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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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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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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Announcement of the Extension Foundation Pesticide Safety Education Funds Management Program (PSEFMP) Funding Opportunity

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The Extension Foundation (EXF) is pleased to announce a funding opportunity for Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEP) for 2025. This opportunity is made available through a cooperative agreement (X8-84066001) with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  to continue the administration of the national subaward program in support of pesticide applicator education, and training for certified applicators of restricted use pesticides. In addition, during this funding period EXF will aid in providing a professional development element of the project and provide additional funding to subawardees through online workshops or webinars to discuss partnerships and/or collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to increase their capacity and help to address Environmental Justice (EJ) concerns and initiatives. 

Requirements of subawardees for this funding program are as follows:

  • Agree to share at least one educational deliverable for the purposes of enhancing PSEP programs both regionally and nationally. 
  • Submit one final programmatic progress report at the end of the subaward term via a standardized online webform via Wizehive
  • Submit invoices and financial reports quarterly to receive reimbursement of funds spent via Wizehive.
  • Attend a minimum of one 1-hour training webinar for the online reporting system and/or open office hours. 
    • Anticipated dates and times (eastern) are: May 5, 2025 at 2 pm; July 14, 2025 at 3 pm; September 29, 2025 at 3 pm and December 8, 2025 at 3:00 pm.
    • Additionally there will be open office hours held for applicants to “drop-in” with any questions, concerns, or comments they would like to discuss with the Project Manager. Those dates and times will be communicated at a later date. 
    • Be sure to check your email for Zoom links for the training and office hours. Additionally, all dates and login information will be posted in the Connect Extension subgroup for this funding program. 

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for this funding applicants must be affiliated with an 1862 U.S. Land Grant University (LGU). Only one application per state or territory from each 1862 LGU will be eligible for funding. Please contact psefmp-helpdesk@extension.org if you have any questions regarding eligibility.

Funding Period

The anticipated funding period for this subaward will be January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025.

Funding Available

Each PSEP will be eligible to apply for a base amount of $19,300.00 USD plus an additional 5% of the funds divided proportionally based on the percentage of the number of certified applicators in each state or territory. The number of certified applicators in a state or territory will be based on the most recent figures of certified applicators as supplied by the EPA. Additional amounts available to the state or territory will be listed in the budget section of the application. Funds will be distributed via a cost reimbursement model and on submission of invoices. 

Additionally, EXF will provide a professional development element of the project and provide additional funding to subawardees through online workshops or webinars to discuss partnerships and/or collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to increase their capacity and help to address Environmental Justice (EJ) concerns and initiatives. This is in response to continued efforts to help improve the capacity of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to engage in pesticide safety education training and outreach by encouraging and facilitating (as applicable and appropriate) collaboration with the 1862 LGU PSEP either statewide or regionally. Help in providing educational materials and training opportunities to underserved and marginalized populations in culturally relevant and meaningful ways, ensuring that EJ is consistently addressed throughout the project’s scope through specialized additional funding to successful subrecipients. Eligible applicants will have the ability to receive up to an additional $10,000 in funding if within their current program, they will seek to either collaborate or partner with a MSI, to increase the MSIs capacity to engage in pesticide safety education training and outreach either statewide or regionally. There will be a total of six additional awards available to applicants for up to $10,000.00 in additional funding to address this issue specifically, for a total of $60,000.00. These additional funds will be competitively evaluated and only awarded to six programs that show significant impact in working with MSIs and addressing EJ. 

EXF will aid in providing professional development training for subrecipients through online workshops or webinars to discuss how they partnered and/or collaborated with MSIs to increase their capacity and help address EJ concerns utilizing the additional funding they received on their subaward. 

Key Dates:

Application System Opens: Wednesday, September 11,  2024 at 8 am EST

Live Application Trainings:

  • Wednesday, September 11 at 3 pm EST (via Zoom)
  • Friday, September 13 at 10 am EST (via Zoom)

Open Office Hours (via Zoom):

  • Tuesday, September 17 at 10 am – 1 pm EST
  • Wednesday, September 18 at 10 am – 2 pm EST
  • Friday, September 20 at 10 am – 12 pm EST

Application Deadline: Monday, November 11, 2024 at  11:59 pm EST

Subaward Notification Announcement: December 20, 2024 

Application Review Process: 

EXF will use a multi-step approach in the receiving and review of applications for this program. Each application will be reviewed by EXF personnel for programmatic and budget compliance, completeness and potential collaboration with other programs and/or MSIs. 

For the additional funding, a multi-step approach will also be utilized in the receiving and review of applications. Each application will be reviewed by third-party reviewers for programmatic and budget compliance, completeness, collaboration and/or partnerships with MSIs and professional development deliverable(s). If you are not interested in the additional funding but would like to be a potential reviewer for these applications, please send an email to psefmp-helpdesk@extension.org. 

Application Submission

Applications for this funding opportunity can be accessed via an online portal. The application will go live on September 11, 2024 at 8 am eastern.

Live Application System Trainings:

Potential applicants will receive an invitation via email for an optional training through Zoom for the online application system. During the training, the EXF Program Manager will provide a step by step walk through of the application site, the application and submission. If you are unable to attend a training session, they will be recorded and provided via email the following day of the first training. Additional training sessions can be scheduled on an as needed basis or via special request. Open office hours will also be held in order for applicants to drop in with application questions at their convenience. Please see above for a schedule of training sessions and open office hours. These will also be posted on the calendar within the Connect Extension subgroup. 

If you have any questions please send an email to psefmp-helpdesk@extension.org. 

Advisory Committee Members

Open to all subawardees, you will have the opportunity to work directly with EXF, to help in making recommendations on improvements to the program, deliverables, collaborations, enhancements, etc. If you are interested in serving on the Advisory Committee please contact Tira Adelman at tiraadelman@extension.org. 

About 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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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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