Concurrent Session

Title: Intergenerational and Cross Discipline Extension Professional Life Hacks

Life Hacks brings professionals together from across generations and disciplines to share tips and tricks from experiences to support and mentor each other. Categories include Technology, Awards and Conference Applications, Program Planning, Time Management, Work/Life Balance, and Pearls of Wisdom.

Lead Presenter: David Lott, Extension Educator - Horticulture, Landscape and Environmental Systems, Nebraska – Alpha Upsilon (North Central)

Co Presenter: Kim Bearnes

Concurrent Session

Title: Podcasts: Amplifying Reach and Engaging New Audiences

Podcasting is a growing industry. This session will guide attendees through the key steps of podcast creation focusing on concept and planning, equipment and production, content creation, publishing and distribution, and marketing.

Lead Presenter: Ashley Board, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Kentucky – Alpha Kappa (Southern)

Co Presenters: Tiffany Bolinger, Amanda Dame, Joni Phelps

Concurrent Session

Title: Leveraging Digital Tools to Develop Future-Ready Youth: A Gamified Approach to Workforce Readiness

This gamified platform helps youth track engagement, develop career-readiness skills, and prepare for future success. Learn how to integrate it into programming, enhance data tracking, and support youth through a system of points, badges, and workforce development competencies.

Lead Presenter: Haley Palmer, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenters: Jessica Adams, Margo Overholt-Seckel

Concurrent Session

Title: Enhancing the Extension Brand by Becoming an Employer of Choice

This session will highlight how Extension can invest in initiatives to become an employer of choice by considering what their employer brand is and how they can enhance their brand. Attendees will prioritize changes to improve employee retention and explore expectations of younger talent.

Lead Presenter: Brandi Berven, Extension Specialist II, Tennessee - Omega (Southern)

Co Presenter: Tearney Woodruff

Concurrent Session

Title: One Health in Practice: Collaborative Strategies for a Sustainable Future

One Health integrates human, animal, and environmental health to address complex challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. This presentation illustrates an example of how One Health was used in community-driven research pathways to enhance community resilience sustainable practices.

Lead Presenter: Sharon Toth, County 4-H Agent, New Jersey – Alpha Xi (Northeast)

Co Presenter: Scott Laursen

Concurrent Session

Title: Serving the Early Childhood Workforce: Multi-County Focus Groups to Inform a Statewide Response

This session shares a multi-tiered research project to enhance continuing education for early childhood professionals. Participants will learn to build data collection strategies, collaborate with statewide agencies, and apply research findings to improve educational efforts.

Lead Presenter: Patricia Carroll, Associate Professor, Wisconsin – Alpha Sigma (North Central)

Co Presenters: Carol Bralich, Hannah Zellmer

Concurrent Session

Title: Marketing the Transformation of Our Customers: Quit Focusing on Us

You joined Extension to change the world, not create marketing. It’s a frustrating and joyless part of your job — unless you know the secret. Create marketing and donor resources using templates customized for the work you do. Stop wasting time and focus on the joyful work you want to do.

Lead Presenter: Judy Bingman, Retired, Illinois – Alpha Nu (North Central)

Concurrent Session

Title: 4-H Ag-Venture Days Building Agriculture Awareness in Youth

The 4-H Ag-Venture Day program allows youth to reconnect with agriculture through, hands-on workshops and farm tours! Tailored for grades 1-6, it dives into topics like animal science, sustainable farming, and the food supply chain. Participants get to explore all this animal care, and agriculture.

Lead Presenter: Shailja Mathur, Somerset County FCHS Educator, New Jersey – Alpha Xi (Northeast)

Co Presenters: Melissa Bright, Lisa Rothenburger, Kate Brown

Concurrent Session

Title: Empowering Women in the Outdoors: Breaking Barriers and Building Confidence

Becoming an Outdoors Woman initiative tackles women's health disparities by empowering them with outdoor skills, fostering social connections, and addressing mental health. Impactful events break down barriers, providing transformative experiences for women.

Lead Presenter: Andrea Schmutz, Extension Assistant Professor, Utah - Iota (West)

Co Presenter: Cindy Nelson

Concurrent Session

Title: Know your worth: Combatting the 'I Can Google That' Mentality and Embracing the Human Connection

Explore the "I can Google that" mentality, highlighting the value of human expertise, critical thinking, and personal connections. Examine strategies for combating misinformation, facilitating large-scale change, and staying relevant as Extension professionals by integrating knowledge with care.

Lead Presenter: Stacey Steffens, Regional Director, Missouri – Alpha Tau (North Central)

Concurrent Session

Title: Global Experiences Provide Local Growth

As a global society, we educate diverse audiences and celebrate cultural examples worldwide. Perspectives from our international community enhance our understanding and help us become better educators. This session emphasizes the influence of international experiences on professional growth.

Lead Presenter: Melissa Rupp, Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenter: Misty Harmon

Concurrent Session

Title: Serving Audiences Living in Poverty? Tips for Creating Success Programs

Poverty is a challenge in the communities we serve; understanding mindsets, norms, behaviors and perspectives are critical pieces to the puzzle as we develop Extension programs. You will develop an understanding of poverty competencies and theories, including tips for program development.

Lead Presenter: Travis West, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Concurrent Session

Title: Coping with the Pressures of Farming through the Family Farm Health and Wellness Program

The Farm Family Health and Wellness Program addresses farm stress by providing farmers and their families with strategies for managing stress, improving mental health, and enhancing well-being. The program covers topics like family relationships, farm safety, finances, and stress management.

Lead Presenter: Janet Fox, Assistant Dean and Department Head, Tennessee - Omega (Southern)

Co Presenter: Karen Franck

Concurrent Session

Title: A Gameplan for Caregivers: Collaborative Strategies for Supporting Caregivers and their Well-Being

This workshop explores collaborative strategies to support caregivers of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) patients. Attendees will use resources from an online platform offering practical tools and expert advice, fostering equitable support systems through a Social Ecological Model.

Lead Presenter: Kristen Johnson, Tennessee - Omega (Southern)

Co Presenter: Janet Fox, Karen Franck

Concurrent Session

Title: Fostering Belonging and Connection in Professional Development

This session focuses on fostering connections in PD through hands-on activities and discussions. Based in adult learning theories and PYD research, it aims to boost staff retention and empowerment. Participants will learn strategies for creating engaging PD experiences and receive planning resources

Lead Presenter: Paige Wray, Extension Educator, Idaho - Theta (West)

Co Presenter: Ashley Benes

Concurrent Session

Title: Engagement Through Book Reads

Join us to learn how a cohort based book read engaged colleagues across all program areas, administration and retirees. Learn how we built connections among current chapter members and potential new members; while promoting the benefits of ESP. Leave with tools to replicate in your chapters.

Lead Presenter: Kandi Oneil, Professor Emerita, Wisconsin – Alpha Sigma (North Central)

Co Presenters: Peggy Damann, Hannah Zellmer, Todd Wenzel

Concurrent Session

Title: Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone!

Do you get plenty of sleep but STILL feel exhausted? Join this session to take a personal rest deficit assessment, learn about the seven types of rest (physical, sensory, mental, creative, emotional, social, and spiritual), and gain an understanding of the specific type of rest that you may need.

Lead Presenter: Daphne Richards, County Extension Agent--Horticulture, Texas – Alpha Zeta (Southern)

Concurrent Session

Title: Equipping Cooperative Extension Professionals to Better Support Military Audiences

This session highlights OneOp, a multistate collaboration between 9 land-grant universities, the Department of Defense, and the USDA. OneOp is an open-access resource for professionals who directly or indirectly serve military audiences, providing research-based, evidence-informed online learning.

Lead Presenter: Nichole Huff, Assistant Extension Professor, Kentucky – Alpha Kappa (Southern)

Co Presenters: Jessica Beckendorf, Kristen Jowers

Concurrent Session

Title: Using Experiential Learning Theory to Strengthen your Extension Program: Going Beyond “Learning by Doing”

This workshop situates learning theory within an Extension program delivery framework to strengthen experiential learning, improve leadership and team success, and strengthen program outcomes. Assessments will be introduced and discussed as tools for personal and professional development.

Lead Presenter: Karen Vines, Principle, Virginia – Alpha Gamma (Southern)

Concurrent Session

Title: Leading with Understanding: Maximizing Youth's Potential through Personality

Understanding Want to create a more inclusive space for all youth? Join this interactive session to explore personality types, foster collaboration, build confidence, and gain practical tools to support and empower every young person to thrive!

Lead Presenter: Christina Pay, Assistant Professor, Utah - Iota (West)

Co Presenter: Cindy Jenkins

Concurrent Session

Title: Riding the Publishing Trail: Demystifying What Gets an Article Accepted and Why They Get Rejected

Enhance your understanding of the journal submission and review process, which will aid in developing submissions that are more likely to be accepted for publication. Come away feeling inspired and more confident to share program outcomes and applied research through peer-reviewed publications.

Lead Presenter: Theresa Ferrari, Extension Specialist - Youth Development, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Concurrent Session

Title: 4-H Jr. & Teen Leadership Academy

The 4-H Jr. Teen Leadership Academy (JTLA) was designed to enhance youth in grades 5-12 leadership skills and overall knowledge of 4-H. JTLA provided youth with many opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills and allowed them to be an important part of the community’s positive development.

Lead Presenter: Deana Reed, County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Education, Kentucky – Alpha Kappa (Southern)

Concurrent Session

Title: Building Stronger Partnerships: Navigating the Art of Effective Needs Assessments

Session will inspire participants to approach needs assessments not as a one time task but as an ongoing, dynamic process that fosters meaningful dialogue & actionable change. Through engagement, collaboration & best practices they will gain confidence & inspiration to better serve their communities.

Lead Presenter: Deanna Roby-Vorgias, County Extension Director, Illinois – Alpha Nu (North Central)

Co Presenter: Cindy Sarkady

Concurrent Session

Title: Extension Capacity Building: Creating and Strengthening Relationships

Discussion will center around connecting with clientele, creating and strengthening community partnerships, and developing educational tools or materials to build capacity in program areas and Extension as a whole. Participants will garner ideas to enhance relationships to aid in programming efforts.

Lead Presenter: Sarah Jackson, 4-H Extension Educator, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenter: Amanda Raines, Kelly Coble

Concurrent Session

Title: Centering Relationships in Extension Work

Learn about the benefits of building and maintaining healthy relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and participants in your extension work and practice skills for maintaining a collaborative mindset with colleagues, stakeholders and participants.

Lead Presenter: Jackie Spencer, Community & Economic Vitality Resource Educator, New York - Lambda (Northeast)

Concurrent Session

Title: Marvel-Us Super Agents, Specialists, and Extension Administrators: Connecting to the Superhero Within

Do you and your coworkers need a pick-me-up with a reminder of why you do what you do? We will work through several exercises to discover our superpowers and kryptonite (plus the antidote). Learn more about what makes you a superhero and how to lift up coworkers, including volunteers.

Lead Presenter: Ruth Wallace, Senior Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Virginia – Alpha Gamma (Southern)

Concurrent Session

Title: Extension @ the Pantry

Looking to expand interdisciplinary programming opportunities? Our team found success introducing Extension to previously unreached populations through organizations with established clientele. This new partnership established monthly opportunities for educators to engage with the community.

Lead Presenter: Joy Bauman, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenters: Amanda Perkins, Julie Evans

Concurrent Session

Title: Growing with Grandparents... and Grand Friends

The Growing with Grandparents… and Grand Friends session will provide participants with knowledge and hands-on activities meant to foster intergenerational relationships that help shape emotional, social, and cognitive development within children.

Lead Presenter: Emily Masters, Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenter: Erin Simpson-Sloan

Concurrent Session

Title: Leadership Through Innovative Agricultural Experiences

This program offers educational opportunities engaging youth in diverse experiences, fostering leadership and advocacy skills to prepare them as future leaders in the agriculture industry. Furthermore, it serves as a model that can be adapted and implemented in other Extension programming areas.

Lead Presenter: Kerry Elsen, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Nebraska – Alpha Upsilon (North Central)

Co Presenter: Rhonda Herrick, Kimberly Cook, Elizabeth Janning

Concurrent Session

Title: Enhancing Volunteer Training and Retention Strategies for 4-H Youth Development Programs

Youth are eager to join 4-H, but retaining them beyond the first year is challenging. As the population diversifies, inclusive retention strategies are vital. Volunteers play a key role in mentoring and teaching life skills, but gaps in knowledge and training must be addressed for success.

Lead Presenter: Karen Henry, 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, Florida – Alpha Delta (Southern)

Co Presenters: Candi Dierenfield, Dale Pracht, Sarah Hensley

Concurrent Session

Title: Youth Voice in Overdose Prevention: "This is Not About Drugs"

Overdose rates have increased by 500% in adolescents and young adults since 1999. A team of Extension educators selected and evaluated the This is Not About Drugs curriculum. Results have implications for targeting specific groups of youth for intervention.

Co Presenter: Alexander Chan, Extension Specialist, Maryland - Tau (Northeast)

Concurrent Session

Title: Find it at the Pantry: Cooking up Challenging Topics for Youth across Program Areas

From county clubs to in school programs, learn how these educators used cross programmatic knowledge to increase awareness of food insecurity, develop hands-on cooking skills, incorporate school gardening initiatives, and build leadership skills in youth through pantry cooking challenges.

Lead Presenter: Ryan Kline, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenters: Lisa Barlage, Jessica Lowe

Concurrent Session

Title: Hot Wheels and Hot Air: Implementing Diverse Teaching Strategies in a Classroom Setting

Are you looking for ways to diversify your programmatic reach? Participate in STEM-based experiments and gain a deeper understanding of how to apply blended learning styles to each of your delivery modes to ensure the needs of your clientele are met. Program kits are available for participants!

Lead Presenter: Mandi Dolan, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Virginia – Alpha Gamma (Southern)

Co Presenter: Jennifer Bowen

Concurrent Session

Title: The Power of Storytelling: Strengthening Social Connection and Community Well-Being

Storytelling fosters social connection, empathy, and learning. This session explores a research-based program bridging generational and cultural gaps. Participants will examine its structure, assess its impact, and engage in activities to apply storytelling in their work and personal growth.

Lead Presenter: Amy Kostelic, Associate Extension Professor, Kentucky – Alpha Kappa (Southern)

Concurrent Session

Title: Creating Culturally Sensitive Resources through Multi-state Collaboration

Participants will learn about a long-standing multi-state collaboration to create culturally sensitive resources for Hispanic audiences, including a Spanish newsletter written by the team, and learn how to access this free resource to use in their communities.

Lead Presenter: Lorrie Coop, District Extension Administrator, Texas – Alpha Zeta (Southern)

Co Presenter: Sonia Coyle, Ines Beltran

Concurrent Session

Title: Creating Effective Living and Workspaces Through Decluttering and Letting Go

The trends of downsizing, decluttering, and tidying are sweeping the nation. Results of the research are in: too much stuff is overwhelming, stressful, and distracting, yet strangely enough, comforting. We’ll review the latest research and resources available to help you focus on reducing clutter.

Lead Presenter: Alayne Torretta, County 4-H Agent I, New Jersey – Alpha Xi (Northeast)

Ignite Presentation

Title: Volunteer Lunch and Learn Online

To provide additional volunteer learning opportunities, a series of competency trainings offered as online lunch and learn sessions with options for later viewing can meet Extension volunteer needs by allowing them to complete the required trainings at a time that fits their schedule.

Lead Presenter: Kristy Watters, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenters: Jo Williams, Erin Dailey

Ignite Presentation

Title: Passport to a Healthier You: Stress Edition

Passport to a Healthier You: a 3 lesson series, was developed to assist middle schoolers in navigating everyday stress through knowledge and skills gained in hands-on activities. This poster provides insight into the impact of lessons delivered at a statewide weekend conference for over 600 youth.

Lead Presenter: Christina Garner, Health and Wellness Specialist, Georgia – Alpha Beta (Southern)

Co Presenter: Ashley Carroll

Ignite Presentation

Title: Expanding Outreach and Inclusivity: Innovative Strategies for Representative Engagement

This presentation outlines Cooperative Extension’s efforts to expand outreach to underserved populations in a rural western county. It offers strategies for engaging Spanish-speaking individuals, women in agriculture, and others through inclusive leadership, partnerships, and bilingual resources.

Lead Presenter: Jennifer Werlin, Extension Educator, Idaho - Theta (West)

Ignite Presentation

Title: Minimizing the Impact of Home Food Waste

In this poster presentation educators will present the environmental, social, and economic impacts of home food waste. Information and tools on ways to minimize food waste in the home will be displayed and shared with conference attendees.

Lead Presenter: Bridget Morrisroe, Extension Educator, Idaho - Theta (West)

Poster

Title: The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers: Agribusiness Sustainability Education

TEPAP educates agribusiness owners to manage their operations more professionally. This poster analyzes how improving managerial skills with interpersonal networking impacts business success. Findings determine future programming needs to better serve the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Lead Presenter: Emmy Kiphen, Extension Program Specialist, Texas – Alpha Zeta (Southern)

Co Presenter: James Mark Welch

Poster

Title: Leveraging AmeriCorps and Cooperative Extension for Greater Community Impact

Georgia 4-H created a successful framework for ACM’s to serve in County Extension Offices. Georgia Extension leverages the energy and skills of ACM’s to expand their reach and impact. The success of STATE 4-H’s AmeriCorps model is highly transferable to other Extension program areas.

Lead Presenter: Jenna Daniel, Extension 4-H Specialist - Grant Development for Special Projects, Georgia – Alpha Beta (Southern)

Co Presenters: Kelle Ashley, Jennifer Cantwell

Poster

Title: From Risk to Resilience: Transforming Youth Outcomes Through Asset Building

Developmental Assets are positive factors that can offset high risk youth. Extension can utilize these Assets through youth programs. This poster highlights a model increasing urban youth Assets via an unlikely partnership with Court Services, offering tools for Extension professionals to replicate.

Lead Presenter: Sharon Toth, County 4-H Agent, New Jersey – Alpha Xi (Northeast)

Poster

Title: Building Partnerships, Forging Relationships, and Opening Doors to Make the Fair Accessible for All

Take a closer look at an innovative way to engage people with disabilities in the fair experience. A Day in the Ring/Animal & Me is designed as a partnership with Extension, 4-H, County Fair Board, and community volunteers passionate about providing opportunities for all.

Lead Presenter: Tracie Montague, Extension Educator, 4-H, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenter: Kara Colvin, Kara Colvin

Poster

Title: Living Together Peacefully at Camp: A Curriculum for Camping Success

Living Together Peacefully at Camp is an updated curriculum focusing on the differences of youth after COVID-19. Program Development Coordinators and County Extension Agents designed this program to prepare campers, counselors, and parents for successful, independent overnight camping experiences.

Lead Presenter: Sonya Jones, County Extension Coordinator/4-H Agent, Georgia – Alpha Beta (Southern)

Co Presenters: Rebekah Greene, Lee Anna Deal

Poster

Title: Humble and Happy: leading your way to satisfying work in Extension

Being Humble and Happy can lead to satisfying work in Extension. Join us as we take a look at how Extension employees rate themselves in servant leadership and how we can all explore humble approaches to our work and life.

Lead Presenter: Amy Ressler, County Extension, Director Texas – Alpha Zeta (Southern)

Poster

Title: Outdoor Classroom Helps Youth Develop Important Life Skills

An outdoor classroom was developed to provide youth with experiential learning opportunities to enhance their understanding of the natural environment. This classroom features a multi-faceted gardening program engaging multiple grade levels to learn about the environment, gardening, and nutrition.

Lead Presenter: Amber Wilson, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development Virginia – Alpha Gamma (Southern)

Co Presenter: Carol Haynes

Poster

Title: Pairing for Impact: Boosting 4th Grade Learning Engagement in STEM and Nature with Classroom Experiences and Out-of-School Time Play

The 4-H Bridging Project connected classroom learning with out-of-school experiences through hands-on activities and family engagement. Students showed increased curiosity, classroom engagement, and family involvement. Findings suggest that the learning approach enhances student pre-learning.

Lead Presenter: Celeste Carmichael, Assistant Director, New York - Lambda (Northeast)

Poster

Title: Exploring the Current Landscape of After-School Programs in 4-H

A survey of 4-H professionals provides a snapshot of after-school programs and their role in positive youth development programming. The study garnered information on program settings, partners, frequency, topics, and structure that are important for informing any Extension program offerings.

Lead Presenter: Travis West, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenter: Theresa Ferrari

Poster

Title: Influencing Change through Storytelling: A Program for Extension Leadership

Storytelling has long been a tool for motivating individuals, preserving histories, and fostering connections. Today, leadership storytelling helps professionals represent themselves effectively and drive meaningful change in their communities. This workshop will allow for hands on skill building.

Lead Presenter: Cindy Jenkins, Extension Assistant Professor, Utah - Iota (West)

Co Presenter: Christina Pay

Poster

Title: Tri County 4-H Short Term Educational Programs (STEP)

Tri-County Short Term Educational Program (STEP) is a creative approach to meeting a need in rural areas, allowing youth to try new, hands-on activities and explore interesting 4-H projects. Supplies are provided, in kit form, free of cost to the youth and they join the lesson via zoom.

Lead Presenter: Deb Warnock, OSU Extension Agent, 4-H & Family Community Health, Oregon - Gamma (West)

Poster

Title: Passport to a Healthier You: Stress Edition – Educating Youth on Navigating Stress

Passport to a Healthier You: a three-lesson series, was developed to assist middle schoolers in navigating everyday stress through knowledge and skills gained in hands-on activities. This session provides insight into the curriculum delivered at a statewide weekend conference for over 600 youth.

Lead Presenter: Christina Garner, Health and Wellness Specialist, Georgia – Alpha Beta (Southern)

Co Presenter: Ashley Carroll

Poster

Title: Buckeye Leadership Workshop: Experiential Professional Development for Extension Professionals

Since 1944, Buckeye Leadership Workshop has focused on leadership skill development. This presentation is an overview of BLW and the benefits for Extension professionals, including professional development, networking with adjacent fields, programming ideas, and Extension-targeted scholarships.

Lead Presenter: Amanda Raines, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio – Alpha Eta (North Central)

Co Presenters: Molly Avers, Katrina Nitz, Christy Leeds

Poster

Title: Expanding Access to Medical School for Pre-Collegiate, Rural Youth

4-H and a medical school collaborated to educate high school students on the need for rural medical care providers in STATE and expose them to careers in the medical field through interactive sessions with medical school faculty and students.

Lead Presenter: Lee Anna Deal, 4-H Program Development Coordinator, Georgia – Alpha Beta (Southern)

Co Presenter: Jakyn Tyson

Poster

Title: Increasing Protective Factors among Teens through a Statewide Leadership Program

The JYC Leadership program fosters leadership, self-awareness, and communication skills in teens through workshop design and facilitation. Results show significant growth in these areas, supporting research on positive youth development. This poster highlights program outcomes and best practices.

Lead Presenter: Meggan Callister, Professional Practice Assistant Professor, Utah - Iota (West)

Co Presenter: Shannon Cromwell

Poster

Title: Identifying the Factors Influencing Extension Agents’ Participation in Additional

Professional Development Opportunities

This poster will present a quantitative research study built according to Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behavior investigating Extension personnel’s motivation to engage in additional professional development opportunities. Study participants represented all program areas within Extension.

Lead Presenter: Ashley Carroll, Extension 4-H Specialist: Youth Development and Curriculum, Georgia – Alpha Beta (Southern)

Poster

Title: Using Citizen Science to Identify Well-Adapted Apple and Peach Trees

A citizen science project was initiated to survey for well-adapted peach and apple trees in high-valley environments. Results are published online for community benefit. By using a citizen science approach, the project can extend indefinitely, serving as a valuable community resource.

Lead Presenter: Wesley Crump, Extension Assistant Professor, Utah - Iota (West)

Co Presenters: Elizabeth Cohen, Shital Poudyal

Poster

Title: 4-H Agriculture Career Leadership Ambassadors: Building Agriculture Awareness In Youth

The 4-H Agriculture Career Leadership Ambassadors program empowers youth to lead educational workshops, career exploration webinars, and career research projects. Ambassadors develop leadership skills and promote community awareness, fostering the growth of future agricultural leaders.

Lead Presenter: Melissa Bright, Somerset County 4-H Agent, New Jersey – Alpha Xi (Northeast)

Co Presenter: Kristine Rappaport

Research Presentation

Title: Create Healthy Gardens: Empowering Low-Income Communities Through Gardening and Nutrition Education

Create Healthy Gardens is a program that helps low-income families grow their own food. By combining Extension gardening with nutrition education, it promotes healthier eating, food security, and community engagement, including a container gardening option for participants with limited space.

Lead Presenter: Rowe Zwahlen, Extension Assistant Professor, Utah - Iota (West)

Co Presenter: Emma Parkhurst, Kristi Strongo

Research Presentation

Title: Current Use and Future Potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in Extension Work

In response to the rapidly growing use of GenAI in Extension, we conducted a needs assessment to identify the current use and future potential of GenAI in Extension. We will share our findings and discuss implications for designing professional development on the use of GenAI in extension work.

Lead Presenter: Vikram Koundinya, Extension Evaluation Specialist, Member at Large

Research Presentation

Title: Strategic SWOT Focus Groups for Effective Program Development

Learn to conduct SWOT focus groups to assess community needs, engage stakeholders, and develop data-driven programs. This interactive session equips Extension professionals with practical tools, real-world examples, and guided exercises to enhance program effectiveness through strategic analysis.

Lead Presenter: Amanda Johnson, FCS Extension Agent, Virginia – Alpha Gamma (Southern)

Research Presentation

Title: Limiting Barriers and Opening Doors: Extension Agents’ Participation Professional Development Opportunities

This session will present a quantitative research study built according to Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behavior investigating Extension personnel’s motivation to engage in additional professional development opportunities. Study participants represented all program areas within Extension.

Lead Presenter: Ashley Carroll, Extension 4-H Specialist for Youth Development and Curriculum, Georgia – Alpha Beta (Southern)