News & Events

“Northeast Agenda” is a call to action for Extension and Agricultural Experiment Stations

Northeast Agenda (Full Version) Northeast Agenda (Executive Summary) The Northeast Agenda is a collaboration between the Association of Northeast Extension Directors (NEED) and the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (NERA). It identifies challenges and opportunities for the Northeast region’s Land-grant programs as they work together to ensure a regenerative, livable, and vibrant […]

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NEED supports three urban Extension projects; enhancing collaboration for communications, 4-H youth, and fighting food waste

The Association of Northeast Extension Directors (NEED) has awarded funding to three new interstate collaborative projects that support, advance, or promote Extension initiatives that directly target or build capacity for programs that reach urban audiences. Learn about the exciting projects below. Any questions about these projects, or the other incredible work Extension is undertaking across […]

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Congratulations Jiff Martin, winner of the 2023 Northeast ECOP Excellence in Extension Award

The Association of Northeast Extension Directors (NEED) is proud to share that Jiff Martin, Sustainable Food Systems Extension Educator at the University of Connecticut (bio), has been awarded the 2023 Northeast Region Excellence in Extension Award by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy.

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NEED welcomes Dr. Lisa Townson (URI) as Board Chair

Dr. Bill Miller (University of Massachusetts Amherst) passed leadership of the Association of Northeast Extension Directors (NEED) — and the ceremonial gavel — to Dr. Lisa Townson (University of Rhode Island) on October 12, 2023 at the close of the organization’s Fall Board of Directors meeting.

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4-H Volunteers – Critical to the success of Northeast positive youth development programs

Members of the Northeast Region Volunteerism Group (NERV) conducted a research study this to assess the impact of 4-H youth development volunteer effort in the Northeast Region (as defined by Cooperative Extension). States that participated in this study include Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine. […]

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UMaine, UVM earn $6.5M USDA grant for Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America (YEA) program

The University of Maine (UMaine) Extension will work with the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension to “increase the number of youth studying food and agriculture, increase the capacity of communities to promote food and agriculture, and increase the capacity of the Cooperative Extension System, through the 4-H youth development program, to better connect with youth […]

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NEED honors four exemplary, innovative northeast Urban Extension projects.

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University of Maine Extension’s Kathy Savoie wins the 2023 NEED Exceptional Local Educator Award

Professor Kathleen (Kathy) Savoie has been awarded the Association of Northeast Extension Directors’ 2023 Exceptional Local Educator Award for her work “Building Agricultural Literacy through an Immersive Culinary Art Experience”.

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2023 Multistate Urban Extension Award program is LIVE! Proposals due August 15, 2023

NEED is excited to announce available funding for exceptional multistate urban Extension projects. Proposals are due to NEED Executive Director, Ali Mitchell, over email as a single PDF by 5pm ET on August 15, 2023. EMAIL: [email protected] Overview The Association of Northeastern Extension Directors (NEED) announces an opportunity to obtain funds for interstate collaborations that […]

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NEED hosts successful Northeast Extension DEIJ Workshop

In June 2022, the Association of Northeast Extension Directors (NEED) set advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Extension as its year-long regional priority. NEED’s goal was to ultimately increase Northeast Extension expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion; build regional capacity; provide individual professional development; cultivate culturally competent leaders; and improve community-based programs.

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NEED develops joint 2023 Farm Bill priorities with Northeast Secretaries of Agriculture

The Association of Northeast Extension Directors (NEED) worked with the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA), a subsection of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), to develop the following recommendations and considerations for the 2023 Farm Bill. These were created with the hope that the 2023 Farm Bill will strengthen […]

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Northeast Extension supports thousands of adults, youth with workforce development training programs

Did you know that Cooperative Extension provides a robust portfolio of workforce development programs, training, and certifications? Check out the impact of these programs!

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