Executive Committee Zoom Meeting Minutes

June 11, 2020, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time Presiding – Mark Latimore, Chair

Attachments: May 2020 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, July Joint COPs Virtual Meeting Overview Updated (4), www.aplu.org/CESgoals (URL) CES/ECOP Finance Report Jan.-May 2020 (5), June 11 Letter from Executive Committee to Section on System Racism (6-7)

OPENING BUSINESS – Mark Latimore brought the meeting to order. Attendance is recorded on page 3. A quorum was present. Minutes of last meeting were approved by unanimous consent. There were no additions to the agenda.

I. Business Requiring Immediate Attention – Discuss, Set Goals, Take Action

A. Meet new Executive Director – Mark Latimore: Introduced Caroline Crocoll. Caroline related her background and appreciation for this opportunity.

B. July ECOP Meeting Topics (p. 3, Goals for 2020) – Mark Latimore/Rick Klemme: Rick reviewed the draft framework. Response to protests perhaps learning for leaders. Items include: 2021 budget approval, the NIFA Item Future of Farm Extension, health extension director discussion, strategic directions. ESCOP’s meeting schedule is not on the overall Joint COPs agenda; will follow up and inform. Registration is in process by APLU; an online form that provides for registration for the ECOP portion of the meeting – waiting to see if there will be an overall Joint COPs registration process.

C. Future of Extension – NIFA Directive – Extension Design Initiative—The Senate Committee on Appropriations recognizes that for decades, the foundation of traditional farm extension programs had researchers and educators working on the farms and fields alongside crop and livestock producers but that changes are needed to develop a 21st century extension to meet the needs of today’s farmers. The Committee notes that new efforts require USDA to use high-performance computing to develop, test, and deploy new digital infrastructure and platforms that can translate research into real-time interactive feedback, online modeling, demonstration, and simulations. The Committee directs NIFA to conduct meetings with producers, stakeholders, and policymakers to begin developing a framework for the next generation of farm extension programs. Mark Latimore/Caroline Crocoll – Paragraph above is a directive of the Senate Committee on Appropriations to NIFA. Mark and Caroline met with Parag Chitnis, Mitch Adams, NIFA’s Acting Congressional and Stakeholder Affairs Officer, Mike Fitzner, Bill Hoffman on 6/10/2020. Mitch is communicating with Staffers to help answer questions by ECOP before the end of June. Mike Fitzner – We get a lot of these directives. Go out to stakeholders, policy makers to obtain input. Hoping to work with ECOP that it will generate positive result. He will check on the timeframe and report back. Other comments: There may be an opportunity to help define what “farm Extension” really is. Chuck Ross – Extension is largely viewed as agriculture, but problematic, opportunity to educate the systematic connections to all of Society. Mitch Adams might need to know or carry materials with him for this conversation. Mark does not think we are at the point of needing this. We did raise the topic of Urban Agriculture. Rick Klemme provided the Riley Foundation and Scoping paper with NAS/BANR, as examples of what Extension is and what is does.

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D. Responding to Protests (Special Learning for Leaders Event) –Mark Latimore/Rick Klemme: Explained the background leading up the attached letter from the ECOP Executive Committee. The title from the ECOP Monday Minute was verified, Change and Healing Through Understanding - ECOP is Responding. Unanimous approval to send. Rick Klemme: What can ECOP do that will bring us closer to improve relationships. Do we want this discussion? Dionardo Pizaña, Michigan State University, is a resource to facilitate this discussion and a Learning for Leaders experience has been recommended by the Chair and Chair-elect. The System will benefit by the actions that are being taken, not just the dialogue/learning that is occurring. Concept: What needs to be done, what we do internally so that Directors/Administrators can better lead and inspire externally. For example, getting right the relationship in states with 1890 and 1862 institutions. May want to begin looking internally at ECOP, the way we operate, learn and listen to 1890 colleague and 1994s. Rick will work with Rachel Welborn, Southern Rural Development Center, and Mark (and others) to move this event forward. If there are other ideas, contact Rick and Mark.

E. Appointments –1. CMC CES/ECOP Representative

Mark Latimore – From the 1890 community ARD/AEA appointed him to do this. Technically, there is no 1890 rep. so the opportunity presented himself and Mark is willing. Chuck Ross asked for a motion to appoint Mark Latimore to represent the Cooperative Extension Section. Barbara Petty moved, Bev Durgan seconded. Motion passed.

2. Northeast Region ECOP MemberMark Latimore/Ali Mitchell – Chuck Ross, is retiring. The Northeast Region unanimously approved Chris Watkins, Cornell University, to become ECOP Chair-elect and he has accepted. The effect of this is NEED is tasked with finding a third voting member of ECOP for either the Program or Professional Development Committee.

II. Informational Updates:A. Budget & Legislative Committee, COVID-19 BAA Proposal Advocacy –

Rick Klemme for Jon Boren: In a special BLC meeting was held, we were reminded by Vernie Hubert, Cornerstone, about the importance of advocating for the $380M proposal. Rick is working on preparing a 1) capacity funding appropriations process and 2) opportunity for regional conversations in Ag Innovations. Caron Gala, APLU CGA, will work with Jon Boren on next steps. So far there is no one from Southern Region to fill the vacancy left by Robert Burns, University of Tennessee, who stepped back May 31, 2020. [Update: Nick Place, University of Florida was named by ASRED after this meeting was held]

B. 2020 NEDA Meeting Update –Ed Jones: Virtual meeting planning is underway. Content is being development. Registration should be released soon.

C. Strategic Directions – Chuck Ross/Ali MitchellRegions are working on feedback on the current version. Deadline for input is July 14, 2020.

D. Innovation Task Force Update – Michelle RodgersMeeting coming up at the end of the month.

E. NIFA Update – Mike FitznerMaking progress on hiring. Grants processes are improving. Faith Peppers is hired as new Communications Director.

F. Health Extension/WCC Update – Roger RennekampMental health is a focus currently, regional prospects for programming.

ADJOURN ECOP Resources are found at www.extension.org/ecop

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ECOP Voting Members

Mark Latimore, Executive Committee, Chair, Fort Valley State University Chuck Ross, Executive Committee, Chair-elect, University of Vermont Ed Jones, Executive Committee, Past-Chair, Virginia Tech Beverly Durgan, Executive Committee, University of Minnesota Extension Barbara Petty, University of Idaho

Ex-officio

• Caroline Crocoll, ECOP Executive Director, and Rick Klemme, Executive Consultant, Cooperative Extension/ECOP

• Roger Rennekamp, Extension Health Director

• Jon Boren, New Mexico State University – ECOP Budget & Legislative Committee, Chair

• Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware – CES Representative to BAA Policy Board of Directors; Health Innovation Task Force, Chair

• Mike Fitzner – USDA-NIFA

Executive Director and Administrator Team

• Ron Brown, Southern Region

• Caroline Crocoll, DC Office

• Albert Essel, 1890 Region

• Lyla Houglum, Western Region

• Ali Mitchell, Northeast Region

• Sandy Ruble and Flo Drumwright, DC Office

• Robin Shepard, North Central Region

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2020 Joint COPs Virtual Meeting (DRAFT) Schedule July 20 – 24, 2020

(Eastern Times)

DATE SESSION/SECTION TIME Monday July 20

IAS 11:00am – 1:00pm

ACOP 1:00 - 3:00pm BoHS 12:30 – 3:30pm

AHS 3:30-5:00pm Tuesday July 21

ECOP

11:30am – 1:30pm

ACOP 1:00-3:00pm ESCOP 1:00 – 5:00pm ECOP Executive Committee 3:00 – 4:30pm ECOP Program Committee 3:00 – 4:30pm ECOP Professional

Development Committee 3:00 – 4:30pm

Wednesday July 22

REE/NIFA Updates (CONFIRMED)

11:00am-12:30pm

Joint COPs General Session/Section Reports

3:00 – 5:00pm

Thursday July 23

ECOP 11:00am – 1:00pm

July 23 BAA Policy Board of Directors

3:00 -5:00pm

Friday July 24

CARET

1:00 – 4:00pm

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Cooperative Extension SectionECOP National Leadership 2020 Budget

Last updated: 5/1/2020

Holdings/Reserve/

Assets beginning

1/1/2020

Approved 7/23/2019 +

Health Director GrantActual

$749,567 Income-Expense $0 $151,399Income $812,094 $302,697

25 of 76 insitutions have paid Assessments 600,000 249,967Interest + Grant 202,094 51,942Meetings 10,000 788

Expense $812,094 $151,298$708,618 $149,579

615,759 129,593Meetings 10,000 0Travel expenses including local meetings 20,000 6,244Staff development 4,000 0Office supplies 500 24Technology and communications 2,500 254Design, printing, engraving 1,000 0Miscellaneous 1,000 0

53,859 13,465

$6,800 $1,063Meeting support (ED Search) 5,000 1,063Memberships & related fees 1,800 0

$12,000 $0

$5,300 $0

$7,500 $0

$56,876 $0

$15,000 $656

Note: A minimum of $485,000 is to be retained in Reserves at APLU (Salary, benefits, APLU Provision

for ECOP for 1 year)

APLU Provision for ECOP (IT, DC Presence, Utilities,

Human Resources, Finance, etc.)

National Impacts Database Committee

ECOP National Office Operations

ECOP Executive Committee

Professional Development Committee EiE Award

Program Committee National Diversity Award

4-H Leadership Committee

Strategic Priorities

Salary and benefits and staff contracts

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June 11, 2020

MEMORANDUM

TO: Cooperative Extension Section

FROM: ECOP Executive Committee -

Mark Latimore, Associate Dean for Extension, Fort Valley State University, CHAIR

Chuck Ross, Extension Director, University of Vermont

Beverly Durgan, Dean, University of Minnesota Extension

Ed Jones, Extension Director, Virginia Tech

Barbara Petty, Extension Director, University of Idaho

CC: Associate Directors and Administrators, EDA Team, ECOP Liaisons

SUBJECT: Change and Healing Through Understanding

Extension Committee on Organization and Policy leadership grieves with the nation as we once

again come face-to-face with the serious mistreatment and violence that is a part of Black

Americans’ daily existence. We need to hear the trauma people of color are experiencing and

stand with those seeking justice as we collectively grapple for solutions. We want every member

of our Extension family to unite in addressing racism against ourselves and our communities,

and to see clearly the ways preferential treatment and the lack of equal opportunity to succeed

burdens people of color and negatively impacts all of us. Every fellow human being deserves

dignity and respect. We commit to working together to build understanding, solutions, and the

trust needed to help make right what is now wrong.

We stand ready to hear what you need in order to move extension in support of a more just

world. As a place to start, we want to highlight and assist one ongoing effort. The Coming

Together for Racial Understanding (CTRU) program, seeded by ECOP in 2016, began following

a similar season of anguish. CTRU’s vision is to grow a community of Extension professionals

ready to aid in fostering meaningful community conversations leading to positive change. Many

of the trained teams across 26 states continue to work fervently, aiding both CES professionals

and communities toward this vision and are available to help you meet your needs back home.

As this work continues, three principles are clear: 1. Dialogues are vital to understanding, and

understanding is vital to healing and meaningful change. 2. CES must do our own work around

race before we can effectively engage communities. 3. Administrative support to these teams is

vital to their success.

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Learn more about CTRU: http://srdc.msstate.edu/civildialogue/index.html

To view other great resources: https://civildialogue.extension.org

Contact:

Rachel Welborn

Associate Director

Southern Rural Development Center

P.O. Box 5187

Mississippi State, MS 39762

rachel.welborn@msstate.edu

Phone: 662.325.5885

www.srdc.msstate.edu

Best regards,

Caroline

Caroline E. Crocoll

Executive Director, Cooperative Extension/ECOP

(Office) 202-478-6029 (Cell) 571-420-6765

www.extension.org/ecop www.ecopmondayminute.blogspot.com

https://landgrantimpacts.org/

Office Location: APLU 1307 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005-4722

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