AgriProspects Workforce Development Network

The Extension Foundation (EXF) in collaboration with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) Economic & Workforce Development Program Action Team are collaborating with USDA-NIFA staff to form a robust network of public and private entities across every U.S. region to build the nation’s capacity to respond to the changing needs in the food and agriculture sector. 

AgriProspects aims to foster regional cooperation, identify workforce ecosystem gaps, and offer collaborative, adaptive solutions to local and regional employment challenges. The project focuses on increasing awareness of and expanding access to Extension resources which enhance skill levels, facilitate credential attainment, and prepare participants for successful entry or re-entry into the workforce.

The key objectives of AgriProspects are to: 

  • Create a dynamic clearinghouse to organize and share Extension’s adult workforce development (AWD) offerings for the agricultural sector;
  • Develop and support sustainable networks of Extension Educators and Industry partners to strengthen the alignment of Extension’s agricultural AWD offerings with real-time industry needs;
  • Connect employers, workforce intermediaries, and the agricultural workforce to Extension’s skill development programs that cultivate upskilling, credentialing, and participant readiness to successfully join or rejoin the ag workforce
  • Support the creation, evolution, expansion, and integration of Extension Ag AWD programs locally, regionally, and nationally through mini-grant funding.

To meet these objectives, thirteen individuals from across Cooperative Extension were selected through a competitive application to serve as Regional Network Coordinators and Region Content Coordinators. These individuals represent all six regions of Cooperative Extension including representation from 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-grant universities as well as specific subject matter. Regional Coordinators are:

  • Latonna Old Elk, Little Big Horn College (1994 Region)
  • Felix Nez, Blackfeet Community College (1994 Region)
  • Dr. Lana Petrie, Tennessee State University (1890 Region)
  • Von Barnes, Kentucky State University (1890 Region)
  • Dan Nieland, Iowa State University (National – Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment)
  • Tanya Hall, Purdue University (North Central Region)
  • Dr. Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (North Central Region)
  • Kate Venturini Hardesty, University of Rhode Island (Northeast Region)
  • Andrea Franchini, University of Maryland (Northeast Region)
  • Dr. Mark Mains, University of Kentucky (Southern Region)
  • Clint Cummings, University of Tennessee (Southern Region)
  • Dr. Trevor Lane, Washington State University (Western Region)
  • Maritza Broce, University of Arizona (Western Region)

For more information about the AgriProspects Workforce Development Network, please visit www.extension.org, contact one of the Regional Coordinators, or contact a member of AgriProspects’s leadership team:

  • Dr. Jason Weigle, Extension Foundation, Program Manager ([email protected])
  • Dr. Amy Patillo, University of Missouri, National Lead and National Content Lead ([email protected])
  • Clint Cummings, University of Tennessee, National Network Lead and Southern Region Network Coordinator ([email protected])

This work is supported through a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture AFRI Education and Workforce Development Competitive Grant 2023-67037-40533.

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Our mission is to help Cooperative Extension generate a more visible, measurable, local impact.

We achieve this through our nationally funded programs made possible by member dollars and cooperative agreements with federal agencies, and through partnering on state, regional, and national initiatives with Cooperative Extension and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). We serve all Land Grant Universities, regardless of membership status.

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The Extension Foundation is a nonprofit established by Extension Directors and Administrators nationwide. Extension Foundation is embedded in the U.S. Cooperative Extension System and serves on Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP).

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This website is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension (funding opportunity no. USDA-NIFA-OP-010186), grant no. 2023-41595-41325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Extension Foundation.

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