New Online Course Available! Roots to Results: An Overview of the Cooperative Extension System

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The Extension Foundation is excited to announce the launch of a new self-paced online course: “Roots to Results: Overview of the Cooperative Extension System.” This course is open to anyone who wants to better understand Cooperative Extension, whether you’re new to the system, need a refresher, or are working with Extension in a partnership role.

It’s a flexible resource designed to support onboarding, professional development, and increased awareness of Extension’s unique role and impact. Feel free to share or adapt this announcement for your own networks!


What You’ll Discover

Behind nearly 3,000 Cooperative Extension offices across the U.S. lies a remarkable transformation story from agricultural roots to today’s dynamic local impact network. This course guides you through the key concepts that make Extension so impactful and serves as an excellent onboarding tool for new Extension professionals or anyone who wants to learn more about Extension.

Course Learning Objectives

In this self-paced online course, you will learn about:

  • The history and purpose of the Cooperative Extension System and how it connects research to communities
  • Its organizational structure, including how local, state, and federal partnerships work together to drive its mission
  • Key partners, from Land-grant Universities to government agencies, and how these collaborations enhance Extension’s reach and effectiveness
  • A wide variety of focus areas, from agriculture and youth development to health and local engagement

Who Should Take This Course: Anyone interested in understanding the Cooperative Extension System, whether you’re new to Extension work or seeking to refresh your knowledge

Time Commitment: Approximately 30 minutes to complete all lessons (timing may vary based on your engagement with supplemental resources)

Ready to Get Started?

  1. Visit https://campus.extension.org 
  2. Click the login button (top-right corner).
  3. Log in with your existing Campus credentials, or create a new account following the on-screen instructions.
  4. Use the Search function to look for “Roots to Results,” OR browse the Professional Performance category and locate the course there.
  5. Open the Roots to Results course page and follow the self-enrollment instructions to access the course materials.

Questions about the course? Contact Lisa Linfield (lisalinfield@extension.org).

This course 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 views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Extension Foundation.

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RFA: Extension Foundation – Team Health Dashboard Development

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Introduction

The Extension Foundation (EXF) invites applications from qualified software developers to collaborate on building and supporting the next version of the Team Health Dashboard (THD). This RFA seeks proposals from applicants with demonstrated expertise in Ruby on Rails development, system integration with Google Forms and Google Scripts, database-driven user experiences, and scalable email notification systems.

The THD is an internal tool that helps Cooperative Extension teams assess and improve their team dynamics over time through structured surveys and automated feedback loops. The goal of this partnership is to enhance the existing dashboard (now in v2.1 planning), transition to Rails 8 and Ruby 3.3.x, and implement administrative controls, survey validation, and smarter email workflows.

Scope of Work

Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to deliver on the following:

Development & Engineering

  • Upgrade and deploy the THD application using Rails 8 and Ruby 3.3.x.
    Implement webhooks and/or Google Scripts to handle form submissions and forward them to the Rails API endpoint.
  • Add survey validation logic to prevent duplicate submissions by the same user per survey cycle.
  • Support cron-based or time-triggered notifications (90, 181, 271, 360 days).

Administrative Tools

  • Enable EXF Admins to:
    • View team-level submission metadata (not individual answers).
    • Delete teams and associated submissions.
    • Remove users from teams.
    • Archive teams and reset survey cycles.

Email Notification System

  • Ensure ActionMailer is fully functional with preview capabilities.
  • Allow configurable notifications for team leaders upon team member submissions.
  • Improve FROM/REPLY-TO address handling so emails originate from the team owner’s email rather than a generic address.
  • Implement customizable threshold logic for sending dashboards (100% for baseline, 80% for subsequent surveys).

Vendor Obligations

The selected developer(s) will:

  • Participate in weekly check-ins with the EXF product owner.
  • Use GitHub for version control and coordination.
  • Deploy staging environments on Heroku and/or other EXF-preferred platforms.
  • Deliver clean, well-documented code with handoff documentation and training.
  • Remain available for ongoing maintenance (separate contract) if desired.
  • Maintain a business insurance policy appropriate to their area of expertise. 

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Demonstrate advanced experience in Ruby on Rails, ActionMailer, and web app deployment.
  • Have a track record of developing secure, user-friendly, and database-integrated tools.

Application Requirements

Proposals should include:

  • An overview of the applicant’s relevant experience and technical skills.
  • A proposed approach to implementing the functionality described.
  • Timeline and milestones (we anticipate a ~10-week development window).
  • Cost estimate based on fixed price or hourly rate.
  • Examples of past projects, GitHub repos (if available), and client references.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Technical expertise and experience with Rails and associated technologies.
  • Understanding of EXF needs and survey-based applications.
  • Clarity and feasibility of the proposed implementation plan.
  • Cost-effectiveness and value for investment

How to Apply

Please submit your information and materials to the following form: https://registry.extension.org/251604153959057

Questions?

Contact aaronweibe@extension.org

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AgriProspects Launches 2nd Round of Grants to Boost CES Workforce Capacity in Digital Credentials & AI

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AgriProspects, a national program of the Extension Foundation, is excited to announce their second round of grants aimed at advancing Extension-led adult agricultural workforce development (AAWD) across the nation.

Supported by USDA-NIFA through the AFRI-National Extension Clearinghouse for Industry and the Workforce (NECIW) (2023-67037-40533), AgriProspects will award up to five two-year grants of $200,000 each to support regional or national-scale projects that build Cooperative Extension’s capacity and readiness in two focus areas:

  1. Digital credentialing initiatives for adult agricultural workforce development in rural and urban areas; or
  2. Artificial Intelligence tools and resources to support the agricultural sector and supply chain and the adult agricultural workforce in rural and urban areas.

Proposals should expand workforce skills through competency-based approaches, clearly define target audiences and learning outcomes, involve end users in project design, leverage Extension and partner strengths, and focus on digital credentials or AI in Extension.

This opportunity is open to all Land-grant Colleges & Universities, regardless of Extension Foundation membership.

For more details on eligibility, proposal requirements, office hours, resource sessions, and deadlines, visit https://agriprospects.extension.org/mini-grant-round-2/.

Day 2 of the AgriProspects Summit will have sessions reviewing digital credentials and the broader digital credential ecosystem. A kick off session for this grant cycle will also be held as part of the Summit at 3pm Eastern. To learn more, visit https://agriprospects.extension.org/agriprospects-summit-2025/.

Questions? Contact us at agriprospects@extension.org.

About the Extension Foundation

The Extension Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves as a strategic partner to the Cooperative Extension System, enhancing its capacity to address pressing community challenges through innovative programming and resources. Focused on fostering collaboration, the Extension Foundation supports the development and dissemination of research-based educational materials, leveraging technology and partnerships to reach diverse audiences. By promoting initiatives that drive engagement, workforce development, and social impact, the Foundation plays a critical role in modernizing extension services. Its work enables local extension professionals to better serve their communities, ensuring that relevant and timely information is accessible to those who need it most, ultimately contributing to the vitality and resilience of communities across the nation.

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Extension Foundation Announces Appointment of Adam Hughes to Lead National Health and Well-Being Coordination Efforts

The Extension Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Hughes, MPH, to provide national-level managerial support for Cooperative Extension’s health and well-being initiatives. In this role, Hughes will support the implementation of the five high-level recommendations from Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health and Well-Being, approved by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) in 2021. His appointment began on March 1, 2025, under a one-year contract.

A seasoned public health leader with over 20 years of experience across the nonprofit, government, and higher education sectors, Hughes currently serves as a State Extension Specialist at Cornell Cooperative Extension. His work has spanned strategic program development, organizational leadership, and advancing health through community-engaged approaches. He brings a strong understanding of Cooperative Extension’s health-related infrastructure and programming, as well as a passion for building collaborative networks.

In his new role with the Extension Foundation, Hughes will serve as the primary liaison for health and well-being efforts and support the National Health Leadership Committee (HLC), He will also promote promising practices from across the nation, coordinate with Land-grant institutions, and represent the Cooperative Extension System in national conversations on health.

“Adam Hughes has a deep commitment to community health and a proven track record of leadership,” said Beverly Coberly, Chief Executive Officer of the Extension Foundation. “We are thrilled to have someone with his experience and integrity advancing the health and well-being priorities of the Cooperative Extension System.”

Hughes holds a Master of Public Health from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Springfield College. He also serves in leadership roles with the Cornell Center for Health Equity and the Rural Health Network of South-Central New York.

For more information about Cooperative Extension’s health and well-being initiatives, visit https://health.extension.org.

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EXCITE at National Health Outreach Conference

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The 2025 National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference (NHOC) was hosted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and featured workshops, panels, and poster sessions exploring innovative approaches to health promotion through collaboration and partnerships. This year’s theme, “Rooted in Partnerships: Growing Collaborations for Health Promotion,” highlighted the importance of multi-sector partnerships and collaborative efforts in implementing programs and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies that promote health for all.

Project Director Michelle Rodgers Opening Remarks at the Pre-Conference

Project Director Michelle Rodgers Opening Remarks at the Pre-Conference


EXCITE Pre-conference: 

The Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) hosted a pre-conference session on the morning of April 28, 2025, just before the official start of the NHOC. Funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the CDC, EXCITE supports projects that address health disparities in rural communities and areas with less access to resources.

Attendees included members of the EXCITE national program team, representatives from funded projects at Land-grant Universities, and pharmaceutical company representatives interested in this work. The session provided an opportunity to share successes from two recently funded initiatives focused on enhancing immunization education and awareness within Extension programming.

These initiatives aim to integrate immunization education into diverse Extension programs and develop innovative strategies for raising awareness. The EXCITE: Adult Immunization Education Integration Project supports incorporating immunization topics into existing program series. At the same time, the EXCITE: Adult Immunization Awareness Messaging Integration Project focuses on developing tools and approaches to strengthen education and engagement efforts. Both projects lay the groundwork for a more holistic health promotion of immunization education by embedding it in Extension programming.

EXCITE Teams Networking at the Project Fair

EXCITE Teams Networking at the Project Fair

Teams showcased the curriculum, materials, toolkits, and training they are developing—resources that will be made publicly available this fall after the projects conclude in August. Integration teams gave 10-minute Ignite-style presentations to provide an overview of their projects, while awareness teams shared materials in a tabling format, encouraging informal discussion and networking.

Lindsey McConnell Soong, Idaho Extension, Accepting NHOC Award

Lindsey McConnell-Soong, Idaho Extension, Accepting NHOC Award


EXCITE Teams Recognized at NHOC:

At the National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference, the Idaho EXCITE team was honored with a 2025 Jeanne M. Priester Extension Health Award. Joey Peutz and Lindsey McDonnell-Soong from University of Idaho Extension received the award for their “Competency in Community Health Systems” initiative. Recognizing that poverty creates significant barriers to preventive health behaviors, the team began integrating poverty competency into Idaho’s public health system through their third EXCITE-funded project in 2022. This approach helped staff evaluate and adapt existing systems and policies to better serve populations with reduced access to resources, resulting in more sustainable and effective change. This award highlights how EXCITE projects address the root causes of vaccine hesitancy by fostering deeper community understanding and responsive engagement with all members of the community.

Several EXCITE teams participated in the poster session at NHOC, showcasing the impact of their past immunization education efforts. Teams from the University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension System shared highlights of their work, including strategies, lessons learned, and measurable outcomes in their communities. Their displays demonstrated the continued value of Extension-led public health initiatives and the role of trusted messengers in improving vaccine confidence and access.

Reflection:

The 2025 NHOC was a meaningful opportunity to support, celebrate, and learn from the EXCITE teams working at the intersection of public health and Cooperative Extension. From in-depth pre-conference discussions to national recognition and peer-to-peer exchange, the conference highlighted the continued value of collaboration, innovation, and local engagement. We’re grateful to the CDC, USDA NIFA, and all the EXCITE teams who made this gathering a success.


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Learn More About the Integration Projects Presented at NHOC

During the preconference, Integration Project teams shared highlights from their work through lightning presentations and an interactive fair session. Explore the following summaries to learn more about each team’s approach and achievements.


EDUCATION INTEGRATION PROJECTS—Ignite Presentations

 

From Hesitation to Confidence: Innovative Strategies for Adult Immunization Education in Rural Communities Arkansas University

Heather Wingo, Jessica Vincent, and Amber Hairston

Leveraging the expertise of County Extension Agents and the structured “How to Talk to Your Doctor HANDbook,” the program develops a nuanced approach to vaccine education. The project seeks to bridge the gap between community concerns and public health goals by creating a supportive, non-judgmental communication framework, ultimately improving vaccination rates and health outcomes in rural Arkansas.

Continuing Education for Oregon’s Community Health Workers: Empowering Adult Vaccination Messenger Efficacy

Roberta Riportella and Robin Maille

An online, continuing education (CEU) resource for Traditional Health Workers (THWs) to be messengers of adult immunization information with their clients. The 2 CEU course develops THW knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) to communicate information with adult clients and peers about vaccines and vaccinations. Immunization-literate THW clients and peer communities will likely contribute to improved vaccination intention/uptake rates and infectious disease control outcomes.

 

Integrating Adult Immunization Education into Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Balanced Living with Diabetes Program

Kristina Jiles and Kathy Hosig

Balanced Living with Diabetes (BLD) is a community-based type 2 diabetes lifestyle management program for people with type 2 diabetes to help them better manage their diabetes and prevent diabetes complications. Adult immunization education was integrated into the program, where participants receive information on the importance of vaccination for people with diabetes and speak with their healthcare provider about being up-to-date on vaccines. The team also developed an online module that was made available to BLD participants during the interim period to learn more about vaccines to protect their health.

 

Integrating Adult Immunization Education into the Junior Master Wellness Volunteer Program in Mississippi

Holli Seitz and Jasmine Harris-Speight

The Junior Master Wellness Volunteer (JMWV) program is a community health education youth volunteer program that increases youth health literacy, enhances youth health knowledge, and prepares youth to deliver community health interventions and advocate for healthier communities. The development of the curriculum includes the development of teaching materials, participant materials, activities, and an online module to be incorporated into an online version of the JMWV program.

Foundations of Climate Change and Health Adaptation

Kent Boyd and Vanessa da Silva

The University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP) and School of Nursing, in collaboration with Extension and health professionals from the University of Arizona, plan to develop and pilot a new “Foundations of Climate and Health” curriculum with the versatility for incorporation in varied Extension programs across the nation. The curriculum will include a detailed guide and sample agendas for instructors describing ways to incorporate the climate impacts on health, increasing adaptation and resilience, and communicating complex and polarized topics, such as climate change and vaccinations, throughout Extension programs.

Idaho’s EXCITE-Integration Project: Poverty-Informed Strategies for Immunization Education

Lindsey McConnell-Soong and Joey Peutz

Building on its prior success training 132 public health professionals in poverty competency, the University of Idaho is expanding its efforts through two new initiatives. A revised training for general audiences will include a case study illustrating the application of poverty-informed practices to immunization education. In addition, a new workshop curriculum tailored for immunization educators will highlight effective strategies from the earlier project. These workshops will be piloted in all seven Idaho health districts, with surveys administered immediately and six months post-training to assess changes in staff knowledge and system-level practices.

 

EXCITE! Immunization Education Program Partnership with University of Arizona EFNEP and Diabetes Prevention Programs

Vanessa da Silva, Shea Austin Cantu

Immunization education is being integrated into the University of Arizona’s EFNEP and Diabetes Prevention Program, both of which focus on preventive health behaviors. Pharmacy students developed immunization talking points aligned with session topics, now embedded in facilitator guides and new participant materials. The discussion-based format fosters trust and addresses hesitancy in a safe environment. This project seeks to establish a scalable, sustainable model to improve vaccination uptake among adults at risk for chronic disease.

Health Extension Training and Capacity-Building for Expanding Access to Vaccination in Rural Communities Clemson University 

Kathleen Cartmell and Bonnie Treado

This project aims to embed vaccine promotion into the long-term structure of the Health Extension program by: 1) streamlining vaccine education through an updatable online training for new health Extension workers, 2) delivering immunization education and resource navigation via community programs and the university’s student health center, and 3) offering technical assistance to strengthen Extension–public health partnerships and support vaccination in rural and underserved areas.

 

Show-Me Vax Preliminary Work in Missouri

Sarah Davis and Chiquita Chanay

This study explores Missouri Extension professionals’ perceptions and knowledge of preventive healthcare services in the communities they serve. Findings will inform the development of supplemental materials on vaccines and preventive care for older adults, to be integrated into existing programs. The internal survey analysis will guide next steps and offer comparisons to how Extension professionals in other states approach similar topics.

EFNEP 

Diane Oliver and Jackie Wilkins

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), a USDA-NIFA–funded initiative for over 50 years, delivers evidence-based nutrition education to limited-resource families. Trusted by underinsured and under-vaccinated communities, EFNEP was selected for this project due to its national presence and credibility. Thirty-one EFNEP programs received over $2 million to promote the BRIDGE Access Program—raising awareness of free COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and providing ongoing adult vaccine education. 

 


AWARENESS PROJECTS—Awareness Fair

 

Enhancing Adult Immunization Confidence in Rural Arkansas: A Community-Centered “Learn. Understand. Decide.” Approach

Heather Wingo and Jennifer Vincent, University of Arkansas Extension

 

USU Extension Vaccine Education Toolkit: Strategies for Engaging Rural Communities in Vaccine Conversations

Aaron Hunt and Sydney O’Shay, University of Utah Extension

Annual Health and Wellness Planner

Irene Padasas and Natalie Price, University of California Extension

 

MI on the Fly: Strategies to Integrate Motivational Interviewing into Extension Programming

Anya Sheftel, Washington State University 

EXCITE! Immunization Awareness Project Arizona

Shea Austin Cantu and Vanessa da Silva, University of Arizona Extension

Rutgers Cooperative Extension – FCHS Vaccination Education Program 

Christine Zellers and Rachel Tansey, University of Rutgers Extension 

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ExtensionBot Highlighted in National CAST Report on AI in Agriculture

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The Extension Foundation is proud to announce that ExtensionBot, its flagship AI tool for Cooperative Extension, has been recognized in a national Issue Paper released by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). The report, titled “AI in Agriculture: Opportunities, Challenges, and Recommendations,” underscores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in agriculture and identifies ExtensionBot as an example of a successful public-sector case study of generative AI designed specifically for agriculture.

According to the CAST report, ExtensionBot “delivers more accurate and consistent responses to agricultural questions than broader GAI models” due to its foundation in over 360,000 curated Extension publications. Built to mimic a trusted, conversational approach, ExtensionBot leverages retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to ensure users receive science-based answers aligned with local practices and conditions.

“In a digital age where producers need fast, trusted, and localized answers, ExtensionBot is bridging the gap between the vast knowledge base of Cooperative Extension and the modern information-seeking habits of our stakeholders,” said Ashley Griffin, Chief Operating Officer of the Extension Foundation and Program Director for its New Technologies for Ag Extension program. 

ExtensionBot is already integrated into several Land-grant university platforms, supporting Extension agents and producers with timely, accurate information. The CAST paper also highlights the platform’s future potential to integrate real-time data from IoT devices, drones, and satellite systems, pointing to its expanding role in precision agriculture.

The full article is available on CAST’s website here. 

Get Involved

Cooperative Extension professionals and institutions can explore and engage with ExtensionBot in the following ways:

  • Pilot the Platform: Institutions can launch ExtensionBot on their own websites, tailored to local content.
  • Submit Publications: Help improve ExtensionBot’s knowledge by contributing your institution’s Extension publications.
  • Collaborate on Use Cases: Work with the Extension Foundation to develop specialized applications, such as livestock management, climate adaptation, or youth programming.
  • Participate in Learning Cohorts: Join Extension Foundation-led cohorts exploring AI in Extension, including implementation, best practices, and ethical considerations.

Learn More

Visit https://extension.org/tools/extbot/ or email marklocklear@extension.org and davidwarren@extension.org to learn how your institution can activate ExtensionBot today. This informational flyer also provides additional information about ExtensionBot and the MERLIN platforms. 

ExtensionBot is part of the Extension Foundation’s broader mission to support Cooperative Extension through cutting-edge technology, innovation, and professional development. Funding for ExtensionBot is supported in partnership with the University of New Hampshire through a cooperative agreement with USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture called New Technologies for Ag Extension (funding opportunity no. USDA-NIFA-OP-010186, grant no. 2023-41595-41325).

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AgriProspects Launches Data Capture Effort to Build National Agricultural Workforce Development Clearinghouse

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The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, a national program of the Extension Foundation open to all Land-grant Institutions and funded through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Workforce Development Competitive grant (2023-67037-40533), has initiated a nationwide data capture effort to identify and catalog adult agricultural workforce development programs offered by Land-grant Universities. This foundational step will inform and serve as the database for the development of the AgriProspects Marketplace, a centralized platform designed to connect earners, learners, and employers with Extension opportunities.

The AgriProspects team will conduct a comprehensive review of Land-grant institution websites to gather information on current agricultural training programs, credentialing options, and workforce development initiatives. The resulting clearinghouse will offer a robust resource to help individuals and businesses navigate educational and employment opportunities within the agricultural sector.

“Building this clearinghouse is an essential first step in ensuring agricultural workers and employers can easily find and access the skilling and upskilling resources they need to succeed,” said Dr. Jason L. Weigle, AgriProspects Program Manager. “Through this effort, we aim to expand on the good work already underway across Extension by providing consistency, parity, and visibility for end users to the extensive educational opportunities offered by all Land-grant Institutions across the country.”

The AgriProspects Marketplace, supported by the data gathered during this phase, will serve as a user-friendly platform for exploring Extension and broader Land-grant adult agricultural workforce development opportunities. Future phases of the Marketplace will incorporate additional features, including Learning and Employment Records (LERs) to capture learning and experiential competencies, digital wallets for verified credential management, an employment opportunity portal to facilitate connections between job seekers and employers, and expansion to encompass other Extension workforce development opportunities such as those within health care, energy, technology, and 4-H.

This initiative reflects the Extension Foundations commitment to strengthening the agricultural workforce by providing equitable access to education, training, and career opportunities.

For more information about the AgriProspects data capture effort or the AgriProspects Marketplace, please contact Dr. Jason Weigle at agriprospects@extension.org. Learn more about AgriProspects at https://agriprospects.extension.org.

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AgriProspects Workforce Development Network Hosting First National Summit

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National AgriProspects Summit
June 24-25, 2025
Virtual

The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network is hosting its first national summit
this summer and we want to see you there! AgriProspects is an adult agricultural
workforce development grant project funded by NIFA. The team is working hard to plan
this two-day event to network, engage, and learn about adult workforce development in
food and agriculture. Participants will hear from keynote speakers and panels on topics
such as Extension’s contribution to workforce development, credentialing, and the
AgriProspects Marketplace, as well as attend breakout sessions and engage in plenty of
networking opportunities.

https://agriprospects.extension.org/agriprospects-summit-2025/

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AgriProspects Workforce Development Network to Host Webinar on the AgriProspects Marketplace

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The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network will host a webinar on March 19, 2025, from 3 PM to 4 PM ET, to introduce the AgriProspects Marketplace, a new platform designed to connect U.S. Cooperative Extension System (CES) opportunities with the growing digital credential ecosystem.

Developed in partnership with Merit, the AgriProspects Marketplace is a multi-phase initiative aimed at bridging CES programming with digital credentialing systems used by learners, employers, agencies, and intermediaries. The webinar will provide an overview of the digital credential landscape and its relevance to Extension, introduce the first phase of the Marketplace—a clearinghouse of CES opportunities for adult agricultural workforce development—and explore future enhancements such as Learning and Employment Records (LERs), digital wallets, and learning management system (LMS) integrations.

“Extension has long been a leader in workforce development, and the AgriProspects Marketplace presents an exciting opportunity to align Extension programs with the evolving digital credential landscape,” said Dr. Jason Weigle, Program Manager for the AgriProspects Workforce Development Network. “The AgriProspects Marketplace is designed to make these connections clearer, ensuring that Extension’s impact in workforce development is fully recognized and utilized.”

Participants will also have the opportunity to experience receiving a digital credential and navigating a learning and employment record environment as part of the Marketplace demonstration.

About AgriProspects Workforce Development Network

AgriProspects is a USDA-NIFA-funded, five-year initiative focused on adult agriculture workforce development. The program seeks to foster regional cooperation, identify workforce ecosystem gaps, and provide adaptive solutions to local and regional employment challenges. Through AgriProspects, Extension professionals are working to increase awareness and access to skills-based training, credential attainment, and workforce preparedness.

The initiative is built on three key principles:

  • Everything Extension does is workforce development
  • Skills are the building blocks of success
  • All learning counts

By leveraging Extension’s vast expertise, AgriProspects is working to expand workforce development resources, professional networking opportunities, and support services through innovative tools like the AgriProspects Marketplace and an online clearinghouse for Extension-led workforce programs.

About the Extension Foundation

The Extension Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves as a strategic partner to the Cooperative Extension System, enhancing its capacity to address pressing community challenges through innovative programming and resources. The Foundation fosters collaboration by supporting the development and dissemination of research-based educational materials, leveraging technology and partnerships to reach audiences across the United States. 

By promoting initiatives that drive engagement, workforce development, and social impact, the Foundation plays a critical role in modernizing Extension services. Its work enables local Extension professionals to better serve their communities, ensuring that relevant and timely information is accessible to those who need it most, ultimately contributing to the vitality and resilience of communities across the nation.

For more information about AgriProspects and its workforce development efforts, and registration for this event, visit https://agriprospects.extension.org. 

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Health Program Manager Position Available

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Application Link: https://registry.extension.org/250283629167159

Overview

The Extension Foundation is currently receiving applications for an individual to provide managerial support to the Cooperative Extension System’s ongoing work in health and well-being.  More specifically, work of this individual will focus on supporting implementation of the five high-level recommendations emanating from Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health and Well-Being approved by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) in 2021.  Implementation of these recommendations is led by a national Health Leadership Committee (HLC) operating under the auspices of the ECOP Program Committee.  This position is ideal for a mid-career Extension professional wishing to expand their visibility and involvement in national-level health-focused work.

Terms

The contract may be executed directly with an individual or with the institution with which the individual is currently employed.  The successful candidate is expected to devote the equivalent of roughly 10 hours per week (.25 FTE) in performance of the duties identified below.  Performance of the stated duties is performed at a flat rate of $40,000.

Contract begins March 1, 2025 and continues through February 28, 2026.

Duties

  • Serve as a central point of contact with internal and external constituents and partners for all inquiries related to the health and well-being work of the Cooperative Extension System.
  • Maintain a national Health Leadership Committee (HLC) in accordance with the provisions and guidelines set forth in the committee’s charter.
  • Provide HLC members with advance notice of upcoming meetings. Work directly with the HLC chair(s) to ensure that an agenda is developed before each meeting.
  • Generate and distribute summaries of the items discussed and actions taken by the HLC.
  • Serve as the administrator of the Collective for Health and Well-Being subgroup of Connect Extension making regular blog posts containing information useful to Extension personnel nationwide.
  • Serve as the administrator for the https://health.extension.org website.
  • Maintain a distribution list of institutional contacts for health at all land-grant universities and colleges.
  • Raise up examples of work being done by Extension faculty and staff that aligns with the recommendations contained in Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health and Well-Being through virtual and face-to-face learning experiences.
  • Establish or maintain relationships with new and existing partners which elevate the visibility of Cooperative Extension in national conversations around health.
  • Assist land-grant universities in building the needed infrastructure for supporting health-related work through their respective Extension organizations.
  • Attend regular meetings of the ECOP program committee.

Desired Qualifications

  • Understanding of the Cooperative Extension System and its current work to advance health and well-being across the nation as well as the economic, social, and political contexts within which it operates.
  • Familiarity with Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health and Well-Being.
  • Community-level experience in both promoting healthy behaviors and addressing the social determinants of health.
  • Willingness to work as a collaborative member of a national team sharing credit and regularly recognizing the contributions of others in achievement of team goals.
  • Graduate degree in public health, nutrition, nursing, community development, education, public administration, public policy, or a related discipline.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience managing or hosting virtual meetings, webinars, and website administration.
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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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