Progress 09/22/23 to 09/21/24
Outputs
Target Audience:During the 2023-2024 reporting period, efforts reached a broad and diverse audience through the New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) initiatives, which focus on scaling Cooperative Extension System (CES) programs across priority areas identified by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). Key target audiences include: Extension Professionals: Over 1,200 participants engaged in professional development through webinars on program center stage, fundraising, grant development, and partnership building. Program Action Teams (PATs) involved Extension professionals nationwide, addressing critical issues such as climate resilience, workforce development, and broadband access. Land-Grant University (LGU) Staff and Faculty: Staff and faculty from 21 LGUs benefited from distributed funds to innovate and scale CES programs. 29 institutions contributed data to support ExtensionBot's AI-powered information sharing. CES Networks and Collaborators: 131,000 public users of Connect Extension, a CES-focused social media platform for sharing research, programs, and co-learning. CES professionals from 41 institutions attended the Impact Collaborative Summit, enhancing organizational readiness for innovation. Historically Marginalized and Underserved Communities: 62% of NTAE-funded teams prioritized engaging historically marginalized groups. Initiatives like "Using Animated Pollinator Video to Educate Underserved Populations" and "Enhancing Nutrition Education in Underserved Communities through a Mobile App" targeted specific underserved audiences. Youth and Future Agricultural Workforce: Programs like "ACAS - Advancing Careers through Agriculture and STEM" inspired teens to explore agricultural careers, with measurable outcomes in leadership skill development and career exploration. Community Members Nationwide: Programs like the "Food Recovery for Rhode Island Expansion" adapted local solutions for national audiences, targeting food insecurity and waste reduction. Gateway community residents and stakeholders benefited from enhanced recreational economies through collaborations with USDA partners. Public Information Seekers Through Ask Extension: The Ask Extension platform connected with over three million visitors, engaging users with 33,000 conversations and over 46,000 references cited during this reporting period. This platform provided direct, personalized access to CES expertise, meeting the informational needs of diverse communities nationwide. Decision-Makers and Grant Funders: NTAE-supported teams secured funding for national initiatives, contributing to over $258 million in grant applications, with $51 million awarded to date. This diverse engagement amplified CES's capacity to address local and national challenges effectively, ensuring measurable impacts across priority areas. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) project has offered numerous training and professional development opportunities during the reporting period. Key activities include: 1. Monthly Professional Development Webinars and Workshops: Topics Covered: Fundraising, grant writing, AI applications in Extension, leadership, mentorship, and culturally responsive programming. Examples: "Ethical AI Utilization" (65 participants) "Diversifying Funding Sources" (86 participants) "Culturally Responsive Mentorship" (41 participants)? 2. Impact Collaborative Summit (May 2024): Participants: 22 USDA NIFA-funded NTAE project teams from 41 institutions. Activities: Skill-building workshops, project acceleration sessions, and consultations with 26 Key Informants. Outcomes: 96% of participants increased innovation in their project ideas. 82% reported accelerated team and project development? 3. AI Track at NETC Annual Conference: Sessions: Hands-on workshops and presentations on integrating AI in Extension, including topics like ethical AI and leveraging AI for agricultural resiliency. Participants: 100 attendees; 71% reported being more comfortable using AI in their work? 4. Tailored Training for Teams: Key Informants provided targeted assistance, such as course mapping, content design, and 508 compliance for accessibility. Leadership sessions on teamwork, distributed leadership, and trust-building. Specific evaluations and mentoring for NTAE projects to enhance project implementation? 5. Specific Program-Based Training: Program Center Stage Webinars: Highlighted successful projects and innovative practices, like Alabama's naturalist programming and Illinois Extension's composting initiatives? Oregon Pest Monitoring Dashboard: Training sessions for Extension professionals and stakeholders on interpreting and utilizing pest data effectively? 6. National and Regional Conferences: Hosted sessions at conferences like the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Nutrition & Community Health Conference. Collaboration-building events like the North Central Climate Collaborative Conference fostered networking and climate-related programming advancements? 7. Mentorship and Coaching Opportunities: One-on-one executive coaching sessions offered to participants. Mentorship provided to teams, particularly during program incubation phases, helping them align their projects with strategic goals? These opportunities equipped Extension professionals with skills and resources to innovate, enhance program delivery, and address critical USDA priorities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The NTAE project has utilized multiple channels and strategies to disseminate results effectively to communities of interest. Key dissemination methods include: 1. Publications and Reports: The 2024 NTAE Yearbook showcased impactful projects and innovations, including stories of success in areas such as climate action, financial literacy, and health equity. Supplemental publications like the Climate PAT Action Plan and the NETC AI track summary increased visibility for CES initiatives. Results and updates were shared through high-quality reports, white papers, and digital materials? 2. Digital Platforms and Tools: Connect Extension: A closed social media network for CES professionals, LGUs, and federal partners facilitated collaboration and content sharing. Over 244,000 page views occurred from May to September 2024, promoting co-learning and program visibility. Ask Extension and ExtensionBot: These tools provided direct access to CES expertise, with Ask Extension engaging millions of users and ExtensionBot incorporating real-time updates from 29 institutions? Enhanced dashboards, such as the Oregon Pest Monitoring Network, offered real-time pest management data for agricultural stakeholders? 3. Outreach Events and Conferences: NTAE teams presented results at national and regional conferences, such as the North Central Climate Collaborative Conference and the NETC Annual Conference. Educational field days and workshops, such as those for the baby ginger production technology initiative, directly engaged minority farmers and agricultural stakeholders? 4. Social Media and Email Campaigns: Results and stories were shared via social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as through newsletters and targeted email campaigns. Outreach through Hubspot led to a 34,981 increase in marketing emails sent, with a 4% higher click-through rate than industry standards, amplifying engagement with stakeholders? 5. Training Materials and Resources: Training guides, interactive resources, and educational content, such as the "Pollinator Superheroes" video viewer guide, were distributed to facilitate knowledge transfer to local communities. Pilot projects like "Caring for Our Kin" provided tailored curricula to kinship caregiver support groups across multiple states? 6. Partnerships and Collaborative Networks: Dissemination through networks like the National Extension Outdoor Recreation Working Group (NEORWG) and Program Action Teams (PATs), which engaged nearly 2,000 members and 730 strategic partners? Collaborations with federal agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders expanded the reach and impact of the results? 7. Community Engagement Activities: Projects like "Food Recovery for Rhode Island Expansion" engaged communities by adapting local programs to national contexts, emphasizing behavior change to reduce food waste and insecurity. Community needs assessments and surveys, such as those conducted for the recreation economies initiative, gathered input and shared findings with stakeholders? This multifaceted approach ensured that results reached diverse audiences, enhancing the visibility and impact of NTAE-supported programs across CES and beyond. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Increase Access to CES Programs & Information Across USDA Priority Areas: Expand the reach of successful programs such as "Caring for Our Kin" by piloting the curriculum in additional kinship caregiver support groups, refining content based on facilitator and participant feedback, and addressing logistical barriers to implementation?. Continue scaling "Food Recovery for Rhode Island" to a national audience by developing pilot programs in 1-3 states and incorporating feedback from community partners to fine-tune the program and evaluation tools?. Enhance the "Oregon Pest Monitoring Network" by integrating predictive pest models, email alerts, and expanded geographic coverage to support farmers in managing crops more effectively?. 2. Increase Competitiveness of NTAE Funded Projects in the Education Marketplace: Further refine and distribute innovative educational tools like the "Handbook of Aerial Crop Scouting", with plans to include comprehensive resources, hands-on workshops, and image galleries to improve drone usage in agriculture?. Scale and promote educational programs such as "ACAS - Advancing Careers through Agriculture and STEM", focusing on building partnerships to expand synchronized programs across counties and providing networking opportunities for participants?. 3. Increase Knowledge, Skills, and Utilization of Digital Resources Across CES: Broaden the use of AI tools like BudgetBot by expanding its dataset, incorporating user feedback, and conducting beta testing in multiple states to enhance accessibility and utility for agricultural producers?. Improve ExtensionBot functionalities by continuing AI training, optimizing datasets, and offering training to Extension professionals to maximize its adoption and impact?. 4. Build Capacity to Engage Strategic Partners with Science-Based Content: Expand partnerships through initiatives like the National Extension Outdoor Recreation Working Group (NEORWG) by activating findings from needs assessments and facilitating national convenings to address recreation economies?. Strengthen collaborations with USDA agencies and community partners to align project outcomes with national priorities, as seen with the development of recreation economy strategies and urban extension initiatives?. 5. Marketing & Communications: Increase visibility for NTAE projects by developing tailored marketing campaigns, sharing program impacts through newsletters and social media, and leveraging tools like Hubspot for targeted outreach?. Enhance the portfolio of funded projects by mentoring teams to refine their marketing strategies and develop professional, accessible publications, such as yearbooks and project reports?. These plans align with the NTAE project's commitment to fostering innovation, expanding access to CES programs, and addressing USDA priority areas effectively.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. Increase Access to CES Programs & Information Across USDA Priority Areas: Ask Extension and ExtensionBot expanded their capabilities, now incorporating data from 29 institutions. Upgrades to ExtensionBot included transitioning to Llama 3.1, improving response quality, and introducing advanced AI functionalities. This resulted in significantly improved engagement, including exponential increases in user traffic and data utilization during the reporting period?. Program Action Teams (PATs) advanced national priority areas such as climate resilience, health equity, and broadband access. The robust network of nearly 2,000 members has engaged 730 strategic partners. Their collective efforts led to grant applications totaling $258 million, with $51 million awarded and additional awards pending. These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to making CES programs accessible and impactful?. Educational programs like "Caring for Our Kin," which supports kinship caregivers, provided resources and training that directly addressed underserved populations, ensuring stability and reducing trauma for children in kinship care?. 1a. Increase Competitiveness of NTAE Funded Projects in the Education Marketplace: The 2024 NTAE Yearbook served as a platform to highlight the breadth and diversity of CES innovations. Designed in an engaging magazine format, it showcased projects addressing pressing challenges like climate adaptation and food security while aligning with USDA strategic priorities?. Innovative curricula included "ACAS - Advancing Careers through Agriculture and STEM," which introduced a paid internship program to inspire teens to pursue careers in agriculture. Participants reported significant increases in leadership skills, agricultural knowledge, and career readiness?. Financial literacy tools like "A New Night of Living Debt Game" scaled their reach nationally, using a gamified approach to teach young adults about managing personal finances effectively?. The culturally responsive project "Using Animated Pollinator Video to Educate Underserved Populations" incorporated Dakota and Cherokee languages, combining pollinator education with cultural preservation. Native seed packets provided hands-on engagement to promote environmental stewardship?. 2. Increase Knowledge, Skills, and Utilization of Digital Resources Across CES: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration: The AI Track at NETC 2024 introduced CES professionals to advanced tools such as ExtensionBot and AI-prompting workshops. These sessions increased participants' self-rated knowledge of AI from 22% to 73% and improved their confidence in incorporating AI into their work?. The Oregon Pest Monitoring Dashboard, expanded to cover more crops and regions, equipped farmers with real-time pest data and predictive phenology models. This interactive tool improved decision-making for pest management, particularly in diverse agricultural environments like the Willamette Valley?. Digital resources like the "BudgetBot," designed to simplify farm budgeting through AI, empowered agricultural producers with data-driven insights to optimize financial and production decisions?. 3. Build Capacity to Engage Strategic Partners with Science-Based Content: National Extension Outdoor Recreation Working Group (NEORWG): Through needs assessments and partnerships with USDA agencies, NEORWG strengthened its capacity to develop recreation economies in "gateway" communities. These efforts bolstered relationships with Extension, the Forest Service, and Rural Development, leading to tangible improvements in local economies?. PAT members collaborated on national strategic initiatives, such as climate adaptation and workforce development, by hosting convenings, designing resource repositories, and leading marketing and publication efforts?. Projects like "Building Collaborative Research and Extension Networks with Urban Communities" fostered partnerships with the National League of Cities, advancing research and Extension integration to address urban challenges?. 4. Update and Develop Policies for NTAE Business Aspects: Updated policies supported efficient management of digital tools like ExtensionBot. The AI Advisory Board convened to ensure alignment with CES goals, addressing data governance and stakeholder inclusion?. Streamlined administrative processes addressed funding and contracting delays, enabling timely execution of projects like "Enhancing Nutrition Education in Underserved Communities"?. 5. Marketing & Communications: 5a. Increase Awareness of NTAE: Outreach through Hubspot saw a 34,981 increase in marketing emails sent, a 4% increase in click-through rates, and engagement levels exceeding industry benchmarks. Campaigns highlighted innovations like the Climate Action Plan and financial literacy tools?. NTAE success stories were shared via social media, Connect Extension, and newsletters, with featured highlights such as culturally relevant DEIAJ training programs and agricultural apprenticeship initiatives?. 5b. Drive Annual Growth in Quality and Impactful Applications: Professional development webinars and mentorship initiatives supported project teams, resulting in increased clarity of project goals for 85% of participants and expanded collaboration opportunities for 64%?. 5c. Develop a Diverse Portfolio of Funded Projects: The portfolio included projects addressing systemic issues such as urban extension challenges, minority farmer support, and climate-smart agricultural practices. Examples include "Food Recovery for Rhode Island Expansion," which tackled food waste and insecurity, and the "Growing Growers Farm Apprenticeship Model" for workforce diversification?. 5d. Drive Adoption of Innovations: Adoption of cutting-edge tools like ExtensionBot and Connect Extension surged as these platforms demonstrated their utility for Extension professionals and the communities they serve. Real-time dashboards and AI-enabled tools increased accessibility and improved resource efficiency across projects like the "Oregon Pest Monitoring Network"?. Projects like "Caring for Our Kin" exemplified how targeted educational innovations can enhance participation and program satisfaction while addressing critical societal needs? This comprehensive effort across all goals underscores NTAE's commitment to advancing CES capabilities, meeting USDA strategic priorities, and delivering measurable impacts nationwide.
Publications
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