Rural Resiliency - How to support mental health in rural communities
April 14, 2020 @ 1pm CT/2pm ET
Stress is a mounting problem in rural and agricultural communities presenting some particular challenges to providing effective support. Both acknowledgement of stress and access to mental health resources is an important strategy in building rural resiliency. In this webinar, we will talk about the current state of rural mental health, how rural stress is becoming more pervasive and a subject of public discourse. We will talk about key partnerships in this work and share some innovative ideas and initiatives happening across the South and ways you can get involved.
The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing: Addressing Housing Issues from the Bottom Up
March 19, 2020 @ 10am CT/11am ET
This webinar presentation will provide a general overview of housing issues in the U.S. and more specifically the Southeast as well as, outline the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH). It will provide details about how the program operates and outline some successful communities.
The 2020 Census is Upon Us: What Can you Do?
July 26, 2019 @ 12:30pm CT/1:30pm ET
With the 2020 Census drawing near, now is the time for anyone interested in promoting participation to learn about several action items they can initiate. This webinar will address the why, what, and how of the Census and present possible activities and connections to encourage participation. Since the Census only occurs once every ten years, it is extremely important for every person in every community be counted.
Creating Bridges for the Rural Retail Workforce: Bringing Businesses and Employees Together to Identify Long-Term Employment Solutions for Rural Retail
July 26, 2019 @ 12:30pm CT/1:30pm ET
Retail, entertainment, accommodation, and tourism sector jobs are a growing share of rural employment. In some rural South communities, these jobs represent the only local employment opportunities for residents with limited or no college education, since manufacturing, mining, and other industries left in the latter part of the 20th century. In addition, these sectors provide critical jobs for those seeking to enter, or re-enter, the workforce and have proven to be economic development engines. However, these jobs often suffer from low wages, no obvious career path, and experience high rates of turnover, despite the economic importance these sectors may have in rural communities. CREATE BRIDGES is a multi-state initiative to strengthen retail, entertainment, accommodation, and tourism industries in rural communities. The process is designed to: raise awareness of the role these important businesses play; determine challenges negatively impacting these businesses and workforce participation; and implement strategies to strengthen them within selected regions.
Telling the Whole Story: Economic Contribution and Cotton Cooperatives
June 18, 2019 @ 11:00am CT/12:00pm ET
Cooperative businesses are an important part of the cotton value chain. They also have unique characteristics that lead to misunderstandings about their operation and value to their communities. Extension specialists and cooperative professionals across Texas and Oklahoma have joined in an effort to share the true story of cooperation by measuring the economic contribution of these businesses.
Community Food Systems: A Space for Ecology, Justice, and Markets
May 30, 2019 @ 1:00pm CT/2:00pm ET
In this webinar, Eric Bendfeldt, Extension Specialist for Community Viability with Virginia Cooperative Extension highlights ongoing work with Local, Regional, and Community Food Systems, which includes an emphasis on soil health, justice, and facilitating farm to table connections and conversations.
Building a Regional Coalition for Natural Resource Conservation
April 26, 2019 @ 12:00pm CT/1:00pm ET
Natural Resources are an important component of the regional economy in western Kentucky and Tennessee that comprise the Riverlands region. There is a growing interest in building regional capacity to address the challenges faced by communities for the sustainability of natural resources. Extension specialists and agents from Kentucky and Tennessee facilitated a workshop to engage stakeholders with a goal of identifying and prioritizing projects that support outdoor recreation, sustainable resource use, and a high quality of life, while promoting the heritage of the Riverlands region. This session will discuss a collaborative effort between University of Kentucky and University of Tennessee to build a regional coalition for natural resource conservation in the Riverlands region.
Equipping Georgia’s New Farmers for Success
March 26, 2019 @ 2:00pm CT/3:00pm ET
Agriculture has long been the most important part of Georgia’s economy with a Farm Gate Value of over $13.8 Billion. There is a growing interest in niche crops and value added products with the number of small to mid-size farms increasing. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is partnering with the UGA Small Business Development Center to train the next generation of farmers in both agriculture production as well as farm business management. Successful growers and producers are first and foremost business people. This session will discuss recent collaborative efforts to promote Georgia’s number one industry and economic driver – agriculture.
Empowering Minority Students with an Entrepreneurial Mindset
February 28, 2019 @ 2:00pm CT/3:00pm ET
The United We Can (Unidos Se Puede) program in Tulsa, OK, empowers black and Latino/a students with skills and resources to pursue higher education. The foundation of the program is an entrepreneurial mindset: a way of thinking that uses critical thinking, problem solving and creativity to see opportunities, learn from failure, and build ones self-efficacy. While these are critical to starting and running a successful business, they are also tools for a successful life. On the foundation of this mindset, the program erects three pillars of programming: success coaches, family workshops, and a summer academy. Students and parents learn essential skills, increase family cohesion, develop positive peer relationship that reinforce and support an entrepreneurial mindset. Evaluations of the program suggest that participants have better school attendance, higher grades, and lower participation rates in negative behaviors.
Exploring Ways to Engage Limited Resource Communities in Disaster Education – Strategies from the 1890 EDEN Advisory Group
January 22, 2019 @ 1:00pm CT/2:00pm ET
The 1890 EDEN Advisory Group was formed in response to foster better 1890 LGUs participation in EDEN and to devise a coordinated strategy to create and deliver effective educational programs and training that targets limited resource audiences. It is widely known that limited resource communities are often the least prepared, lack disaster resources and/or do not receive the timely assistance necessary to promote disaster resilience in their communities. The purpose of the webinar is to delve into strategies for providing disaster education resources to a diverse clientele, the kind of partnerships needed at the state level to support this work, and lessons learned in emergency planning and preparedness that empower communities to be resilient during disaster-related events.
Community Engagement through Partnership
December 5, 2018 @ 11:00am CT/12:00pm ET
As Extension Specialist our engagement with reputable partners will allow us to broaden the impact in the communities we serve and increase our volunteer base. This webinar will provide you with information on establishing a partnership with the IRS through their Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Because of the local and national advertisement, we receive from this partnership we are afforded the opportunity to advertise the value of the County Extension Agents. The community is provided accessibility to receiving tax preparation, the Extension Agent is trained to become Certified Tax Preparers and most important, citizens on a limited and fixed budget save money with the FREE tax preparation. This is one partnership you will want to be a part of!
Does Extension Need Highly Visible Educational Programs Beyond the Farm, Families and Youth?
November 13, 2018 @ 2:00pm CT/3:00pm ET
Learn about Florida Extension’s partnership with the Florida Association of Counties in training county elected commissioners. The program began on a formal basis in 1996. It has evolved from a single basic County Commissioner Certification (CCC) program with the addition of an Advanced Commissioner Certification (ACC) and will soon add a third legacy class (yet to be named). Over the past 20 years there have been over 400 CCC graduates and over 200 ACC graduates representing virtually every county in the state.
Citizenship in Action: How Extension Can Engage and Educate Voters on Ballot Issues
October 30, 2018 @ 2:00pm CT/3:00pm ET
Even without commercials, mailers and social media noise, voters can have a difficult time understanding the implications of proposed laws and policy changes they're asked to vote on Election Day. This webinar looks at Arkansas' model of voter engagement and shares how Extension professionals can incorporate ballot issue education into programs for voters of all ages.
Chalk and Talk: A Different Approach to Community Engagement
September 28, 2018 @ 2:00pm CT/3:00pm ET
The ‘Chalk and Talk’ program seeks to engage people in a creative and accessible way about their feelings, thoughts and views on their city’s downtown. In essence it is a way to informally gather and summarize the varying views and experiences of attendees of local festivals and events about the city while they are immersed in it. The intent is that this information can inspire dialogue and help inform the preliminary steps taken towards longer term design, planning and revitalization initiatives.
CPTED, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
July 24th, 2018 @ 1:00pm CT/2:00pm ET
Practitioners, volunteers, and users can learn how design, management, and positive use of the environment can reduce fear of places & discourage opportunities for crime. In turn, they can sustain or improve the quality of public spaces and places in our communities and their intended benefits. Basic CPTED concepts & case studies will be highlighted.
Financial Capability as Community Development
June 20, 2018 @ 10:00am CT/11:00am ET
This webinar invites you to participate in a discussion around building a case for improving financial capability as a method of community development. We will look at current data trends, review research on effective interventions, and provide resources for next steps for communities.
Increasing Stakeholder Involvement to Build Capacity and Promote Sustainability of Healthy Communities
May 24, 2018 @ 9:00am CT/10:00am ET
How do Extension agents engage stakeholders in significant roles to address community health? What are the challenges and benefits of community based participatory research focused on healthy communities? What do county agents gain from involving stakeholders to achieve policy, systems and environmental changes? This webinar will share lessons learned and successful strategies from county Extension programs currently focused on building healthy communities.
Leadership Development: A Process of Un-doing Understanding
April 26, 2018 @ 10:00am CT/11:00am ET
As Extension professionals, we are called to promote and support the leadership necessary for a wide variety of education programs. There is no shortage of books on leadership, but it can be difficult to discern the practical guidance appropriate for the context and stakeholders of Extension. Within this webinar, we will revisit conventional leadership concepts and frame them in light of new insights. As a result of the webinar, participants will be able to identify resources that can be used to guide distributed and networked approaches to leadership.
The Opioid Epidemic: Considering Extension's Role and Virginia's Multi-Faceted Approach
March 20, 2018 @ 10:00am CT/11:00am ET
This session will provide an overview of the opioid epidemic, inform participants of current strategies being implemented to address it, and explore additional opportunities to effect change from an Extension perspective.
Creating a Sense of Community Through the 5 C's of Social Capital and Cultural Competency
February 20, 2018 @ 10:00am CT/11:00am ET
In a time of divisiveness in our nation, it is even more important for our communities to be able to have a sense of community – for people to live in a place where they feel they belong, where they can engage and contribute, and in return feel respected and valued. This is also essential for a community to operate at the speed of trust, able to respond to crises and opportunities that require action within a short time frame, and to foster development that is sustainable over the long term. This webinar will explore five elements of social capital through this lens, plus scenarios that portray cultural competency at its worst and best. You won’t want to miss it!
How Can I Be of Service? Determining the Best Role for Community Engagement
January 25, 2018 @ 1:00pm CT/2:00pm ET
Cooperative Extension has a mandate to assess community needs and assist with community issues, but how agents engage with communities will vary by topic, need and situation. This webinar is an interactive session that will explore different roles agents might fill as they work for community change. We will discuss the different roles Extension can serve when creating community change including: informing, being a catalyst for change, innovating change; or orchestrating change – and when and how these roles may change.
Starting a Rural Library Hotspot Lending Program
December 6, 2017 @ 10:00am CT/11:00am ET
Libraries across the country are beginning to implement hotspot lending programs in an effort to bridge the digital divide in their communities. These programs loan out “hotspots” to library patrons for 1 week or more, allowing individuals without a connection to access the Internet from their own homes. Come learn more about how you can help get these programs up and running, including lessons learned from a pilot project with 4 rural libraries in Oklahoma.
Crowdfunding Your Startup: Capital for Today’s Entrepreneur
November 16, 2017 @ 10:00am CT/11:00am ET
The Role of Arts in Cooperative Extension
October 26, 2017 @ 9:00am CT/10:00am ET
This webinar will provide an overview of the role arts can play in extension. We will share strategies that have been successful in the state of Kentucky, from theater productions to pottery classes to market events for artist and crafters. The session will end with guiding principles of how arts can be applied successfully to extension work.
Choosing the Best Legal Structure for Your 21st Century Small Business
August 8, 2017 @ 1:00pm CT/2:00pm ET
Becky Bowen, a community development specialist at NC State Cooperative Extension, is an attorney licensed in North Carolina, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Her presentation will review seven things to consider when choosing a legal structure for a small business as well as examine new economy trends in business structure choices.
The Development of Utility-Scale Solar: Tales of Local Government
July 27, 2017 @ 10:00am CT/11:00am ET
The solar energy sector now employs more people than the coal energy sector. Cost reductions of technology and project development, ever increasing energy demands, and a groundswell of low-carbon energy demand are factors driving solar energy development. Local governments are on the frontlines of project development siting and permitting. Utility-scale solar projects have implications for land use, environment, and tax revenues. We will explore some stories of how Extension is working to ensure a bright future for this emerging market in Virginia and beyond.
Utilizing Extension as a Tool to Preserve your Community’s Housing Stock
June 27, 2017 @ 1:00pm CT/2:00pm ET
Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension program will highlight how they collaborated with a USDA Strike Force designated community to develop an affiliate of a national non-profit housing organization to help preserve the community’s affordable housing inventory by providing free home repairs and rehabilitation services for the elderly and disabled citizens.
A comprehensive downtown revitalization program for rural Kentucky
May 31, 2017 @ 10:00am CT/11:00am ET
We will speak briefly about a new program designed to invigorate approximately 12 downtowns in rural Kentucky. We will highlight the following programs that focus on regionalism, small business development, community design and youth engagement:
CEDIK First Impressions program, CEDIK Community and Business Retention Program, KSBDC (Kentucky Small Business Development Center) Small Town Merchant Program, KSBDC and CEDIK GrowKY Program, Youth Engagement in Kentucky Downtowns, The creation of an 8-county Downtown network and mentoring program, Training on community foundation building and sustainability, Downtown marketing and communications using new broadband infrastructure, Community Design program – streetscape and walkability program.
Show Me the Money - Funding and Financing Community and Economic Development
April 4, 2017 @ 10:00am CT/11:00am ET
Many communities and regions have great vision and plans, but are unable to bring them to completion due to lack of funding or financing. This webinar will present a comprehensive approach to funding and financing community and economic development in the 21st century, including 8 secrets to success, 12 major funding strategies, and exemplary case studies.
How Latino-owned Businesses Thrive: Comprehensive Findings from Limited-Access Microdata
March 8th, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. CT/ 2:00 a.m. ET
With Latinos making up an increasing share of the U.S. population, there is a growing need to understand the most important factors related to Latino-owned businesses in general and to their growth specifically. As such, new research takes advantage of the Texas Federal Statistical Research Data Center to investigate which business-owner, business, and regional factors are most associated with Latino-owned business relative to other ethnicities and how those factors impact employment growth. The results of this research have implications economic development programing as it relates to supporting Latino-owned business. We conclude with a discussion of how Extension might adapt to meet the needs of this growing audience.
Community-Centered Design: How to Empower Residents to Shape the Development of their Communities
January 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. CT/11:00 a.m. ET
Community-centered design is a methodology that invites a community to imagine and build places that reflect what matters most to them – both as a community and as individuals. Often in Extension, we conduct assessments as a way to identify community needs and determine solutions for solving community problems. There are various methods to gather that local input and, at times, traditional methods for data collection are too time consuming and are not accessible to many people. This session will introduce a community-centered design approach and the engagement tools to support a more accessible, transparent, and democratic process. Session speakers include Mr. Dan Parham, Co-Founder, CEO of Neighborland and Dr. Michelle Eley, Community & Economic Development Specialist, The Cooperative Extension Program at NC A&T State University.
