AgriProspects Workforce Development Network

The Extension Foundation (EXF) in collaboration with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) Economic & Workforce Development Program Action Team are collaborating with USDA-NIFA staff to form a robust network of public and private entities across every U.S. region to build the nation’s capacity to respond to the changing needs in the food and agriculture sector.

AgriProspects aims to foster regional cooperation, identify workforce ecosystem gaps, and offer collaborative, adaptive solutions to local and regional employment challenges. The project focuses on increasing awareness of and expanding access to Extension resources which enhance skill levels, facilitate credential attainment, and prepare participants for upskilling and successful entry or re-entry into the workforce.

The key objectives of AgriProspects are to:

• Create a dynamic Marketplace to organize and share Extension’s adult workforce development (AWD) offerings for the agricultural sector.
• Develop and support sustainable networks of Extension Educators and Industry partners to strengthen the alignment of Extension’s agricultural AWD offerings with real-time industry needs;
• Connect employers, workforce intermediaries, and the agricultural workforce to Extension’s skill development programs that cultivate upskilling, credentialing, and participant readiness to successfully join or rejoin the ag workforce
• Support the creation, evolution, expansion, and integration of Extension Ag AWD programs locally, regionally, and nationally through mini-grant funding.

To meet these objectives, a team from across the Cooperative Extension System has been assembled to support and uplift Extension’s workforce development efforts. Selected through a competitive application process, Regional Network and Regional Content Coordinators represent all six regions of the Cooperative Extension System including representation from 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-grant universities as well as specific subject matters in collaboration with ECOP Program Action Teams.

The AgriProspects team includes:

• Jason L. Weigle, Program Manager and Co-Program Director
• Ashley Griffin, Extension Foundation COO and Co-Program Director
• Lana Petrie, Tennessee State University (1890 Region)
• Tanya Hall, Purdue University (North Central Region)
• Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (North Central Region)
• Kate Venturini Hardesty, University of Rhode Island (Northeast Region)
• Andrea Franchini, University of Maryland (Northeast Region)
• Mark Mains, University of Kentucky (Southern Region)
• Clint Cummings, University of Tennessee (Southern Region)
• Trevor Lane, Washington State University (Western Region)
• Maritza Broce, University of Arizona (Western Region)
• Megan Kemp, Iowa State University, Urban Ag & Food Systems Coordinator (National)
• Vacant, 1890 Region Content Coordinator
• Vacant, 1994 Region Network Coordinator
• Vacant, 1994 Region Content Coordinator

For more information about the AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, please visit agriprospects.extension.org or contact us at agriprospects@extension.org.

This work is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)-National Extension Clearinghouse for Industry and the Workforce, project award no. 2023-67037-40533, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.