Extension Today

In an era where economic self-sufficiency is paramount, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Community Resource Development (CRD) team at Alabama A&M University (AAMU) has emerged as a trailblazer in entrepreneurship education. The team is the first Cooperative Extension team in the nation to become certified entrepreneurship educators through the Council on Adult Basic Education (COABE) and the Economic Empowerment Institute led by Dr. Chery Ayers.

This achievement not only sets a precedent for other Extension teams nationwide but also reinforces the importance of entrepreneurship in community development. Community and Economic Development Specialist Terence Norwood and Urban Regional Extension Agents Juani Macias-Christian and Jon Jacobson have officially completed all certification requirements. CRD Program Coordinator Marisa Hawkins will complete the certification this spring.

The role of the CRD team

The CRD team is pivotal in equipping communities with the tools and knowledge necessary for economic growth and sustainability. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families by fostering entrepreneurship, workforce and leadership development. Through a multifaceted approach, the CRD team offers educational programs, workshops and resources that empower community members from Alabama’s urban streets to its country roads to realize entrepreneurial aspirations. The most significant impact of the team's programs is often seen in traditionally underserved and minority communities.

Recognizing the pressing need for effective entrepreneurship education, the CRD team sought certification through COABE. This certification signifies a commitment to high-quality educational practices and positions the CRD team as leaders in the field. By becoming certified entrepreneurship educators, the team has affirmed its dedication to delivering comprehensive and impactful entrepreneurial training to diverse populations.

In the fall of 2024, Ricky Johnson, an instructor at Alcorn State University's College of Agriculture, noticed a significant gap in his students' hands-on experience during his Farm Mechanics Lecture and Lab. Determined to bridge this gap, Johnson embarked on a mission to provide his students with practical skills that would prepare them for their future careers.

Johnson's approach was simple yet transformative. He introduced more hands-on activities, such as changing the oil in tractors and cars and inspecting and evaluating vehicles for highway usage.

"I decided to do more hands-on things with the students that would prepare them for their bright futures ahead," Johnson explained. "The best way to get participation from students is to let other students who look like them become the instructors."

This peer-teaching method not only engaged students but also tested Johnson's teaching effectiveness. By the end of the semester, students were teaching their peers, sparking interest and ensuring the knowledge was passed on effectively.

Johnson's initiative extended beyond students. He encouraged staff members, many of whom had never operated a tractor, to join in and learn from the students. This inclusive approach fostered a collaborative learning environment and highlighted the importance of practical skills in agriculture.

Since the fall of 2023, Johnson has conducted tractor safety classes with remarkable success. Starting with the Vocational Technology (VoTech) school in Port Gibson, Mississippi, and expanding to Alcorn's campus, the program has seen more than 175 participants.

As one of the program priorities, urban farming received momentum with various farming practices such as community gardens, raised garden beds, aquaponics, hydroponics and vertical farming in Delaware Cooperative Extension.

Funded by the Propel Center initially, the Delaware State University (DSU) Vertical Farm has quickly become a key resource for the DSU community and is showing real promise for future application in space-limited urban settings with large human populations. The farm's active production, distribution networks and outreach foster confidence that vertical farming is an alternative solution to addressing food security and safety, solidifying its importance.

Located behind the greenhouse on the DSU campus, the farm serves as a notable example of how institutions can use alternative agricultural techniques to meet local needs, teach and make a difference in the community. The farm’s efforts to further integrate this farming practice into the university's food system are worth tracking as it indicates its long-term goals. The engagement of such a wide variety of community members suggests dedicated support for this initiative.

The Vertical Farm is open to visitors and tours every weekday during business hours and to date has had more than 200 visitors, including K-12 students, college students, faculty and staff of local universities, Master Gardeners, stakeholders, starting farmers and dignitaries from foreign nations.

The DSU Vertical Farm offers several advantages over traditional outdoor farming. The Vertical Farm uses climate control to regulate temperature and humidity. This leads to faster growth, higher yields and all-year production regardless of external weather conditions.

The Health Rocks! program in Florida is a strategic initiative designed to address the rising rates of tobacco, alcohol and drug use among middle school-aged youths. Targeting counties such as Leon, Franklin, Gulf, Gadsden and Jefferson, the program aims to deliver impactful prevention education to areas where it is most needed.

In response to concerning trends, including the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes among young people, Health Rocks! focuses on educating youths about the risks of substance use. The program also tackles behavioral health issues, teaching essential life skills like stress management, critical thinking, decision-making and resilience to promote healthier lifestyle choices.

Currently, Health Rocks! is being implemented at key educational sites, including Florida A&M University Developmental Research School, Fairview Middle School’s after-school program in Leon County and Jefferson County Middle School. By working directly with students in these settings, the program helps instill knowledge and habits that foster well-being and resilience.

By prioritizing prevention and education, Health Rocks! seeks to create a lasting positive impact within these communities, empowering young individuals to make informed, healthy decisions that benefit their futures.

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Cooperative Extension can now promote health and wellness to residents of Georgia and beyond with its new mobile unit.

The FVSU Extension’s Mobile Health Unit (MHU) officially opened for use on March 16, 2024. The unit serves as a rolling kitchen, classroom and laboratory. When expanded, the 53-foot-long trailer converts into a 40-foot-wide three-room facility.

“The purpose of the mobile health unit is to provide health and nutrition services to rural communities, especially those that are underserved and unserved,” said Terrence Wolfork, FVSU assistant administrator for communications, conferencing and technology.

Housed in the unit are a kitchen, refrigerator and a meeting room that can hold at least 20 people. Activities that can be conducted in the unit include cooking demonstrations, health and nutrition classes, immunizations and blood pressure checkups. It also contains wireless internet, video screens and computer terminals.

“The Mobile Health Unit is part of a facility grant that includes the Family Development Child Care Center completed in 2016,” said Dr. Mark Latimore Jr., associate dean for Extension. The grant funded a project that included the construction of an on-campus teaching facility for teaching a variety of subjects, including food safety, child care and nutrition.

The MHU now provides all FVSU Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) agents and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) program assistants with the ability to perform remote on-site seminars and demonstrations. FVSU’s Department of Nursing will also use the unit to conduct immunizations, health screenings and blood pressure checkups.

Kentucky State University (KSU) launched two of its three planned mobile health units to serve communities across Kentucky, bringing critical health care services directly to underserved areas. The first unit launched on Oct. 24 in Louisville at the Family Health Centers Inc. – Portland site, while the second unit debuted on Oct. 25 at Hazard Community and Technical College. These launches represent a powerful statewide collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Kentucky Department for Public Health and local partners to reduce health care disparities in Kentucky’s most impacted regions.

These mobile health units provide diagnostic and treatment services for metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions that includes hypertension, high blood glucose, abdominal obesity and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, which elevate the risk of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. The units alternate between clinical care and Kentucky State University’s Nutrition Education Program (KSU-NEP), which uses the “food as medicine” approach to promote preventive health and long-term wellness.

KSU President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo expressed the university’s commitment to outreach. “We are very excited to launch these mobile health units and bring health care directly to underserved communities across the Commonwealth.”

Kentucky faces some of the nation’s highest health challenges.

“Our hope is for KSU-NEP participants to gain skills to plan nutritious meals on a limited budget, acquire safe food handling practices, improve food preparation skills and change food behaviors that are necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said Turquoise Brown, KSU’s state specialist for community nutrition education and coordinator for EFNEP and SNE-Ed.

In the heartland, where winds sweep across sprawling agricultural fields, Langston University's Beekeeping Program is embarking on a transformative journey. By expanding its efforts, the program is determined to bolster sustainable agriculture while nurturing the environment and strengthening the agricultural community across the state.

“The honeybees play a crucial role in enhancing local gardens and pollination,” says Hank Baker, the passionate beekeeping Extension educator at Langston University's Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. Baker's work extends beyond Langston's campus, leading him to the thriving colonies of RestoreOKC, a nonprofit organization deeply invested in community restoration.

RestoreOKC stands out as a beacon of hope, fostering health, education, housing and employment opportunities in Northeast Oklahoma City. Among its many initiatives, honeybees take center stage. These industrious insects play a vital role in nonprofit garden projects, engaging veterans, gardeners and individuals with disabilities. Working alongside bees offers therapeutic benefits, connection and purpose for these community members.

With winter’s chill fast approaching, Baker and his team are preparing the colonies for an impending Arctic front. This meticulous preparation ensures the bees' survival and health, a critical step in maintaining their ability to support sustainable agriculture throughout the year. The program’s year-round commitment underscores the importance of healthy bee populations, not just for their role in pollination but also as an emblem of resilience and renewal in Oklahoma’s agricultural landscape.

Through education, collaboration and tireless dedication, Langston University's Extension Beekeeping Program is sowing seeds of sustainability one buzzing bee at a time. It successfully illuminates how small creatures can have an outsized impact, not only on crops and gardens but also on the hearts and lives of the people they touch.

Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T hosted more than 60 students and 40 leaders, staff members and chaperones from partnering universities this past summer as part of the Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America — Research and Extension Apprenticeship Program (YEA-REAP) 1890 Collaborative project.

During the week, the group engaged in such activities as an HBCU quiz bowl, faculty workshops, mock interviews, a youth-focused financial literacy program, a university farm tour and field trips, including a visit to the N.C. A&T Center of Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies in Kannapolis.

This one-week residential agricultural research and Extension experiential learning program enabled the students to network with other youths across the U.S., showcase their talents and leadership skills, and impact future 4-H programming.

“We received very positive feedback as the students expressed that the overall benefits of the camp were excellent,” said Thasya Campbell, N.C. A&T Extension YEA program manager.

The 1890 Collaborative is a project spanning six states in partnership with Alcorn State University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lincoln University, Prairie View A&M University and North Carolina A&T State University.

The YEA program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), to reach minority youths with positive youth development and mentoring to make college more attainable and prepare a more diverse STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mathematics) workforce.

The Building Better Family Bonds (BBFB) Workshop Series is an innovative pilot initiative developed by Prairie View A&M University - Extension to help families strengthen their relationships and create supportive home environments. In today's fast-paced world, where busy schedules and technology distractions can weaken family bonds, this program is more relevant than ever.

The BBFB Workshop Series focuses on several key areas to enhance family dynamics. It offers strategies and exercises to help family members communicate more openly and effectively, promoting a culture of forgiveness to resolve conflicts and build stronger bonds. Additionally, the program includes activities that encourage the expression of gratitude and appreciation among family members, fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration within the family unit.

Developed by Ida G. Carter, M.Ed., Family and Community Health Program specialist, the BBFB Workshop Series reflects her expertise and dedication to family health and community well-being. Her vision for the program is to create lasting benefits for family relationships and overall well-being.

By addressing critical issues that families face today, the BBFB Workshop Series aims to create a positive impact on family dynamics and support the development of stronger, more resilient family units.

Twelve SC State University (SCSU) staff members participated in a drone training program on campus led by Tony Petrucci of Cross Flight Sky Solutions. The week-long initiative is a part of the Precision Technology in Agriculture and Conservation grant, which aims to enhance sustainable farming practices for small and minority producers and address climate change in South Carolina.

Through the grant, Extension agents will be certified to lead workshops and demonstrations to train small farmers on drone technology. These workshops will provide data-driven strategies to promote successful crop yields and mitigate climate change effects.

“This training is a significant step forward in how we integrate drone technology into agricultural practices,” said Dr. Joe Maja, senior researcher and director of the Center of Applied Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Agriculture. “We empower our Extension staff to revolutionize land use decisions and support eco-friendly farming by equipping them with drone expertise.”

SC State Public Service and Agriculture (SC State PSA) staff gained hands-on experience in drone operation to earn their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Certification, which is essential for commercial drone usage. The training enhances SC State PSA’s capacity to use drone technology in research, marketing and agricultural demonstrations.

SC State PSA is committed to advancing innovative solutions that empower communities and shape a more sustainable future for agriculture through these initiatives.

The Southern University Ag Center’s Cooperative Extension Program’s (SUCEP) Mobile Technology Center (M-TEC Unit) plays a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide in Louisiana's underserved urban and rural communities.

One of the core missions of the M-TEC Unit is to improve access to education and resources in times of crisis. The unit has been instrumental in disaster recovery efforts, providing a mobile hub for vital information. It also plays a significant role in community outreach, supporting initiatives such as the Ag Center’s JagFresh Farmers Markets, nutrition food demonstrations and the Small Farmer Produce Giveaway in food deserts.

The M-TEC Unit, which is managed by William Augustine, brings essential computer literacy training directly to those who need it most through support from the Center’s Agriculture and Natural Resource (ANR) team. Serving as a dynamic tool for onsite demonstrations, enhancing Cooperative Extension services tailored to the needs of local communities.

Under Augustine's leadership, the M-TEC Unit recently underwent an external makeover, signaling a renewed commitment to delivering high-quality services. Soon, internal updates will bring even more advanced technologies, including touchscreen monitors, new laptops, a larger central processing unit and upgraded satellite systems. These improvements will significantly expand the unit’s role in providing access to digital education and resources, allowing for more interactive and efficient computer literacy training and a larger reach in underserved communities across Louisiana.

The future promises a broader reach, deeper impact and a stronger, more digitally connected Louisiana through the SU Ag Center’s SUCEP M-TEC Unit's transformative capabilities. For additional information, contact williams_augustine@suagcenter.com.

In the world of Extension, where delivering timely and tailored advice is key to improving food security, technology has often been introduced at a glacial pace, that is, until now. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), a cutting-edge tool that can create personalized content, automate routine tasks and provide context-specific solutions, is changing the game. While GenAI has already revolutionized fields like banking, education and health care, its potential within Extension has remained largely untapped.

Recognizing this opportunity, Dr. Abdelaziz Lawani from Tennessee State University led a training program to introduce Extension professionals to this technology, emphasizing how GenAI can revolutionize the way services are delivered in the agricultural sector.

The promise of GenAI lies in its ability to enhance how Extension agents serve farmers and rural communities. Traditional methods often rely on manually crafted advice and static educational materials, but GenAI allows Extension agents to create personalized, dynamic solutions in near real-time. Imagine an Extension agent being able to respond to a farmer’s specific query using an AI-powered system that analyzes data and context. With such tools, Extension services can not only be more efficient but also vastly more scalable, reaching more farmers with tailored advice without the traditional time constraints.

As these professionals integrate GenAI into their daily practices, they will be able to enhance agricultural productivity, foster community resilience and promote sustainable practices at a far greater scale than before. Lawani’s training serves as an example for the future, showcasing how Extension can embrace GenAI to better meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Tuskegee University has been working to expand and diversify the meat and poultry processing industry. One goal is to address the processing challenges that small-scale, socially disadvantaged farmers face. Adding value to livestock farmers in Alabama is very important.

Unfortunately, many of these farmers lacked post-harvest processing resources. Although it is relatively new, TU has made an impact through outreach within the Black Belt and the Southeastern region, including the 1890s network, on the benefits of getting into this prominent field.

Some examples of the outreach include HACCP training, fabrication and harvest demonstrations, grant writing workshops for processors and more, including the inaugural Black Belt Meat Summit (April 9-11, 2025). They also provide educational events, webinars, resources and publications covering topics of interest for all meat and poultry processing enterprises.

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives, TU Meat and Poultry Process Capacity - Technical Assistance (MPPTA) Program is reaching out to farmers to assist with technical support for their project to be developed and prosperous. Working with the Agriculture Marketing Services (AMS), four focus areas are used to aid farmers: Federal Grant Application Management, Business Development & Financial Planning, Meat & Poultry Processing Technical & Operational Support, and Supply Chain Development.

To request assistance under USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity - Technical Assistance (MPPTA) Program, visit tuskegee.edu/tumppta. For meat science outreach programming needs, contact Dr. Clarissa Harris at charris2@tuskegee.edu.

The Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is currently integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into aquaculture practices, said Dr. Yathish Ramena, interim assistant dean for Extension and outreach for the UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences.

“The initiative is transforming how we assess the health, growth and water quality of key species such as catfish, largemouth bass and pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei),” he said. “By harnessing AI, these projects not only enhance research outcomes but also have the potential to inspire high school students to pursue STEM careers.”

Ramena said the new AI-driven approach enables real-time evaluation of fish and shrimp health, survival rates, growth patterns and water quality. Data collected are uploaded to the cloud, where they are processed and presented in both raw and graphical forms, allowing researchers and students to easily interpret complex data and facilitate more informed decision-making.

“By automating data analysis, the AI system improves the accuracy and efficiency of health assessments for different species,” he said. “This technology marks a significant advancement for UAPB’s research capabilities and serves as a valuable educational tool for students.”

In the past, student helpers spent many hours measuring the survival rates and sizes of post-larvae shrimp, which are often measured in microns.

“Taking accurate length and width measurements for such tiny organisms was nearly impossible. However, with the implementation of AI, we can now process each experimental tank within seconds," Ramena said.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) rings in the new year with a reimagined Honeybee Keeping/Apiary Program. Beekeeper and program assistant Stephen Goewey recently joined UMES Extension and is planning a full slate of classes and workshops. Offerings will range from beginners to ones for experienced beekeepers who want to hone their skills in managing honeybee colonies.

“UMES Extension is thrilled by this exciting new chapter in 2025,” Goewey said. “Our initial colonies will provide a foundation for educating farmers and the community about the vital role of pollinators in agriculture and the environment. Throughout the year, we’ll offer hands-on workshops covering every stage of beekeeping — from installing the first package, or nuc, to inspecting hives to harvesting honey.”

Looking ahead, there are ambitious plans to expand the program, Goewey said. A key initiative will be the creation of pollinator gardens and an apiary park at the UMES Research, Extension and Teaching Farm. These gardens will serve as living classrooms, “demonstrating the essential relationship between pollinators, biodiversity and food systems.”

“We also aim to broaden our educational outreach to schools and community groups, engaging learners of all ages in interactive programs.”

The planned workshops and hands-on activities will address hive management, pollinator-friendly gardening, habitat creation, marketing and profitability, and meaningful steps participants can take to support pollinator populations.

“Ultimately, the UMES Extension team envisions the program becoming a regional hub for pollinator education and advocacy,” said Dr. E. Nelson Escobar, associate dean for UMES Extension. “We are committed to fostering a deeper connection between people and nature while building a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem for future generations.”

In just under three years since its launch, Virginia State University (VSU)’s Mobile Education Unit (MEU) has logged more than 25,000 miles from Virginia to Florida. This state-of-the-art trailer boasts interactive exhibits highlighting Virginia’s agricultural history and strengths, providing hands-on education opportunities for students and adults.

This March, the unit is expected to receive exciting upgrades. “We want visitors to have something new to see every year,” says Cartelius Travis, who has served as the MEU’s coordinator since its launch.

Travis manages the MEU’s sponsors and full outreach calendar. Maintaining a diversity of sponsors representing different areas of Virginia’s agricultural scene provides critical funding to support educational outings around the state and beyond.

“We bring agriculture in real-time through interactive forms of education,” says Travis.

Agricultural innovation is one of VSU’s College of Agriculture’s Transformational Commitments, as Extension at VSU strives to provide new ways to bring agriculture to people across the Commonwealth. Currently, education units are designed for grades three and up. When you enter the MEU, you learn about the five regions of Virginia. Then, visitors can learn how to build a well-balanced and nutritious meal by assembling a puzzle or put on a virtual headset to visit a dairy farm digitally. With the new upgrades this spring, the MEU will continue connecting people to Virginia’s agriculture.

“Through rotating the displays and building new partnerships, we can keep it engaging,” says Travis.

Virginia Cooperative Extension extends the resources of Virginia's two land-grant universities, Virginia State University and Virginia Tech, to solve problems facing Virginians every day.

West Virginia State University (WVSU) 4-H is making educational strides through its impactful school enrichment programs, such as Discovery Days and the Lending Library, which have built robust partnerships with local educators. A recent initiative, Classroom Creators, led by WVSU 4-H Extension educators Christine Kinder and Linzie Farmer, aims to enhance classroom experiences for students and teachers.

Classroom Creators focuses on collaboration by addressing teachers’ specific needs and utilizing WVSU 4-H resources to develop interactive, hands-on activities tailored to their chosen themes. This program caters to students from pre-K to 12th grade and spans a variety of subjects. Many teachers express interest in seasonal activities, prompting the development of seven new classroom experiences. The themes explored include apples, pumpkins, moons, snow, sensory exploration, art and engineering — each designed to spark creativity while fulfilling educational objectives.

Kinder emphasizes the program’s impact: “Collaborating with teachers allows us to meet their needs meaningfully. It’s rewarding to see students engaged in our activities.” The initiative also offers flexibility, providing in-person activity stations or ready-to-use kits with supplies and lesson plans for independent implementation.

Farmer adds, “Every child deserves access to high-quality education.” Classroom Creators reflects WVSU 4-H’s commitment to equitable educational opportunities, fostering individual growth and ensuring every student can excel and contribute to society. Through this program, WVSU 4-H enriches the academic landscape, nurturing curiosity and creativity in the classroom.