ECOP Annual Awards

NEED encourages all member LGUs to submit at least one nomination to each award program annually. Learn more about the ECOP programs.

2024 ECOP Excellence in Extension Award (Individual)

“The Award for Excellence in Extension, a project of the ECOP Professional Development Committee, recognizes a select group of Cooperative Extension professionals who excel at Extension programming, make a positive impact on constituents served, and provide visionary leadership for the System. It is designed to focus national attention on the role of Extension – one that is fundamental to the lifelong education and development of residents in communities around the nation.” 

  • Learn about the award program. Nominations are funneled through each ECOP region into the national competition. National and regional winners will be announced in November 2024.
  • Download the Northeast Region prep form: Northeast Region

Nominations for the 2024 ECOP Excellence in Extension award are due to NEED by 11:59 PM ET March 8, 2024 (EXTENDED FROM MARCH 1st) for pre-review by the NEED Awards Review Committee. Final nominations will be due to Sandy Ruble, [email protected] by 5:00 PM PT May 1, 2024.

2024 ECOP Excellence in Extension Award (Team)

“This award recognizes excellence of an Extension team in performing the work of Extension research, technical assistance, and outreach education. One award will be made to a team comprising any combination of Extension state, county, and regional staff, as well as non-Extension team members.” Final nominations will be due to Sandy Ruble, [email protected] by 5:00 PM PT May 1, 2024.

2024 National Extension Diversity Award

“The purpose of this award, a project of the ECOP Program Committee, is to acknowledge accomplishments of Cooperative Extension Professionals in achieving organizational changes that support diversity, pluralism and innovation in programs that impact our Extension audiences. The Award for Diversity is designed to focus national attention on innovative models and techniques that ensure that Extension programs equitably engage all appropriate audiences in an effective manner.”

Final nominations will be due to Sandy Ruble, [email protected] by 5:00 PM PT May 1, 2024.


Best Practices

In support of the region submitting strong applications NEED maintains a set of “best practices” available for download. (Updated February 2022)

Learn more about what ECOP expects from nominations by watching the ECOP Next Generation Learning for Leaders: National Extension Awards, Systems Thinking and Winning Words