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Items of Interest
BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) Broadband Navigator: Empowering Tomorrow's Digital Nation Through Local Projects Convening
In partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, Penn State Extension and the Southern Rural Development Center are excited to co-host a convening designed to share new, publicly available, spatial analysis tools important for local community broadband development projects. The meeting will be held October 23, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, at Hardy Hall on the Campus of the University of Southern Mississippi, Long Beach, Mississippi.
The BEAD Broadband Navigator meeting is an essential gathering of key stakeholders dedicated to enhancing broadband connectivity and development projects in areas currently unserved by high-speed broadband. The program's goal is to share these new spatial analysis tools, open doors to local relationships and conceptual project development, and help make a positive difference connecting farms, businesses, individuals, families, and communities. Your participation will be invaluable in driving meaningful discussions and leveraging the power of these new tools. You, or anyone representing your team, can register at BEAD Broadband Navigator: Empowering Data-Driven Local Projects. Space is relatively limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
As space is limited, the convening team kindly requests participation confirmation by October 18, 2024, by registering at BEAD Broadband Navigator. Please let the team know if you can join them or, if possible, designate a representative who can actively contribute to the discussions and bring your community expertise to the table. Should you have any questions or require further information regarding the BEAD Broadband Navigator Convening in Gulfport, please do not hesitate to contact the event coordinator, Dana Ollendyke, at djm428@psu.edu.
Penn State Extension National Broadband Navigator: made possible through the generous support of the Rockefeller Foundation.
The project aspires to make significant strides in advancing broadband expansion and digital inclusion across local communities.
Staff Spotlight
Roberto Rosales, Program Coordinator, Farm, North Carolina State Extension
Meet Roberto Rosales, the Program Coordinator for the Farmworker Health and Safety Education Program. In this role, Roberto Rosales leads a team of educators, guiding them in developing and delivering essential health and safety training topics tailored for farmworkers. Passionate about improving the well-being of these vital workers, Roberto Rosales actively convenes partners to collaborate on initiatives that enhance farmworker health and safety. With a focus on research as well, Roberto Rosales stays at the forefront of farmworker health issues, serving as a key resource for Extension services and the wider community looking to learn more about farmworker challenges and solutions.
Roberto has been a part of the Farmworker Health and Safety Education program since March of 2018. To learn more about the NC State Farmworker Health and Safety Program visit go.ncsu.edu/farmworkers.
“We are so excited to have Roberto as part of our team. The picture is from a 2019 Wilson County Magazine issue that featured Roberto as one of their recognized top leaders under age 40. Since then, Roberto has come to the state team to lead the program and is helping Extension and NC more broadly positively impact work with immigrant labor and the lives of farmworkers across NC.” Susan Jakes, NC State Extension Associate State Program Leader, Community and Rural Development.
Job Opportunities
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) Long-term 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 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. 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
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”
2025 Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) Conference
In-Person: February 2-3, 2025, The Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, Irving, Texas
Extension of call for abstracts now due: September 30, 2024.
2025 Extension Leadership Conference (ELC)
In-Person: February 19-20, 2025, Savannah, Georgia
Request for proposals due October 11, 2024. Click here for more information on submissions. 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.