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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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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Strengthen Evaluation Skills: New Edition of “Extension Evaluation Matters” Released

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The Extension Foundation is pleased to announce the release of a new edition of Extension Evaluation Matters, edited by Dr. John Diaz (University of Florida) and Dr. Teresa McCoy (Ohio State University). This comprehensive resource empowers Extension professionals with knowledge and tools to effectively evaluate their programs.

Designed for Practical Application

Packed with actionable resources, “Extension Evaluation Matters” equips Extension professionals to:

  • Grasp evaluation fundamentals: Chapter 1 dives into the ethical standards and core competencies that underpin strong evaluation practices.
  • Plan your evaluation: Chapter 2 guides you through defining your evaluation goals and identifying the information you need to collect.
  • Implement your evaluation: Chapter 3 provides practical steps for data collection and analysis, helping you answer your key evaluation questions.
  • Utilize evaluation findings: Chapter 4 empowers you to effectively leverage evaluation data to inform future programming and decision-making.

Enhanced and Accessible

This updated edition builds upon the original eFieldbook/website format, incorporating valuable new information for today’s Extension professionals.

Supported by USDA NIFA

The development of “Extension Evaluation Matters” was supported by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. 2015-41595-24254 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Looking for More?

This publication is one of two dozen publications released by the Extension Foundation in the last several months. The entire library, including the 2022-2023 NTAE Yearbook, is here.

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New Research Publication Explores Technology Acceptance and CRM Technologies in Extension

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The Extension Foundation released a new research publication titled “A Qualitative Investigation of the Technology Acceptance Model in the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service on the Adoption of Customer Relationship Management Systems.”

Authored by Dr. Aaron Weibe, Extension Foundation’s communication and engagement manager for his recently awarded PhD, the study delves into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its role in Extension adopting Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.

Why CRMs Matter for Extension

Dr. Weibe emphasizes the potential of CRMs for Extension services. CRMs offer a centralized platform for managing interactions with the public, leading to more effective communication, outreach, and engagement. Additionally, modern CRMs integrate seamlessly with other software, providing an overall view of operations.

Despite these advantages, Dr. Weibe acknowledges the high failure rate of CRM implementation. His research explores the challenges hindering adoption and investigates how TAM principles can be leveraged to increase CRM success rates within Extension. By exploring TAM in the context of CRM adoption, the publication provides specific and actionable insights to improve technology acceptance in Extension organizations.

Looking for More?

This research is one of two dozen publications released by the Extension Foundation in the last several months. The entire library, including the 2022-2023 NTAE Yearbook, is here.

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How Innovative Leadership Keeps Cooperative Extension Strong: An Interview with Karl Bradley

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Introduction

In a rapidly changing world, innovative leadership is critical for Cooperative Extension’s success. Leadership development equips Extension professionals with the skills to navigate complex issues, build collaborative teams, consistently adapt, and create programs to meet emerging needs. This ensures Cooperative Extension remains a relevant and impactful force.

The Extension Foundation actively supports this goal through the expertise of Karl Bradley, its Leadership and Team Development Specialist. Karl joined the team in 2020, bringing over 25 years of experience from the U.S. Air Force and football coaching, where he honed his leadership skills across various areas.

Originally from Branson, Missouri, Karl has a proven track record leading teams of various sizes. His experience spans public relations, operations, fundraising, and more, across 49 states and 20 countries. This diverse background positions him perfectly to guide Extension professionals in building strong alliances, fostering partnerships, and driving positive change.

In this Q&A, you’ll learn about the ways Karl and the Extension Foundation can support your organization and team. Listen in as Karl chats with Dr. Aaron Weibe about effective leadership strategies on the latest episode of the Connect Extension podcast. Discover Karl’s passion for leadership in the short video we’ve included at the end of this piece. Connect with Karl on LinkedIn to learn more about his expertise.

 

What do you do for the Extension Foundation?

My job is to positively influence the 32,000 Cooperative Extension professionals across the country so they can continue creating meaningful experiences for the people of our nation. My primary purpose is to awaken everyone to the power of their leadership!

Peter Drucker says “Only three things happen in organizations; friction, confusion, and underperformance. Everything else requires leadership.”

The most important thing to remember about this is that these things “happen naturally” when we start collaborating. Friction is present when people don’t understand one another. Confusion happens when communication isn’t effective. Underperformance shows up with skills mismatch and culture issues.

When we seek to understand each other before being understood ourselves, friction begins to fade. When we align what we say with what we do, confusion begins to fade. Engagement increases as we connect through our shared humanity.

We help teams realize it doesn’t have to be this way. You can have the positive experience you want together. It takes everyone’s leadership to move from surviving to thriving!

To make this happen, the Extension Foundation offers individual and team coaching, grant support, and quality membership offerings. The people we serve are very busy professionals so the flexibility of our services is paramount. If your team is at a “7”, we can help you and your team members take action to move to an “8” which will feel remarkably different!

What do you want people to know about your services and offerings?

No matter where you are on your leadership journey, we will listen, learn, and help you lead in the most authentic way for you. We strive to be a strong success partner so everyone can become the best version of themselves. We promise you will be seen, heard, and valued no matter where you are in your career. It’s an honor and privilege to be a trusted partner for the people doing such vital work for our nation. 

How might teams use the recently updated Healthy Teams Handbook and the Team Health Survey tool?

I am so excited to share the newly updated Healthy Teams Handbook! It’s a resource we originally developed to support New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) project teams. This practical guide offers insights and strategies to help you build and maintain high-performing, collaborative teams. Designed to complement the Team Health Dashboard, a research-backed tool based on Google’s “Project Aristotle”, the Healthy Teams Handbook delves into the five key “conditions” essential for effective teamwork:

  • Psychological safety
  • Dependability
  • Structure and clarity
  • Meaning
  • Impact

By understanding and fostering these conditions, you can create a more positive and productive team environment, ultimately leading to better Extension outcomes.

People come together for many reasons. They all desire to have an impact in some way to make our world a little better. To do this they need to become a team. With the survey and handbook, they can have a common language to discuss timeless aspects of how to become a highly effective team. Taking time to reflect on the experience you’re having together in any endeavor is time well spent because healthy teams have more impact. The connection and extension of their talents is what great teamwork is all about.

What do you see as the most important leadership trends that are relevant to Cooperative Extension?

We hear from people all across the country about how Cooperative Extension is the best-kept secret. To build on the success of the first 100 years of Extension and serve the nation in the next century it will take everyone’s collective best. It will take leadership rooted in courage to grow as individuals and blossom into people who get things accomplished with others. Caring for each other and the people of our nation will take truly human leadership. Trends with labels will come and go just like they always have. By embracing the impact we can have together on critical issues, we can transform Extension from a secret to an even more significant force for good.

Editor’s Note:  The Extension Foundation offers a wealth of leadership development resources for Extension professionals. Take the Team Health Survey and gain valuable insights into your team’s strengths and areas for improvement. Access the Healthy Teams Handbook for practical strategies to build high-performing teams. Explore the Extension Foundation’s Leadership Development offerings to further enhance your team’s capabilities. 

This work is supported by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. 2020-41595-30123 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.

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Empower Your Team with the Healthy Teams Handbook: Build and Maintain High-Performing Collaborations

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Take your teamwork to the next level with the Healthy Teams Handbook! This guide, developed by Extension Foundation’s leadership development specialist Karl Bradley, offers practical strategies and insights to build and maintain high-performing collaborative teams. Originally crafted to support New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) project teams, this updated handbook is now available to help all Extension professionals.

Unlock the Secrets of Success

The Healthy Teams Handbook is designed to complement the Team Health Dashboard. The Team Health Dashboard is a research-backed tool, based on Google’s Project Aristotle. It evaluates five key aspects (“conditions”) that are essential for effective team performance: 

  • Psychological Safety: Feeling comfortable sharing ideas and opinions without fear of judgment.
  • Dependability: Meeting commitments and holding one another accountable.
  • Structure & Clarity: Having clear roles, goals, and expectations.
  • Meaning: Understanding the importance and impact of your work.
  • Impact: Knowing that your work makes a difference.

The Healthy Teams Dashboard showcases team health survey results in order to assess and monitor your team’s well-being. 

Assess, Interpret, and Improve

The Healthy Teams Handbook equips teams with tools and strategies to actively improve each of the five conditions. Gain actionable insights, access real-life success stories, and explore inspiring leadership topics to truly empower your team.

About NTAE

The Healthy Teams Handbook 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. Discover more about NTAE-supported work and find additional resources in the 2022-2023 NTAE Yearbook and in the Extension Foundation’s publications library.

Ready to build a stronger, more effective team?

Healthy teams have more impact! Empower your team today! 

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New Publication Available: Teaching Youth Food Safety – A Game-Based Approach

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The Extension Foundation (EXF) has issued Teaching Youth Food Safety: A Game-Based Experience, a publication written by a team from the New Mexico State University Learning Games Lab. 

The publication details how the team is addressing food safety through game-based learning. Their ideas ties into research that indicates youth prefer to learn about food safety topics through interactive educational tools. The publication details how the team developed “Theme Park Cafe”, a food safety game for youth. In the game, players engage in different themed kitchens to serve delicious and safe meals to clients. It’s a redesign of “Ninja Kitchen,” launched in 2011 to teach kids food handling skills. In this publication, the game designers talk about increasing the game’s cultural sensitivity, working with kids to create the reboot, and other elements of using gamification to teach educational content. 

This new game, one of several food-related projects funded by the New Technologies in Ag Extension (NTAE) 2022-2023 grant program, is part of a growing trend in Extension: using multimedia products to educate and engage diverse audiences. 

The authors of the publication are: Barbara Chamberlin, PhD; Matheus Cezarotto, PhD; and Pamela Martinez, Ed.D, all from New Mexico State University.

This publication was produced through the New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) program. NTAE is a cooperative agreement between USDA NIFA, Oklahoma State University, and the Extension Foundation. The goal of the New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) grant is to incubate, accelerate, and expand promising work that will increase the impact of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in the communities it serves, and provide models that can be adopted or adapted by Extension teams across the nation.

You can learn more about the team’s work in this recent feature article – Leveling Up – published in October 2023. The team also wrote about an alternative to full game design – the game jam process – in an earlier publication. You can access that publication here.

The Extension Foundation has released two dozen publications this fall, including the 2022-2023 NTAE Yearbook, which presents the work of dozens of Extension project teams from across the U.S. in a lively magazine format. You can find the entire library of publications (now numbering nearly five dozen) here.

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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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