Meeting Minutes January 18, 2018

11:00 a.m. – Noon, Eastern Time Presiding – Chuck Hibberd, Chair

ECOP is a standing committee created by the Cooperative Extension Section of the APLU that represents the 76 state, territorial, and 1890 Cooperative Extension Systems in policy decisions, and provides nationwide program and organizational leadership; an elected committee that functions as a board of directors with the authority to make decisions consistent with a common mission and purpose; works through the APLU, in concert with USDA NIFA, to initiate strategic planning and identify nationwide issues that lead to program and budget priorities; represents the states, territories, and 1890s in legislative matters before Congress and develops and maintains linkages and supportive relationships with other national organizations and associations.

Agenda Attachments: October 2017 ECOP minutes (URL), CES Strategic Agenda (4-5), ECOP Finance Update (6-7), Email from Chuck Hibberd on Big Idea for the Future (8), Email from Helen Chipman, IMPORTANT - EFNEP program policy change (9-10)

OPENING BUSINESS – Chuck Hibberd

The meeting was called to order. A quorum was present (attendance is recorded on page 3). Bev Durgan made a motion to accept the minutes from last meeting (URL). Ed Jones seconded and motion carried. There were no additions to the agenda. [Update 1/19/18: The ECOP Personnel Committee is chaired by Chris Watkins in 2018. Vonda

Richardson serves as chair elect.]

I. Business Requiring Immediate Attention – Set Goals and Action Plans: A. Finance Update – Implications of Klemme Contract Extension (6-7)

Chuck Hibberd: The 2017 Finance report was received as information. Addressed the growing carryover, noting the potential for additional contracts in 2018 by the ECOP National Office, and the potential for an increase in Executive Director salary in the future. This will allow for a longer transition to occur for whenever a full time Executive Director is hired.

B. Kglobal evaluation proposal w/ESCOP (Jones/Hibberd) Ed Jones: Has engaged other firms to see what we should expect for this outlay. Is working with Gary Thompson (ESCOP) on moving forward. Will follow up with Bev Durgan (Communication & Marketing Committee [CMC] Chair) to make sure the review process is aligned with the work of the CMC.

C. ECOP/NEDA theme on the Big Idea for CES future (8) 1) ECOP Spring Meeting Approval: March 14-15; NEDA (and Next Generation Extension web conferencing) opportunities

STOP

BEFORE U PRINT

10 pages long

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Chuck Hibberd: Elaborated on the content found on the attachment. ECOP conversation at the Spring Meeting would result in a document/framework for a conversation at a Next Generation – Learning for Leaders web conference and/or NEDA. General positive support voiced by participants. Question/comments raised about what mission areas would be addressed; Funding, broadening engagement concept, aligning strategic priorities around campus-wide efforts for community engagement. Consensus to move forward with this topic for the March meeting. In addition, use the meeting as an opportunity to take a deeper dive into PRM based on the POC meeting in March. Other: Connect with other APLU engagement programs; Extension to drive the process.

D. Farm Bill Initiatives; EFNEP program policy changes; SNAP-Ed update

Doug Steele: General update; more details to be shared soon from Ag Committees. Farm bill predictions are mixed. SNAP (not SNAP-Ed) is being scrutinized. Momentum has been lost on Extension being the primary deliverer for SNAP-Ed. Potentially changes in the purchased of high sugar content beverages, etc.

E. Collaboration with Federal Entities Chuck Hibberd/Rick Klemme: Chuck will visit DC with Ed Jones and Rick Klemme next week; new NIFA Tribal College leader; youth in Ag webinar; internships follow-up with Lisa Lauxman; with National Science Foundation; MOU with Cooperative Extension with National Academy of Science.

F. Capacity Funding Doug Steele: “One ask” request is being reviewed based on comments by Sonny Ramaswamy about the proportional increases. Line consolidation process continues with a change to strategic realignment. This may impact either the 2019 or 2020 budget.

G. Integration With Key Partners Bob Godfrey: Noted that the ECOP efforts are aligned well with ESCOP efforts. Andy Ferrin for Jennifer Sirangelo: Noted that National 4-H Council is hosting the ECOP Private Resource Mobilization Program Oversite Committee March meeting. Support by the board is positive. Jill Bramble will provide support for this meeting with Clemson’s Foundation CFO on establishing an interim legal fiduciary avenue.

H. Appointments 1) NEDA planning committee – Update (Schlutt/Klemme)

Rick Klemme for Fred Schlutt: EDA team is working to put together regional representation for this committee. Chris Geith has provided with suggestions for representation of younger innovative committee members for the Chair’s consideration.

2) LEAD 21 Liaison – (Hibberd) Hibberd/Klemme: Carolyn Williams, Prairie View A&M University, has affirmed her agreement to serve. The LEAD21 Board change out will occur after the February meeting in DC.

ADJOURNED

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ECOP Membership Attendance is indicated by or ●

Voting Members

Chuck Hibberd, Executive Committee, Chair, University of Nebraska Ed Jones, Executive Committee, Chair-elect, Virginia Tech Fred Schlutt, Executive Committee, Past-chair, University of Alaska Chris Boerboom, Program Committee Chair, North Dakota State University Tom Dobbins, Personnel Committee & Chair of Private Resource Mobilization Program Oversight

Committee, Clemson University Bev Durgan, Personnel Committee, University of Minnesota Extension Bill Hare, Executive Committee, University of District of Columbia Gary Jackson, Program Committee, Mississippi State Extension Service Mark Latimore, Executive Committee, Fort Valley State University Scott Reed, Program Committee, Oregon State University Vonda Richardson, Personnel Committee Chair-elect, Florida A&M University Chuck Ross, Program Committee, University of Vermont Louis Swanson, Personnel Committee, Colorado State University Chris Watkins, Personnel Committee Chair, Cornell University Carolyn Williams, Program Committee Vice-Chair, Prairie View A&M University Ex-officio ● Rick Klemme, ECOP Executive Director, Cooperative Extension/ECOP ● Doug Steele, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – ECOP Budget & Legislative Committee, Chair, ECOP

Representative to BAA Policy Board of Directors ● Louie Tupas, Denise Eblen, and Mike Fitzner – USDA-NIFA

Liaisons to ECOP ● Jo Britt-Rankin, Board on Human Sciences o Michelle Rodgers, Program Manager, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Culture of Health

Partnership, University of Delaware o Chris Geith, CEO, eXtension Foundation ● Bob Godfrey, Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy o Jason Henderson, eXtension Foundation Board Chair, Purdue University ● Andy Ferrin for Jennifer Sirangelo, National 4-H Council o Jake Tibbitts, Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Executive Director and Administrator Team ● Ron Brown, Southern Region ● Lyla Houglum, Western Region ● Rick Klemme, DC Office ● Albert Essel, 1890 Region ● Sandy Ruble, DC Office o Robin Shepard, North Central Region o To be determined, Northeast Region

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Emphasis Areas and Ongoing Priorities for the Cooperative Extension

Section

Chuck Hibberd, 2018 Chair

Overall Theme: Science-informed decisions and policy

The Cooperative Extension Section (CES) is led by Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), a 15-member board representing the five Cooperative Extension regions. ECOP’s role is to identify and implement member-driven opportunities designed to enhance resources, relationships and recognition for Cooperative Extension nationally. ECOP’s work addresses four core themes:

1) building partnerships and acquiring resources, 2) increasing strategic marketing and communications, 3) enhancing leadership and professional development, 4) strengthening organizational functioning.

EMPHASIS AREAS

Capacity Funding (Steele/Hibberd) – Build on advocacy strategies to increase federal capacity funding (Smith-Lever and 1890s Extension) initiated by Fred Schlutt and Bret Hess (2016-17 ECOP and ESCOP Chairs, respectively). Promote and expand participation in the Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) program as a major Extension advocacy tool. Advocacy messaging will be focused on Cooperative Extension’s value relative to:

• Science in action – continue to leverage the research and engagement initiatives of Land-grant universities.

• Proactive, flexible and collaborative action on disasters, threats, emerging opportunities, etc.

• Extension provides a national reach with the opportunity for meaningful local impact. • Opportunities to expand high impact programs such as 4-H youth development or water or

health. • Provide value for federal partners (as the outreach/engagement arm of the federal

government). Note: This messaging could be strengthened with a mission statement and core values reflecting the intent of the Cooperative Extension Section.

Private Resource Mobilization (Dobbins) – Establish and implement a model for private funding of national initiatives as a complement to public funding for Extension.

Collaboration with Federal Entities (Hibberd/Jones/Latimore) – Focus on clarifying roles for Cooperative Extension with federal agencies. Specific examples include NRCS, NSF – Broader Impacts, the Departments of Health & Human Services (CDC, FDA/FSMA) and Housing and Urban Development as well as the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research. Frame these conversations around emerging opportunities in the following areas:

Nutrition, health and wellness

Positive youth development

Water

Food production and food security

Community development Priority outcomes for these conversations include collaboration opportunities as well as programmatic and/or capacity funding.

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Farm Bill Initiatives (Schlutt/Steele/Hibberd/Essel) – Engage appropriate parties to address:

SNAP-Ed/EFNEP: o Present a coherent argument to grow funding for SNAP-Ed and EFNEP. o Funding directed to LGU-based Cooperative Extension. o Seek increases to support 1890’s and 1994’s, as well as 1862s.

1890s - change carryover provision language of 1444 to be consistent with the Smith-Lever carryover provision.

Clarify role of NRCS and Cooperative Extension relative to conservation education.

Extension Farm Bill training through Farm Service Agency Strengthen our Working Relationship with NIFA (Hibberd/Jones/Latimore)

Seek a streamlined, impactful reporting framework that aligns state and NIFA needs.

Strengthen collaborative relationships with NIFA leadership and NPLs with monthly on-site conversations and seminars (Extension Directors/Administrators invited).

Explore and provide input on NPL priorities for AFRI-funded Extension projects as well as Extension Director/Administrator participation on these review panels.

Work with NIFA leadership to strengthen state liaison roles. Integration With Key Partners

Consider a reciprocal liaison relationship with the National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) to strengthen our engagement with urban Extension.

Invite our 1994 Tribal College Cooperative Extension Service partners to identify a liaison to ECOP.

ONGOING PRIORITIES In collaboration with ESCOP, review the value of the ESS-CES-AHS Communications and

Marketing (CMC) Project to Cooperative Extension and identify the most appropriate path forward (Ed Jones).

Collaborate with ESCOP to strengthen the Land-grant message of accomplishment and impact. Enhance our visibility by strengthening participation in www.landgrantimpacts.org. And, work with NIFA to make the database more useful to our federal partner.

Continue our commitment to collaboration with ESCOP and the ESCOP Science and Technical Committee by establishing a strong working relationship with new ESCOP Chair Gary Thompson.

Expand strategic alliances that benefit Cooperative Extension with national partners (e.g. NASDA, NC-FAR, NACo, SoAR, CFARE, ESCOP, APLU BAA, National Academy of Science-Breakthrough 2030 project and others).

Identify ways to support the Innovation Initiative led by eXtension.

Through the eXtension Foundation Board of Directors, assure that eXtension is an active contributor to the advancement of Extension education across the nation.

Enhance leadership for and increase participation in 4-H positive youth development through collaboration among Extension Directors/Administrators, NIFA 4-H Headquarters and National 4-H Council through the work of the ECOP 4-H Leadership Committee.

Specific initiatives or efforts designed to strengthen Cooperative Extension and ECOP’s operations and value:

Demonstrate ECOP’s value to the members of the Cooperative Extension Section.

Strengthen ECOP functions by moving from a reporting model to a deliberative, forward-looking, action-oriented framework. Similarly, review the effectiveness of ECOP’s committee structure and consider alternatives.

Provide opportunities for directors/administrators to improve personal, organizational and system leadership skills, including an annual conference and a monthly Next Generation Extension – Learning for Leaders webinar series.

Implement national Excellence in Extension as well as Diversity Awards.

Partner with JCEP to strengthen national leadership of Extension’s professional associations.

On-board a new Executive Director for the Cooperative Extension System.

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From: Chuck Hibberd [mailto:hibberd@unl.edu]

Sent: Tuesday, January 2, 2018 3:40 PM

To: ED&A team (cesexecutivedirectors@extension.org) <cesexecutivedirectors@extension.org>

Subject: Big Idea topics for the March ECOP meeting (and beyond)

Greetings, One of the things I would like to accomplish at our March ECOP meeting in Nebraska City is a robust conversation on a big idea. I am thinking about a format where we have someone set the table followed by a response panel and then open discussion. At the end of the experience, I would like a framework of how Cooperative Extension could address the big idea that would provide a platform for further action. I am open to any and all ideas. The one I have been thinking about is “How can Cooperative Extension contribute to the Higher Ed mission of our land-grant university?” This topic could be about how we partner beyond our organization, how we identify issues and opportunities that we could help address and how we add value to university-level initiatives based on our capacity and our network. It is also possible that the big idea could then be discussed on our Next Generation Extension webinars or possibly as a theme for NEDA. I plan to log into the ED/A Team conversation on Friday to brainstorm this and other ideas with you. Thanks, Chuck ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chuck Hibberd, Dean & Director Nebraska Extension 402-472-2966 hibberd@unl.edu Check us out at extension.unl.edu Connectedness, Learner, Maximizer, Ideation, Arranger -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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From: Chipman, Helen - NIFA [mailto:hchipman@nifa.usda.gov]

Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2017 7:55 AM

To: Family and Consumer Science Leaders <fcsldrs@lyris.nifa.usda.gov>

Cc: Denise Eblen <Denise.r.eblen@nifa.usda.gov>; Michael Fitzner <mfitzner@nifa.usda.gov>; Luis Tupas

<ltupas@nifa.usda.gov>; Daly, Erin - NIFA <EDALY@nifa.usda.gov>; Koenings, Mallory - NIFA

<Mallory.Koenings@nifa.usda.gov>; Cotton, Paul - NIFA <Paul.Cotton@nifa.usda.gov>

Subject: [fcsldrs] IMPORTANT - EFNEP program policy change

Importance: High

Greetings EFNEP Coordinators, FCS Leaders, and Extension Directors/Administrators: Effective, immediately, the following EFNEP program policy change is being made to give you greater flexibility with your EFNEP budget and program management. EFNEP PROGRAM POLICY CHANGE

Old program policy language: “At least sixty percent (60)% of the total Federal appropriation to each university is to be used for paraprofessional personnel and their support.” NEW program policy language: “The majority (51% or more) of the total Federal appropriation to each university is to be used for paraprofessional personnel and their support.” The EFNEP program policy document and future Requests for Application (RFAs) will be modified to reflect this change.

WHAT THIS CHANGE MEANS FOR UNIVERSITIES* THAT OVERSEE EFNEP

This change will ensure that “most” of EFNEP funds are still directed to paraprofessionals and their support, while also easing the burden that universities are experiencing in meeting the 60/40 requirement as they provide programmatic oversight. Universities have the option to maintain their current EFNEP funding allocation ratio or to increase funding support for professionals and related costs up to 49%, as desired. All EFNEP federal funds are to be used to conduct EFNEP.

The FY 2018 Federal EFNEP allocation is still unknown. No new funds are available to EFNEP at this time. Thus, any changes that universities choose to make will require an internal re-allocation of paraprofessional verses professional/other staff support. Although NIFA is not requiring that a preliminary budget sheet and budget justification be submitted through WebNEERS at this time, universities that plan to modify their budgets are strongly encouraged to prepare such documentation for their own internal planning. Doing so will reduce the likelihood of having to make corrections later in the year when the FY 2018 Federal EFNEP allocation becomes available.

WHY AND HOW THIS CHANGE CAME ABOUT

Over the past year, concerns have been raised by EFNEP stakeholders about their ability to provide appropriate oversight for paraprofessional staff “due to the 60/40 paraprofessional funding requirement.” As NIFA programmatic leadership reviewed trends in participant reach, professional FTEs, and paraprofessional FTEs, along with universities’ 2017 EFNEP budgets and annual updates, and feedback from the recent call to conversation nutrition education listening sessions, it became apparent that the 60/40 split is becoming increasingly unsustainable for many universities. As one example, trend data shows that universities are trying to maintain the level of professional FTEs but are splitting those FTEs across more people, which minimizes the type of food and nutrition expertise oversight and individual attention that is needed for paraprofessional staff. Additionally, as EFNEP embraces the inclusion of technology as part of program delivery, there may be some

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costs that need to be covered through their EFNEP funds which would not necessarily be considered paraprofessional support. The 60/40 paraprofessional funding ratio makes it difficult to incorporate technology beyond the most basic level.

A review of legislative language and policies from 1968 forward did not reveal the origins of the “60/40 program requirement”. The earliest source found that included this requirement was the EFNEP policy document of October 1983. It is NIFA’s understanding that this was a programmatic decision to keep the emphasis on employing and supporting paraprofessionals – which has been the intent of the legislation from its inception in 1968. Program, policy, and agency leadership have determined that changing to a 51/49 paraprofessional funding ratio maintains the emphasis on employing and supporting paraprofessionals, while also responding to universities’ concerns and supporting their efforts to provide appropriate oversight for paraprofessional staff and to implement new technology options that were incorporated into program policy in October 2017.

*”Universities” refers to universities and colleges that receive EFNEP funding to carry out programming in all 50 states, 6 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Helen

Helen Chipman, PhD, RDN

National Program Leader, Food and Nutrition Education

United States Department of Agriculture

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Nutrition Division

Mail: 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 2225, Washington, D.C. 20250-2225

Deliveries: Waterfront Centre, 800 9th St. SW, Washington D.C. 20024

Room 2336

Phone: (202) 720-8067; Fax: (202) 401-0776

E-mail: hchipman@nifa.usda.gov

Website: www.nifa.usda.gov