The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative

2010 Funded Implementation Mini-Grants Awarded

The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative is pleased to announce the next round of recipients for the Program Implementation Mini-Grants for Extension Educators. This funding cycle the following teams were selected to implement these learning modules through workshop offerings in their target communities:

Talladega County Cooperative Extension, Talladega Alabama.
Curriculum Selected: A Beginner’s Guide to e-Commerce: Easy Tools for Profit
Facilitator (s) : Wanda Jurriaans, County Extension Coordinator for Telladega County, Alabama and Isaac Chappell, Regional Extension Agent / Financial Management.

Alcorn State University Extension Program, Various Counties, Mississippi.
Curriculum Selected: A Beginner’s Guide to e-Commerce: Easy Tools for Profit
Facilitator (s): Katrina McLin, Community Resource Development Educator.

Congratulations to both teams on a job well done.

Program Implementation Mini-Grants Overview

Launched in 2008, the Program Implementation Mini-Grants for Extension Educators and Teams showcase new e-commerce curricula from the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative. With the expectation of Webinar participation, each grantee will have the exciting task of employing cutting edge e-commerce educational resources designed with rural service areas in mind. Additionally, grantees will be working closely with the staff of the Southern Rural Development Center to create initial program benchmarks and track long-term community impacts.

Download the Complete Request for Proposals [PDF]

Funded Implementation Programs Announced

The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative is pleased to announce the first recipients of the Program Implementation Mini-Grants for Extension Educators. Further accomplishing the goal of expanding e-commerce across the nation, these innovative mini-grants will promote six facilitation programs at the community level. Congratulations to the following grantees: Dr. Brian Whitacre of Oklahoma State University, Dr. David Lamie of Clemson University, Dr. Michael Wilcox University of Tennessee, Dr. Lekan Ayanwale of Tuskegee University, Kathryn Macomber of The University of Missouri, and Julie Melchiori of Michigan State University.

Educators and entrepreneurs alike benefit from these exciting curricula that not only address rural connectivity but also cover marketing and Web design. From farm business managers to artisans, the following e-commerce curricula provide tools to support a bright future for entrepreneurs:

Introductory Webinar

An introductory Webinar was conducted October 10, 2008 that introduced the full RFP and discussed the application process and project expectations.

Full Webinar archive with audio

Download Webinar Presentation [PPT]

For questions, contact Shannon Lane Turner, SRDC e-Commerce Extension Initiative Coordinator, at shannont@srdc.msstate.edu.