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 Dialogues 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 feature 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, 10:50a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Leading Edge Dialogues 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 & Ankita Shukla, 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—Positioning, 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 Internal Urban Capacity Through an Urban Summit
(Donna Rewalt & Katherine Williams, North Carolina State University)
Extension leaders in North Carolina at the county and state levels recognized a need for Extension professionals in urban counties to have better opportunities to coordinate and plan together for the future. Urban staff gathered in 2024 in one of NC’s urban counties for facilitated conversations centered around NUEL’s 4P’s— positioning, programs, personnel, and partnerships. The event was designed to leverage and connect county level experiences as well as statewide opportunities. County directors, Extension agents, and university leaders from both NC State and NCA&T Universities came together to spend the day exploring what urban Extension means in North Carolina and how to best move forward to improve collaboration around urban initiatives and programs. Outcomes of the summit included action steps, improved connections between county directors, agents, and universities, an urban session at the state extension conference, and hosting the NUEL regional conference. This presentation will share the partnership approach for planning the summit, the outcomes and efforts since the summit through 2025, and the methods and questions developed for the facilitated portion to enable others to consider a summit at any level—county, region, or state.

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.

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

LIGHTNING TALK - Cultivate Calm: Leveraging Horticulture to Boost Youth Emotional Wellness, Community Resilience
(Constance Willis, 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.

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.

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.

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 - 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 - 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.

POSTER - Urban Ag Futures: Innovative Youth Curriculum Meets Real-World Farming Experience
(Maggie Rivera, Ohio State University) 
The Urban Ag Futures program in Summit County, Ohio, engaged youth in an 18-week agriculture training designed to build career awareness, technical skills, and business knowledge. A key innovation was the Farm Financial Realities class, which incorporated Farm income trend research and adapted the Real Money Real World simulation to teach financial decision-making for farm families—a rarely addressed but critical topic for aspiring farmers. Students reported “aha” moments around farm income limitations, lifestyle tradeoffs, and complementary career pathways. Thirteen youth completed the program with impactful final presentations, and six continued into a 12-week paid internship on local urban farms. Interns gained hands-on experience while strengthening employability and industry connections. Outcomes indicate increased technical competence, deeper understanding of food systems, and enhanced readiness for careers in agriculture.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. 

Educational Presentations, Panels, Posters, and Lightning Talks 

Building Community Capacity for Resilient Housing: A Proactive Planning Toolkit for Urban Extension  
(Brooke Troxmondo, Smart Home America)
Urban communities face mounting housing vulnerabilities from climate hazards, yet many lack systematic frameworks to proactively address these challenges. This presentation introduces Extension professionals to the Resilient Housing Planning Guide (RHPG) and accompanying workbook—practical tools designed to help communities assess housing vulnerabilities and develop actionable resilience strategies before disasters strike. 

Participants will learn how Extension professionals can facilitate cross-sector collaboration by bringing together local government officials, elected officials, housing authorities, community organizations, and residents to create a unique resilient housing plan. The session will demonstrate how the RHPG and workbook walk communities through vulnerability assessments, collective mapping, and the development of evidence-based and community-centered strategies addressing land use, building standards, and community engagement. 

Drawing from successful pilot implementations across Gulf Coast communities, this presentation highlights how Extension professionals can position their communities for post-disaster funding opportunities while addressing housing affordability, insurance costs, and social equity. The session emphasizes Extension's unique role in translating scientific building standards (such as FORTIFIED construction) into accessible community-level action. 

Attendees will leave with free, downloadable tools to integrate housing resilience into their community programming, demonstrating public value through proactive planning that reduces long-term recovery costs and strengthens community stability. 

Connecting Marginalized and Underserved Youth to Nature
(Jesse Davis, University of Illinois)
In today’s urbanized and digital world, youth—especially those from underserved communities—face a growing disconnect from nature, known as Nature-Deficit Disorder. This condition, coined by Richard Louv, is linked to attention difficulties, obesity, and emotional distress. Research shows that time in nature improves mental health, academic performance, and environmental stewardship, yet systemic barriers often limit access for urban youth. 

This presentation highlights how place-based environmental education in the Northern Chicago suburbs can counteract nature-deficit disorder and foster resilience. Programs emphasize hands-on experiences that build confidence and reduce learned fears of wildlife—such as snakes, spiders, and bats—often shaped by cultural narratives and lack of exposure. Studies confirm these fears are not innate; youth who connect with nature report lower fear levels and greater curiosity. 

Through interactive, locally grounded activities, educators can transform fear into fascination, creating a sense of belonging and stewardship. Attendees will gain practical strategies, success stories, and tools to design inclusive programs that promote equity, mental well-being, and environmental literacy. By reconnecting youth with nature, we empower them to lead healthier lives and become advocates for their communities and the environment. 

Cultivating Urban Farmers to Feed the Future 
(Diane Kerekanich, Augusta Locally Grown) 
As demand increased through our Food as Medicine programs and farmers markets, Augusta Locally Grown (ALG) realized that distribution would not solve food access alone; we needed more growers. An aging farmer base and limited infrastructure demanded the cultivation of a new generation of urban farmers. 

Feeding the Future, Strengthening Communities, and Improving Our Health: ALG’s comprehensive farmer business services has resulted in 40% increased farmer business capacity and doubled use of commercial kitchen. Our results-driven, innovative approach includes business/ag coaching, sales channel connection, nutrition education, etc., making farmers our foundation and guiding them from small backyard plots to market-ready production. Our evolution from borrowed spaces to a regional food hub and now a dedicated teaching farm reflects a strategic approach to building resilient urban food systems. 

Extension collaboration is essential to program implementation: soil testing, nutrition education, seed support, and hands-on ag training. This resource paired with mid-tier processing, commercial kitchen, and value-added production supports farmer viability and expanded local food access. By incubating the next generation, supporting robust local markets, and fostering community engagement, ALG strengthens both the urban food system and the health and economic well-being of our community. 

Extension in Action: Michigan 4-H’s Role in Community Violence and Crisis Response  
(Kea Norrell-Aitch, Michigan State University) 
The Michigan 4-H Children and Youth Institute (CYI) provides crisis-management support to youth, families, volunteers, and staff affected by community violence and natural disasters. While Michigan 4-H offers multiple forms of crisis assistance, these efforts are designed to complement, rather than replace, the work of local crisis-response agencies and community partners. The program’s primary goal is to strengthen resilience by serving as a secondary support system during and after crisis events. Through education on prevention, intervention, and post-vention strategies, CYI equips 4-H community members with practical tools to address the emotional, social, and environmental effects of traumatic incidents. This initiative advances Michigan 4-H’s commitment to promoting safe, informed, and resilient communities and highlights the role of Extension in preparing urban and rural youth-serving networks to navigate complex crises. 

Grassroots Solutions: Eradicating Food Apartheid through Community Conversations  
(Victoria Mulllins, Ohio State University) 
Can Post-It Notes help end food apartheid? Why yes, yes, they can! 

Food apartheid, the intentional divestment of large-scale grocers from communities with lower socio-economic status, has led to a significant portion of Hamilton County, Ohio (Cincinnati) becoming food deserts in the last 10-15 years. In 2024, Hamilton County Extension began hosting the annual Urban Food Systems Convening, a free community event which brings the five key sectors of the urban food system network together to brainstorm and design strategies that increase access to fresh and healthy food. By utilizing unique methods of needs analysis and conversation facilitation that drive engagement and partnership, Hamilton County Extension has shown that community-based asset development can be as valuable as formal research in our work. In this session attendees will learn how to think more creatively as they develop processes for activating communities and solving food access challenges. 

Health in Motion: Empowering Minds, Bodies, Communities Through Soul Line Dance  
(Nkenge Hyter, Alabama A&M University) 
Physical activity is a cornerstone of community health, yet many individuals struggle to meet daily movement recommendations in enjoyable, sustainable ways. This presentation introduces an interactive aerobic Soul Line Dance program designed to encourage regular physical activity while fostering social connection and cultural engagement. The program integrates rhythmic, easy-to-follow dance sequences that safely add an additional 3,000–6,000 steps toward the 10,000 steps recommended daily, making movement accessible and fun for participants of all ages. 

Beyond step count, Soul Line Dance supports balance, coordination, flexibility, and cognitive stimulation through memorized patterns and continuous body movement. Participants also experience significant stress relief, improved mood, and a sense of belonging, all of which contribute to better mental and emotional well-being. As a total-body workout, this program promotes cardiovascular health, muscular endurance, and functional fitness without requiring prior dance experience. 

This presentation also highlights how the Soul Line Dance program aligns with broader public health goals—strengthening communities, reducing health disparities, and supporting healthier lifestyles. By providing a culturally relevant, low-cost, and enjoyable form of physical activity, the program empowers families, older adults, and underserved populations to take charge of their health. Ultimately, this initiative demonstrates that movement-based community programs can be powerful tools for improving individual well-being while building stronger, more connected, and more resilient communities. 

Multi-institute collaboration with urban school district  
(David Lowenstein & Stathis Pauls, Michigan State University) 
MSU Extension staff often work across disciplines to support individuals and communities. This presentation highlights an example of collaboration across all 4 MSU Extension institutes to help a new partner, Center Line School District. The partner, located just north of Detroit, is a Title 1 school district that was redeveloping vacant space into an agricultural learning garden and forest center. The school superintendent sought Extension’s expertise to partner with their goals of teaching students water conservation, healthy eating, gardening, and environmental stewardship. In this presentation, we profile the assistance of 4-H, health and nutrition, consumer horticulture, and the MSU-Detroit Partnership for Learning and Innovation to Center Line schools. Volunteers and staff worked together to construct a rain garden, edible garden, and lessons on plant care for students. We discuss how to maximize collaboration between diverse Extension work teams and maintaining a partnership with an urban school district. 

Securing New Funding Partnerships: Lessons Learned  
(Jerry Braatz, University of Wisconsin-Madison) 
This presentation will teach how to develop new partnerships that result in securing new funding sources that help expand urban Extension programming. The presentation will share knowledge through several examples in urban communities.  A fund development process learned and constantly refined over a 30-year Extension career will be shared along with challenges that were overcome to secure funding and expand urban programming that resulted in reaching diverse audiences with impactful programs.  This presentation will specifically address the NUEL key priority areas of positioning Extension with an urban audience and how Extension in urban southeast Wisconsin collaborated to create partnerships to leverage resources for collective impact. 

Strengthening Communities by Supporting Families Across the Lifespan  
(Beatrice Harris, Tennessee State University) 
The presentation provides a quick overview of the newly developed curriculum for identifying developmental milestones in children and issues across the lifespan, from conception to end of life.  Participants can use the curriculum to help individuals prepare for challenges at each stage of life, improve family relationships, and assist parents in gaining skills to help youth grow and develop.  The presentation will briefly focus on why it is important to know how children/youth develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively to help the strengthen communities.  The presentation will also discuss ways in which the curriculum can be used as a supplement to already developed curriculum with hands on activities to do with families. 

The Partnership Playbook: Strategies for Effective Collaboration with Community Partners  
(Kellie Kieren, Michigan State University) 
Effective collaboration is essential for addressing the complex needs of urban communities, yet many Extension professionals lack a clear framework for building and sustaining strong partnerships. This session introduces the Partnership Playbook, a practical guide developed by Michigan State University Extension to support intentional, equitable, and results-driven collaboration. Participants will explore strategies for identifying and engaging the right partners, establishing shared goals that reflect community priorities, and strengthening trust and communication across diverse organizations. The session will also highlight tools for evaluating partnership effectiveness and incorporating continuous improvement into collaborative work. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, attendees will gain actionable approaches they can apply within urban Extension contexts to deepen impact, expand capacity, and support youth and community development more effectively. This presentation equips urban Extension leaders with a replicable framework they can use to foster meaningful relationships and create sustainable, community-centered change. 

Thread to Tote: Sewing Workshop for Feed Bag Creation  
(Sheri Trent, University of Florida) 
Sewing holds deep cultural and historical significance for Seminole Tribe of Florida families. To build on these traditions while promoting sustainability, creativity, and practical life skills, a sewing initiative was introduced that repurposes leftover animal food bags into durable tote bags. This program provides youth with hands-on learning experiences that encourage responsibility, environmental stewardship, and valuable skill development.  Members learned basic sewing and design skills, environmental awareness through upcycling, and creativity and confidence by creating a unique and useful product to take home. Instruction included machine sewing basics, safety protocols, and design customization. The program incorporated peer mentoring and adult volunteer support. Over 30 youth participated in the program, producing more than 40 tote bags. Participants reported increased confidence in sewing skills, a greater understanding of recycling and sustainability, and pride in their finished products. Feedback from parents and community members was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the program’s educational impact.  The 4-H feed bag tote project successfully combined environmental education and cultural practices with real-world skill-building in a fun, engaging format. It demonstrated the value of integrating sustainability into youth development programs and provided a replicable model for other counties seeking to blend agriculture, art, and life skills education. 

Volunteer recruitment to expand gardening outreach and assistance  
(David Lowenstein & Barslund Judd, Michigan State University) 
MSU’s Lawn and Garden Hotline and Ask Extension provide Michiganders with answers to issues related to trees, lawns, flowers, insect pests, and more. The consumer horticulture team is responsible for all plant-related education and outreach and handles over 6000 plant-related inquiries annually on Hotline and Ask Extension. This is only possible due to a team of trained Extension Master Gardener volunteers. This presentation highlights the Diagnostic Academy, our multi-day training that equips volunteers with the tools to assist urban and suburban gardeners. We discuss effective training strategies and ongoing professional development to maintain volunteers. This presentation highlights the personalized training efforts to expand staff capacity in gardening education and work with a broad range of individuals. By shifting this program to a hybrid format, we increased the number of individuals who completed training and onboarded as volunteers. These volunteers aid gardeners who grow food and flowers for themselves and their communities and provide the information to make environmentally responsible decisions. 

Leading Edge Dialogs on HOT TOPICS!

The Power of Facilitation: Driving Collaboration in Urban Communities  
(Linda Seals, University of Florida) 
Urban communities face complex challenges that require resilience, collaboration, and inclusive dialogue. The Facilitation in Practice (FIP) program equips Extension educators, community leaders, and municipal staff to lead conversations that turn uncertainty into opportunity. Delivered as a one-day interactive workshop, FIP combines lectures, group activities, and hands-on practice to build strategies for consensus building, decision-making, and conflict management—skills essential for guiding diverse stakeholders toward shared solutions.

From 2022 to 2025, FIP trained 241 participants, resulting in a 79% increase in knowledge and a 66% increase in facilitation skills, with participants reporting 792 new competencies. In a one-year follow-up survey, 73% said the training significantly improved their ability to facilitate, and 73% observed positive changes in the teams they work with. These outcomes highlight the program’s role in strengthening collaborative capacity and relationships that drive positive change. 

Urban Extension professionals and local leaders face constant pressure to help communities address rapidly evolving challenges. Building core competencies in guiding groups through decision-making, consensus building, and conflict management is more critical than ever. Join this session to discover how facilitation skills can strengthen both your personal and professional skills, empowering you to help local communities thrive. 

Trends in Urban Agriculture; Reports from the Field  
(Jaqueline Kowalski, University of Connecticut, Margaret Rivera, Ohio State University, and Joshua Arnold, University of Massachusetts Amherst) 
Urban agriculture has grown in many ways over the last ten years. Much of this growth has been driven by increased federal support of urban agriculture and innovative production. Nationally, Extension also invested significant resources to provide support to increasing urban food production. As the federal agenda may be shifting, resources available to urban farmers may shift and, in some cases, already have. Additionally, urban growers continue to face challenges such as land access, pest management, farm viability, etc. This panel presentation will feature Extension educators and researchers who specialize in urban food production. They will discuss their observations and feedback from urban agriculture communities, as well as the emerging opportunities to support urban growers. Audience participation is welcome and encouraged. 

Posters and Lightning Talks 

LIGHTNING TALK - Farm Business Management and Networking Opportunities for Urban Farmers in New Jersey
(Claudia Urdanivia, Rutgers University) 
To address a need for educational opportunities in farm business management, Agricultural agents from Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) developed “Networks to Reduce Risk: Annie’s Project Builds Viable Farms in Urban and Rural NJ,” a program funded by Northeast Extension Risk Management Education. The Networks to Reduce Risk program strongly aligns with NUEL’s focus area of Feeding the Future (local food systems and networks) by coupling in-person networking opportunities between urban and rural growers with an interactive, online Annie’s Project 101 course. Building off best practices to support peer networks and mentorship among farmers, the program intentionally fostered networking between rural and urban growers, along with next generation farmers. The program addressed traditional farm business management issues along with challenges such as land access and land tenure that are further compounded for urban growers and those entering the industry non-traditionally. This past winter and spring, the program hosted 36 participants on field trips to an urban food hub focused on small-scale aggregation and distribution and Rutgers Food Innovation Center focused on farm-based, value-added products. The Annie’s Project 101 Course engaged 34 participants in farm business management concepts through participatory modalities with resources shared on an online learning platform. 

LIGHTNING TALK - Work Well: A Scalable Digital Intervention for Workplace Health Promotion  
(Delma Yorimoto, Rutgers University) 
Chronic disease rates in New Jersey are rising, with nearly 30% of adults living with obesity, over 10% diagnosed with diabetes, and 7.5% managing three or more chronic conditions—underscoring a significant public health challenge (New Jersey Department of Health, 2024; CDC, 2024). Low-wage workers are disproportionately affected due to barriers to preventive care and wellness resources. Workplace wellness programs delivered online can have shown success in increasing knowledge of workplace wellness (Blake & Gartshore, 2016) 

Work Well is a 12-week, evidence-based intervention designed to improve health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among employees. Delivered via weekly email, the program offers culturally responsive modules on nutrition, physical activity, and stress management. Pre- and post-program assessments measure changes in health literacy and self-efficacy. Digital interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in improving mental health and physical activity, providing scalable, cost-efficient solutions. 

Preliminary findings show positive shifts in health behaviours and mental well-being, consistent with evidence that workplace wellness programs enhance engagement and reduce chronic disease risk. Work Well offers a replicable model to address health disparities while supporting organizational goals for productivity and resilience. 

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 - RU Ready to Farm - Urban Grower Training Workshops
(Meredith Taylor, Rutgers University) 
Urban agriculture in New Jersey is emerging as a significant source of affordable fresh food in underserved communities without access to grocery stores, and numerous grassroots organizations utilize urban agriculture as a strategy for addressing a variety of social, environmental, and economic challenges in disadvantaged communities. Phase One assessment data collected found urban growers across the state desired in-depth training opportunities and greater accessibility to educational resources. Extension faculty and staff responded by broadening the scope of Rutgers’ signature farmer training program, RU Ready to Farm, to include content tailored to the needs of urban gardeners and farmers. Our Phase Two implementation of these introductory workshops will expand technical knowledge and production capacities of urban growers in the areas of urban soil and water resource management, food safety, and IPM. The ‘hybrid’ mode of instruction maximizes opportunities for statewide participation with rigorous qualitative and quantitative evaluation protocols to ensure the program meets its educational goals and supports grower success. Evaluation data will be collected and used to refine instructional materials, expand workshop offerings, and improve the overall learning experience. 

POSTER - Summer Camps as a Tool to Inspire Youth to Pursue Ag Careers
(Cynthia Pierfax, Prairie View A&M University) 
This study examines how culturally relevant, STEM-based summer camps can influence minority youths’ perceptions of agriculture and inspire interest in agricultural careers. Through a case study of the Junior Youth Leadership Lab (Jr. YLL), nine participants engaged in a virtual, food science–focused curriculum intentionally designed for underrepresented youth. The program emphasized mentorship from minority agricultural professionals and integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts within agriculture. Analysis of participant feedback revealed a clear shift in how youth viewed the field—from traditional ideas of farming to an expanded understanding of agriculture as a science-driven, innovative discipline. Participants demonstrated increased confidence, competence, and a stronger sense of belonging in STEM-related spaces. Mentorship and representation emerged as key motivators that enhanced engagement and sustained interest in agricultural careers. These findings highlight the importance of intentional, culturally responsive approaches in 4-H and Extension education to increase minority participation in food, agriculture, natural resources, and related fields. 

POSTER - Youth, Gardens, and Learning: Inside Farm to Feast   
(Jenna Jones, University of Maryland) 
Farm to Feast is a six-week 4-H program that immerses youth from nearby urban neighborhoods in the full cycle of growing, harvesting, and preparing food. Using a rotating two-site model, the University of Maryland’s Community Learning Garden and the campus food pantry teaching kitchen, participants explore the garden ecosystem through hands-on tasks while learning how food systems operate within urban communities. The program integrates experiential activities, short skill-building modules, and guided reflection. Youth plant and maintain crops, explore pollinators through a small hive, and investigate tree and plant science, then connect these experiences to pantry-based lessons on sourcing, nutrition, and food security. Early outcomes include increased confidence in plant identification, improved teamwork, and a deeper understanding of how food moves through city environments. 

Each week, youth bring their harvest to the UMD Pantry, where nutrition educators, including EFNEP partners, guide them in preparing simple, healthy dishes using ingredients they helped grow. Participants receive custom recipe cards, try new foods, and build practical cooking skills. 

The program concludes with a youth showcase where participants present their learning and receive certificates of completion. This session will highlight the program structure, partnership model, and curriculum tools to support adaptation in diverse school and community garden settings. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 9:10 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. 

Educational Presentations, Panels, Posters, and Lightning Talks

An Innovative Extension Model for Training Urban Landscape Workforces  
(Deryn Davidson, Colorado State University) 
Across the country, Extension professionals are being called on to help communities navigate rapidly evolving challenges in urban landscapes, from tighter water regulations and intensifying climate impacts to declining biodiversity and shifting public expectations for sustainable green spaces. Over the past four years, Colorado State University Extension has developed an innovative, city-embedded training program that equips municipal parks and public landscape staff with the knowledge and skills needed to meet these challenges head-on. This session will share how the program was conceived, built, and delivered in close collaboration with multiple Colorado municipalities, and how Extension’s unique position as a trusted, research-based educator makes this model both scalable and replicable. 

Participants will explore how Extension can partner with city agencies to elevate horticultural literacy, support workforce development, and create pathways toward more resilient, ecologically sound urban landscapes. The presentation will highlight curriculum design, relationship-building strategies, lessons learned, and surprising benefits for both city staff and Extension educators—including new program revenue, expanded visibility, and deeper community impact. Attendees will leave inspired by what’s possible when Extension steps into a convening, co-designing, problem-solving role with municipal partners—and ready to spark similar collaborations in their own urban communities.

Beyond Free Lunch: Tackling Stigma in School Meal Programs 
(Ricardo Kairios, Rutgers University) 
School meal programs are vital for addressing food insecurity, yet stigma and bias often limit participation and impact, especially in urban communities. This presentation shares findings from a statewide study examining how perceptions of “free” or “reduced-price” meals intersect with cultural identity, socioeconomic status, and systemic inequities. Using frameworks of othering, intersectionality, and the social ecological model, the session highlights barriers families face and their implications for health equity. 

Attendees will learn practical strategies to reduce stigma among school staff, caregivers, and students, and reframe school meals as a respected component of community health. The session emphasizes actionable approaches for Extension professionals working in urban settings, including culturally responsive communication, policy advocacy, and partnership development. By addressing bias and promoting inclusive practices, Extension can strengthen food security initiatives and advance equity-driven outcomes in schools and communities. 

Building a Sustainable Urban Workforce Through FFL Professional Training  
(Marc Celestin, University of Florida) 
Urban communities across Florida increasingly rely on a skilled green-industry workforce to address challenges related to water quality, stormwater management, and sustainable landscape practices. UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) delivers three statewide professional training programs—GI-BMP, GSI, and FFLCP—that directly expand urban workforce capacity, improve environmental outcomes, and promote economic mobility. 

The GI-BMP Program, Florida’s mandatory fertilizer-applicator training, has certified over 90,000 professionals. Through the Florida Inmate Workforce Initiative (FIWI), the program also provides incarcerated individuals with marketable skills, delivering 46 classes, 821 certification exams, and a 92% passing rate that strengthens re-entry employment pathways and reduces recidivism. The FFL Certified Professional (FFLCP) Program is rapidly growing as counties, municipalities, and landscape companies increasingly incentivize certification—some offering wage increases for employees who complete the program. Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) training builds technical capacity for designing and maintaining nature-based systems that support resilient, climate-ready urban environments. 

Together, these programs demonstrate a scalable Extension-led framework that meets NUEL priority areas by integrating workforce development, environmental stewardship, equitable access, and urban systems resilience. This presentation will highlight training methods, outcomes, and implementation strategies that position FFL programs as models for urban Extension innovation

Building Food Security: Evaluation of an Urban Community Garden Model  
(Mack Lessig, University of Florida) 
The Manatee County Community Gardens Program was established in 2015 as a collaborative effort involving UF/IFAS Extension, Manatee County Government, and the Manatee County Department of Health. Its primary objective was to deploy a practical solution addressing prevalent food desert communities within the county. This necessitated the creation of a specialized program coordinator position dedicated to building out the initiative. 

Over the years, the program has been strategically developed through intensive public outreach, the formation of robust cross-sector partnerships, and consistent community engagement. Implemented and run by Extension staff, the program delivers essential services, including hands-on education, practical workshops, and expert advice to participants on effective vegetable and fruit production techniques. 

The model's success is rooted in the combination of engaged public participation, strong leadership provided by IFAS staff, and sustained support from County Administration and the Health Department. Program evaluation is continuous, culminating in an end-of-season survey that systematically measures participant learning outcomes, monitors the adoption of new beneficial behaviors, and gathers constructive feedback for future improvements. This replicable, solid approach has proven highly successful, leading to the program's expansion from its initial site to two operational county gardens, with two more projected to come online soon, and adoption by several outside entities. 

Building Food Security Through Urban Gardening in Newark’s Hope Village  
(Veronica Jones. Rutgers University) 
Newark, New Jersey, faces persistent food insecurity, worsened by COVID-19 and compounded by other social determinants of health, such as homelessness. Newark’s Hope Village, a low-barrier transitional housing complex, addresses these challenges through an innovative Housing First model combined with food access strategies. Rutgers Cooperative Extension partnered with local organizations to create a greenhouse and community garden within the transitional housing site, offering hands-on gardening and nutrition education to residents and neighbors. Using pre- and post-surveys, we measured knowledge gains in topics such as greenhouse growing, soil management, and healthy eating. Results show significant improvement: participants progressed from minimal knowledge to intermediate or advanced levels across all topics. Testimonials reveal increased confidence in growing food and adopting healthier diets. This initiative demonstrates how urban Extension can integrate placemaking, education, and food systems innovation to empower historically marginalized populations and transform food desert communities. Attendees will learn replicable strategies for combining housing and food security interventions to build resilient urban neighborhoods. 

Developing an Adaptive Urban Workforce: Competencies for Extension Success  
(Joshua Campbell, Oklahoma State University) 
Urbanization continues to reshape the audiences and expectations of the Cooperative Extension System, requiring a workforce prepared to operate effectively in complex metropolitan environments. Guided by the Four Ps of Urban Extension—Positioning, Programs, Personnel, and Partnerships—this national, three-part study examined the competencies, training needs, and lived experiences of urban Extension professionals. Study 1 employed a modified Delphi process with Extension administrators from 30 states to identify future challenges and the attitudes, skills, and knowledge most critical for urban success. Study 2 used the Borich needs assessment model with urban-serving professionals nationwide to determine priority gaps in workforce preparation and areas requiring targeted training. Study 3 conducted semi-structured interviews with professionals from 18 states to explore their perspectives on navigating the realities of urban Extension work. Across all studies, findings highlight persistent challenges related to staffing, organizational alignment, and community engagement, alongside a growing need for adaptability, cultural competence, systems thinking, and partnership-driven leadership. Collectively, this research offers actionable insights for strengthening Extension’s urban workforce and provides a roadmap for how Extension systems can more intentionally prepare, support, and retain personnel positioned to innovate and lead in diverse urban contexts. 

Frazzled to Focused: Quick Tools to Beat Burnout  
(Constance Willis, University of Illinois) 
Ever feel like you’re running on empty, juggling work deadlines, family demands, and everything in between? You’re not alone—and small, smart tweaks can make a huge difference. Inspired by Christina Maslach’s research, this interactive session dives into burnout as a mismatch between people and their environments, showing how blurred boundaries and constant pressures zap energy, focus, and motivation. 

We’ll kick off with Workload–Values Mapping, a hands-on exercise to uncover your personal stress hotspots and discover where tiny shifts can bring big relief. Then, it’s time for the Quick Reset Challenge, a lively, hands-on mini-lab where you’ll try fun, research-backed micro-strategies—1-minute mindful breathing, silly desk stretches, quick gratitude boosts, and mini reflection prompts—to instantly lift energy and mood. Walk away with practical tools you can actually use, plus renewed confidence to protect your focus, reduce stress, and feel more in control. This isn’t just another talk—it’s an energizing, interactive session that proves burnout isn’t inevitable. With a few simple moves, you can reclaim your energy, recharge your day, and even sprinkle a little fun into your Extension life. 

From Food Access to Agency: Empowering Underserved Residents Through Urban Agriculture in Springfield, Illinois  
(Joseph Malual, University of Illinois, & Yves Doumen & Isaiha Thomas, Motherland Gardens C.P. ) 
Food insecurity and unequal access to healthy, culturally relevant food remain persistent challenges for historically underserved urban communities. These inequities are rooted not simply in individual circumstances but in long-term patterns of disinvestment, including racialized land use and resource deprivation. Urban agriculture offers a pathway to address these structural barriers by enabling residents to access land, grow their own food, and reclaim agency over land and food production. 

Traditional responses to addressing food insecurity in urban settings have relied on supply-side approaches which includes growing and distributing food to communities without involvement them in planning and decision making. These approaches are often unsustainable and can undermine people’s capacity while perpetuating attitudes of dependency. In disinvested neighborhoods, urban agriculture can contribute not only to increased access to healthy food but also to meeting broader community needs, including strengthening social networks and building collective power for long-term change. For urban agriculture to advance equity, it must be genuinely community-driven and participatory. Projects that overlook community knowledge or fail to build trust often fall short of their goals and may unintentionally reproduce the inequities they seek to solve. 

In this presentation, we will share how a culturally competent partnership between the University of Illinois Extension and a community-based nonprofit organization, the Motherland Community Project in Springfield, has reignited community power and built capacity for underserved and BIPOC communities to reclaim their rights to land and food production through trust-building and restored relationships. The Motherland Community Project addresses disparities in access to healthy food by engaging residents in urban agriculture, food entrepreneurship, youth leadership, and environmental stewardship. We will highlight the organization’s achievements, the frameworks guiding its community engagement, and approaches for addressing the root causes of food injustice while empowering communities. During the presentation, participants will learn community development frameworks and engage in hands-on activities to support the development of community-driven urban food systems from a food justice perspective. 

Go Green! Urban Extension Partnership Programs Foster Connection to Nature  
(Julie Crick, Michigan State University) 
Michigan State University Extension offers two statewide educational programs for adults interested in learning about natural resources and connecting to nature:?the Michigan Conservation? Stewards Program (CSP) and Michigan Naturalist Program (MNP). They are similar, yet complimentary in content and purpose.???  

Michigan Naturalist Program focuses on vocabulary and basic identification of landforms, climate,? Flora? And fauna with a focus on spatial ecology and the use of backyard natural areas to provide habitat islands and corridors for wildlife. Participants complete a conservation plan for their land or personal space and are encouraged to share learned concepts with their local communities.   

The Conservation Stewards Program introduces participants to the foundations of conservation, Michigan’s natural communities, and ecosystem management. Participants complete a capstone project that contributes to local stewardship efforts on public lands and continue to contribute to their conservation networks.  

Both programs, administered by a dedicated group of partner organizations, showcase the benefits of extension partnerships in urban areas. By working with partners, the programs protect (and improve) local urban environments through synergy among participants and local stakeholders. The resulting public and private thriving green spaces in urban areas provide benefits to all. 

Innovative Urban Agriculture Micro-grant Program in Cook County, Illinois  
(Jesse Schaffer, University of Illinois) 
Urban farmers and producers have historically been unable to access USDA programs, notably FSA and NRCS offerings and services. Beginning urban farmers, under-resourced producers in urban areas, and metropolitan food entrepreneurs may not know about the complement of federal assistance programs. To increase food production opportunities and supply chain resiliency in Cook County’s (i.e., Chicago) urban food systems, University of Illinois Extension is piloting an Innovative Agriculture Micro-grant program called IAM-Chi, funded by USDA-FSA. Through IAM-Chi, Illinois Extension seeks to increase the capacity of urban agriculture producers, the numbers of producers accessing and utilizing tools, resources, and technical assistance through USDA programs and services, and the representation of a variety of farmers serving on the urban county committee. This project applies a community-based participatory design, coupled with a direct Extension education model supported by the IAM-Chi micro-grant program. Characteristics of the 29 projects funded to date, ranging from solar-powered wash pack stations to controlled environment growing for commercial production and biosecurity, will be shared. Successes and challenges facing awardees, evaluation results demonstrating increased USDA engagement by urban growers, and collaboration efforts among Illinois Extension and federal colleagues located in Chicago field offices will be discussed. 

Lessons Learned from Senior Center Pop-up Farmers’ Markets Pilot Project  
(Kelly McClelland Horton, Michigan State University) 
In 2025, Michigan State University Extension staff from the Health and Nutrition and Community, Food, and Environment Institutes supported a pilot project of pop-up farmers’ markets at senior centers in Genesee County, MI. These pop-up markets increased access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for senior center participants and accepted Senior Project Fresh, SNAP, and WIC Produce Connection food access programs. This presentation will share the resources used and created in this pilot project, lessons learned, and a new toolkit that can be used by extension professionals interested in supporting pop-up farmers’ markets as strategy for increasing food access in their community. 

Perceptions, Barriers, and Behaviors: Applying Protection Motivation Theory to Urban Soil Contamination  
(Nathan Shoaf, Purdue University) 
Urban agriculture strengthens Indiana’s food system by improving food access, offering education, and revitalizing neighborhoods. Yet urban growers face distinct contamination risks linked to industrial legacy. This research examines how Indiana urban farmers understand and respond to soil contamination using Protection Motivation Theory. Using a mixed methods research approach, this study assessed farmers’ threat perceptions, response efficacy, and protective behaviors. Although most participants recognized contamination risks, especially heavy metals, few regularly tested their soils. Analysis showed that awareness alone did not lead to action; perceived costs, limited resources, and uncertainty were more influential than perceived severity in predicting testing behaviors. Farmers described barriers such as negative prior testing experiences, limited access to trusted services, and worries about regulatory consequences. Many adopted adaptive practices like raised beds, compost use, and reduced soil contact, though these may not fully address underlying hazards. This intention–action gap indicates a need to strengthen both response efficacy and self-efficacy through accessible support. By integrating soil health considerations with behavioral theory, this research provides insight into how growers make management decisions. Findings can guide Extension programming to improve soil test interpretation, reduce barriers to protective action, and develop culturally responsive resources that support safer food production. 

Pollinator Programming in Illinois  
(Ryan Pankau, University of Illinois) 
Within Illinois urban communities, there is a distinct lack of native plant diversity and wildlife habitat.  In addition, the consequential decline of pollinators has become increasingly evident, with habitat loss topping the list of impacts.  While there remains ample opportunity for inclusion of high-quality pollinator habitat in urban landscapes as well as increasing public interest, Illinois residents consistently ask for support in this initiative. 

This presentation will cover 3 initiatives that combine educational outreach, digital assets and hands-on learning to assist Illinois residents in adapting or creating new pollinator gardens.  Development, lessons learned, and implementation tips will be covered to help others create similar programming in their state.   

The Pollinator Pockets program is a garden registry project that equips homeowners with information about planting pollinator habitat and allows participants to register new or existing gardens.  In support of this program and others, Illinois Extension developed the Illinois Pollinators website, which is a unique digital resource focused on pollinator garden design.  In recent years, Illinois Extension staff has developed in-person and online Native Landscape Design Workshops using the Illinois Pollinators website as a tool to assist homeowners in effective Pollinator Pocket design. 

Porch Talk - A Men's Health Discussion  
(James Keys, Central State University) 
The Men's Health Discussion is essential because men often face unique health challenges that go unaddressed due to stigma, lack of awareness, or limited access to resources.  Many men are less likely to seek medical attention to see medical care, discuss mental health, or prioritize preventive screenings leading to higher rates of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and prostate cancer.  By creating a dedicated space for open conversations, education, and support, this discussion empowers men to take charge of their well-being. 

We introduced Porch Talk - A Men's Health Discussion during in June (Men's Health Month) We held in-person weekly meetings with a different topic each week covering the top men's health issues.  We had medical doctors, Mental Health specialist, Diabetes specialist, and educators presenting to the men.  After the 4 sessions, the surveys overwhelmingly showed that the sessions were helpful.  We continued the sessions but moved to a monthly format in person them virtual for November and December. 

Virtual Symposium Advances Knowledge in the Emerging Cut Flower Industry  
(Gabrielle LaTora, University of Georgia) 
Small-scale cut flower production is an emerging agricultural sector that strengthens local food systems by diversifying markets. Georgia is home to more than 60 cut flower farms, yet UGA Extension has limited guidance for these growers. To address this need, Extension staff, university researchers, and community partners, including the Georgia Green Industry Association and the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, launched the first Southeast Cut Flower Growers Virtual Symposium in July 2025. Designed for urban, suburban, and peri-urban audiences, this virtual field day featured researchers, Extension specialists, and growers sharing strategies on variety trials, pest and disease management, marketing, and production approaches suited to diversified operations. Interactive breakout rooms supported peer learning and highlighted urban–rural interdependencies in supply chains, market access, and resource use. The event engaged 152 participants from 15 U.S. states and three countries, including growers, Extension educators, and Master Gardeners. Eighty-three percent of surveyed attendees reported increased knowledge, and many planned to adopt practices such as proactive pest management, crop rotation, and improved marketing. Several Extension educators noted expanded capacity to support clientele exploring cut flower production. Organizers plan a 2026 program with additional farm tours and networking to deepen partnerships in this emerging sector. 

Leading Edge Dialogs on HOT TOPICS! 

Beyond Ready: CHISPA 4-H Pathways to Belonging and Cultural Connection  
(Catherine Slayton, Noah Cadrew, & Aurora Patricia Monterrosa Castillo, Michigan State University ) 
Chispa 4-H empowers culturally distinct communities by equipping youth and families with resources, learning opportunities, and tools that strengthen educational success while fostering inclusion and celebrating cultural identity. The word Chispa means “Spark,” symbolizing the program’s role in igniting inspiration, connection, and opportunity in all communities. The program creates pathways for diverse communities to achieve belonging and connection through family-centered, multilingual programming tailored to their unique needs across several counties. This interactive session will invite participants to reflect on their own practices, share strategies for engaging culturally distinct communities, and collaboratively explore how multilingual delivery, family involvement, and school partnerships can be adapted across diverse contexts through an interactive approach, using small-group dialogue and hands-on activities. The session aims to deepen understanding and generate actionable ideas for advancing cultural connection and educational success in youth development. 

Panels

Leading Neglected Cemetery Transformation through Natural Area and Community Restoration  
(Matthew Orwat, Texas A&M University, Julie Fineman, Constellation of Living Memorials Leader & Corrine Breeding) 
The Constellation of Living Memorials (CLM), launched in November 2023 by Friends of the Warren Ferris Cemetery, represents a pioneering urban ecology initiative in Dallas County, Texas. This project transforms neglected historic cemeteries-estimated at 15,000 statewide-into vibrant native prairie habitats that honor the deceased while fostering biodiversity and community resilience. By promoting Texas Blackland Prairie flora at sites like Oakland, Western Heights and Carver cemeteries, CLM endeavors to mitigate urban heat islands, create wildlife migration corridors, and combat invasive species, while addressing Dallas's severe heat index issue. 

Central to this effort is their emerging partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, integrating Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, 4-H, and Master Wellness programs. One example at Carver Cemetery, the CLM 4-H SPIN Club engages youth aged 5-18 in beekeeping and entomology education and native habitat stewardship, promoting inter-generational learning and wellness. The first ever worldwide Constellation of Living Memorials-AgriLife Partnership Symposium showcased this effort in Dallas County to over 75 attendees, who demonstrated increased knowledge in pollinator habitat conservation and willingness to adopt CLM principles. 

As Dallas City Council Member Paula Blackmon notes, CLM creates "public open space...preserving our rich history." This replicable framework promises statewide expansion, blending preservation with ecological restoration for sustainable urban futures. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 10:20 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. 

Educational Presentations, Panels, Posters, and Lightning Talks 

Advancing Language Equity in Urban Extension: The University of Georgia SPEC Spanish Professional Extension Committee  
(Rolando Orellana, University of Georgia)  
The proposed program highlights efforts from the Spanish Professional Extension Committee (SPEC) at the University of Georgia. SPEC is a multi-program group of Extension specialists and agents in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Family and Consumer Sciences convened to increase culturally responsive Spanish-language Extension programming for Georgia’s Hispanic/Latino population, which is now over 1.1 million strong and a vital part of Georgia’s workforce and economy. The group collaborates to assess needs, translate and adapt evidence-based materials, and create new Extension resources for Spanish-speaking audiences in urban and peri-urban Georgia. 

The presentation will include background on SPEC’s formation, membership, and process for conducting needs assessment, topic prioritization, and co-creation of Spanish-language printed and digital materials to ensure language and access are not barriers to UGA Extension resources. The proposal also covers the internal in-service trainings SPEC has developed for UGA Extension staff in cultural competency and awareness of language variation among Spanish-speakers in different regions of Georgia; participants gain information about differences between countries of origin and within Hispanic/Latino populations to improve their service to clients. Attendees of this conference session will learn about a replicable framework, tool examples, and ideas for professional development to build a similar committee in their states. 

Bridges Toward Better.. Enhancing Your Cultural Awareness & Responsiveness  
(Alexa McCoy, University of Illinois)  
Bridges Toward Better is an evidence-informed professional development program launched in Spring 2025 to enhance cultural awareness and responsiveness among educators and community-serving professionals. In an era where aspects of culture—including race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality—are increasingly overlooked or minimized, this training emphasizes the research-backed importance of cultural acknowledgment, inclusion, and effective cross-cultural engagement. Grounded in adult learning theory and social-behavioral research, the two-hour interactive workshop guides participants through structured self-assessments of cultural identity and worldview, followed by activities designed to build empathy, recognize implicit bias, and strengthen perspective-taking skills. Post training survey data indicate strong demand and rapid expansion, with organizations across multiple sectors requesting the training. Aligned with key community development priorities, Bridges Toward Better supports stronger, more equitable, and culturally responsive communities. 

Building Teams That Click  
(Jeni Carter, Colorado State University) 
Extension offices nationwide are staffed by skilled professionals whose work takes them far beyond their desks; they are in and out of the office to site visits, school programs, outreach events, meetings, and more. This constant movement is essential to the Extension mission but can make it challenging to cultivate positive and cohesive teams.  Jefferson County, located within the Denver-Metro area of Colorado represents one of the largest county teams in the state with 13 full-time professionals, hundreds of volunteers and seasonal staff.  Over the past several years, the office has implemented intentional systems, shared practices, and clear accountability that has led to an increase in cross-program collaboration and team-dynamics. This presentation will highlight key strategies used to build and sustain a cohesive team.  Participants will be introduced to real examples of how structured offices can improve effectiveness and staff satisfaction.  Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on their own organizational dynamics and identify approaches they can adapt and apply within their home offices to foster more cohesive and connected teams. 

Dialogic Leadership for Navigating Complexity in Urban Extension 
(Rebecca Ackah, University of Georgia)  
Urban Extension professionals operate in complex adaptive environments where traditional, top-down leadership models often fall short. This individual presentation shares findings from an action research project in Georgia that used dialogic workshop design and complexity leadership principles to strengthen leadership capacity across urban counties. The initiative began with a facilitated session for an Action Research (AR) Team to surface system tensions, reflect on identity, and build shared understanding of the urban Extension landscape. In a second phase, AR Team members transitioned into peer facilitators, leading a workshop for colleagues and leaders that modelled emergent, distributed leadership in real time. 

Results show increased facilitation confidence, stronger cross-county relationships, and a shift toward collaborative sensemaking among urban agents. This session highlights how dialogic methods such as tension mapping, reflective questioning, and small-group generative conversations can be used to navigate issues related to personnel, partnerships, and urban positioning. Participants will leave with a practical facilitation tool and examples of how peer-led dialogic learning can elevate adaptive capacity, strengthen community-serving programs, and support the unique demands of urban Extension settings. 

Empowering Students to Combat Stigma: Art and Ambassadors for SNAP and Food Support Awareness  
(Cara Cuite, Rutgers University) 
College students experience disproportionately high rates of food insecurity, yet stigma often prevents them from accessing available resources such as SNAP. This presentation highlights two innovative peer-led initiatives implemented on two urban campuses to reduce stigma and increase resource utilization, one at a community college and the other large public university. Food Fuels Minds engaged students through art: narratives from food-insecure students inspired original works displayed in a campus-wide outreach campaign, which included art galleries, a special edition ‘zine, and events for students to engage with SNAP navigators. Evaluation showed that 70.2% of students engaged with the project; those who did were significantly more likely to seek SNAP information, empathize with peers (62.7%), and feel empowered to advocate for resources (57.1%). The Food Security Ambassador Program, currently in its first semester, trains students as paid, for-credit interns to deliver classroom presentations and collaborate with faculty to promote on-campus food resources. Anticipated outcomes include improved resource awareness and reduced food insecurity stigma. Both programs leverage peer influence and creative engagement to address food insecurity, health equity, and urban community engagement, offering scalable models for combating food insecurity in diverse urban settings. 

Growing Family STEM Identity in New Jersey’s Cities: Urban Extension Strategies from Jersey City to Atlantic City  
(Kendrin Dyitt & Rodrigo Sanchez Hernandez, Rutgers University) 
Family engagement is a powerful but underutilized driver of STEM identity development, particularly in urban communities where access to immersive STEM experiences can be limited. Research shows that parents and caregivers play a critical role in shaping youths’ perceptions of STEM, supporting persistence, and reinforcing a sense of belonging in STEM pathways. This presentation highlights how New Jersey’s urban Extension programs are leveraging family-centered strategies to cultivate STEM identity across generations. Drawing on evidence from family STEM identity literature, we showcase different approaches such as Science-Sensational Day, Computer Science Clubs, and Family Success Center partnerships that deliver culturally responsive STEM workshops for both youth and parents. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how whole-family engagement can deepen learning, strengthen social support networks, and empower families to see themselves as STEM-capable. Participants will learn practical models for designing inclusive, community-rooted STEM programs that honor family assets and broaden STEM participation as we have in New Jersey, from Jersey City to Atlantic City. 

Homegrown Hillsborough - Supporting food system success through leadership development  
(Monica Petrella, University of Florida)  
Food system efforts have the potential to positively impact the quality of life of a community and deserve support. However, food system work is often intersectional, dynamic, complex, and under-resourced. This means that an effective food system leader should have knowledge of and experience with a wide variety of topics and skill sets. Furthermore, food system efforts are often led by community champions and grassroots efforts, not a C-suite of business professionals, which can result in growing pains when it comes to strategic and succession planning. UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County is working to support these emerging leaders by developing a partner network through the creation of Homegrown Hillsborough. Homegrown Hillsborough is a peer-to-peer learning network with the mission to grow a strong food system and works to support local efforts through leadership and community development. The HH network utilizes an online, closed platform that is free to join but requires approval to enter. The innovative platform allows for members to share resources, events, and access a membership directory to connect with others. Starting in the summer of 2026, the online platform will also roll out online learning courses for members to access and utilize as needed. Topics will include skill development such as grant writing, event planning, and community organizing as well as theoretical foundations such as "what is a food hub?", Food Sovereignty 101, intro to urban planning and more. This presentation will review the process that initiated Homegrown Hillsborough, the unique partnership between UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County BOCC and a local non-profit, lessons learned along the way, the plan for future implementation to support food system efforts in Hillsborough County, Florida, and how other Extension office can adopt a similar strategy.. 

Impact of the Sustainable and Urban Agriculture Program at Virginia State University  
(Leonard Githinji, Virginia State University)  
Urban agriculture has been proposed as a mitigation strategy to minimize food insecurity by providing fresh produce to urban dwellers. Thus, Virginia State University's Sustainable and Urban Agriculture Program has invested in offering comprehensive extension education for Virginians to adopt sustainable urban agriculture practices. The program holistically addresses production, harvesting, marketing and distribution of vegetables and small fruits within the conceptual framework of sustainability and within an urban or suburban environment. The program provides educational programming in community and institutional gardening, urban farming, and container gardening. Outreach efforts include workshops, field days, on-farm demonstrations and hands-on training. A survey was conducted to gauge the program impact. The results showed that? 90% of respondents agreed that the program met their expectation; that instructor communicated clearly and offered quality instruction, including hands-on experience; 97% of the respondents indicated that their knowledge in urban agriculture increased after attending the program; 78% reported that they used the knowledge gained to either start their own urban agriculture operation or help someone else; 50% of the respondents reported making an income of over $100 from their urban agriculture operation following the training, with 27% reporting making an income of at least $10,000. 

Integrating and Elevating Youth Voice OST Programming  
(Leslie Quevedo, University of Wisconsin-Madison)  
In this presentation, attendees will learn about the value and impact of integrating and elevating youth voice into programming.  Using the Growing Connections program as an example, the presentation will provide a brief overview of the evolution of the program and demonstrate how youth voice was integrated into programming in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Attendees will walk away with specific methods that led to increased retention and engagement of youth in the Growing Connections program.  Attendees will also hear about the impact of the program directly from the youth (via recorded video)! 

4-H Textile Design and Engineering Programming:  "Sew" Much More!  
(Stephanie Thorson & Sophia Parker, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)  
The 4-H sewing programming incorporates textile arts with science and technology in order to encourage interest in STEM careers, increasing youth confidence, fine motor skills and critical thinking. The timeliness of this programming, coinciding with strong interest from youth wanting to learn to sew, a motivated volunteer base of older adults looking to help youth develop their passion for textile arts, and increasing demand for young professionals with STEM skills, has led to a very popular program. Our Douglas-Sarpy 4-H team has met the challenges of keeping up with high demand in a market where beginner sewing classes are limited and expensive by finding innovative ways to offer affordable, accessible, and tailored sewing experiences for youth, led by committed volunteers. Additionally, the 4-H sewing series has been a path to increase 4-H involvement with more youth from the Omaha metro area who are not familiar with 4-H, inviting them to participate in the 4-H fashion show and enter clothing exhibits in the county fair.   Not only have more than 120 youth participated in the 4-H sewing classes, but the volunteer support has also grown from 3 to 16 volunteers who have collectively contributed over 350 hours of sewing instruction. 

Leading with Purpose: A Template for Extension Unit Strategic Planning  
(Marie Ruemenapp, Michigan State University)  
Urban Extension units face increasing complexity, making it essential for leaders, staff teams, and stakeholders to have a clear, actionable roadmap for long-term success. This workshop introduces a practical, step-by-step planning approach—based on Michigan State University Extension’s Setting Group Goals for Growth (SG3) model—to help Extension managers work collaboratively with their teams to build meaningful, sustainable multi-year unit plans. 

Designed for urban Extension leadership seeking to lead with purpose and strengthen organizational cohesion, the session guides participants through strategies for convening staff, facilitating collaborative visioning, identifying shared priorities, and translating those priorities into strategic goals and milestones. 

The workshop highlights facilitation techniques, consensus-building methods, and planning tools that support the development of 5–7 strategic priorities tailored to the unique needs of urban Extension. Participants will also be introduced to a customizable planning template, methods for outlining multi-year goals and short-term actions, and approaches for aligning unit priorities with community needs and emerging urban challenges. 

Sharing Garden Wisdom - Mental, Physical & Spiritual growth  
(Teki Hunt & Audrey Long, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff)  
The GRACE (Gardening Reaching Adults, Children & Elders) Garden project at the State Street Good Earth Garden brings together individuals from diverse generations, backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels to collaborate to address various urban issues. This garden, located in a food desert, one block off Main Street in the micro-politan of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, is a teaching garden and meeting place where gardening best practices are shared, mental and physical health are improved, and youth and adults collaborate to combat food/nutrition insecurity, loneliness, and the intergenerational disconnect. Practices from hügelkultur to vermiculture, mental and spiritual health initiatives, such as mindfulness and yoga, and fireside chats are integral parts of this garden project. It is supported by UAPB Extension's 4-H and Small Farm programs, as well as community entities such as Flowers' Medical Clinic (located across from the garden), the area Boy Scouts, and local pantries.  

This session provides examples of integrating intentional mental health, physical exercise, and spiritual activities within urban garden spaces. Suggestions for reaching out to professionals in various wellness fields will be shared based on the experiences of the GRACE Gardening program. This community garden project strengthens our community by engaging youth and adults in feeding our future. 

Transformative food pantry programming in a post SNAP-ed landscape  
(Susie West, University of Minnesota)  
As communities face rising food insecurity, dignified food shelf (food pantry) experiences and consistent access to nutritious foods are critical. A research and practice informed PSE (policy, system, environment) approach, Super Shelf is now Minnesota’s public health standard in transforming food shelves through approaches that increase healthy food access while reducing stigma. Guided by a SNAP-Ed Super Shelf Consultant, food shelves undergo a year-long transformation process focused on operational and environmental changes. Between 2018 and 2025, a quarter of Minnesota’s food shelves adopted the Super Shelf model.  However, the demand for Super Shelf transformation outpaced our capacity and the elimination of SNAP-Ed funding further jeopardized Super Shelf. Thanks to Super Shelf’s well-established public value, the development of a yearlong Super Shelf cohort model was underway prior to SNAP-Ed cuts. In partnership with Hennepin County, eight urban food shelves are being trained to implement Super Shelf methods with limited Extension staff engagement. Experiential and social learning frameworks promote hands-on engagement with Super Shelf methods via site visits and tailored resources while showcasing peer wisdom from managers of current Super Shelves. Initial evaluation indicates this could be a novel approach for continuing SNAP-Ed PSE work, expanding staff capacity, uplifting the expertise of community leaders, and catalyzing partner relationships through shared work. 

Unfinished Work: Bridging the Gap Between West Virginia Land-Grant Institutions  
(Samantha Gilmore & Lisa Bell, West Virgina State University)  
This presentation examines collaborative strategies between West Virginia’s two land-grant institutions to enhance community engagement and youth enrichment across the state. Historically, the institutions have worked independently, limiting their ability to deliver consistent, high-impact programming—particularly in the face of persistent funding and resource challenges. This initiative proposes a unified, statewide framework that increases efficiency, expands access, and strengthens the reach of educational and community-based efforts. 

The session will showcase practical partnership models aligned with the National Framework for Cooperative Extension, including shared support systems for clubs and camps, jointly developed programming, and co-created training resources. These approaches demonstrate how leveraging complementary institutional strengths—such as research capacity, extension expertise, and local networks—can lead to sustainable and mutually beneficial collaborations. 

Ultimately, this work highlights the transformative potential of coordinated action among land-grant institutions. By redefining how resources are shared and partnerships maintained, West Virginia can better address funding constraints, support resilient communities, and offer enriched experiences for youth—ensuring that the land-grant mission continues to advance in a changing landscape. 

Where Art Meets Extension: Innovative Approaches to Engage Urban Audiences  
(Ondine Wells, University of Florida & Diane Wilson, Michigan State University)  
The arts offer Cooperative Extension powerful ways to engage urban audiences by creating unique entry points, building local identity, and inspiring learning. The Community Arts & Design Extension Network (CADEN) includes professionals from nine states (and growing) who integrate art and design into programs on environmental protection, youth engagement, placemaking, public health, participatory action, and the creative economy. CADEN members share tools and resources to help expand the use of the arts across Extension. 

Michigan ArtShare, a program of Michigan State University Extension, supports cross-community engagement through initiatives such as “Urban/Rural Conversation” and “Meet in the Street.” For more than a decade, these programs have designed arts and cultural opportunities that strengthen urban–rural networks, connect artists with new platforms, foster understanding across communities, and help cultivate a vibrant cultural environment across the state. 

At University of Florida/IFAS Extension, Creative Currents teaches Marion County residents how to protect local water resources through art activities delivered via public art walks, library events, and classes, reaching 534 participants in 2025. The gARTening program in Orange County connects residents to gardening and Extension services through hands-on art projects, reaching 663 residents since 2022. Examples from other CADEN members will be shared. 

Leading Edge Dialogs on HOT TOPICS! 

Extension’s Role with Justice-Involved Populations: Innovation, Partnerships, and Practice-Based Approaches   
(Caroline Everidge &Cora Hill, Purdue University)  
Justice-involved adults and youth are deeply connected to the health and stability of urban communities—yet they remain one of Extension’s most overlooked audiences. This Leading-Edge Dialogue will spotlight an innovative, practice-based model that positions Extension as a vital partner in jails, treatment courts, community recovery programs, and juvenile detention centers.  

The session will outline a practical, systems-driven methodology for engaging this population: trauma-informed facilitation; arts- and wellness-based activities; soft skills and workforce readiness; and relationship-centered educational design that functions effectively within secure, time-limited, and resource-constrained environments. The emphasis is on adaptability—how Extension’s core competencies can be reshaped to meet the realities of justice-involved settings without compromising safety, dignity, or program quality. 

After a brief framing presentation, participants will explore where justice-involved work fits within Extension’s urban mission, how partnerships can be built across sectors, and what opportunities exist for scaling similar efforts. The session invites bold thinkers to consider how Extension can expand its reach to populations that impact—and are impacted by—urban community wellbeing. 

Food Sovereignty: A Framework for Cross-Disciplinary Urban Extension  
(Dana Freeman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln & Marlin Bates & Tara Markley, Kansas State University)  
Recent crises—COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, federal nutrition benefit instability, and climate-driven extreme weather—have exposed critical vulnerabilities in urban food systems. To remain relevant and demonstrate community impact, Extension needs novel approaches that address these interconnected challenges. 

A food sovereignty framework, which emphasizes local democratic control over food systems, offers an innovative and cross-disciplinary approach to urban food system work. Building resilient food systems through the framework of food sovereignty requires collaboration across traditionally siloed Extension programs: horticulture specialists work with nutrition educators on culturally appropriate foods and agroecology; youth development builds intergenerational knowledge transfer; community development addresses land access and policy; environmental programs restore urban ecosystems. This integration demonstrates public value by building resilient local food networks that withstand supply chain disruptions while addressing systemic inequities and integrating NUEL priorities: strengthening communities, protecting the environment, improving health, enriching youth, and feeding the future. 

This session will introduce food sovereignty's framework, then facilitate collaborative dialogue where participants share existing projects, identify cross-disciplinary partnership opportunities, and problem-solve barriers to implementation in U.S. urban contexts. Participants will co-develop actionable strategies for applying food sovereignty principles across disciplines, documenting replicable approaches that demonstrate meaningful Extension impact in urban environments. 

Thursday, May 14, 2026, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. 

Educational Presentations, Panels, Posters, and Lightning Talks

Alabama Sheep & Goat Summit: Innovative Extension Strategies for Urban Food Systems and Youth Engagement  
(Felix Samuel, Clement Akotsen-Mensah & Jennifer Wells, Alabama A&M University)  
The Alabama Sheep & Goat Summit 2025 exemplifies innovative Extension strategies that strengthen urban and peri-urban food systems while engaging youth in small ruminant production. Hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System through Alabama A&M University, the Summit combined hands-on demonstrations, expert-led sessions, and youth-focused activities to improve livestock management, nutrition, and herd health. Field-based workshops provided participants with practical skills in parasite management, reproductive strategies, forage utilization, and value-added products, while youth sessions offered career exposure and experiential learning through 4-H mobile experiments. Survey data from 120 participants revealed significant knowledge gains across parasite control, reproductive management, grazing strategies, herd health, and value-added production, with 86% indicating immediate applicability to their operations and 100% affirming anticipated improvements in operational ROI. By integrating community partnerships, peer networking, and experiential education, the Summit demonstrates a scalable model for Extension programs that simultaneously address workforce development, sustainable local food production, and youth enrichment. This session will highlight program design, outcomes, and lessons learned, providing actionable strategies for Extension professionals seeking to engage diverse urban populations, build community capacity, and foster sustainable food systems through small ruminant agriculture. 

Facilitation as Catalyst for Urban Extension Impact: Rethinking Traditional Academic Roles  
(Jeantyl Norze , University of Arkansas, & Erick Killian, University of Nevada Reno) 
The traditional academic system often prioritizes research and subject-matter expertise, overlooking facilitation and convening roles critical for addressing complex urban challenges. This study examined hiring practices, role expectations, and perceived effectiveness of facilitation versus subject-matter expertise in urban Extension contexts. Data were collected through a national survey of Extension professionals (n?177), focusing on recruitment models, job requirements, and performance metrics. Results indicate that 60% of respondents believe the most effective urban Extension professional is a subject-matter expert who also serves as a facilitator, compared to only 6% favoring subject-matter expertise alone. Furthermore, 59% agreed that tenure and promotion systems undervalue facilitation work, while 53% emphasized the need for innovative, less traditional approaches to meet community needs. Respondents identified barriers such as rigid academic standards, centralized HR systems, and lack of flexibility in job descriptions. Recommendations include revising evaluation criteria to recognize facilitation, creating pipelines for diverse candidates, and adopting staffing models that prioritize relationship-building and community engagement. These findings align with NUEL priorities on diversity, equity, and innovative urban programming, highlighting facilitation as a catalyst for community change and enhanced Extension impact. 

Fostering water awareness and science literacy in tomorrow’s leaders  
(Julio Contreras, University of California) 
The 4-H Water Wizards Program in the SF Bay Area brought together partners, extension staff, and resources from multiple California counties to foster water, soil and science education for over 1,500 youth. Water Wizards, first developed in the Sacramento area, teaches hands-on science education through 11 water science sessions, a youth project, and a field trip. We implemented and further developed the program to reach the diverse audience of the SF Bay Area across three (3) counties, seven (7) cities/areas, and fourteen (14) sites. In order to more effectively engage students of color, often with Latinx background, we included themes for connections around family, culture and land as well as delivered the program in Spanish at one site. Youth gained knowledge of watersheds, water science, and water issues in their community. They directly used this knowledge and awareness to solve problems at their school and community through their youth designed service-learning project. We formed collaborative partnerships with sites that included stipends for staff and free field trips in order to ensure mutually beneficial delivery. Extension resources were leveraged and enhanced by developing a new field trip curriculum at UC ANR Elkus Ranch focused on sustainable agriculture and water. 

Growing Urban Farmers in SF Bay Area and Sacramento Communities  
(Joshua Garcia & Julio Contreras, University of California)  
The Civic Urban Farmer Program transformed the lives of new/beginning farmers and their communities by improving their knowledge and skills in urban ag and food systems. It combined 10 online zoom workshops with 2 dynamic in person farming hands on demonstrations and group discussions. This no-cost educational program was designed for culturally diverse and resilient agriculturalists who want to create vibrant and healthy food systems. Over 100 participants were reached in urban areas around Oakland and South Sacramento. They learned technical assistance in growing, harvesting, handling, and marketing specialty crops to increase food production, food availability, land access, and land tenure. This collaboration was led by UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security and UC Cooperative Extension. UC staff effectively translated best practices and research into practical skills and tools that participants can use by inviting experts, scientists and community leaders to train participants. Pre and Post assessments surveys were received for all workshops and events that produced rich data that is in the final stages of being evaluated. Participants shared that they greatly benefited from the space the program created for urban farm networking, sharing cultural practices for food growing, and amplifying local voices and perspectives. 

Norris Square Community Profile: A Process for Community Engagement, Capacity Building, and Equitable Development  
(Chrisy Schmidt, Pennsylvania State University)  
This session will engage participants with a framework for advancing equitable development and trust building with urban communities through a model process that emphasizes the importance of community participation and capacity building in spaces/places where Extension professionals and practitioners may be perceived as outsiders. 

Norris Square, located in Lower North Philadelphia, is a historically Puerto Rican neighborhood with deep cultural roots and a strong sense of community identity. Once stigmatized as “needle park” due to its proximity to drug activity in Kensington during the late 20th century, Norris Square faced significant challenges related to poverty, disinvestment, and public safety. In response, a group of local elders organized grassroots efforts to reclaim and transform the neighborhood’s public spaces. Their work led to the creation of vibrant community gardens—such as Las Parcelas—that serve not only as growing spaces but also as cultural hubs for art, education, and heritage preservation. Today, Norris Square stands at a critical juncture, confronting rapid gentrification and the risk of residential and cultural displacement. 

This session will engage participants with a framework for advancing equitable development and trust-building with urban communities through a model process that emphasizes community participation and capacity building—particularly in spaces where Extension professionals and practitioners may be perceived as outsiders. 

The Penn State project team co-created a Community Profile with residents and organizations in Norris Square to: 
• Elevate local perspectives and lived experiences; 
• Strengthen community capacity for collaboration and advocacy; 
• Facilitate participatory processes and meaningful dialogue among residents, stakeholders, and decision-makers around issues such as resource allocation, development, housing, land use, and public policy. 

Our approach builds upon more than 20 years of engagement with Norris Square partners and residents. The Neighborhood Profile project began with community conversations to identify assets and challenges, followed by a survey to gather input on neighborhood boundaries and data priorities. Our research team then conducted an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data based on community identified needs for information, looking at neighborhood changes over time and comparisons to other local geographies. Community partners were regularly engaged throughout the process to ensure that our research directly aligned with local needs. The Profile itself was written as a facilitation guide, which includes discussion questions to help spark dialogue and engage residents and local leaders with the information as a resource and tool toward capacity building and decision-making. 

Partnering for Resilient Communities in Flood-Prone Regions  
(Linda Seals, University of Florida)  
Strengthening flood-prone communities requires more than technical fixes—it depends on trusted partnerships. Through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant, Florida Extension partnered with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council to co-create engagement strategies for the Tampa Bay Coastal Master Plan (CMP). Together, the team piloted listening sessions in seven counties, engaging 74 residents to ensure diverse voices shaped regional planning. Participants shared lived experiences and proposed resilience solutions, while discussions revealed widespread confusion about stormwater systems, floodplain development, and flood insurance—underscoring the need for education. To expand engagement capacity, lessons from these sessions informed workshops for community leaders and municipal staff. Sixty-three participants learned to conduct listening sessions in under-resourced communities, reporting a 65% increase in knowledge; 89% felt prepared to lead sessions for the CMP, and 85% said they could boost community participation. Once finalized, the CMP will be supported by an issue guide for deliberative forums, enabling residents to weigh actions and set priorities. This initiative demonstrates how strong partnerships amplify community voices and build resilience across urban regions. 

Leading Edge Dialogs on HOT TOPICS!

Addressing Mental Health through Community Nutrition and Physical Activity  
(Macy Helm & Anne Lindsay, University of Nevada Reno) 
Poor mental health has steadily increased over the past decade. In the U.S., ~16% of young children have clinically recognized mental health problems (AAP, 2023), ~50% of adolescents and 23% of adults had any mental illness (SAMHSA, 2023). In 2023, ~49M (17%) Americans 12 and older had a substance use disorder including 105,000 deaths. Nutrition and physical activity (PA) are recognized as causes, modifiers, and mediators of mental health/addiction. Most people admitted in treatment have various levels of malnutrition and half of them are determined to be clinically deficient in vitamins and minerals; yet few (<7%) recovery centers in urban areas offer nutrition as part of one’s treatment.  Subsequently, most will relapse within one year. While pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are critical, combining these with Extension interventions (e.g., teaching nutrition/PA, feeding habits, sleeping routines, life skills, social connections, and self-care) will assist individuals with navigating their recovery. Presenters in this session will share expertise and research program results to demonstrate impacts on community-based nutrition/PA programming across the lifespan for improving markers of mental health/addiction. They will define mental health for participants, discuss their role as Extension nutrition/PA professionals, share ideas to implement and evaluate impacts within their programs, and offer resources. 

Bridging Schools and Communities: Advancing Access, Awareness, and Health Through the Dallas County Urban Farm Expo  
(Adrianna Olivarez, Texas A&M University)  
Urban Extension plays a vital role in addressing inequities in food access, health outcomes, and agricultural literacy within densely populated communities. The Dallas County Urban Farm EXPO illustrates how an integrated, access-centered approach can shift awareness, engagement, and healthy behaviors among youth and adults in high-need areas. As part of Dallas County’s broader Urban Agriculture and Nutrition Education strategy, the EXPO serves as a scalable model for strengthening community health and local food systems. 

Targeting 3rd–5th grade students from Title I schools and low-opportunity neighborhoods identified through the Child Opportunity Index, the EXPO engaged more than 2,000 youth and adults from March to November 2025. Through hands-on stations, participants explored where food comes from, how it grows, and how nutrition choices impact long-term well-being. The methodology integrates experiential learning, culturally relevant education, and strategic community partnerships. 

The Dallas County Extension Urban Farm—home to the EXPO—also expands food access by supplying fresh produce to a network of six shelters and soup kitchens across the county. Support from more than 50 Master Gardeners, who provided 1,260 volunteer hours, ensured strong, high-quality educational experiences for participants. 

By prioritizing communities most affected by COVID-19 and chronic disease disparities, and reducing transportation barriers through coordinated busing, the EXPO advances NUEL priority areas and demonstrates how Extension can effectively serve urban populations at scale. 

Fruity Cities: A Medley of Opportunities Growing Fruits and Nuts 
(Niam Edwards, Michigan State University)  
Urban orchards, food forests, and small-scale fruit and nut production present an array of opportunities for engaging people in cities. These production spaces can be leveraged to address food security, sovereignty, business, education, research, climate change, community resilience and more. Intentionally growing fruits and nuts in cities also fosters community bonds and can boost social and economic ties. This presentation will cover current projects in urban fruit production in Michigan and across the U.S. lead by The Giving Grove and Michigan State University Extension. We will discuss urban orchard programming, successes, challenges, research, and future goals. 

The topic is innovative as fruit tree production in cities is limited and even prohibited at times. Increasing access to free, locally grown fruits and nuts enhances community nutrition and can transform local food systems. The panellists will present slides on their work and then open the session for discussion with audience members. We may divide into topics or simply ask small groups a set of questions and points related to forestry, health, community engagement, and other relevant topics.

‘Nia:’ Mentoring young people to find their pathways and purpose 
(JulieAnn Stawicki, University of Wisconsin-Madison) 
With the national 4-H focus on preparing youth to be “Beyond Ready” for adulthood, urban areas face an urgent need for program models that address diverse pathways (college, career, technical trades)—while centering youth interests, their family values, and the communities in which they live. A collaboration between North Carolina A&T and University of Wisconsin, the Nia: Pathways and Purpose program was designed to meet this need by leveraging social work interns to design and support the implementation of relevant college and career content within the context of programs that also support the social-emotional learning, leadership, and life skills to help the youth achieve their goals. 

This interactive session will invite participants to examine how intentional program design and cross-sector partnerships can transform college and career readiness for urban youth. Through real-world examples and facilitated dialogue, presenters will discuss strategies for integrating mentoring, cultural relevance, and social-emotional development into pathway programs. 

This session is aimed at increasing participant subject matter expertise with the “Enriching Youth” focus area, and will highlight unique models for personnel, staffing, and partnership development within urban schools and communities.

Posters and Lightning Talks

LIGHTNING TALK - Hudson County Produce Prescription Program: Improving Health Through Nutrition Access  
(Delma Yorimoto, Rutgers University) 
Despite widespread awareness of the benefits of fruits and vegetables in preventing chronic conditions, only 9% of Americans meet daily vegetable requirements and 12% meet daily fruit requirements (Tang et al., 2017; CDC, 2021). These challenges are amplified in underserved communities, where financial constraints and limited access to produce create significant barriers. 

The Hudson County Produce Prescription Program (PPP) addresses these disparities by targeting neighborhoods of greatest need, where chronic disease is a top health concern (Hudson County CHNA, 2022). 

A pre-post intervention study with 75 participants referred by physicians from three Federally Qualified Health Centers. The 12-session program provided bilingual nutrition education, culturally relevant resources, and $40 in produce per session. Pre- and post-surveys measured changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Preliminary findings indicate improved nutrition literacy, self-efficacy, and food access.. 

LIGHNTING TALK - Myth Busters, Extension Staff Edition  
(Jeni Carter, Colorado State University) 
Myth Busters, Extension Staff Edition dives into some of the most common, and persistent, misconceptions in Extension with humor and a desire for bettering health and wellbeing of urban extension staff and faculty.  From navigating work/life balance, clarifying role expectations, demystifying volunteer management and internal team dynamics, this talk shines a spotlight on the “myths” that shape our work culture.  It is designed for both folks newer to extension, and those who would like to consider persistent myths to enhance workplace dynamics.. 

LIGHTNING TALK - Pop-Up Farmers Markets: Expanding Food Access for Seniors  
(Claire Mance, University of Wisconsin-Madison) 
Low-income seniors often face barriers to accessing fresh, local produce due to transportation, mobility, and income constraints. The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides vouchers for fresh produce, yet redemption rates remain low in urban areas. To address this gap, UW–Madison Extension Dane County piloted an innovative pop-up farmers market model in 2024, bringing local farm stands directly to senior sites. Building on early success, the 2025 initiative expanded to three urban senior communities near Madison, Wisconsin. 

Through strategic partnerships with the Dane County Area Agency on Aging, senior site staff, and local farmers, Extension coordinated ten on-site markets, supported by targeted outreach and marketing. Voucher redemption grew exponentially compared to the previous year, and participating partners saw enhanced social engagement and strengthened local food systems as positive outcomes of this project. Seniors reported improved access and expressed appreciation for market convenience and more community connection. 

This approach demonstrates how Extension can leverage partnerships and innovation to reduce health disparities, strengthen communities, and advance NUEL’s priority of bringing innovation to food system partnerships. This lightning talk will share methodology, lessons learned, and replicable strategies for urban Extension professionals seeking to support their communities in achieving food equity.

POSTER - Advancing Careers in Agriculture & STEM: NJ & MD 4-H Internship Program   
(Kirsten Cowan, Rutgers University, & Jenna Jones, University of Maryland)  
The ACAS 4-H Teen Internship Program bridges the gap between urban youth and high-demand careers in agriculture and STEM through an innovative, equity-focused approach. Piloted in Maryland and expanded to New Jersey, ACAS introduces high school students from urban and non-traditional agricultural communities to diverse career pathways while building leadership and workforce readiness skills. The program removes barriers such as transportation and income needs to ensure accessibility for teens who may not otherwise participate. Teens engage in hands-on learning through farm tours, laboratory visits, college and community college tours, professional development workshops, and networking with industry professionals. These experiences help teens understand agriculture’s connection to communities, technology, and sustainability. Evaluation data from the first two years show strong outcomes: 100% of teens reported feeling more prepared for future educational and career endeavors, 96% said they learned how to act professionally, 80% reported being very or extremely familiar with agricultural practices and careers compared to 16% prior, and 89% rated their leadership confidence as Good or Excellent compared to 44% prior. This poster will showcase program design, challenges, outcomes, and strategies for replication, highlighting how Extension can leverage partnerships to engage urban youth and expand educational and workforce horizons.. 

POSTER - Engaging Urban Communities: A Mixed-Methods Model for Extension Assessments  
(Rainah Folk, University of Illinois) 
Needs assessments are central to Extension’s role in supporting community development, yet their design and implementation require thoughtful alignment with the principles of participation, inclusivity, and contextual understanding. This study examines how a mixed-methods assessment grounded in community development practices can deepen insight into community needs and enhance organizational responsiveness. Using countywide assessments conducted in Chicago and Suburban Cook County, Illinois as an illustrative model, the analysis highlights how integrating quantitative survey data with qualitative stakeholder-driven forums creates a more complete picture of shifting population needs in a complex urban environment. The methodological approach, intentionally structured to capture both broad patterns and place-based nuance, helped generate original data across statewide priorities for the first time in over a decade. Beyond identifying priority issues, the process itself served as a mechanism for relationship-building, collaborative problem framing, and program innovation. This case argues that mixed-methods assessments—when designed through a community development lens—offer a powerful foundation for program planning, partnership cultivation, and systems-level inquiry, demonstrating the value of careful assessment design, questionnaire development, and stakeholder selection in shaping both data quality and long-term Extension impact. 

POSTER - Tree Campus Higher Education Certification at a Washington DC University   
(Kelly Russo-Petrick, University of the District of Columbia) 
This presentation will focus on the University of the District of Columbia’s process obtaining Tree Campus Higher Education status through the Arbor Day Foundation and the past year of tree care work since getting that certification. The requirements for certification are to form a Tree Care Advisory Committee consisting of faculty, students, and community members, write a tree care plan, document the yearly budget for tree care, hold an Arbor Day event, create an inventory of campus trees, and hold a tree-related service-learning project for students. Since the application was approved, UDC has started implementing the Tree Care Plan, including hosting tree care days removing invasive plants for volunteers, leading a tree walk highlighting where maintenance is still needed on campus, and holding arborist workshops for youth. This talk will detail lessons learned from implementing a tree care plan on campus and involving the community in the school’s tree care. This project demonstrates the theme of innovation by developing new methods for tree care and awareness on an urban campus where tree maintenance was not previously occurring. It also aligns with the focus areas of protecting the environment, improving our health, strengthening communities, and enriching youth. 

Thursday, May 14, 2026, 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. 

Leading Edge Dialogs on HOT TOPICS! 

Mapping, Snapping, and Charting Change: A Hands-On Toolkit for Participatory Urban Extension Evaluation  
(Najat Elgeberi & Christopher J. Copp , University of Nevada Reno, & Fanny J. Hernandez, University of Connecticut)  
How can we, as Extension professionals, move beyond traditional surveys to capture the true impact of our urban programs? This fast-paced, interactive HOT TOPICS session demonstrates how to engage communities in evaluation through three powerful, low-cost visual methods (Spider Chart, Photo Monitoring, and the creative Mind Mapping). As evaluation specialists, the presenters will showcase how these techniques foster collaboration and generate rich, meaningful data that resonates with stakeholders and community members alike. 

The session begins with a concise 15-minute overview of the value of participatory evaluation in urban contexts. Participants will then be divided into three groups for a unique, hands-on rotational workshop. Each presenter will guide a group through the practical implementation of one method: the collaborative Spider Chart, insightful Photo Monitoring, and the creative Mind Mapping process. Participants will rotate to experience and practice all three techniques. 

This proposal directly aligns with the focus area of Strengthening Communities and the conference theme of Innovation. Attendees will leave not with just ideas, but with the practical skills and confidence to implement these engaging, participatory evaluation methods in their own urban Extension work, empowering communities to visualize and own their stories of change. 

Mapping Urban Mental Health Spaces, Places, and Partnerships for Community Well-Being  
(Lakshmi Mahadevan, Texas A&M University, & Sonia Lopez, University of Illinois)  
Urban environments present complex and shifting mental health landscapes shaped by population density, mobility, housing instability, neighborhood disparities, and limited access to responsive care. Research shows that mental health outcomes in metropolitan areas are influenced by social determinants such as residential relocation and housing stability (Lu and Kong, 2025), access to nature and green spaces (Alexander et al., 2025), exposure to violence (Smith et al., 2020), and disparities in school and community mental health services (Shelton and Owens, 2021). For Extension, the term “urban settings” includes both physical places and organizational partners. Physical places may include schools, libraries, parks, community recreation centers, social service hubs, housing complexes, and immigrant and refugee gathering spaces. Organizational partners may include faith communities, cultural associations, nonprofit agencies, neighborhood coalitions, and health and social service providers. Each contribute uniquely to access, trust, and participation in mental health and well-being programming. This session will provide an overview of current research and invite participants to map their urban mental health landscapes, identify emerging needs, and share innovations and challenges. Notes will be collected and shared with Extension networks.  

Discussion prompts:  
(1) What places and spaces are you using?  
(2) Who are you partnering with?  
(3) Where would you like to expand?  
(4) What challenges limit your work?  
(5) What strategies have worked well? 

Mentoring Program Renovation: Could Nonformal Framing Increase Engagement?  
(Brian Raison, University of Wisconsin-Madison)  
One of the most important things an organization can do is encourage its employees. Good mentoring programs can do that, often resulting in increased productivity, reduced turnover, bridged silos, and movement toward mission attainment. 

But traditional, formal mentoring programs can sometimes come across as obligatory rather than engaging. Conversely, informal mentoring rarely incorporates goal-setting or evaluation, and can inadvertently exclude underrepresented members of an organization, perpetuating inequity in who is mentored. 

So what if there was an alternative? What if there was a way to bridge the gap between formal and informal mentoring programs?  

This session will introduce a nonformal mentoring framework grounded in nonformal education and teaching practice. The approach incorporates adult development, motivation, and transformation theories, all aimed at meeting varying mentee needs. 

This will be a generative discussion in which we will co-create and document collective ideas on how an organization might adopt this approach to transform, renovate, or start a new mentoring program.   

If you have an existing formal mentoring program, don’t throw it out. Instead, come and discuss how you can overlay the nonformal frame adding flexibility, tools, and mentor support. Attendees will receive links to 40 free conversation-starting tools that work with adults and youth.

Reimagining Extension: Youth STEAM Builds Stronger, More Resilient Urban Communities  
(Meggan Franks, Louisiana State University)  
Louisiana faces some of the nation’s most frequent and costly wind and flood disasters, disrupting urban and rural communities, including agriculture, neighborhoods, and livelihoods. Funded by the Baton Rouge Office of Community Development, Resilient Futures Through STEAM is a youth centered initiative led by the LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Research & Education Center in collaboration with East Baton Rouge 4 H, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Louisiana Social, Environmental, and Economic Resilience Center. Youth from diverse neighborhoods across 37 schools learn about wind and flood risk, heat vulnerability, and disaster preparedness through hands on workshops, then applied their learning by creating art artifacts that formed a public awareness exhibit, showcasing solutions for building more resilient communities in the face of extreme weather. 

The culminating showcase anchored LSU’s 20th anniversary Hurricane Katrina event and enabled participating youth to interact with professionals—Extension faculty and staff, climatologists, building professionals, academics, researchers, and leaders from state resilience offices and industry. Outcomes include measurable resilience literacy gains, 50+ youth created art artifacts, increased interest in STEM and Extension careers, and a traveling-digital exhibit that sustains impact—advancing NUEL priorities of Strengthening Communities, Enriching Youth, and Positioning Extension in urban settings. 

The Food Business Start-Up Summit: Where Extension Facilitates Innovation  
(Quinlan Carttar, Kansas State University)  
This session highlights how Kansas State University Extension adapted the Extension Foundation’s Impact Collaborative model (active nationally since 2016) into a cutting-edge entrepreneurial “working retreat” to accelerate community food systems development in Kansas. Inspired by a colleague’s participation in an Impact Collaborative convening, our team translated key design-thinking elements—such as ideation and rapid iteration—into a three-day Food Business Start-Up Summit for urban, peri-urban, and rural food and farm entrepreneurs across the state. 

Panels 

4-H Beyond Ready: Culturally Affirming Workforce Development Strategies for the Food & Ag Sector  
(Mark Becker & Keith Jacobs, University of Illinois, & Kurly Taylor Jr., Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition Innovation Center)  
Illinois' food, agriculture, and forestry sector employs over 252,000 workers across diverse occupations, from production and management to transportation and repair services. As this critical sector faces evolving workforce challenges, 4-H's Beyond Ready initiative emerges as a strategic solution to prepare the next generation for meaningful careers in agriculture and food systems. 

Beyond Ready is the new national 4-H initiative to prepare 10 million youth for work and life by 2030.  

This comprehensive framework recognizes that youth are growing up in a rapidly evolving landscape. Supporting youth thriving requires a comprehensive and adaptable approach that aligns with the evolving dynamics of education, work, and personal development. Through experiential learning and skill development, 4-H builds workforce readiness by focusing on what workers actually do: grow, make, manage, fix, move, and sell products in the food and agriculture value chain. 

Current workforce data from Mark White at UIUC reveals that Illinois food and agriculture employment spans multiple occupational categories, with 27.1% in production roles, 13.9% in building and grounds maintenance, and 13.4% in management positions. Unlike other sectors, food and agriculture typically require fewer workers with post-secondary degrees, drawing from diverse educational pathways including community colleges, high school agriculture programs, career and technical education, and youth organizations like 4-H and MANNRS.  

This session will examine how the 4-H Beyond Ready framework through the lens of a years-long collaborative between several youth-serving institutions, all with the shared goal of informing, empowering, and supporting youth in Southside Chicago and East St. Louis, Illinois, to engage with Food and Ag careers. Panel participants (Mark Becker & Keith Jacobs, Illinois 4-H State Office, Kurly Taylor Jr., Danforth Plant Biology Center; Whitney Baldwin, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences; and Solomon Garner, Tennessee State University Doctoral Student) will address key workforce development challenges, including uneven technology adoption, rural-urban disparities, and the need to both create and compete for skilled workers. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies for strengthening agricultural workforce pipelines by promoting careers to diverse youth populations, connecting employers with available support services, and leveraging partnerships across educational institutions and industry stakeholders with a focus on PYD strategies that affirm the culture of the youth and families we are investing in.  

Through 4-H's proven positive youth development model and the 4-H Thriving Model, which outlines key milestones and capabilities that youth should develop at different stages of their lives, participants will discover actionable approaches to prepare youth for successful careers in their state's vital food, agriculture, and forestry industries.

Driving Innovation: Urban Extension Tours as Professional Development  
(Jeffery A. Young, University of Kentucky, & Katherine Williams & Donna Rewalt, North Carolina State University)  
As part of the University of Kentucky Urban Extension Initiative (UEI), providing professional development to agents and specialists working in larger communities through creative methods is a priority. For a week during January 2025, 29 agents, specialists, and administrators from the University of Kentucky Extension and Kentucky State University Extension, travelled to Wake and Durham Counties in North Carolina to participate in a knowledge and experience exchange with local agents and administrators. The County Extension Directors of Wake and Durham counties collaborated to plan and coordinate activities within each respective county, starting with an opening reception to introduce everyone and foster synergy. Discussion topics included budgets, staffing, volunteer utilization, general programming approaches, and how urban programming aligns with overall state initiatives - including the N.C. State Extension strategic plan. Especially insightful were innovative projects and approaches utilized to address routine Extension issues within an urban context. Engaged panels, individual presentations, and experiential tours were utilized over the three days, with time for reciprocal engagement through questions and answers between both states. Presenters will share participant insights, including challenges and benefits, and initiate networking opportunities to encourage future cooperative learning during the presentation.

Thursday, May 14, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Leading Edge Dialogs on HOT TOPICS!

AgriProspects and Extension's role in the Workforce Development Ecosystem  
(Melanie Pugsley, Extension Foundation)  
This Leading Edge Dialogue session will offer a space for participants to discuss Extension's role in the adult agricultural workforce development ecosystem at a time when the demand for skills-based learning and credentials is accelerating. The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network is a NIFA-funded, 5-year project led by the Extension Foundation with the underlying perspectives that everything extension does is workforce development, skills are the building blocks, and all learning counts. Beginning with a brief overview of AgriProspects, participants will learn about the Network's various resources for extension professionals, such as Regional Coordinators, professional development webinars and summits, blog posts on Connect Extension, and the AgriProspects Marketplace, a new platform that allows users to search for skill-building opportunities and certifications across the Cooperative Extension system. Wrapping up with a demonstration of how to navigate the AgriProspects Marketplace, participants will have time to review or submit their own programs into the Marketplace and engage in small group discussions on how Extension can strategically position itself to support adult workforce development. Insights gathered will directly inform the AgriPropsects Marketplace development and Extension’s strategic positioning in adult Agricultural workforce development. 

Cooking demonstrations make a difference at farmers markets 
(Fabian Ardila-Pinto, Cornell University)   
Cornell Cooperative Extension in New York City offers nutrition education at farmers' markets through its Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Many families are facing chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. Therefore, families need healthy advice about ways to prepare vegetables and fruits. FMNP staff help shoppers meet their local farmers and guide market shoppers on how to use many types of fresh produce.  The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program partners with state agencies, local community agencies and market managers together to: enhance health of nutritionally at-risk residents; promote use of farmers’ markets by Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program clients and low-income seniors and support New York state market farmers. Through cooking demonstrations shown by FMNP Cornell staff, market shoppers can learn how to prepare a variety of vegetables, taste different vegetables, spend their food resources wisely, and buy produce featured on market recipes to make the featured recipes at home.  The presentation will show how cooking demonstrations at farmers markets improve our health and strengthen communities. 

Empowering youth with GeoAI  
(Thomas Ray, North Caroline State University)  
Preparing youth for the future now includes grappling with approaches to Artificial Intelligence. This session will explore a specific aspect of AI in Geographic Information Systems and how youth can put these cutting edge tools to use for their personal and professional development while cultivating their creativity and innovation. Bring your own device (laptop, tablet, or phone) and join us to learn how youth can access a suite of tools that will bring their solutions to life and ensure that our 4-H youth are Beyond Ready.

Extension Collaborations that Boost the Cottage Food Industry 
(Cindy Brison, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)  
The Cottage Food Industry experienced significant growth during the recent pandemic and continues to thrive, driven by entrepreneurial creativity and advancements in technology. Extension plays a critical and expanding role in sustaining this sector, providing essential education that ranges from food safety compliance to business development advice. To maximize producer success, Extension has actively cultivated a growing number of strategic collaborations. This presentation will analyze these successful collaborative models, detailing how they benefit individual producers, strengthen the industry, and provide value to all organizational partners. The session will conclude with an interactive 

discussion to encourage the exchange of innovative ideas for future multi-sector collaborative efforts. 

Panels 

Effective Evaluation in Culturally Rich Communities: Data, Analysis, and Reporting  
(Fanny Hernandez, University of Connecticut & Najat Elgeberi & Christopher J. Copp , University of Nevada Reno) 
This panel of evaluation specialists will address the critical need for culturally responsive evaluation practices within urban Extension programs. As Extension professionals create impactful changes in diverse urban landscapes, our methods for understanding and reporting that impact must be equitable and reflective of the communities we serve. This session directly aligns with the conference's emphasis on Core Competencies, particularly in designing and evaluating impactful programs while engaging diverse audiences with cultural humility. 

The panelists will guide attendees through the evaluation lifecycle: 
• Gathering Stories: Exploring inclusive data collection methods that honor lived experiences. 
• Finding Meaning: Applying equitable data analysis techniques that reveal community nuance. 
• Sharing Insights: Developing reporting strategies that empower and inform community stakeholders. 

By exploring innovative and ethical approaches, this panel equips participants with practical strategies to move beyond simple metrics. Attendees will learn to generate meaningful evidence that not only demonstrates program value but also strengthens communities by honoring their stories and empowering them with knowledge. This session promises a vital discussion on ensuring our evaluation efforts contribute to a more just and effective urban Extension practice. 

Successful Feats in the Streets – Strengthening Communities Through Authentic Engagement  
(Rayshawnda Temple, Gigi Broughton, Grace Henry, & Gerrylynn McNeal, Michigan State University) 
Successful Feats in the Streets highlights practical strategies for strengthening communities, improving health, enriching youth, and sustaining meaningful partnerships in urban settings. This presentation showcases how wraparound parent–child programming, combined with flexible “revolving door” classes in shelters and rehabilitation facilities, meets families where they are and ensures no participant falls through the cracks.  

In response to gaps left by the conclusion of SNAP-Ed offerings, our team has adapted curricula to reflect community needs, integrating language accessibility, culturally relevant recipes, and print materials tailored to diverse literacy levels. We will share recruitment approaches rooted in genuine presence, including community fairs, clubs, and coalition meetings, as well as incentive-based methods that support engagement and retention.  

Grounded in trust and continuity beyond a traditional six-week series, our model emphasizes long-term relationship building and collaborative problem-solving with partners. Through data-driven positive change outcomes and real-world case examples, attendees will learn how intentional partnership maintenance, consistent engagement, and adaptive programming can create lasting impact in under-served communities.  

Participants will leave inspired with replicable strategies to expand their reach, strengthen local relationships, and improve health and empowerment across urban neighborhoods. 

The Power of Many: Using Charrettes to Solve Complex Urban Challenges  
(Oliver Gomez, Michigan State University, Jeffery Young, University of Kentucky, & Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, University of Florida) 
A charrette is a form of community engagement that is designed to bring together diverse viewpoints and experiences to solve tough problems, just like the ones you face in your work. By bringing decision-makers, content experts, and context experts (those with lived experience around the issue) together for an extended period of time, charrettes strengthen communities, build partnerships, and deliver impactful processes and implementable products. While they have historically been used for built-environment issues, they can be especially effective in urban areas for almost any issue, plan, or policy from environment, public health, to food systems and beyond. This session will offer an overview of what a charrette is and how it can be an effective tool for gathering large numbers of diverse stakeholder input before offering an in-depth example of how the University of Kentucky used a virtual charrette to solicit input on the Urban Extension Initiative Framework, identify priorities within the Framework and resources needed to implement it, and develop a Framework Implementation Action Plan. Then, during an interactive exercise, brainstorm ways you might use it in your work.