2008 eXtension Progress Review

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    This page is a resource for use by the 2008 eXtension Progress Review Panel per their review of the eXtension Initiative.


    Contents

    2008 Progress Review Slides

    eXtension Briefing Slides for December 19, 2008 Web Conference (PDF)

    2008 Return on Investment (Final Draft)

    This DRAFT of the 2008 Return on Investment describes key 2008 accomplishments. Once it is finalized, it will be published and distributed to directors/administrators at the 2009 NED/A meeting.

    DRAFT - 2008 eXtension Progress Review (PDF)

    2008 Strategic Roadmap – Action Plans/Key Milestones

    Strategic Roadmap Slides

    eXtension is in its fourth year of development. Following is a list of 2008 milestones organized by Action Plan. Each contains a description of key activities with links to related materials. These milestones come from the eXtension Strategic Roadmap, a new master plan for managing eXtension into the next 5 to 7 years.

    Improving Services to Our Customers

    Improving Services Slides

    * Develop and implement social media strategies to better engage with contributors and customers: The public web site, www.extension.org was redesigned and made available in early 2008. The site now includes custom Google search and the opportunity for customers to input comments, and more.

    * Improve content discoverability: Professional development training sessions have been designed and delivered to help CoPs improve content discoverability. A professional communications & marketing company, Fleishman Hillard, Inc., has conducted content audits for DAIReXNET, EDEN, and Consumer Horticulture. Feedback focused on how to improve the discoverability of specific content by improving linking strategies, eliminating duplicated content, and applying search optimization techniques. These three CoPs will serve as models for other CoPs in how content discoverability can be improved. Some CoP members will be asked to provide a "train the trainer" situation for ongoing support of this effort.

    * Use widget and syndication technologies to aggregate content and improve accessibility: Late in 2007, a "search" widget was developed using the Google custom Search appliance. Now, anyone may conduct a search that targets various Cooperative Extension System servers throughout the country. Also, local Extension offices may add the search widget to their web pages. Select the following link to learn more about the search widget:

    Also, a new Ask eXtension Widget was developed that can be implemented on a local web site allowing local visitors to ask questions that can be routed to local experts. To learn more about the Ask eXtension widget, please visit:

    * Strengthen institutional branding of www.extension.org: A new branding schema was implemented in late 2008. Now, when a customer accesses an eXtension resource it will be branded with the the person's state Cooperative Extension identity based on their identified Internet Protocol address (IP address). If branded incorrectly, customers may easily change their institutional association. Once completed, it should not have to be redone on that computer.

    * Improve content management, distribution and customer engagement: CoPs have begun using on-line chats to deliver and engage with customers in a synchronous fashion. Specific data concerning this engagement can be seen under the heading of Transparency and Accountability.

    * Seek more multidisciplinary collaboration in content development: Work is underway to respond programmatically to the financial crisis. The Financial Security for All CoP is taking a lead and has asked other CoPs to join with them in identifying related content and programs. Several CoPs have identified appropriate content and/or are interested in developing materials. Together, the CoPs will categorize their content and publish through eXtension.

    * Enhance and upgrade eXtension tools and services:

    • people.extension.org
      • eXtension's "People" application received a revamped user interface making it easier for eXtension Communities of Practice to use this tool to reflect the leadership and membership of their communities. It also provided an interface for all eXtensionID holders to create communities and to invite colleagues to participate in user-created communities. People's directory items were expanded to include areas of expertise (tags) and social networks, providing a foundation to begin to build a nationwide directory of Extension personnel and areas of expertise within the entire Extension system.
    • faq.extension.org
      • Enhanced Ask an Expert section of site to make it easier to use and make assignments to other experts
      • Implemented OpenID for authentication
      • Tracking of questions asked from widgets
      • Provided additional atom feeds to keep our audience up to date on changes in the FAQ system and ask an expert
      • Added additional reports for FAQs and Ask an Expert
    • www.extension.org
      • Launched the enhanced public site which includes improvements to content organization and page design
      • Added ability for customers to post comments and rate content
      • Strengthened institutional branding in the masthead design, which allows customers to easily locate their local state Extension services.
      • Added a custom print feature on each content page.
    • ask.extension.org
      • Developed the capability for Extension employees and colleagues to generate a new widget to be installed on their Extension related websites for Ask an Expert
      • This application essentially makes the eXtension Ask an Expert functionality mobile for use across multiple websites
    • Moodle Courses
    • YouTube
    • An eXtension twitter account was created for individuals to follow what happens in eXtension.

    Empowering CES Employees

    Empowering CES Slides

    * Launch the national eXtension system: The official launch of eXtension took place on February 21 & 22, 2008 as an integral part of 2008 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C. USDA and CSREES officials helped to officially launch eXtension, while all 16 launched Community of Practice leaders hosted exhibits and provided two days of educational briefings. Media were invited to participate in the launch ceremonies via a Stump the Expert media event pitting four eXtension experts against 4 media representatives. Both the launch ceremony and the Stump the Expert event were broadcast via Connect technology nationwide. As a part of the launch, Institutional Teams mobilized to organize local celebrations to mark the event. Dignitaries from USDA, Congress, and land-grant institutions were honored at the launch.

    * Develop and Implement Be ,Grow, Create (Phase II): Recognizing that while we have increased the number of CES employees holding eXtensionIDs (Be, Grow, Create Phase I), there is still more work to be done in bringing CES faculty and staff, systemwide, into eXtension using all relevant tools and services in their daily work. eXtension developed a Phase II for Be, Grow, Create and is implementing it effective January 1, 2009. Thus far we have:

    • Worked to identify five pilot institutions that will be working closely with eXtension staff to integrate eXtension into their institutions.
    • Encouraged greater involvement for Institutional Teams including analysis of current team makeup, establishing plans of work, an "account executive" type approach engaging with eXtension key staff, more personalized actions on a statewide and/or institutional level.
    • Begun planning for a national eXtension Conference in October 2009
    • Analyzed key messages and actions for Institutional Teams to use to further engage CES workers.

    * Establish a national plan to localize eXtension:

    • Developed strategies for the Ask eXtension Widget to begin this process
    • Offered Professional Development sessions on Ask eXtension Widget

    * Establish and implement a plan to increase faculty and state specialist involvement

    • Components of Be, Grow, Create will focus on this involvement.

    * Develop national plan/standards for recognizing eXtension contributors (P&T):

    • Published The_Scholarship_of_eXtension to provide guidelines for the value of eXtension contributions and the scholarly nature of this work

    * Provide professional development training addressing eXtension tools, services and trends

    • Offered 58 online professional development opportunities on various topics essential to the eXtension initiative: use of the eXtension suite of tools, social networking applications, serving online audiences, and working differently. Sessions were attended by 1,225 Extension professionals from every level of the organization. Offerings are recorded and archived for viewing at times other than live: Schedule of Professional Development Opportunities/Video Archive
    • Established the Learn role-based Community of Practice with 133 initial members: (Learn community).
    • Began offering online professional development courses for Extension faculty and staff through Moodle. Forty eight courses are available in a wide range of topics and scopes at http://pdc.extension.org
    • Formed the eXtension Professional Development Steering Committee (PDSC) to coordinate the development of online training related to Extension core competencies, and to establish standards for other professional development online training efforts. The PDSC:
      • Conducted a nationwide survey of institutional contacts to validate and prioritize the 2004 ECOP Core Competencies
      • Developed guidelines for teams to become Professional Development Communities of Practice (PDCoP)
      • Based on survey results, conducted initial meetings with people interested in the high priority topics of educational programming, leadership, engagement, and professionalism. Engagement and leadership are moving forward with plans to develop proposals to become official CoPs. Educational programming plans to meet further to better define its scope. Professionalism is struggling because no one has stepped forward to assume leadership of that effort. Unrelated to the efforts of the PDSC, another CoP related to evaluation has met several times, and is formulating its proposal.
      • sponsored the creation of a Moodle site, http://ilearn.extension.org, to be the peer reviewed, high quality online course site for PDCoPs; decided to grandfather into this site any courses previously having met the standards of the Cooperative Extension Curriculum Project (CECP) of the Southern Region

    * Develop and host annual national eXtension conferences:

    • eXtension will host a National Conference on October 20-23, 2009 in St. Louis, MO. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel in St. Louis and will bring together Cooperative Extension professionals interested in learning more about eXtension and how to effectively inform, educate, and engage online customers.

    * Communicate the eXtension Story:

    • Organized media plan around national launch
    * National media panel/Stump the Experts
    * Media promotional kits to all institutions
    * National media release and web release
    * eXtension Virtual News Room
    • Publish more than 250 news releases each month
    * Write original stories each month on eXtension content/activities
    * Specialized features on eXtension CoPs
    * Coordinated media activities with CoPs as appropriate
    * Work with university partners helping CoPs with media relations and marketing

    * Promote awareness of eXtension through involvement in national meetings/discussions:

    • NASULGC Science on the Hill/CARET Exhibit/Presentations; featured Nutrition, Health & Fitness CoP
    • CYFAR Showcase Presentation; featured Youth SET, Family Caregiving, Parenting, Personal Finance CoPs
    • ECOP Leadership Advisory Committee; featured Professional Development CoP & Impact & Accountability Cops
    • ACE Meeting Presentations; featured Communications & Marketing and Content Development activities
    • Galaxy Meeting Exhibits, Briefings, and Concurrent
      • eXtension had a large presence at the Galaxy meeting with 10 exhibit spaces and 11 CoPs exhibiting. Eleven briefings were offered on eXtension-related topics and many CoP members had concurrent sessions accepted for general sessions.
    • NASULGC: Higher Education Expo & Plenary Session
      • eXtension Director, Dan Cotton and CoP member Deb Sellars were featured as part of a Plenary Session and eXtension was featured in the opening video segment with comments by University of Nebraska President J.B. Milliken.

    * Elicit feedback from CES on eXtension tools and services: Piloting: Get Satisfaction with the People Application to record and respond to system wide input.

    Transparency & Accountability

    Transparency and Accountability Slides

    * Create success factors/metrics for eXtension and report them to the Extension system on a regular basis: A set of metrics that demonstrates the success of eXtension currently exists. They will be reviewed, revised, and communicated to the system on a regular basis. In addition, state reports will also be developed and shared on a quarterly basis.

    * Assist CoPs with evaluation and reporting outcomes/impacts regarding their public web resources; and, evaluate effectiveness of the public site and related distribution services (e.g., feeds, * local web sites, etc.)

    • The National eXtension Evaluation and Research Advisory Committee met three times and reviewed and modified the eXtension evaluation plan and revised the metrics associated with the NTAE goals for the project.
    • The CoP Evaluation Guide was updated and revised to provide evaluation information and resources for CoP’s, including information on youth and children IRB protocols. In addition, the internal eXtension IRB policy on surveys for adult users was revised such that all surveys will need to be reviewed by the University of Nebraska IRB before implementation. This policy was implemented to insure that all survey work was in compliance with IRB expectations.
    • Contact was initiated with all existing CoPs to identify a CoP evaluation contact person(s). An evaluation contacts listserv/CoP was also developed and information was shared with all evaluation contacts (i.e., the CoP Evaluation Guide). The eXtension Evaluation and Research Leader worked with the following CoPs on evaluation and assessment issues:
    *Just in Time parenting,
    *Financial Security for All,
    *HorseQuest,
    *Imported Fireants,
    *Managed pollinators,
    *DaireXnet,
    *Family Caregiving,
    *Entrepreneurs,
    *Diversity Across Higher Education,
    *eOrganic,
    *Livestock and Poultry, and
    *Consumer Horticulture.
    • Delivered a three-part 30-minute professional development series on creating, distributing, and reporting online surveys in InstantSurvey.
    • Surveyed Institutional Team members to determine how they are currently operating and to solicit suggestions to make them more effective in championing and promoting eXtension in their institutions.
    • Provided online survey leadership and support for several surveys soliciting input from eXtension staff and the Extension System for the 2008-10 strategic plan.
    • Updated and added items to Infometrics, an ongoing, online report that provides information on users and the use of the public website, CoP profiles (including observations on personal and organizational transformation as a result of eXtension), and professional development opportunities and information.
    • Developed a protocol, created, and published an ongoing set of metrics on pageviews per wiki categories for CoPs. These metrics provide a more accurate picture of pageviews per CoP content than Google Analytic metrics. This has been well received by CoP’s.
    • Participated in securing funding from the FINRA foundation to enhance the development of an online curriculum for farm families as part of the Financial Security for All CoP. Funding for evaluation included a graduate assistant to help evaluate this program.
    • Secured internal eXtension funding to begin a three-year project to investigate the enhancement of the Cooperative System from eXtension. Outcomes of the initial year will include a literature review and an evaluation plan.
    • Provided leadership for the Extension Fellows program.
    • Initiated discussions and facilitated two Connect meetings of an internal evaluation CoP. This effort may be adopted by the Extension Evaluation Education Topical Interest group of the American Evaluation Association.
    • Provided leadership for forming a Scholarship of eXtension Working Group to investigate metrics that can be used by faculty working in eXtension in their promotion and tenure efforts.
    • Provided leadership in developing a set of Extension metrics that can be reported on to show the value of eXtension.
    • Conducted evaluation sessions on CoP evaluation at the National Extension Technology Conference and the CoP Evaluation conference.

    * Web metrics: Web metrics are records of a user’s interaction with the eXtension public website that are recorded by the system and can be analyzed to document activity and provide a picture of user behavior on the website. Indeed people are coming to and utilizing the site and the metrics continue to grow. The following metrics are provided on a monthly basis in Infometrics. Cumulative data for November 1, 2007 – October 31, 2008 is presented below.

    • Number of page views: 2,694,097
    • Number of unique visitors: 942,605
    • Number of visits: 1,099,282
    • Number of new and return visitors: 85% new visitors and 15% returning visitors
    • Seventy-six percent of the people using the site come into it using a search engine (62% use Google)
    • Number of pages viewed per visit: 2.5 pages were viewed per visit. New visitors averaged 2.1 pages per visit; returning visitors averaged 4.4 pages per visit
    • Number of times a visitor visits the site: 6.8% of returning visitors visited the site two times, 2.2% visited three times, 1.1% visited four times, and >.5% visited five times or more
    • Total number of visits by state: The top ten visits to the site by state include: California 64,206, Texas 53,739, New York 47,255, Illinois 34,189, Florida 33,594, North Carolina 32,471, Pennsylvania 31,789, Ohio 27,571, Minnesota 24,778, and Georgia 24,468.

    * CoP evaluations: Communities of Practice can document satisfaction, awareness, knowledge, and behavior changes through online surveys of users of their content on the eXtension public web site. Using the web-based survey application InstantSurvey, CoPs have access to an eXtension CoP Online Survey Template that has a set of questions they can use to collect information on how users discovered the web site, how often they access the web site, usefulness of the information, other sources of information used, how they would rate the ease of use, self-reported knowledge changes in a one or two-question format, and self-reported behavior changes in a one or two-question format. CoPs can modify these questions and add others to meet their particular needs. In addition, CoPs can share their survey work in InstantSurvey with other CoP’s, thus avoiding duplication of effort.

    CoPs began evaluating their content on the public website in 2008 through online surveys. Results indicate that the information is useful, learning/knowledge gain is occurring, and respondents anticipate using the information. Here are some of the results to date.

    • Financial Security for All (FSA): In evaluating a Mutual Fund Chat in May of 2008, the FSA CoP found that:
    * 71% (10 of 14) found the information in the chat session to be useful or very useful
    * All respondents learned a bit more to a lot more new information
    * 46% (6 of 14) definitely plan to put the information into use
    The FSA CoP also began evaluating their Frequently Asked Questions by inserting a survey link in each one. Preliminary results included:
    * 70% (14 of 20) found the information to be useful and very useful
    * 68% (13 of 19) indicated that they learned quite a bit more new information about the topic
    * 45% (9 of 20) reported that they may put the information and 25% (5 of 20) definitely plan to put the information into use
    • HorseQuest: Since 2006, HorseQuest has sponsored eight online chats utilizing Equine Specialists from 14 land grant universities in all regions of the country.
    * Chats reached over 150 current and prospective equine owners, professionals, and enthusiasts
    * 93% of respondents found the overall experience useful and would chat again
    * 89% of respondents attributed finding answers to their problems through the chats
    * Learning lesson surveys show an increase in knowledge obtained by two degrees of improvement upon completion of the modules
    * All respondents indicated that they would be very likely to recommend these learning lessons to others
    In 2008, an evaluation of Horse Learning Lessons was conducted. Nineteen people responded to the online survey. Some key findings included the following.
    * When asked to rate their knowledge about the lesson before and after viewing it, the average pre knowledge rating was 3.6 (where 1 = little or no knowledge and 6 = very knowledgable) and the average post knowledge rating was 4.9, resulting in a 1.3 rating increase
    * When asked how useful the lesson’s information was to them, the average rating was 5.22 (where 1 = not useful and 6 = very useful)
    * When asked how likely they were to recommend this resource to others, the average rating was 4.9 (where 1 = not likely and 6 = very likely)
    • Entrepreneurs and Their Communities: A series of webinars was conducted by this CoP from March through June, 2008. Some key results included:
    * 94% (100 of 107) indicated that the webinars met or exceeded their expectations
    * 96% (96 of 100) indicated that they gained some practical knowledge from the webinar
    * 99% (97 of 98) indicated that they can apply this knowledge to their business or job
    • Livestock and Poultry Enterprises (LPE) Learning Center: In an evaluation of the LPE Learning Center eXtension web resources, the following was documented.
    * 83% (135 of 164) of respondents rated the webcast seminars and 76% (123 of 162) rated the website information as better than and much better than other educational resources they utilize
    * 78% (141 of 180) of repondents indicated that they had learned somewhat more and a lot more about animal manure management issues as a result of access to the eXtension LPE Learning Center resources
    * When asked to what extent had eXtension LPE Learning Center resources contributed to aspects of their work, the following precentages represented respondents who indicated moderately and significantly:
    Improved nutrient management plans – 51% (61 of 119)
    Improved permit application and compliance – 31% (34 of 108)
    Improved application of emerging technologies – 65% (89 of 137)
    Greater value gained from manure utilization – 57% (76 of 133)
    Improved regulation or policy development – 49% (57 of 117)
    Improved regulation or policy implementation – 40% (45 of 113)
    Better advice to animal producers – 69% (102 of 147)

    The Evaluation and Research Leader will continue to work with CoP’s in 2009 to develop and refine their evaluation plans and launch their evaluation efforts.

    * Create a "clearinghouse" of all evaluation-related content and process information: A central location to house all appropriate content and process information (e.g., wiki information--especially tenure and promotion related information--google analytics, syndicated feeds, etc.) will be developed for easy access. This will be communicated to the system.

    * Develop a reporting mechanism/system for collecting eXtension process and impact data: eXtension is investigating and will be developing a reporting mechanism/system for collecting eXtension process and impact data.

    * Investigate & document how eXtension is enhancing and impacting the Cooperative Extension System: A major study has begun in 2008 to investigate the contributions eXtension has made to the Cooperative Extension System. This is a multi-year project, with data collection anticipated in 2009.

    * Annually evaluate eXtension progress: A 2008 an eXtension Program Review Panel has been named to evaluate the development of eXtension as measured against the new eXtension Roadmap and associated Action Plans. For more information, please see:

    Adding and Supporting Existing Communities of Practice

    Adding and Supporting CoP Slides

    * Distribute a call for CoPs by application: In 2008 a number of teams applied and became new Communities of Practice. Once approved, they receive the full compliment of eXtension support; however, their start-up funding derived from non-eXtension sources. The application process used by these CoPs is found at: CoP Application

    * Distribute a call for state needs-based CoPs: In 2008, each Extension region was asked to identify two CoP priorities. Priorities were aggregated and the Governing Committee selected five CoPs for development. Following is a link to the State Needs-based CoP Process used this year, the second link describes the five new CoPs.

    * Add youth related Content: Meetings were held with the National 4-H Office in August and again in October. The focus of the discussion was to establish CoPs in the 4-H mission mandate areas (e.g., Science, Engineering & Technology; Healthy Living; and Citizenship). Next steps include scheduling a meeting with the mission mandate leaders, feedback suggest Citizenship could be ready to move forward. Also, several CoPs want to publish youth-related content. A task force has been appointed and is planning a survey to gather from all CoPs interest in this area.

    * Establish internally focused (IF) Communities: A professional development CoP and an evaluation CoP have been formed to deliver internally focus content in their respected areas.

    * Share "best practices" in content development:

    • Moodle Training Courses for eXtension Tools
    * Working with Photos and Images in the eXtension wikis
    * Launching Your Community to the Public Site

    * New CoPs working in 2008: The following CoPs were established in 2008. Five were established per the 2007 - 2008 state needs-based process, two through an RREA - CSREES program, and several that simply submitted applications because they want to be eXtension CoPs.

    • Goat Industry
    • Niche Meat Processing Assistance Network
    • Extension Wildfire Information Network
    • Families, Food and Fitness
    • Land Use Planning
    • Better Kid Care America
    • Drinking Water Issues
    • Forest-based Bioenergy
    • Rangeland Stewardship and Health
    • Sustainable Ag Energy
    • Home Energy

    * A New Community of Practice Handbook was developed for individuals to use in the formation of new CoPs, the maintenance of existing CoPs, the development of Content, and in the use of eXtenison applications. The new revised Handbook is designed in a stepwise format to walk individuals through a process with each topical area being a stand alone reference sheet or combined to make an entire Handbook.

    * 2008 National Community of Practice meeting: A national Community of Practice meeting was held June 24-27 in Louisville, KY. The meeting include keynotes focusing on social networking, eXtension planning, technology development, and more. Breakout sessions focused on a number of educational tracks designed by CoPs for CoPs. Approximately 175 people attended, each CoP was invited to send up to five leaders to the meeting. Feedback was very positive, these are annual meetings. For more information about this year's program please visit:

    * A National eXtension CoP Deadlines and Dates Calendar was created to keep CoP members informed of important deadlines as they developed content and reviewed it for publishing to the public. The calendar served as a quick reference of important dates for CoP members. The Google calendar application was used and incorporated into the CoP wiki where CoP members create content.

    Content and Development Support

    Content Developement Slides

    * Add depth and breadth of content by Communities of Practice: Please see the Community of Practice Profiles to see the current status of CoPs

    1. Community of Practice Profiles
    2. Content volume as of 12/17/08:
    • 7,053 Questions answered by Ask an Expert
    • 6,411 Reviewed and published FAQs
    • 35,178 Total FAQs
    • 38,413 total pages - CoP Wiki
    • 8,578 Reviewed published articles
    • 3203 News articles
    • 621 Instructional videos


    * Improve the quality of eXtension content and programs

    1. Content Management Board Meetings Minutes

    * Collect peer-reviewed, ready-to-publish content using syndication feed: Currently working with the eOrganic CoP to pull in content using a syndicated feed for publishing to extension.org.
    * Identify an alternative content management system (CMS) system(s) (e.g., alternative to Mediawiki): Work is currently under way to identify other CMSs that will meet the needs of CoPs in development of content. CoP needs were identified based of a usability study involving CoP members.
    * Publicly launched CoPs

    1. Cotton
    2. Family Caregiving
    3. Diversity Across Higher Education
    4. Extension Disaster Education Network
    5. Youth SET for Life
    6. Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Centers
    7. Corn and Soybean Production

    * CoPs continuing to work toward launching

    1. eOrganic
    2. Urban Integrated Pest Management
    3. Pesticide Environmental Stewardship
    4. Pork Information Gateway

    * eXtension Social Network Connections: eXtension is available and working in places where our customers are on the Internet.

    1. Groups
    2. YouTube
    3. Facebook
    4. Flickr
    5. SlideShare

    * Applications for CoP Use in Content Development and User Interaction

    1. Public Email Campaigns – CoPs are now able to send messages to clientele who have opted-in to receive more information about a particular subject area.
    2. Decision Tool - eXtension has developed a tool for use by the Communities of Practice to help their clients make important decisions specifically for their needs. This Decision Tool will allow the communities to ask a series of questions that will then formulate a report that is unique to the user based on user input. eXtension is currently working on an administrative piece to make the creation of decision tools easier to develop and maintain and will be available for all CoPs to use.

    Funding & Partnerships

    Funding & Partnerships Slides

    * Develop a new Finance Plan: A new comprehensive finance plan was developed in 2008. It includes key strategies and actions to increase revenues over the next several years. A new eXtension Finance Task Force was established to put the plan into action. Membership includes the eXtension Governing Committee and other at-large appointments. The first meeting was held November 11, 2008 following the NASULGC annual meeting in Chicago. Following is the current version of the finance plan, the agenda for the November meeting, a list of Task Force members, and the budget approved by ECOP to support the specific work of the Task Force.

    * Seek incorporation of eXtension in various CSREES-managed grant programs: The Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) managed a grant program that resulted in two new Communities of Practice being established; one devoted to Forest-based Bio-energy, the other to Rangelands Stewardship and Health. eXtension was identified as a viable outreach option and included in the new Specialty Crops program. eXtension staff worked with CSREES staff to identify an appropriate application process and criteria to be used when applying for funding. It was decided that such funding can be used to 1) establish a new CoP or 2) enhance and existing CoP. Following is the information that program managers may include in CSREES grant programs.

    * Establish relationships with other federal agencies and departments: Duane Hauck, North Dakota State University and Pat Sobrero, North Carolina State University are members of the State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB), which develops recommendations for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Congress regarding federal energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Through STEAB, the Department of Energy agreed to provide $100,000 to support the development of the new Home Energy Community of Practice. Following is email acknowledging the award and a description of the new Home Energy CoP.

    In addition, a number of the Communities of Practice have developed content partnerships with various federal agencies and departments. Effort will be given to identify additional opportunities with federal partners next year.

    * Increase corporate development efforts, and generate more partnerships and revenue: Work continues to attract new corporate sponsorships, as well as, partnerships with various foundations; however, a number of new sponsors joined eXtension in 2008 in support of Communities of Practice. The following reports:

    1. describe financial contributions and their proposed management,
    2. a related narrative,
    3. a recent update describing corporate development activities and
    4. the eXtension Foundation sponsorship agreement.

    * Develop Sponsorship Agreements:The following eXtension - Sponsorship Agreement was developed and used to enter into relationships with sponsors.

    * Distribute eXtension Foundation funds to Communities of Practice: Contracts were developed to distribute eXtension funds generated through CoP-related sponsorships and grants. Following are what CoPs need to submit to receive funding.

    * Developing funds to support CoP operations: A document was created and is in the CoP handbook to provide guidance and direction to financially sustain a CoP.

    * Strengthen partnerships with land-grant university partners: To date, 42 Institutional Contributor Agreements have been signed; 4,672 out of 8,306 contributors have signed Individual Contributor Agreements.

    * Add non-land grant institutions and organizations: A discussion paper was generated and used at Extension regional meetings to promote discussion as to whether non-CES institutions should be allowed to join eXtension. Following is the concept paper with options; the second includes the feedback from directors/administrators:

    * Develop partnerships that augment eXtension content and programs: A task force has been established and is discussing policies and guidelines to encourage and support eXtension partnerships.

    Strategic Planning

    * Develop a new strategic roadmap: The new eXtension Strategic Roadmap was developed in 2008. It represents the overall master plan for managing eXtension for success both for the long term (5-7 years) and short-term (1-3 years). A complete description of the goals, process and outcomes are described in the full report. We consider this a major accomplishment in 2008.

    * Submit the 2008 New Technologies for Ag Extension "Plan of Work: This narrative represents the "plan of work" describing work and expected outcomes associated with NTAE funding. In 2008, NTAE funds equaled $1.415M. The proposal was completed in March, the award was made in July. The current NTAE award is a four-year award, this narrative addresses the second year of funding and work.

    Financial Management

    The 2008 budget was approved by the Governing Committee in January 2008. These reports describe ALL expected revenues and expenses.

    The following reports were presented to the Governing Committee in November 2008. The reports describe the current status of institutional assessments (resources collected by NASULGC), New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) and total 2008 expenditures.

    This report is provided by NASULGC and describes the status of the institutional assessments for 2008, as well as, the balance of funds available for use in the first half of 2009. Each year, institutional assessments are transferred from NASULGC to the University of Nebraska in March and September, each transfer provides financial support for approximately six months of operations.

    The following eXtension Foundation report was presented to the eXtension Board of Directors November 2008. It describes the current status of the Foundation account.

    eXtension Governing Committee Meeting Minutes

    eXtension Foundation Meeting Minutes

    eXtension 2008 UPDATES

    Awards

    * USDA Secretary's Honor Award: On Wednesday, October 22, 2008, eXtension, on behalf of the Cooperative Extension System, was presented with a USDA Secretary's Honor Award by Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer in Washington, D.C. The citation for the eXtension award reads: "For excellence in leadership and commitment to bringing Americans the best research-based, objective, and reliable information and educational resources 24/7/365 online through eXtension and the Cooperative Extension System."

    Additional Materials

    * Develop appropriate policies to manage and support eXtension: A new eXtension Foundation Privacy Policy was developed and approved describing how customers personal information will be collected and used by eXtension.

    The Governing Committee established a policy stating that an institution with a member leading a CoP needs to have submitted an Institutional Contributor and Business Agreement.

    New polices were approved by the Governing Committee relative to eXtension collaboration, intellectual property and publishing.

    2005 - 2007 eXtension Implementation Plan

    This is the 3-year implementation plan as originally developed in 2005. Adjustments were made to the plan in 2006 and again in 2007; however, the adjustments are not recorded in this document, rather they are included in the "2005 - 2007 eXtension Implementation Plan - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY" listed above under the "Update Budget and Implementation Plan" milestone.

    2005 - 2007 Progress Review Reports

    • 2005 Reports
    • 2005 Return on Investment (PDF). Prepared by the eXtension staff to communicate accomplishments and progress.
    • eXtension Progress Reports prepared by the eXension Progress Review Panel:
    Executive Summary (PDF)
    Full Report (PDF)
    • 2006 Reports
    • 2006 Return on Investment (PDF). Prepared by the eXtension staff to communicate accomplishments and progress.
    • eXtension Progress Reports prepared by the eXtension Progress Review Panel:
    Executive Summary (PDF)
    Full Report (PDF)
    • 2007 Reports
    • 2007 Return on Investment. Prepared by the eXtension staff to communicate accomplishments and progress.
    • eXtension Progress Reports prepared by eXension Progress Review Panel:
    Executive Summary (PDF)
    PDF

    2008 FINAL eXtension Progress Review Report

    FINAL Reports prepared by Jimmy Henning (UKY) and the 2008 eXtension Progress Review Panel, and presented to NEDA in February 2009.