Wednesday
October 5

It's not just about the logo: Branding in Extension

Learn about Extension branding standards within the context of the University. We will examine University Relations requirements and why they are important. Learn how to apply brand standards when co-branding with other centers and outside organizations. We will also discuss avoiding branding missteps, accessibility, graphic design principles, photography and typography.

Presenter: Michael Donahue

Understanding the promotion process

Promotion is neither automatic nor routine. This session explores the promotion process, reviews the promotion guides and the promotion website, and provides tips for preparing your documents. This session is interactive with time for questions.

Presenter: Lynne Borden

Return on investment: Presenting the monetary value of your program

Return on investment (ROI) analysis can show the impact of programming and advocate for funding. Join Extension’s research and outreach team to learn how Extension programs can calculate ROI, including measuring the change in outcomes, the monetary value associated with outcomes and the cost of running the program.

Presenters: Mark Otto, Sam Grant

Getting the work done: Tools and techniques for finding, using and managing online information

Attend this session and learn a few tips and techniques for finding relevant online resources and managing workflow. Tap into library search engines and tips for managing the notes, tasks and the time the work requires. Learn about library programs and services around publishing, copyright and data management.

Presenter: Kristen Mastel

The Bell Museum - Your state natural history museum

The Bell Museum is Minnesota’s state museum of natural history. It collects, preserves, interprets and tells the story of Minnesota's biodiversity, and inspires people to observe and care for the natural world. Denise Young will share the vision for the museum and solicit ideas from Extension colleagues about how collaboration might extend our mutual commitment and interests across Minnesota.

Presenter: Denise Young, Bell Museum

Principles for meaningful partnership

In this interactive session, join facilitators from the Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and presenters from a variety of Extension centers and programs to discuss how to create authentic, engaged partnerships. What inspiring work is already happening? Where do we see gaps or opportunities for growth?

Presenters: Natalie Hoidal, Cecilia Amadou, Shirley Nordrum, Andi Sutton, Anne Dybsetter, Shannon Stassen

Diversity, equity and inclusion conversation

The conference presents an opportunity to continue our conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). A panel including CV, FD, YD, AFNR, RSDP, HR, Field Operations and Communications will share their DEI perspectives, efforts, challenges, and opportunities. The session includes opening remarks and interactive questions and answers from the audience.

Presenters: Okey Ukaga, Stephen Jeanetta, Sheri Stone, Becky Beyers, Kia Harries, Betsy Wieland, Molly Zins, Mary Marczak, Joe Rand

Agreements: From negotiation to reconciliation

Presenters will walk through the entire process of using agreements with clients in delivering Extension programs and services. This will include initiation of agreements by educators and support staff, submission into the workflow, negotiation with customer and Office of General Counsel, signature and distribution and program delivery and invoicing.

Presenters: Rick Konkol, Tamie Bremseth

Adapting the Master Gardener Program to foster greater access

The Master Gardener program focuses on three components to foster greater access to the program for volunteers and community members: geography, flexibility and perceived exclusion. The state leadership team is adapting the program by changing how training is offered, expanding the types of projects we do and shifting our culture towards inclusion and accessibility.

Presenters: Christy Marsden, Tim Kenny, Dalicia Davis, Jackie Froemming

Using PhotoVoice as a participatory evaluation method in health and nutrition education programs

In this session, learn the basic components of PhotoVoice and practice how to use it as a participatory evaluation tool for Extension programs. We will introduce multiple PhotoVoice evaluation examples from Family Development’s health and nutrition programs. Participants will also learn about related tools and resources.

Presenters: Hyunjun Kim, Donna Anderson

Partnering with 8th Fire Solar at White Earth for clean energy solutions

Learn about an innovative product being manufactured and installed by White Earth residents and hear how Extension members are partnering with them with research and project implementation.

Presenters: Pam Fairbanks Akiing and Gwe Gasco, 8th Fire Solar; Joel Haskard, Shannon Stassen

Extension is for everyone: A petition for collective action

Presenter: Cole Hanson

Extension programming: Partnering with CFANS Extension specialists

The partnership between Extension and CFANS is important to Extension’s educational programs. Research from Extension specialists is incorporated into Extension programs. These faculty belong to collegiate departments and have position descriptions that are different from Extension educators. Several department heads will discuss factors in faculty partnerships, including creating teams with faculty, roles faculty should play and the challenges in these collaborations.

Presenters: Michael Schutz, Department of Animal Science; Job Ubbink, Department of Food Science and Nutrition; Carl Rosen, Department of Soil, Water and Climate

Moderators: Michael Schmitt and Tamara Benjamin

Sustainable partnerships

Learn what it takes to build sustainable partnerships, especially in a rural community, where programs are small and often work in silos. Leaders from the University of Minnesota and the Blandin Foundation in Itasca County will share how they’ve partnered for over 10 years to make good things happen across the region.

Presenters: Jaci David, Blandin Foundation, and Jan Derdowski

The U of M Extension budget: What is it and where do I fit in?

This engaging session will provide an overview of the Extension budget, including the budget model and annual processes. Learn how various funding sources are received and allocated. Explore financial tools and resources available to monitor your center, unit or program budget.

Presenters: Tamie Bremseth and Madonna Monette

Extension entrepreneurs

A panel of Extension educators will share their experiences identifying, visioning, funding, launching and promoting new programs and ideas. This informal conversation will include Q&A and opportunities to connect with peers. Explore how fellow educators have worked with their teams to turn good ideas into new Extension work — including submitting ideas to external funders.

Presenters: Bradley Starbuck, Pat Jirik, Lissa Pawlisch, Megan Weber, Michael Darger, Kerry Marsolek

Engaging rural communities in diversity and inclusion efforts

This session presents insights gained from over five years of experience with an innovative cohort program to assess and strengthen diversity and inclusion efforts across sectors of rural Minnesota communities. Participants will be invited to complete the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Assessment, thinking about their own communities.

Presenters: Jennifer Aranda, John Bennett, Scott Chazdon, Jocelyn Hernandez-Swanson, Neil Linscheid, Ellen Wolter

It’s a hybrid world: Tools and strategies for hybrid programming

Explore tools and strategies for hybrid educational program delivery. Advanced Zoom and hardware solutions will be demonstrated. We will give you recipes for successful hybrid interactions. We will also discuss how to avoid challenging setups and unrealistic expectations.

Presenters: Karen Matthes, Alison Holland, Billie Wilson, Amy Baker

Trends in volunteerism and adaptations that work

Research indicates that volunteers are stressed and overwhelmed, motivated to make an impact in their communities, and interested in working with organizations that are accountable to diversity equity and inclusion goals. Join this session to learn which program and practice adaptations address current trends in volunteerism.

Presenters: Marisa Coyne, Becky Harrington

Learning about professional development leave

Extension’s professional development leaves are intended to provide opportunities for academic professional and administrative staff to develop or enhance knowledge, skills and performance. Two Extension employees who have had leaves will share what they learned and how they have applied this information to their work.

Presenters: Nicole Pokorney, Emily Becher, Lynne Borden

Activating cross-center collaboration through Strategic Doing
This session will provide Extension team members an opportunity to activate cross-center collaborations using a process called Strategic Doing developed by the Agile Strategy Institute, an affiliate of Purdue University and the University of Alabama. Strategic Doing enables people to design and guide new networks that generate innovative solutions. Participants in the session are encouraged to attend with potential collaborators. In the workshop, groups will identify opportunities for cross-center collaboration by using the Strategic Doing process and create a basic action plan for getting started.

Presenters: Jody Hornvedt and Jennifer Hawkins

safeTALK suicide intervention and prevention training
safeTALK is a four-hour workshop that trains community members to recognize people with thoughts of suicide and connect them to intervention resources. By attending a safeTALK workshop, participants become alert and able to provide assistance to people experiencing suicidal thoughts. By carrying out the steps taught in safeTALK (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) a suicide alert helper offers potentially life-saving assistance. safeTALK helps build a safer community and is especially relevant for individuals that work in the community, especially with high-risk populations such as BIPOC, LGBTQ and farmers.

Presenter: Emily Krekelberg