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Items of Interest
National Broadband Navigator Webinar
The central focus of this webinar will be introducing an innovative public spatial analysis tool, the BEAD Broadband Navigator, developed in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation. This tool provides high-quality spatial data and mapping visualization to be used for your state, region, county, or community broadband projects to enhance broadband service for those most at risk of being left out of the digital opportunities in healthcare, workforce, business, and education.
The webinar is set for December 5, 2023, at 1:00 PM CT/2:00 PM ET and is hosted by Penn State Extension, the National Digital Education Extension Team (NDEET), and the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC). Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/ry3muh8v
Recent Workshops Held for Broadband Access and Digital Skills
In October, attendees from across the nation participated in workshops aimed at enhancing broadband access and digital skills.
At the Advancing Digital Access workshop partners shared refined materials designed to provide comprehensive training to equip participants with both the knowledge and tools necessary to address critical gaps that significantly impact quality of life and economic recovery. This initiative is made possible through a partnership with the Extension Foundation, USDA NIFA, and the National Extension Education Team (NDEET)/ECOP Broadband Program Action Team.
Additionally, the “Bridging the Digital Divide” team met in October. The project aims to promote inclusivity and digital knowledge among populations often left out. A digital skill-building component of this project will be piloted in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas through Extension Service in the respective 1890 Land Grant Universities. The project is funded by USDA National Institution of Food and Agriculture through a grant to the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC).
NTAE Publishes 2022-2023 Yearbook with Featured Story - SRDC Project “Building Grantsmanship Capacity in Underserved Communities”
We are excited for the Southern Rural Development Center’s project to be featured in The New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) 2022-2023 Yearbook. Our publication, titled 'Building Grantsmanship Capacity,' explores our successful initiative supporting 1890 Land-Grant University professionals and community members with grant discovery, application, and management.
In 2022-2023, we received funding through the NTAE program, a partnership involving USDA NIFA, Oklahoma State University, and the Extension Foundation. This publication delves into the strategies and insights from this process because we firmly believe in the power of knowledge sharing and collaboration to drive positive change in our communities.
We invite you to explore our program: https://publications.extension.org/view/587292478/
Regional Spotlight
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Disaster Assessment Recovery Unit Receives Award of Excellence
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Disaster and Assessment Recovery (DAR) unit has received the Southern Region Team Winner Excellence in Extension award from the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors.
"It has been a true pleasure to share the good work, the service, and the leadership of our DAR unit with other states in the southern region," said Rick Avery, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension director, Bryan-College Station. "The DAR unit is a very unique structure within the Extension network across America, which is only fitting seeing how Texas is unique in facing a greater number and greater variety of natural disasters than other states. I commend Dr. Monty Dozier for his leadership and am grateful to our southern region Extension director peers for recognizing the DAR unit's contributions to Texas and other states."
To read the full article, visit the AgriLife Today webpage.
Source: Blair Fannin, b-fannin@tamu.edu; Communications Coordinator - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, AgriLife Today, 9.19.23
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Chrystol Thomas-Winston, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Community Economic Development, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is thrilled to welcome Dr. Chrystol Thomas-Winston, who joins our dynamic team in the role of assistant professor and extension specialist in community economic development. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has consistently upheld a culture of fostering talent and nurturing innovation, and the addition of Dr. Thomas-Winston aligns seamlessly with the agency's vision. With a wealth of experience and a passion for development issues, she brings a fresh perspective and a burst of enthusiasm to our faculty, staff, and stakeholders.
Dr. Thomas-Winston holds a distinguished record of academic achievement, having completed her doctoral in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of the West Indies. Her research interests encompass a diverse range of topics, including economic growth and development, real estate and resource valuation, finance, and economic impact analysis. Her extension program seeks to address the issues of financial literacy and planning, food security, and development of local markets. She is also actively involved in charitable and philanthropic activities and has served in many leadership roles throughout her career and in the community. Her unique background has been an asset in bringing different groups together.
Having previously served as an instructional assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University, Dr. Thomas-Winston has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a strong commitment to driving impactful change within Texas communities. Prior to her career in higher education, she worked as a macroeconomist at a central bank and an international development bank. With almost 10 years of industry experience, she has played a pivotal role in spearheading numerous successful projects and initiatives that have contributed to improving lives in the international landscape.
Dr. Thomas-Winston's expertise in development is expected to bolster the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's current capabilities, offering valuable insights and strategic guidance that will drive the development and implementation of science-based solutions and education to meet the evolving needs of the communities across the state.
Dr. Thomas-Winston expressed her enthusiasm for joining the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension team, citing the agency's outstanding reputation for innovation and commitment to excellence. She emphasized the potential for collaborative growth and the opportunity to contribute to the agency's mission “to make Texas better by providing innovative solutions … thereby improving the well-being of individuals, families, businesses and communities through education and service”. As Texas A&M AgriLife Extension looks towards a future of continued growth and innovation, the entire team is excited to collaborate with Dr. Thomas-Winston and harness her expertise to drive the agency's mission forward.
Job Opportunities
Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist in Tourism Economic Development, Auburn University
Auburn University is seeking a 12-month tenure track assistant professor and Extension specialist to provide statewide leadership in tourism economic development. This position is housed within the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management at Auburn University in the College of Human Sciences. This position is designed to assist the College of Human Sciences and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in developing the state’s full economic tourism potential. The selected applicant will provide strategic and inclusive leadership in tourism economic development in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Required qualifications include an earned doctorate in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Tourism Economics, Sustainable Tourism Development, Outdoor Recreation, Natural Resources, Economic Development, or a related field when employment begins.
Applicants should also have evidence of, or strong promise in, building a record or scholarship, grantsmanship, and multi-disciplinary collaborations. The candidate selected for this position must also be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States when the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment.
Apply online using the link: https://www.auemployment.com/postings/40771. Provide application letter, complete CV, transcripts from all universities attended, research and educational interests, and three (3) professional references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers). For more information about the position, contact Dr. Alecia Douglas, Ph.D., Chair- Search Committee, at acd0011@auburn.edu.
Assistant Administrator, Community Development and Outreach, Fort Valley State University
Open until filled.
The assistant Administrator for Community Development and Outreach will develop, coordinate, and facilitate programming through the Cooperative Extension Program designed to assist communities to realize their long-term goals; through provision of education, technical assistance, and opportunities to secure grants that support strategic planning and community visioning to provide a foundation for economic development. Coordinate or assist in the coordination of programs through outreach efforts with USDA Agencies, State, private and public and nonprofit entities. Master's degree in Agricultural Economics, economics, business administration or other business disciplines is required. Preference will be given to applicants with extension and strong community development experiences. Applicants with degrees in closely related disciplines with community development experiences may also apply.
Associate Professor, Community Health, Family & Consumer Sciences Department, University of Tennessee
The position of Associate Professor in Community Health, Family & Consumer Sciences Department is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing research-based adult and you Extension programs in nutrition to promote safe food handling practices, healthy dietary habits, and to improve health and nutritional status among Tennesseans, including, but not limited to, Extension programs for diet-related disease prevention and management, food safety, and food preservation.
Associate Director, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD)
The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD) seeks applications for an Associate Director position, which is renewable annually conditional on funding. The individual will lead the Center’s outreach-oriented activities in consultation with the Director by:
- fostering relationships among Northeast land grant universities and rural development partners;
- identifying and responding to opportunities for cross-state collaborations and sharing of extension programs;
- developing and implementing educational programs, including translating scientific findings into practice; and,
- securing grants and conducting nationally recognized outreach activities consistent with the Center’s mission.
The mission of the NERCRD is to work on a range of issues with land grant universities and other Northeast partners as well as nationally in support of regional economic growth and rural development.
Questions can be directed to Stephan J. Goetz, NERCRD Director, Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, The Pennsylvania State University at sjg16@psu.edu.
Conferences, Workshops, Trainings
Forward 2024: National Heirs’ Property Bootcamp
In-person: November 30 – December 2, 2023, Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Airport, Atlanta, Georgia
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (FSCLAF) will host their 5th Annual Forward 2024: National Heirs' Property Bootcamp from November 30 - December 2, 2023, to offer Master Classes taught by experts and landowners and meetings with resource professionals. In addition to the bootcamp, the FSCLAF will also be hosting an Attorney Referral Network Luncheon on November 30 from 1:00PM to 3:30PM where they will provide lunch, share more about their organization, and invite you to join their referral network.
For assistance, contact events@federation.coop or call 1-888-322-2985.
Learn More
2023 SERA-47 Local and Regional Food Systems Annual Meeting
Virtual: December 11, 2023
Save the date for the 2023 annual meeting of this multi-state group. All are invited.
More information coming soon.
Contact John J. Green (jjg8@msstate.edu).
2024 Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) Meeting
In-person: February 4-5, 2024, Atlanta, Georgia
Theme: Rural Livelihood Stories: Past, Present, and Future
The 2024 SRSA meeting will showcase papers, posters, and panels to discuss the importance of rural livelihoods stories across time, capturing snapshots of communities, struggles, and actions to pursue pathways to resilience that taken together will form a gallery exhibiting rural lives and landscapes.
Learn More & Register
2024 Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium
In-person: April 6-9, 2024, Atlanta, Georgia
Awards Nomination Due Date- January 19, 2024; Registration- February 23, 2024
Save the date for the 2024 Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium. Theme: Climate, Health, and Cultivating the Next Generation of Agriculture Leaders: Creating Solutions in Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
More information coming soon.
2024 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) Conference
In-Person: June 17-20, 2024, Houston, Texas
Save the date for the 2024 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) conference. More information coming soon.