Plugged In: For UMaine Extension Staff and Volunteers

Extension Leadership Team Minutes July 23, 2018

Extension Leadership Team Minutes
July 23, 2018
102B Libby Hall – Orono

Facilitator: Lisa Phelps
Note-taker: Jon Prichard

UMS Equal Opportunity
Sarah Harebo from University of Maine System Office of Equal Opportunity joined the ELT meeting. We discussed her work and we shared with her Extension’s commitment to and experience with EO.  We explored ways that Sarah might engage more with Extension staff.  She hopes to attend some Extension events and would like to visit county Extension offices.

Updates:

Diagnostic Lab: Personnel form the Pest Management Office have now moved to the new lab at 17 Godfrey Drive.  Personnel from the Animal Diagnostic Lab are still in transition with hopes to be in the new building by the end of July.  Jim Dill has been designated as the contact and staff coordinator for the Diagnostic & Research Laboratory (a 3-year term).  Dennis Harrington is the building manager.

The Maine Food and Agriculture Center: Audrey has developed and made available the first draft of the searchable directory of MFAC members for the MFAC website. As MFAC Director, Dick Brzozowski plans to connect with all MFAC grant recipients (2018) regarding their projects – perhaps making visits to each PI.

Opioid Roundtable: The USDA – Rural Development recently held a roundtable discussion on opioid misuse in Maine and what can be done to address this crisis. John Rebar attended the session on behalf of Extension. A large part of the issue has to do with lack of jobs and difficult family/home circumstances. What can Extension do?  Many of the people affected by this problem don’t have jobs. We could explore whether employers in agriculture sector might be willing to hire people who are affected opioid issues. There are some 4-H programs that might be able to engage with youth in terms of education and prevention, and to help create healthy, supportive family environments and in-school programming. It would be helpful to learn from the efforts of other states. It might be worthwhile to explore Maine, or regional professional development opportunities for staff.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to PI Ronald Fournier who has been awarded $169,800 by The State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for his “Moose Permit Auction Fund 2018” project.  This funding will allow us to reach up to 563 Maine youth to enroll them in a 1-week Conservation Camp program that includes: Hunter, Bowhunter, Boater, or ATV Safety, as a component of the conservation education program matrix offered at Bryant Pond.

Congratulations to PI Danielle O’Neill and Co-PI Ryder Scott who have been awarded $57,960 by The National 4-H Council for their “National Mentoring Program VIII Mentor ME 4H Tech Wizards” project.   The Mentor ME Tech Wizards program is designed to increase the positive attitudes of youth towards learning, goal setting, social and life skills through service learning, and technology. The project embraces youth involvement and empowerment in program design and delivery through real life community problem solving.  Through applied, STEM-based projects, students are engaged in collecting real-world scientific data that has a direct impact on the communities they live in.

Congratulations to PI Ronald Fournier who has been awarded $47,600 by The State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for his “Camp Northwoods 2018” project.  This funding will allow us to reach up to 140 Maine youth to enroll them in a 1-week Camp Northwoods program that includes ATV Safety, a component of the conservation education program matrix offered at Bryant Pond.

Search Updates
Dean of Extension – Advertising
Produce Safety Professional – Preparing to Advertise
Web Professional – Orono Communications – Michelle Snowden Hired
4-H CEA – Somerset County – Advertising
Extension Crops Entomology Specialist – Advertising
Administrative Specialist CL2 (Cumberland) – Preparing to advertise

ELT Meeting Dates –2017–18. Meetings are from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm – unless otherwise noted.