Call for Proposals - Extension Response to Disasters

Rick Koelsch, UNL Extension, May 8 2014

USDA NIFA has released a call for proposals targeting Extension planning for and response to weather and disaster related events through a Smith-Lever Special Needs Program. Projects can range from $30,000 to $120,000.  Fifty-seven percent of 2013 applications were funded (an unusually HIGH success rate).

Once a disaster has occurred, the local extension outreach includes: 1) Communicating practical science-based risk information, 2) Developing relevant educational experiences and programs, 3) Working with individuals and communities to open new communication channels, and 4) Mitigating losses and facilitating recovery. NIFA will fund Special Needs projects to implement applied scientific programs that serve public needs in preparation for, during and after local or regional emergency situations. Fundable projects should support extension activities through at least one (1) of the following strategies:

1.      Enhance regional/national networks that add value to official information by delivering it:

• In an audience and situation appropriate format
• In a timely fashion and
• Coupled with appropriate and existing research based information.

2.      Provide regional/national education and communications leadership to develop or add value to current educational materials regarding disaster issues, utilizing the proper distribution mix of the EDEN website, eXtension, related social media, and/or other outlets.  This strategy could include materials targeted to underserved or non-traditional audiences (such as people who speak English as a second language, low literacy individuals, and/or international opportunities).  Any international aspects of the proposal must support EDEN or domestic work. 

3.      Improve regional/national stakeholder partnerships (which might include the public, governments at all levels, non-profit and/or volunteer organizations, academia, and/or industry) across traditional boundaries to decrease the impact of disasters through extension education.

4.      Deliver extension education to affected citizens and communities, in one or more states, to decrease the impact of a major declared disaster that occurred no more than 12 months prior to the application due date of this RFA.

Request for Application (RFA) | Apply: Electronic | Abstracts of Funded Projects

Solicitation Date (Opening) May 2, 2014 Letter of Intent Due Date None Due Date (Closing) June 2, 2014 Estimated Total Program Funding $462,000.00 Range of Awards $30,000.00 to $120,000.00 Percent of Applications Funded Last Fiscal Year 57% Cost Sharing Requirements Dollar for dollar match required. See RFA for details. For More Information Contact Beverly Samuel Funding Opportunity Number USDA-NIFA-SLBCD-004528 CFDA Number 10.500 Contact for Electronic Access Problems webcomments@nifa.usda.gov

Reference:  USDA NIFA web page, http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/smithleverspecialneeds.cfm

Extension Drought Response Plans - Winter 2012-13

Rick Koelsch

In late September, 30 faculty gathered to develop an educational plan for drought issues during this coming winter. Five work groups formed around Beef Systems (led by Jerry Volesky), Crop Systems (co-led by Jenny Rees and Robert Klein), Home and Horticulture (led by John Fech), Farm Business Management (led by Allan Vyhnalek) and Water Use in Agriculture (led by Gary Zoubek). In addition, district drought teams formed to discuss and plan for those issues should be adapted regionally.

Other drought focused groups are also getting started. Wanda Koszewski is assembling ideas for addressing “Consumer Food Costs”. Amy Timmerman would like to gather a group to discuss “Youth Impacts from Drought” at Fall Conference. Thanks to all faculty who are pro-actively assisting clientele with drought issues.

No clientele group that Extension serves is unscathed by this summer's disaster. With that in mind, we must recognize that all Extension faculty and staff member needs to be a part of our UNL Extension’s Drought Response team. You may not have been a part of the planning team that met in September, but every faculty member's expertise and connections with clientele are needed. Below are a few ways in which you can make a contribution to Extension’s Drought Response. 

1. Review the work group's winter plans found on our Extension Action Team page (http://www.extension.unl.edu/web/Extension/progfocus ). Contact the work group leaders and offer to contribute some of your expertise and energy to their proposed plans.
2. Review and become familiar with the breadth of resources found on http://droughtresources.unl.edu/ . Which of these resources might be a topic for your next news column or radio broadcast?
3. Promote linking by a local business or media web sites to our Drought Resources web page.
4. Build drought into your winter educational programs plans.
5.  Help clientele connect to the expertise that can answer their specific questions. Chuck Burr and Jerry Volesky ran our drought booth at Husker Harvest Day. They used Skype to video-conference with other specialist and educators and allow clientele to have a face-to-face meeting with our Extension Experts.

Please add your own suggestions through the Comment box for this blog.

At Fall Conference, Extension will have a booth with a banner "Drought: Ask an Extension Expert". Stop by and pick up business cards advertising our Drought Resources web site or schedule the Banner for use this winter. We would welcome hearing about your drought program plans or needs for this coming winter.

UNL Extension’s Drought Response

Rick Koelsch

Administration is very appreciative of the excellent educational response our faculty and staff are contributing to the drought related issues. The survey results from 96 faculty and staff provided an excellent snapshot of those educational initiatives to date.

A one-page summary of those efforts has been developed for Senator Johann’s and Nelson’s visits to IANR this week. You may want to share this summary with key decision makers and stakeholders with whom you interact. See Extension Drought Response Summary at: http://go.unl.edu/c3u.