henning is Extension Professor and Extension Forage Specialist in the Department of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Kentucky. His extension program focuses on hay and haylage production and nutritional quality as well as pasture establishment and management. He is a co-founder of the Kentucky Grazing Schools and the UK Forage Variety Testing program.

He has served in Extension administration for 14 years including almost ten years as Associate Dean of Cooperative Extension at the University of Kentucky. He returned to the faculty in 2017.

Dr. Henning is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture.

Fred Schlutt
Retired Cooperative Extension Director
University of Alaska-Fairbanks

Dr. Fred Schlutt is a career 40 year Extension professional, having worked in Texas, Wyoming, Maine and Alaska. Dr. Schlutt served the past 10 years as the Director of Alaska Cooperative Extension, during which he served as the 2017-2018 ECOP Chair.

Molly Immendorf – Moderator
Impact Collaborative Lead Design Manager
eXtension Foundation

Molly Immendorf leads the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the Impact Collaborative process. This includes all aspects and events related to the Impact Collaborative including the Innovation Skill-Building Kit, the Impact Collaborative Summit, and Engage and Empower Online. Prior to joining eXtension Foundation in 2017, Molly was the Instructional Design and Technology Specialist for almost 19 years at University of Wisconsin – Extension, Cooperative Extension. Molly has a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educational Communications and Technology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a B.S. in Design and Merchandising from Drexel University.

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Pre-Work

Welcome to innovation and the Impact Collaborative Facilitator Training! This email will help you prepare for a successful virtual training experience. It will let you know what to expect during the training as well as give you your first assignment which should take about 60-90 minutes to complete. It is important that you complete this pre-work. This will set the stage for your success in this learning experience. 

What to expect:

During the 3 sessions, you will learn a process customized for helping you facilitate and coach design thinking, rapid prototyping, and lean experimentation principles in order to turn an idea into a compelling innovative project concept ready to grow through attracting and catalyzing key stakeholders and strategic partners.

Over the course of 3 sessions, you will learn the Impact Collaborative Innovation Kit process. You will be active and engaged throughout, sharing your progress and outputs. At the conclusion of the 3 sessions, you will leave with comfort and confidence to coach or co-facilitate an Innovation Skill Building Experience.

Questions? Please contact your learning experience facilitators, Molly Immendorf mollyimmendorf@extension.org or Annie Jones anniejones@extension.org . 

Here is your homework and agenda to get you ready to innovate: 

  • Read through the Innovation Skill-Building Experience Workbook. This is the basis for the session lessons and activities.  You may want to print a copy locally to take notes during the sessions. 
    • Sessions will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, February 18-20
      • Begin: 9 AM PT / 10 AM MT / 11 AM CT / 12 PM ET 
      • End: 1 PM PT / 2 PM MT / 3 PM CT / 4 PM ET
    • We will cover the following levels in each session:
      • 2/18 Intro, Levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 pt. 1
      • 2/19 Levels 3 pt. 2, 4, 5 and 6
      • 2/20 Coaching and facilitation practice and wrap-up
  • This video and reading playlist will help you understand the purpose of the Innovation Skill-Building Experience and eXtension’s Impact Collaborative [30 min total]:
  • Watch Introduction to Extension 3.0 | Mark Lubell [6 min]
  • Read Your Role in Innovation Depends on Where You Sit [5 min estimate]
  • Watch How to Manage for Collective Creativity [Linda Hill]  [17 min]
  • This video playlist will give you important background knowledge about Design Thinking and the Impact Collaborative Innovation Kit [31 min total]:

What to bring to the Innovation Skill-Building Facilitator Training?

  • A copy of the Innovation Skill-building Experience Workbook.
  • 2 pads of sticky notes in 2 different colors – will be used in week 2
  • Pen or pencil(s)
  • Blank paper or notebook paper
  • An open mind and willingness to sometimes be uncomfortable

We look forward to meeting you next week.  It’s our goal to create an engaging, fun experience for everyone.

Your facilitators: Molly Immendorf and Annie Jones, eXtension Foundation

Your facilitator-coaches: 

  • Tira Adelman, eXtension Foundation
  • Ashley Griffin, eXtension Foundation
  • John Porter, Nebraska Extension
  • Kit Sanders, North Carolina Extension
  • Aaron Weibe, eXtension Foundation
  • Jason Weigle, Nebraska Extension
  • Allison Young, Kentucky Extension
  • Chuck Stamper, Kentucky Extension
  • Stacy Wang, NDSU Extension
  • Bekah Sparks, MS State Extension
  • David Keto, UWYO Extension
  • Donna Schwarting, Idaho Extension
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Multi-State Bridging the GAPs Program Partners with eXtension Through USDA-NIFA Cooperative Agreement

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As part of eXtension’s New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA, the eXtension Foundation is partnering with four existing programs aligned with USDA strategic goals across Cooperative Extension in Year 1 to explore new methods and models for program scale and implementation. These initiatives are being documented in a series of eFieldbooks to inform the system of the models, learnings, and outcomes. Professional development opportunities will be created and delivered centered upon these learnings and offered to the entire system beginning in 2020. 

One initiative identified for partnership is an on-farm water treatment education effort led by a multi-state team from North Carolina State University, Virginia Tech, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Florida. This program is titled Bridging the GAPs: Approaches for Treating Water On-Farm. GAPS refers to Good Agricultural Practice(s). 

Dr. Chris Gunter, Vegetable Production Specialist for NC State Cooperative Extension, is serving as an eXtension Fellow funded to produce an eFieldbook focused on providing end users (producers) the information needed to determine viable options to meet current water quality standards and methods to ensure compliance. In addition, the eFieldbook will be a model for Cooperative Extension to use as a learning resource. An eFieldbook is a digital, curated, peer-reviewed collection of program resources that provide multimedia communication and interaction between and among experts, individuals, teams, partners, and other content contributors. Professional development opportunities will be delivered to the entire system through eXtension’s new FlexLearn platform to provide information and support for replicating this model across the system. FlexLearn will be available for the entire system in Spring, 2020. 

Through funding by eXtension’s NTAE Cooperative Agreement, Bridging the GAPs will receive direct support from a third-party marketing firm specializing in agriculture that will conduct market research and an audience engagement initiative that establishes baseline measures for reach and utilization of Extension information, measures growth in reach and utilization of Extension resources and information, and determines best practices for using technology to engage target markets. 

Topic areas and programs were identified by a three-member Catalyst team consisting of former  senior Extension leaders that address USDA strategic goals. The Catalyst Team includes:

  • Scott Reed, Former Vice Provost University Outreach & Engagement, and Director of Extension at Oregon State University
  • Fred Schlutt, Former Director of Cooperative Extension at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks
  • Jimmy Henning, Faculty, Plant & Soil Sciences Department, and Former Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky

About the Bridging the GAPS Program

A multi-state, interdisciplinary team of public and private sector experts have partnered together to create a curriculum designed to help producers: 

  • Understand the regulatory requirements for ag water treatment in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
  • Find the right water treatment system for their farm
  • Developing standard operating procedures that will be effective in treating water on their farm and to monitor its implementation
  • Ensuring that the proper system is implemented correctly and that employees are trained in its use, maintenance and repair.

The team includes members from North Carolina State University, Virginia Tech, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Florida. 

This curriculum, Bridging the GAPS – Approaches for treating water on-farm, is a four-module curriculum designed for a producer audience. This curriculum has been piloted on a limited basis to make initial improvements to improve its effectiveness. This curriculum is ready for a broader implementation.

Being part of the current NTAE  federal grant will bring the additional resources of the NTAE team to work alongside the Bridging the GAPS team to expand its scope and refine its effectiveness to impact the safety of the national food supply, specifically irrigated produce. Dr. Gunter and the action team will develop documentation to create an eFieldbook to support the curriculum and and possibly seek expansion opportunities through assisted market research.

About the eXtension Foundation

The eXtension Foundation is a membership-based non-profit designed to be the engine fueling U.S. Cooperative Extension’s advancement in making a more visible and measurable impact in support of education outreach from land-grant universities/colleges located in every state and territory. eXtension provides an array of opportunities for Extension professionals that foster innovation creation, the adoption of innovations at member institutions, and increased impact of Extension programs.

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This website is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension (funding opportunity no. USDA-NIFA-OP-010186), grant no. 2023-41595-41325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Extension Foundation.

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