National Urban Extension Conference

There are six types of presentations featured at NUEC 2026.

Educational Presentations - Three individual educational presentations are grouped by similar topics into a one-hour breakout session. Each session features three 15-minute presentations showcasing well-developed ideas, applications, and results that highlight Extension subject matter expertise and the core competencies needed by staff to work effectively in urban and metropolitan communities. These sessions foster connection and shared learning while supporting efforts to advance impact in urban settings.

Leading Edge Dialogs on HOT TOPICS! - Fast-paced, interactive sessions that spotlight emerging issues and innovative approaches relevant to urban Extension work. Each session will feature a brief overview followed by a facilitated discussion where participants share insights, explore ideas, and learn from one another. These sessions prioritize active participation, co-learning, and capturing key takeaways to inform future practice.

Lightning Talks - Using a dynamic Ignite format, these presentations features tightly structured five-minute talks with rapidly advancing slides that highlight focused ideas and innovative approaches.

Panels - Expert panels explore cutting-edge research and emerging practices in urban Extension. They highlight innovative approaches to community challenges and engage participants in meaningful dialogue.

Posters - These sessions provide a space for presenters to showcase projects, programs, and emerging practices through poster displays while connecting directly with attendees.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 10;50  a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Leading Edge Dialogs on HOT TOPICS!

Crisis as Catalyst: Preparing Urban Extension Leaders for the Unexpected
(Alyssa Bowers, Washington State University, Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, University of Florida, & Ashley Overend, Pinellas County Commission, Florida)
In today’s complex funding and political climate, positioning Extension is critical not only for organizational survival but also for maintaining visibility and relevance, particularly in urban areas. Navigating county and city governments presents unique challenges, and many Extension professionals lack formal training in this essential skill set. This Leading-Edge Dialogue will examine real-world scenarios illustrating both successful and unsuccessful approaches to positioning Extension within local governance structures. Perspectives from Extension leaders and legislative aide will provide insight into the dynamics of local government and strategies for building and sustaining positive relationships. Participants will engage in facilitated discussions focused on demonstrating public value, effective messaging, and relationship development. These discussions will encourage participants to share experiences, identify best practices, and create strategies to strengthen Extension’s position in competitive urban environments. Additionally, the session will inform the development of a future program designed to prepare current and emerging urban Extension leaders to navigate governmental systems and implement effective positioning strategies. This collaborative dialogue aims to advance leadership capacity and ensure Extension remains relevant and resilient in rapidly evolving urban contexts.

Modernizing Extension Programming for Greater Impact.
(Katie Dunker, Deryn Davidson, Kerri Rollins & Jeni Carter, Colorado State University)
For over a century, land-grant institutions have provided vital Extension programming yet rapidly changing societal and technological landscapes have created challenges for maintaining relevance and ensuring sustainable impact. This session focuses on transforming Extension programming to align with emerging demands, modern funding strategies, and the diverse needs of urban communities. We’ll explore innovative approaches to update traditional practices, including expanding program capacity through partnerships, designing agile and scalable models, leveraging evidence-based best and ‘next’ practices, addressing workforce development gaps, and integrating technology. By highlighting real-world examples, such as statewide online courses, bilingual workforce outreach programs, and timely educational offerings, we’ll demonstrate how these approaches build impactful, forward-thinking programming to meet the needs of our Extension audiences today. This will be followed by an interactive, facilitated discussion bringing theory to practice through real examples of Extension program work. We’ll outline key strategies for modernizing Extension work and addressing NUEL’s focus areas while emphasizing demographic shifts, competition for funding, and adjacent innovation to scale what’s working. Participants will collaborate on identifying evolving priorities and actionable steps to innovate programming, build stronger urban community partnerships, and adapt strategies to sustain Extension’s relevance in the next decade.

Next-Generation Governance: Positioning Extension to Strengthen Urban Communities.
(Steven Chmielewski & Jerry Braatz, University of Wisconsin-Madison)
The four-year turnover of local staff and elected officials in large jurisdictions (averaging around 46% in 2024), combined with rapidly declining public trust, constitutes a timely and critical governance challenge for urban communities. Addressing this evolving need for core competencies and leadership capacity is a core mandate for Extension. This abstract presents an innovative, multi-tiered educational suite—comprising The Local Government Academy, Certified Public Managers Program, and Plan Commission Workshops—as a "Hot Topic" for urban Extension programming. This suite directly addresses emerging urban issues, including sustainable planning, resource allocation, and ethical governance, by professionalizing municipal leaders and strengthening community engagement. This strategic positioning solidifies Extension as an unbiased, research-based educational resource, building stronger county-university relationships, and offering a model for diversified revenue generation. The methodology utilizes a structured, competency-based curriculum delivered with Extension’s non-biased approach. Initial outcomes show significant gains in municipal capacity, resulting in streamlined government operations and improved public trust. This model effectively repositions Extension as a key driver for community resilience. The session will feature a brief 10-15 minute overview of our local government programming, followed by a substantive 45 minutes dedicated to audience participation, discussion, and co-learning on adapting and replicating this proven approach.

Putting the 4p's into Practice: Implementing the Urban Extension Framework in Today's Cities.
(Marie Ruemenapp, Extension and School of Planning, Design and Construction, Michigan State University)
Urban communities face unique challenges and opportunities that require Extension to operate with clarity, adaptability, and intentionality. Ten years ago, the National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) introduced the Urban Extension Framework, grounded in the 4P Model—Perspectives, Partnerships, Programs, and Personnel—as a guide for aligning Extension work with the complex dynamics of urban environments.

A decade later, the field and research has generated deeper insights into effective strategies for putting the 4P Model into action across diverse urban contexts. This session will provide a concise overview of the framework and highlight examples from leading Extension systems that demonstrate how the 4P Model can foster organizational alignment, spark innovation, deepen community engagement, and strengthen long-term institutional commitment to urban priorities.

A significant portion of the workshop will be dedicated to a facilitated conversation, where participants will share insights, questions, and practical takeaways from the day’s learning. This dialogue will help participants consider how to successfully implement elements of the 4P Model within their own local settings.

Tailoring Strategies to Build Belonging in Culturally Distinct Urban Communities.
(Aurora Patricia Monterrosa Castillo)
This interactive session invites participants to examine how youth programming can be adapted to meet the needs of culturally distinct communities, especially in a time when many audiences do not always feel safe, represented, or that they belong. Through small-group dialogue and hands-on activities, participants will reflect on what it truly means to tailor programs—not just translate or replicate them—to create spaces where diverse youth and families feel welcomed and supported.

Using examples from several Michigan sites, the session will highlight how approaches such as bilingual delivery, family involvement, and school partnerships must shift depending on local context. Participants will explore how cultural relevance looks different across communities and how to engage audiences who experience unique linguistic, cultural, or systemic barriers.

Rather than providing a program overview, this session centers on reflection, co-creation, and practical strategy building. Attendees will identify ways to break barriers, build trust, and strengthen educational pathways for multicultural youth. The session aims to deepen understanding and generate actionable ideas for fostering safety, belonging, and meaningful connection in youth development settings

Unraveling Wicked Problems: The Critical Role of Extension.
(Kristina Hains, Bryan Hains & Jeffery Young, University of Kentucky)
From its inception in 1914 with the Smith-Lever Act, Extension was created to improve the quality of life of American communities. Many have argued that Extension has long served as a community pillar, delivering research-based information generated from the land-grant university system into local communities, towards improving the quality of life for those served.

A primary issue impacting today’s urban communities is the presence of wicked problems. Wicked problems can be defined as a complex social or cultural issue that seems impossible to solve, due to its many interconnected factors. Generally, these issues lack a single, clear solution, and are challenging because they are dynamic, involve multiple stakeholders, and often there is no one way to define the issue. Examples include poverty, homelessness and education. Extension has always sought to improve community quality of life, what is the role of Extension in addressing today’s wicked problems? Presenters will address what wicked problems are and discuss how Extension is uniquely positioned to engage stakeholders in addressing these complex issues. Participants will be led through activities to brainstorm and discuss what role Extension should play in these situations, and what actions and partnerships to undertake to address these wicked challenges.

Innovative Research Panel

Bridging the Gap: Building Integrated Research & Extension Networks
(Brad Gaolach, National Urban Research & Extension Center, Dan Cronan, Washington State University, & Joshua Arnold, University of Massachusetts Amherst)
The National Urban Research & Extension Center (NUREC) bridges the gap between community and research by applying the influence and reach of the land-grant university system, grounded in Extension’s community-centered approach, to address challenges in urban areas.  Acting on this mission, NUREC recently launched two Knowledge and Practice Networks (KNP): Urban Agriculture & Food Systems and the Built Environment. These KPNs provide a platform for urban-focused Extension practitioners and researchers, along with partners in local government and NGO’s, to collaborate on cutting-edge research and Extension best practices.  To build these networks, NUREC has facilitated national webinars showcasing researchers and practitioners whose work illustrates how conversations around topics such as green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, food sovereignty, community gardens, and placemaking are emerging across communities. These and other activities have enriched dialogue within the networks and demonstrated how practical insights can strengthen collaborative learning, co-production of knowledge, and applied urban Extension outcomes.

During this panel the KPN leaders will share about the formation and activities of their networks, future directions, and how Extension personnel can become engaged and benefit from these collaborations. Attendees will also hear about opportunities for Extension personnel to expand the visibility and impact of their work through NUREC.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 3:50p.m.- 4:50p.m.

Educational Presentations, Panels, Posters, and Lightning Talks

Barriers and Motivations for Extension Professionals to Engage Youth with an Immigrant Background
(Mitchell Mason, University of Maine)
Participants in this session will increase their ability to engage families and youth who have an immigrant background in their Extension programs. The session will present the results of a 2025 phenomenological study which used semi-structured interviews of a national sampling of county-based 4-H staff (n=27) to assess barriers and motivations they have experienced to engaging this audience. One in seven U.S. residents are are foreign-born and more than a quarter of youth in the United States has an immigrant background (meaning they, or at least one of their parents, was born outside the U.S.). One in five workers in the U.S. are immigrants. It is particularly important to understand the interests of this large population of youth since 4-H has set a goal of reaching 10 million youth each year by 2030. In this session, participants will learn what their colleagues across the U.S. have to say about their experiences with this audience. What are the barriers to expect as a staff? What barriers exist for the audience? What can motivate staff to seek engagement of this audience? What motivates families with an immigrant background to participate in Extension and 4-H? Where does an Extension staff member go to learn how to engage this audience?

Beyond Ready High School Students - UMES 4-H STEM Research Internship
(Ariel Clay, University of Maryland Eastern Shore)
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) 4-H program launched an innovative internship program to prepare the next generation of research scientists. Using a National 4-H Council Beyond Ready grant, we developed a year-long paid internship for high schoolers who live within commuting distance of UMES. From October through December, the interns visit a different faculty lab on campus to learn about the research being conducted there and do hands-on activities. In mid-December, they participate in a weekend retreat where they reflect on the lab tours, decide on a field of interest, and get matched with a faculty mentor. From January through August, the interns work with their mentors to develop and implement a research project with a service-learning component. The mentors also work with the interns to submit articles for publication to journals or present their research at conferences. In this presentation, we will provide a roadmap for how similar internships can be developed at other LGUs. Care has been taken to make the program accessible to low income or underserved youth, resulting in a diverse and highly talented first cohort who has not previously participated in a 4-H or Extension program.

Bridging Culture and Health: Engaging Communities Through Traditional Knowledge
(Leilah Siegel, University of Illinois Extension)
Integrating cultural knowledge into urban Extension programs offers a powerful way to build engagement as well as potentially improve outcomes in diverse communities.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), long practiced by Indigenous, African diaspora, and many worldwide communities, reflects deep connections between people, plants, and well-being. Ethnobotany, the study of these relationships, provides insights into medicinal plant use, healing traditions, and sustainable practices that support holistic health. This presentation explores how ethnobotanical knowledge can inform community-based health education programs, fostering culturally relevant approaches to wellness and disease prevention. Insights from a series of immersive workshops on TEK and ethnobotany jointly presented by urban Extension staff and Native American cultural center staff will be shared. These workshops were originally held during a summit celebrating African American and Native American traditions. This session will offer best practices for integrating TEK into health education and outreach, and highlight strategies for engaging communities through heritage, ethnobotanical health information, and practical applications.

Brushstrokes of Extension: Arts-Based Pathways to Recovery and Community Wellness
(Caroline Everidge, Purdue Extension)
Art can open doors that traditional wellness programs cannot. This session highlights how Extension professionals use visual arts to support recovery, emotional well-being, and community connection for justice-involved adults, individuals in recovery, youth, and broader community audiences. Participants will experience a brief, interactive art activity designed to demonstrate how even short, hands-on creative exercises can spark reflection, foster engagement, and build resilience. Attendees will explore strategies for integrating arts-based wellness approaches into Extension sessions that are adaptable to diverse urban settings. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for simple, replicable arts-based interventions that can be incorporated into community and recovery programming. By centering creativity as a practical tool for wellness, this session shows how Extension can engage participants in meaningful, hands-on experiences that support emotional health, strengthen social connections, and foster community resilience.

Building Youth Futures Through Data-Driven Afterschool Innovation: The 4-H 21st CCLC Model
(Nora Nora, University of Nevada - Reno)
Urban youth programs are vital in bridging academic and social gaps for underserved communities. The University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s 4-H 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) at Valley High School offers a model for impactful afterschool programming in a large, urban high school. This presentation highlights findings from the 2024–2025 program evaluation, which measured academic engagement, student and parent satisfaction, and social-emotional development through teacher, parent, and student surveys. Results showed that 61% of participating students improved their engagement in learning, with strong parent and student satisfaction and clear connections between participation and thriving youth outcomes. Challenges such as recruitment, attendance consistency, and registration barriers prompted innovations in bilingual outreach, digital attendance tracking, and culturally responsive programming. Participants will learn data-driven strategies to increase youth participation, strengthen community partnerships, and improve evaluation practices that connect research to real-world impact. The 4-H CCLC program illustrates how university-community collaborations can empower urban youth while maintaining accountability and continuous improvement in program delivery.

Gearing Up For Safety in Clayton County
(Sergio Sosa, UGA Cooperative Extension, Aisha Favors, 4-H agent)
Based on informal needs assessment discussions, Clayton County Public Schools identified a need to better prepare youth for safe work in agricultural settings, especially those enrolled in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs. To address this, the Clayton County UGA Cooperative Extension partnered with Mundy’s Mill High School to implement Purdue University’s Gearing Up for Safety curriculum, a comprehensive program that teaches middle and high school students key agricultural safety practices—including livestock handling, machinery operation, and general farm awareness. Students participated in two hands-on field trips to local farms and an in-class lesson covering safe animal handling and farm procedures. Following the program, most students demonstrated strong gains in recognizing livestock hazards, equipment requiring safety precautions, and safe handling techniques, with over 80% reporting increased confidence in working around animals. Student reflections highlighted a deeper understanding of animal behavior and situational awareness. Overall, the initiative strengthened agricultural safety knowledge and empowered students to engage more safely and confidently in agricultural environments.

Increasing Pollinator and Gardening Awareness in Clayton County Public Schools
(Sergio Sosa, Clayton County UGA Cooperative Extension)
The annual economic value of biotic pollinators is US$ 367 million equivalent to 13% of the total production value of crops in Georgia that could be lost without a healthy population of pollinators (Barfield et al. 2015). According to KidsGardening.org children are positively influenced by learning how to garden because it provides hands-on learning experiences that connect to various subjects like science, math, and art. Through observational assessment by the Clayton County ANR agent, there is a noticeable disconnect between the students’ curriculum, hands-on learning about gardening, and the importance of pollinators. The Great Southeast Pollinator Census has a great curriculum that can be implemented in Clayton County Public Schools to teach about the importance of pollinators. Training teachers in gardening will give them a tool to teach about the science involved. Partnering with local community gardens to host the pollinator census is good way to increase awareness in gardening and pollinators.

Interactive Sea Level Rise Risk Management Tools for You
(Henry Mayer, UF/IFAS Miami Dade Extension)
The impacts of sea level rise are a major concern in Florida and other low-lying and flat coastal areas in the country and worldwide. Sea level rise and the subsequent issues, such as seawater intrusion, storm surges, and flooding, can impact many aspects of the economy, including urban development, agriculture, infrastructure, and natural areas. Severe cases of sunny-day flooding provide a prime example of the impacts on coastal areas.
With the use of available online tools and resources, such as dynamic maps, tidal records, storm-surge scenario modeling, land elevation data, climate projections, and localized flood forecasts, users can assess how different sea-level rise projections impact property exposure, infrastructure reliability, and evacuation routes.
These online resources offer the advantage of combining scientific data with user-friendly visualization and interactive platforms, supporting informed decision-making, helping communities anticipate future conditions, protect their assets, and enhance long-term resilience to rising seas. This presentation will introduce, evaluate, and summarize available online sources and tools to educate diverse stakeholders and concerned residents on key aspects of sea level rise.

Leveraging Tourism and Influencers to Elevate Urban Agricultural Awareness
(Hannah Eason, UF/IFAS, Kevin Camm, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County)
Rapid urbanization across Central Florida continues to challenge the visibility and long-term viability of local agriculture. In response to producer-identified needs to increase public awareness, UF/IFAS Extension partnered with Orlando North Tourism to design a two-day multicounty agritourism farm tour in Orange and Seminole Counties that leveraged social media storytelling to connect residents and visitors with local farms. A curated group of influential content creators engaged directly with farmers through guided tours, demonstrations, and discussions highlighting production practices, sustainability, and conservation within a rapidly urbanizing landscape. Participants generated authentic, educational content supported by coordinated, science-based messaging from UF/IFAS and tourism partners. The organic social media campaign reached 126,541 unique individuals and generated 242,687 video views, with an estimated 14.5% engagement rate. Paid promotion achieved a 3.92% click-through rate at a cost of $0.16 per click, driving 2,126 website sessions with meaningful time on site. The event also secured more than $15,000 in sponsorships and in-kind support and resulted in new farmer–chef collaborations and cross-promotional marketing partnerships. Compared to traditional Extension farm tours that typically reach 50–100 participants annually, this tourism-influencer model expanded agricultural awareness exponentially among both locals and potential visitors, with positive implications for regional economic impact. Results demonstrate that strategic Extension–tourism partnerships and influencer engagement are effective, scalable tools for elevating agricultural literacy, strengthening local food systems, and broadening public support for agriculture in rapidly developing regions.

Mr. Étouffée's Path to Plate Program: Youth Education and Entrepreneurship
(Morgan Walker, Prairie View A&M University Extension)
Mr. Étouffée’s Path to Plate Program is an agricultural literacy and youth development initiative designed for 3rd–5th-grade students. The program introduces participants to essential Texas commodities, including rice, dairy, crawfish, and vegetables, while increasing their understanding of food origins, nutrition, and health. Through hands-on, rotation-based lessons, students explore food safety practices such as proper handwashing and preventing cross-contamination, building foundational life skills in a fun and engaging format. In addition to agricultural education, the program incorporates an entrepreneurship component that teaches students how to think creatively and solve problems like young business owners. Students design their own étouffée-themed food truck concept, developing a business name, pricing strategy, target customers, and simple marketing ideas. This activity encourages confidence, teamwork, communication, and early entrepreneurial mindset development. By blending agricultural literacy, health education, and entrepreneurship, the program provides a holistic learning experience that supports both personal and academic growth. This presentation will highlight program design, instructional strategies, student engagement methods, and measurable outcomes from its implementation with more than 500 students in Jefferson and Chambers counties. The Path to Plate model demonstrates an effective approach for empowering youth with practical knowledge, critical-thinking skills, and the mindset needed for future success.

Multi-County Partnerships to Serve Urban Residents with Limited Outdoor Space
(Caston Noorullah, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Sergio Sosa, Clayton County Agriculture & Natural Resources)
Many Metro Atlanta residents live in apartments or homes with little or no outdoor space, limiting their ability to grow food or connect with nature. The five most densely populated urban counties make up 40% of Georgia’s population. DeKalb County is the most densely populated - making access to green space is significantly lower than in rural counties. To address this, a multi-county collaboration between Fulton, Clayton, and DeKalb offered classes on vermicomposting, container gardening, and indoor mushroom production at a local business situated at the intersection of all three counties. These programs provided practical ways for residents to reduce food waste, grow herbs and vegetables in small spaces, and produce affordable, nutritious food indoors. Participants gained lasting skills that support healthier diets, cost savings, and regular engagement with the natural world.

The Plant Mobile: A Plant Giveaway to Reach a New Generation
(Thomas Roth, Colorado State University)
The Plant Mobile is an innovative strategy for engaging non-traditional Extension audiences in Boulder County, Colorado. Branded with retro “70’s” theming, the Plant Mobile brings horticulture outreach directly into urban “Third Spaces” to connect with younger demographics by giving away free plants. Plant Mobile booths were staffed with Master Gardener volunteers and staff who used the giveaways as a chance to explain sustainable landscaping practices and opportunities for indoor agriculture. Two groups of young people were identified and targeted, young landowners and young people living in apartments. To target young landowners, native plants were given away at libraries, recreation centers, parades, and at farmers markets. To target young people in apartments houseplants were given away at climbing gyms and breweries. To date the Plant Mobile has distributed over 15,000 plants, the majority of them native. This presentation will outline the economics and logistics of germinating plants, the plant species selected and their relevance to program goals, and address the challenges of evaluating impact in pop-up outreach programs. Going forward, the Plant Mobile is exploring the distribution of culinary herbs as a way to cross cultural boundaries and promote local food production.

Tree Tips! Branching Out On Social Media
(Hannah Eason, UF/IFAS)
Urban tree canopy loss across Florida continues to accelerate due to development pressures, poor arboricultural practices, and limited public understanding of tree science, resulting in increased heat, reduced habitat, and heightened hurricane damage risk. Tree Tips! was developed as a statewide social media education partnership between two UF/IFAS Extension agents and IFAS Communications to address these challenges through accessible, science-based, short-form video outreach for the general public, including homeowners, HOAs, and municipalities. Originating from a Central District YouTube Network training activity, the program evolved into a monthly video series hosted on official UF/IFAS social media platforms. Content is grounded in UF/IFAS research and ISA best practices and delivered through seasonally relevant 60–90 second videos focused on canopy protection, proper pruning, storm resilience, and tree diversity. To date, the series has generated more than 36,000 views across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube with strong public engagement. Tree Tips! demonstrates how Extension–communications partnerships can reposition Extension in urban settings, strengthen environmental stewardship and public safety, and scale educational impact far beyond traditional in-person programming. This model is highly replicable for urban Extension systems seeking to modernize outreach and protect urban tree canopy at scale.

Urban Food Hub Production Impacts and Scalability Using Input–Output Analysis
(Andre De Souza Coelho, University of the District of Columbia (UDC), Dr. Sabine O'Hara)
Urban food hubs utilizing controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) are increasingly being employed to strengthen the sustainability of local food systems in metropolitan regions. However, Extension programs often lack systematic methods to evaluate the full economic, social, and environmental impacts of the systems. This research addresses that gap by utilizing an impact assessment model grounded in the production component of the Urban Food Hub framework at the University of the District of Columbia. Using an input–output modeling approach that combines social and environmental accounts, the study estimates the direct, indirect, and induced impacts of CEA production compared to the conventional supply chain. The model integrates economic output, employment, income, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and other indicators. Baseline scenarios reflect existing food hub production, while alternative scenarios test the effects of scaling CEA through private or public investment. Our findings indicate that urban CEA systems can strengthen local economic multipliers, increase skilled job opportunities, reduce water and pesticide use, and improve access to fresh food in underserved communities, while also presenting challenges related to energy intensity. This presentation demonstrates how Extension programs can use applied economic modeling to guide program evaluation, public investment decisions, and the strategic expansion of urban food systems.

Urban River Park Resilience: Building Community Capacity
(Carrick Gambell, University of Maine Cooperative Extension)
Recent flooding along the Kennebec River in Maine has exposed the vulnerability of public parks to extreme weather events. Riverfront urban parks provide essential ecosystem services, while enhancing community health as public gathering and leisure spaces. To support the resilience of these urban landscapes, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has partnered with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Xerces Society to create a resilience planning framework for land managers. This tool will help under-resourced municipal and community organizations prepare their riverfront parks for extreme weather events and the gradual impacts of climate change. Users of the framework complete an 8-step planning process, during which they reflect on climate risks, develop resilience strategies, and conduct a cost-benefit analysis to identify the most impactful resilience approach. The approach to the planning process was developed from data collected during a series of site visits to urban riverfront parks along the Kennebec in 2025. Ultimately, this framework will empower under-resourced and overwhelmed community groups to move beyond reactivity and implement vital resilience projects on their public parks. While the data for this tool has been collected in Maine, the framework will ultimately be applicable for managers of urban riverfront parks nationwide.

Panels

Cultivating Capacity: Strengthening Volunteer Leadership in Urban Extension Programs
(Tracy Hemsath, Chelsea King, Markis Hill, Anthony Reardon, Joy Miller, & Tara Markley, Kansas State University)
Johnson County K-State Extension engages more than 1,100 community volunteers across programs such as Extension Master Gardeners, Food Volunteers, 4-H, Naturalists, and a variety of general volunteer initiatives. These dedicated individuals significantly expand our capacity to deliver education and outreach across a diverse and rapidly evolving urban/suburban community. This facilitated panel discussion will explore both the opportunities and ongoing gaps within our volunteer systems. Panelists will share real-world insights into key challenges, including volunteer recruitment and retention, leadership development, training needs, and building cohesive, sustainable program structures. Participants will also be introduced to practical strategies and tools designed to strengthen volunteer engagement and maximize organizational impact. Through intentional program design and consistent engagement, Johnson County Extension volunteers play a critical role in building community capacity and advancing local impact. This session will highlight how our volunteer network contributes to the five NUEL focus areas: strengthening communities, protecting the environment, improving health, enriching youth, and supporting resilient local food systems. Attendees will leave with actionable approaches for developing and sustaining volunteer leadership, along with ideas for aligning volunteer efforts with mission-driven outcomes across all five focus areas.

Posters and Lightning Talks

POSTER - Pick a Better Snack: Boosting Urban Kids’ Fruit and Veggie Intake
(Jean-Pierre Enriquez, University of Nevada Reno)
Pick a Better Snack program is an 8-week in-school nutrition curriculum delivered to third graders, designed to encourage increased fruit and vegetable consumption and support healthier snack choices at home. Guided by an “Eating the Rainbow” framework, each weekly 40-minute lesson introduces a different produce (4 fruits and 4 vegetables), incorporates tasting-tests, nutrition education, and encourages physical activity. Family newsletters support parental engagement and reinforce lessons at home. Feedback from teachers and students indicates strong receptivity — particularly to taste-testing, engaging videos/slides, and the interactive instructor-led format. Students report trying new foods at home and bringing healthier items to school lunches. Teachers note enhanced student interest, broadened palates, and increased nutrition awareness. While most components were praised, some students discarded handouts — suggesting a need for more engaging or take-home materials (e.g., seeds to plant at home). Presentation as a virtual poster will highlight PABS as a replicable, low-cost, interactive nutrition-education model with demonstrated potential to foster sustainable healthy eating behaviors in youth.

POSTER - Every Identity Belongs: Navigating Gender Expansive Pronouns
(Arnelle Quashie, University of Maryland)
“Every Identity Belongs: Navigating Gender Expansive Pronouns” is a poster that summarizes a presentation delivered at various youth and volunteer training over the course of two years, educating and familiarizing participants on Gender Expansive Pronouns. The presentation provided common terms and updated language that better encapsulate LGBTQIA+ identified individuals of today. The presentation provided a brave space for participants to learn and practice using gender expanded pronouns, how to recover when one misgenders a person, how to create welcoming environments, no matter the program area and the people served, and to ask questions with care and curiosity. These conversations were supported with findings from various independent national surveys by LGBTQIA+ organizations and independent national volunteerism surveys, connecting the importance of creating environments of belonging to keep Cooperative Extension relevant and alive. Lastly, the presentation is a reminder that LGBTQIA+ identifying people's existence cannot be diminished, ignored, or erased. From youth to seniors, stepping into yourself boldly, authentically, with heart and compassion, is courageous.

POSTER - Beneficial Bugs: Connecting Urban Youth to Nature Through Hands-On Learning
(Kirsten Cowan, Rutgers University)
The Beneficial Bugs 4-H program introduces youth in grades 2–5 to the vital role insects and invertebrates play in healthy ecosystems. Designed for urban settings, this hands-on program works to address nature-deficit disorder by engaging youth in activities such as butterfly lifecycle crafts, worm composting, insect identification, and pollinator exploration. Delivered collaboratively by 4-H Youth Development and Agricultural & Natural Resources, the program leverages Extension’s expertise to strengthen community partnerships and provide accessible, science-based education in schools, libraries, and after-school programs. Evaluation data show strong results with all six lessons routinely receiving an average rating of over 4.5 out of 5 across diverse audiences and multiple program cycles. Youth were visibly excited and engaged, asking questions and sharing observations. Several participants stated they had never seen worms in real life because they do not have soil near their apartments, underscoring the program’s impact in connecting urban youth to nature. This poster will showcase program design, implementation strategies, and lessons learned, offering a replicable model for urban Extension professionals seeking to enrich youth programming and strengthen community engagement.

LIGHTNING TALK - Finding Local Food: How & Why to Create a Local Food Guide
(Julie Wayman, Ohio State University)
Urban communities often overlook the abundance of local food available within their city limits as cities aren't traditionally associated with farming. This lightning talk explores the value of a local food guide that maps and lists farms in a community. Such a resource empowers residents to connect directly with growers, fostering connection and healthier eating. By making farm-fresh options visible and accessible, the guide encourages local food purchasing and builds resilience against supply chain disruptions. Attendees will learn how to put together a local food guide and why they might consider creating one for their community.

LIGHTNING TALK - Cultivate Calm: Leveraging Horticulture to Boost Youth Emotional Wellness, Community Resilience
(Constance Willis & Gina Adams, University of Illinois)
Cultivate Calm is an innovative, evidence-based program addressing the urgent need for youth mental health support (ages 8–18) in West Suburban Cook County. This Cooperative Extension initiative combines Community Health Education, Horticulture Education, and the Master Gardener Program to position gardening as a hands-on tool for stress management, emotional regulation, and mindfulness. The program engages youth in the full gardening cycle—from planting to nurturing to harvesting—while blending nutrition education, guided reflection, and sensory-based experiences. A centerpiece of the program is youth leadership through Proviso West High School’s Green Team, who designed and implemented an outdoor planting project. Their work transformed an underutilized school courtyard, planting over a thousand bulbs to create a vibrant, calming space that benefits the entire school community. Cultivate Calm was initiated by the Mayor of Maywood, IL, reflecting the city’s commitment to youth well-being. The program’s success is strengthened by the strong, trusted partnership between the mayor and the community health educator, ensuring alignment with local priorities and fostering civic engagement. Participants report feeling calmer, more confident, and equipped with practical stress-management tools. By combining horticulture, youth leadership, and community collaboration, Cultivate Calm offers a replicable model for building emotional wellness, resilience, and connected, thriving communities.

POSTER - Reflections on Five Cohorts of an Urban Farming Training Program
(Jaqueline Kowalski, University of Connecticut)
The University of Connecticut (UConn) Extension administers an intensive eight-month Urban Farmer Training Program designed to equip emerging growers with the technical knowledge, practical skills, and community connections needed to establish or expand food production in urban environments. Over the last four years, 5 cohorts of trainees have completed training. This poster presentation will discuss the objectives of the program, ways in which the program morphed to meet needs of the trainees, and future directions for curriculum development, program delivery, and evaluation strategies to better support the next generation of urban farmers in Connecticut and beyond.