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Items of Interest
Association of Extension Administrators (AEA) Releases Report: 1890 Extension Transforming Lives
Each year, 19 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the southern region share research-based information with limited-resource families, businesses, and communities to empower them to reach their goals through their cooperative extension programs. The featured impacts in this publication are just a few examples of the many ways 1890 land grant universities are making a positive difference in the world every year. To read about these transformations, please view the 2024 report by visiting 1890 Transforming Lives.
Association of Southern Region Extension Directors Announces New Executive Director
The Association of Southern Region Extension Directors (ASRED) has chosen Rich Bonanno, vice provost for Outreach and Engagement and associate dean and director of North Carolina State Extension in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as that organization’s newest Executive Director. This appointment will begin September 1, 2024. Dr. Bonanno will succeed Dr. Ron Brown, who will continue limited duty until Rich’s onboarding.
ASRED is a coalition of Directors of Extension in 13 southern states, ranging from Virginia to Texas, and 2 territories, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The organization seeks to promote collaboration among the member states and territories in ways that strengthen individual member Extension programs by reducing duplication and increasing cooperation and sharing of expertise and resources for mutual benefit.
In partnership with the Association of Extension Administrators (AEA), ASRED also supports the Southern Region Program Leadership Network, which includes the program leaders from each 1862 and 1890 institutions. Each of 8 Program Committees develops and implements annual Plans of Work that guide collaborative, multistate, and multi-institutional collaboration on issues important to the region.
Recently Released: Special Topics Series "Breaking Barriers: Examining Heirs' Property Legislation and Access to USDA Programs"
The Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center at Alcorn State University has partnered with the Southern Rural Development Center to publish this series, which examines the efficacy of the UPHPA in the South and other issues related to USDA programs as they relate to heir’s property. To view the publications, please visit https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/srdctopics-breakingbarriers/.
2024 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) Awards Southern Region Winners
NACDEP is an organization dedicated to improving the visibility, coordination, professional status and resource base of community and economic development Extension programs and professionals. NACDEP does this by educating and recognizing Extension professionals who support programs and expand resources to strengthen communities. The 2024 NACDEP award winners are individually and collaboratively examples of this year’s theme: The Power of Together. Below are the national and individual awards and university affiliations from the southern region:
Cross-Program Team Winner: VCE Works Across Programs and Universities to Help you PROSPER, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University
Cross-Program Team Runner-Up: Extension Health Ambassadors, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension
Diversity Team Winner: Collaborations at Work between 1890 and South’s 1862 Extension, Alabama A&M University, Association of Extension Administrators, Association of Southern Region Extension Directors, North Carolina State A&T University, Southern Rural Development Center, and University of Kentucky
Educational Materials Individual: Balancing Life Weekly Webinars Equip Leaders with Timely “Pro Tips”, Crystal Tyler-Mackey, Virginia Tech
Educational Materials Team: The Arkansas Business Navigator Project, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service
Excellence in Community Development Individual: Developing a County Strategic Plan using a Community-Centered Approach, Peyton Beattie, University of Florida
Innovation and Creativity Team Winner: BRIDGE2Health Fosters Community Capacity with Teens and Older Adults, Appalachian State University, The Ohio State University, and Virginia Tech.
Innovation and Creativity Team Runner-Up: Mr. Étouffée's Path to Plate Program, Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University.
Distinguished Career Award Winner: Dr. Susan Jakes, North Carolina State University.
2024 NACDEP Award Winners Video • 2024 NACDEP Conference Summary Video
Regional Spotlight
West Virginia State University Extension (WVSUE) Innovates with the Arts
In the fall of 2023, West Virginia State University Extension Service (WVSUES) added a new position to their Community Vitality and Economic Development (CVED) team. Partnered with the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts (TFA), WVSUES hired Robert Moore as West Virginia’s first Art Extension Educator, working with independent artists and arts organizations throughout the state. The Art Extension Educator position establishes WVSUES as a leader in the state’s Arts and Culture Sector. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis from 2022 reports that arts and cultural production accounts for $1,468,574,000 and 1.51% of the West Virginia economy, contributing 15,725 jobs.
The Art Extension Educator leads two programs, the first is community arts-based, named Ripple. This program facilitates a design team composed of artists and other community leaders to create a project that fosters meaningful partnerships with the Arts. This fall will mark the second round of funding for the Ripple program and the first led by the new position. This round provides funding for 3 West Virginia communities to participate. In addition to the project design facilitation, communities receive $10,000 and a year of coaching as the community leaders plan and implement their Arts based projects. TFA previously implemented the Ripple program in 6 WV communities. The results of participation for all of them were improved cross-sector collaboration with local artists and new community arts projects benefited from Ripple’s momentum.
The second program, named the Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship (CEF), works directly with artists to improve their business practices, gain skills, and boost their confidence as entrepreneurs. This year, 48 artists applied, and a cohort of 6 fellows were chosen to participate in the 6-month fellowship. The program provides sessions on financial literacy, communication for creatives, exhibition/artwork preparation, marketing, and asset mapping/goal setting. The CEF program provides other services, like, collateral for the artists, including professional photography of their artwork, studio space and portraits, bespoke videos and interview articles, and business and studio coaching. The cohort of artists participated in two group art exhibitions during the fellowship period. Hosted in two different WV cities, the exhibition opportunities provide a practical introduction to presenting work, gallery communication, sales, and networking.
Current and past fellows have reported that their business skills and knowledge improve because of the program. The two most shared sentiments of all CEF fellows are the confidence gained in running their art business and the strengthening of relationships with artists across the state. The 6th cohort will complete this year’s fellowship in the coming weeks, and a new cohort will begin the cycle this fall.
Job Opportunities
Associate Director, Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC)
The Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) seeks applications for an Associate Director position. The individual will lead the Center’s outreach-oriented activities in consultation with the Director by:
- Identifying and coordinating multi-state teams on emerging topics by identifying topics from stakeholders, scanning the region for research and extension collaborators and other rural development partners; and convening and facilitating exploration of the topic and related next steps.
- Working directly with community development stakeholders in the south to address training needs.
- Garnering extramural funding to support southern region initiatives.
- Strengthening rural development research efforts in the region.
- Providing content leadership on SRDC communications and overseeing supervision of personnel
- Facilitating collaboration among the region’s 30 land grant university Extension Service State Program Leaders to promote multi-state engagement and efforts.
The mission of the Southern Rural Development Center is to strengthen the capacity of the region’s 30 Land-Grant Universities to address critical contemporary rural development issues impacting the well-being of people and communities in the South.
Position open until filled. Applications are being reviewed. Questions can be directed to John Green, SRDC Director, at john.green@msstate.edu.
Interdisciplinary Scientist (Postdoctoral Research Associate), USDA-ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory
The USDA-ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory seeks an Interdisciplinary Scientist (Postdoctoral Research Associate) to study agroecological and economic impacts of a novel edible cover crop system in a food insecure region of the southeast USA. The scientist will participate in a plot study evaluating edible and non-edible cover crop varieties, in addition to ongoing field-scale research projects as part of the Lower Mississippi River Basin (LMRB) Longterm Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Network.
The scientist will assist with collecting and analyzing several types of environmental, agronomic, and economic data to assess agroecosystem dynamics and conduct a tradeoff analysis. Modeling tools may be utilized to extrapolate or evaluate results and may be applied to broader regional studies as part of the LMRB LTAR project. Collaboration in community and producer focus groups is also possible in this project.
Research will primarily
- Improve understanding of management strategies to improve soil health, water quality, and agronomic outputs,
- Provide actionable guidance in cover crop management for Mississippi farmers, and
- Result in peer-reviewed manuscripts and presentations at local and national conferences.
The Research Associate is funded through USDA-ARS Headquarters Postdoctoral funding and therefore is required to be a US Citizen. A PhD is required; appropriate fields include Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Agronomy, Applied Economics, Ecology, Soil Science, or equivalent. The position is in Oxford, MS. Please send a CV and cover letter to Dr. Lindsey Witthaus, Lindsey.Witthaus@usda.gov. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis with the intent to hire in 2024 - early 2025.
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
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, 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. To learn more and apply, visit https://fvsu.applicantpro.com/jobs/2568591.
Conferences, Workshops, Trainings
2024 Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP)—The Extension Professional’s Organization National Conference
In-Person: October 27-31, 2024, Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, Virginia Beach, Virginia
The mission of Epsilon Sigma Phi is to foster standards of excellence in the Extension System and to develop the Extension profession and professional.
2024 Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC)
In-Person: November 17-19, 2024, Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa, Montgomery, Alabama
“Global Stewardship: Addressing Climate and Sustainability Challenges for Food Security”
The Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC) is a forum committed to a world that values and promotes equal opportunity and equitable access to information and technology for sustainable development of communities and natural resources.
2025 Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) Conference
In-Person: February 2-3, 2025, Irving, Texas
Call for abstracts: due September 10, 2024. More details to come.
2025 Extension Leadership Conference (ELC)
In-Person: February 19-20, 2025, Savannah, Georgia
Save the date and location for the 2025 ELC Conference. More details to come.
2025 Public Issues Leadership Development Conference (PILD)
In-Person: April 7-8, 2025, Arlington, Virginia
Save the date for the location of the 2025 PILD Conference. More details to come.
2025 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) Conference
In-Person: June 9-12, 2025, Charleston, West Virginia
Join the West Virginia State University Extension Service and West Virginia Extension Service in Charleston for the 2025 NACDEP Conference: Country Roads, Connecting the Farm to the Country. More details to come.