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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Impact Collaborative Workbook Redesigned and Released

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Cover of Impact Collaborative Workbook by Extension Foundation

The Extension Foundation is excited to announce the release of its redesigned Impact Collaborative Workbook, now available publicly as an interactive PDF. This format enhances collaboration, especially for participants in a virtual Impact Collaborative method training and for participants exploring the process independently.

Established in 2014 by the Extension Foundation, the Impact Collaborative serves as a national network of Land-grant university professionals focused on empowering communities to co-create sustainable solutions through Extension programming. The initiative has evolved to meet the needs of Extension professionals, guided by their feedback.

A key feature of the Impact Collaborative is its comprehensive skills curriculum, which has trained hundreds of Extension professionals to rethink program development and serve as resources within their communities. The interactive Impact Collaborative Workbook facilitates dynamic engagement, allowing teams to collaborate effectively from different locations.

Thousands of Cooperative Extension professionals have participated in the Impact Collaborative, which plays a crucial role in delivering national programs and services. In 2023, a needs assessment was conducted to ensure the initiative continues to address the evolving challenges faced by the Cooperative Extension system.

The new interactive Workbook is now available. For more information, please visit the Impact Collaborative website.

Related Reading:

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Extension Essentials: New Series to Empower Extension Professionals

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The Extension Foundation is excited to announce the launch of its new Extension Essentials series. This curated collection of resources and publications is designed to empower Extension professionals in delivering impactful programs, driving innovation, and fostering meaningful community engagement.

The series addresses diverse areas of expertise and equips professionals with practical tools to enhance their work. The first publication in the series, curated by Extension Foundation instructional designer Lisa Linfield, offers guidance on creating accessible documents to ensure inclusivity and understanding for all audiences, including those with disabilities.

If you’ve learned something that you think more Extension employees should know or have a resource that could benefit the Cooperative Extension System, you can contribute to the series. Contact Publications Manager Charlie Pane for more information about submitting your content. 

Stay tuned for updates and new releases in this dynamic resource series by signing up to receive notifications about new publications.

Related Reading

Using Digital Technology in Extension Education

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Extension Foundation to Launch Digital Marketplace for Extension Programs New Platform to Expand Access to Cooperative Extension Offerings and Workforce Development Opportunities

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The Extension Foundation, in partnership with key stakeholders, has selected Merit to help launch a digital marketplace designed to enhance access to Cooperative Extension programs offered by the nation’s 112 Land-grant Universities and Colleges. This marketplace, part of the Foundation’s national program known as the AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, aims to bridge workforce development gaps by connecting earners, learners, and employers to educational resources and skill-building opportunities that support local and regional workforce ecosystems. This work is supported by a grant between the Extension Foundation and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). 

The marketplace will serve as a centralized hub where learners, earners, and employers can discover Cooperative Extension offerings based on location and area of interest. Designed with scalability and adaptability in mind, the platform represents a critical step in supporting rural and underserved communities through accessible upskilling and reskilling opportunities.

“Extension programming is uniquely positioned to address workforce development challenges by providing learners with the tools they need to succeed in today’s economy,” said Dr. Jason Weigle, Program Manager for the AgriProspects Workforce Development Network at the Extension Foundation. “This marketplace represents a bold step forward in connecting individuals with the resources and credentials they need to thrive.”

In its first phase, the marketplace will focus on aggregating and organizing existing Cooperative Extension adult agricultural workforce programming and skills taught, enabling users to easily search by ZIP code and area of interest. Future phases will incorporate digital credentials, known as Learning and Employment Records (LERs), and digital wallets to empower learners with portable, secure documentation of their skills and qualifications.

While currently focused on adult agricultural workforce development, the marketplace is designed to be scalable for future expansion beyond the agriculture sector, utilizing emerging LERs and digital wallets, and ensuring interoperability with existing and emerging credentialing systems, skilling trees, and learning management systems

This initiative aligns with the Extension Foundation’s commitment to workforce development as a cornerstone of Cooperative Extension’s mission. By increasing awareness of and access to Extension resources, the marketplace seeks to strengthen local economies, support workforce readiness, and promote lifelong learning.

To hear Extension Foundation’s Jason Weigle discuss How LERs help transition to a skills-based economy, visit the interview here. To learn more about the Extension Foundation and its AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, visit extension.org. To learn more about Merit, visit https://www.merits.com.

AgriProspects is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under Workforce Development Competitive Grant 2023-67037-40533. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website and consultative support 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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Extension Foundation’s National Program AgriProspects Workforce Development Network Announces Mini-Grant Round 1 Recipients

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Agriprospects, a groundbreaking national marketplace for Cooperative Extension programs, today is announcing the support of 11 projects across Cooperative Extension to deliver and expand adult agricultural workforce development. This first round of mini-grants will expand the training available to the public through Agriprospects and fill in gaps in training in farm business coaching, dairy farm safety management, permaculture, among other topics. Led by The Extension Foundation, Agriprospects and its mini-grants are supported by a federal grant through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and aims to enhance access to education, upskilling, and reskilling opportunities, particularly for rural and underserved populations.

The 11 projects represent 16 Land-grant institutions from across the country as well as a variety of external stakeholders. Projects include LGIs from all CES regions:

1994 Region: 1 project
1890 Region: 1 project
North Central Region: 1 project
Northeastern Region: 4 projects
Southern Region: 3 projects
Western Region: 6 projects

AgriProspects Workforce Development Network Round 1 Mini-grant Recipients:

  • Colorado State University, Agricultural Workforce Development: Building Capacity for Young Adults with Disabilities
  • The Pennsylvania State University, Success Skills in Spanish 4 Ag (SSS4A)
  • South Dakota State University, Dairy Farm Safety Management: Promoting Biosecurity, Safety, and Hazard Control for Hispanic Workers
  • University of Hawaii, Developing Supplemental Courses to Increase Hawaii Farm Revenues
  • University of Maryland, Farm Business Coaching: Cultivating Entrepreneurship
  • University of Kentucky, Filling Gaps in the Specialty Crop Ag Workforce: A Focus on Minority and Underserved Populations
  • University of Kentucky, Growing Kentucky Growers: A Project for Prison Horticulture Education Expansion
  • University of Vermont, Farmworker Education Hub
  • Utah State University, Permaculture for professionals: Developing pathways for a skilled workforce in regenerative and ecological land management
  • Virginia Tech, Leveraging inter-organizational resources to develop multilingual viticultural educational materials and training resources for Virginia farmworkers
  • Washington State University, Phase 1 (of 3) Modernization and Expansion of WSU Extension’s “Cultivating Success Sustainable Small Farms Education Program”

To learn more about AgriProspects, please visit https://agriprospects.extension.org/ or connect with the AgriProspects Program Manager, Jason Weigle, at jasonweigle@extension.org. Cooperative Extension professionals from all Land-grant universities are invited to sign up for AgriProspects regional and national newsletters at https://agriprospects.extension.org/news-updates/. Cooperative Extension professionals from all Land-grant institutions are also invited to become part of the Extension Workforce Development Network on Connect Extension at https://connect.extension.org/subgroups.

AgriProspects is supported through a cooperative agreement between the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Extension Foundation under the AFRI Education and Workforce Development Competitive Grant 2023-67037-40533. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website and consultative support are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Extension Foundation.

About the Extension Foundation

The Extension Foundation was formed in 2006 by Extension Directors and Administrators. Today, the Foundation partners with Cooperative Extension through liaison roles and a formal plan of work with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) to increase system capacity while providing programmatic services, and helping Extension programs scale and investigate new methods and models for implementing programs. 

The Foundation also provides professional development to Cooperative Extension professionals and offers exclusive services to its members. Its purpose is in its mission statement: to help U.S. Cooperative Extension make a more visible, measurable, impact on local issues.

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New Web Page Highlights AI Resources and Insights 

The Extension Foundation’s work in technology is supported by a New Technologies in Agriculture (NTAE) Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) (funding opportunity USDA-NIFA-OP-010186, award number 2023-41595-41325), in partnership with the University of New Hampshire. This grant enabled the Foundation to deliver a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) track at the 2024 National Extension Technology Conference (NETC)—an annual event that fosters networking and professional development for Extension technology professionals.

Held this year in State College, Pennsylvania, the conference gathered experts to exchange insights and innovations shaping the future of Extension, with a special focus on AI. Organized by Mark Locklear (Extension Foundation) and David Warren (Extension Foundation and Oklahoma State University), the AI track featured more than a dozen sessions showcasing how AI can enhance Extension’s efficiency, outreach, and impact. Topics included AI-powered tools like ExtensionBot and Ask Extension, strategies for collecting and analyzing data from Land-grant universities, and best practices in AI governance. Additional sessions covered automating routine tasks, expanding outreach through personalized communication and translation, and improving program evaluation through predictive analytics.

A new web page provides access to conference presentations, session recordings, and valuable resources, including guides on AI ethics and prompting techniques, as well as presentations by Locklear and Warren. Visit the webpage to explore these tools and discover how AI can drive innovation and impact throughout the Cooperative Extension system.

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Report – Extension Tourism: Impact and Opportunities of Land- and Sea-Grant Programming Across U.S. Regions

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The Extension Foundation has added a new title to its publications library. “Extension Tourism: Impact and Opportunities of Land- and Sea-Grant Programming Across U.S. Regions” shares findings from a national survey process conducted by the National Extension Tourism design team and Regional Rural Development Centers from 2017-2019. The intent of the survey process was to catalog current tourism and recreation programming being conducted by U.S. Extension professionals. The findings are summarized in this report, which:

  • documents the distribution, depth, and breadth of tourism and outdoor recreation programming offered by the Land- and Sea Grant Extension services;
  • demonstrates the regional impacts of this programming; and,
  • highlights opportunities for expanding this programming nationally.

This work was supported in part by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the USDA or those of other funders.

This report was published in 2021, and also appears on the National Extension Tourism website.

Related Reading

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New Report Examines Land-Grant University Capacity to Support Outdoor Recreation Economies

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The Extension Foundation has published a new research report titled Land-Grant University Capacity to Support Recreation Economies in National Forest Gateway Communities. This study provides insights into how well Land-Grant Universities (LGUs) are positioned to promote and develop outdoor recreation economies near U.S. national forests. It also identifies specific locations that are best equipped to allocate resources for recreation economy programs.

The report aims to assess the ability of LGUs to align with a 2022 USDA memorandum of understanding (MOU), which emphasizes outdoor recreation economies as a key agency priority. Historically, recreation and tourism have not been focal program areas for Cooperative Extension, raising questions about LGUs’ readiness to engage in this space.

The assessment was conducted earlier this year by Doug Arbogast, Rural Tourism Specialist at West Virginia University, in partnership with the National Extension Outdoor Recreation Working Group (NEORWG) and the Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs), with support from the Extension Foundation. Funding for the project came from the New Technologies in Agricultural Extension (NTAE) program.

“In 2022, the USDA positioned the outdoor recreation economy as a top priority. Yet, LGUs have traditionally not focused their programmatic efforts on recreation and tourism,” said Arbogast. “This national assessment aimed to understand their capacity to engage in this work. Our findings reveal significant opportunities for Cooperative Extension and LGU researchers to partner with communities, fostering sustainable growth in recreation economies.”

Arbogast and his team developed a survey with input from NEORWG and RRDC members, targeting LGUs in states with national forests. They specifically reached out to Extension leaders working in Community Development program areas, gathering responses between May and June 2024. The survey explored Extension’s current and potential capacity to support recreation economy initiatives, identified research opportunities, and assessed how additional funding could expand Extension’s efforts in this sector.

The full report and associated maps are available on the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development website.

Related Reading

Additional Publications from the Extension Foundation

The Extension Foundation continues to expand its library with new titles on topics including:

  • Creating mass media campaigns
  • Game-based education
  • Wellness strategies during challenging times
  • Curriculum innovation
  • Prescribed fire
  • Emergency preparedness and response
  • Understanding food labels
  • Building resilience for farms and farm families

Explore the complete library of Extension Foundation publications here.

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New Technologies for Ag Extension 2023-2024 Yearbook Now Available in the Extension Foundation Library

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The New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) 2023-2024 Yearbook is now available as the latest addition to the Extension Foundation’s publications library. This vibrant publication captures the progress of dozens of projects funded through the New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE)  program—a cooperative initiative between the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA), the University of New Hampshire, and the Extension Foundation.

NTAE’s mission is to incubate, accelerate, and expand promising work that enhances the impact of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in communities nationwide. It also provides scalable models that can be adopted or adapted by Extension teams across the U.S.

Spanning 72 pages and presented in an engaging, magazine-style format, the Yearbook offers a comprehensive look at how NTAE-funded projects are transforming human, environmental, and community well-being. The publication also highlights an NTAE-supported technology initiative focusing on artificial intelligence. Through illustrated feature articles, Q&A interviews, and embedded videos, readers will explore innovative efforts across key themes, including technology, climate resilience, youth development, health, and equity.

Additionally, the Yearbook highlights the critical work of ECOP’s Program Action Teams, showcasing how these teams contribute to advancing the Cooperative Extension System’s priorities.

The Extension Foundation’s library houses an extensive collection of resources, with topics ranging from technology to strengthening the resilience of farms and rural communities. Explore the entire library here and sign up to receive notifications about future publications.

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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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