The Professional Improvement Committee identifies and recommends to the executive committee appropriate professional improvement programs and activities, and implements and evaluate those offerings.
Create and host the Lunch & Learn webinar series bimonthly featuring Extension projects, programs, and people of interest to members, non-members, and retirees.
National Webinars and Webinar Library (open to all)
Professional Development Committee (for ESP members)
Extension Leadership Conference (sponsored by JCEP) (for ESP members)
Others are invited to join us.
A series of 30-minute conversations featuring Extension programs.
UPCOMING LUNCH & LEARN TOPICS: Register at z.umn.edu/esplunchandlearn
October 8, 2025, 12:30-1:00 pm - LUNCH & LEARN TOPIC: John's Journey. Join us learn about the many journeys in John Vreyens' career! Watch for more details to come.
December 10, 2025, 12:30-1:00 pm - LUNCH & LEARN Watch for more details to come.
RECORDINGS OF PREVIOUS Lunch & Learn WEBINARS
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTS) by Joel Haskard [8-13-25]
Growth and Development - A Blooming Plant by Nancy Hegland [6-11-25]
Leading Economic Transformation by John Bennett, Jody Horntvedt, Brigid Tuck and Ellen Wolter [4-9-25]
Growing Master Gardener Volunteers by Diane Greiwe and Terry Straub [2-12-25]
Navigating a Changing Social and Ecological Landscape by Eli Sagor [12-11-24]
Who represents you in Extension? by colleagues who represent EFCC, ESCC, P&A Senate and Faculty Senate [10-9-24]
New Staff Orientation in Extension by Dan Garrison [8-14-24]
What is the 10,000 Families Study? by Trina Adler and Clemen Wilcox [6-12-24]
Equipping Volunteers to Create Inclusive Environments for Youth with Disabilities by Darcy Cole [4-10-24]
RSDP: A Cup of Alphabet Soup! by Constance (Connie) Carlson [2-14-24]
Unlock the Potential of the University Digital Conservancy by Stephanie Sparrow and Kristen Mastel [presentation slides] [12-13-23]
Veggie Rx (Part 1 / Part 2) by NIkki Johnson and Kate Welshons [11-8-23]
Women in Agriculture Thrive Together by Susanne Hinrichs [10-11-23]
Food Safety and U by Amy Johnston [9-13-23]
Living Rural in 2023 by Ben Winchester [8-9-23]
Growing Leadership in Western Kenya by Lisa Hinz and Jody Horntvedt [7-12-23]
The Scoop on the Dairy Industry in Minnesota by Dana Adams and Karen Johnson [6-13-23]
Programming for Pollinators by Katie Lee [5-10-23]
University of Minnesota Extension collaborates with San Carlos University (USAC) Guatemala by Silvia Alvarez de Davila [4-12-23]
My Extension Career - A Journey of Opportunities by Michael Schmitt [3-8-23]
Engaging Donors in Your Work by Jane Johnson and Bradley Starbuck [2-28-23]
Growing 4-H Plant Sciences Across the State by Brian McNeill [1-11-23]
Increasing Diversity and Representation on County Extension Committees by Lisa Loegering [12-14-22]
Energy Stories and Resources by Joel Haskard [11-9-22]
Devoted Dads: Working with Minnesota Corrections on a Parenting Program by Sharon Powell and Ellie McCann [10-12-22]
Going Global with Extension: Addressing Swine Fever in the Dominican Republic by Diane Dewitte [9-14-22]
Mental Flourishing for Classrooms and Curricula by Beth Labenz and Milka Gamino-Descarenne [8-10-22]
Tips for Effective Meetings: Creating Meetings You Want to Attend! by Jody Horntvedt [7-13-22]
A New Crops-Youth Development Partnership: Team Soybean by Angie Peltier [6-8-22]
Go Wild with Art and Health by Donna Anderson [5-11-22]
Volunteer Recognition through the Lens of Equity by Marisa Coyne [4-13-22]
Deep Winter Greenhouses by CJ Ford [3-9-22]
Increasing Latino Engagement through Cultural Remedies: A Cross-Center Approach by Jocelyn Hernandez-Swanson and Milka Gamino-Descarenne [2-9-22]
What's Ahead in Minnesota's Economy by Extension Economist Brigid Tuck [1-12-22]
Got Your Back: Controversy and Communications by Allison Sandve [11-10-21]
Rural Grocery: At the Corner of Community, Research and Extension by Ren Olive [10-13-21]
Mental Wellbeing: What Does it Mean in Extension? by Cari Michaels [9-8-21]
Really?!! Are farmers milking their cows with robots? by Marcia Endres and Jim Salfer [8-11-21]
Jumping Worms: Why so much grief? by Angela Gupta [7-14-21]
Distance makes the heart grow fonder: Cultivating program groupies during the shut down by Andrea Lorek Strauss [6-9-21]
From COVID to Computer Club for Latino Parents by Jessica Vazquez [5-12-21]
Healing throughout Tribal Communities by Briana Michels [4-15-21]
Housing and Tenant Education by Lori Hendrickson [3-10-21]
TRUE Partners: Transforming Rural Understanding of Equity by Lisa Hinz [2-10-21]
Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis: What are They and How Can Your Libraries Help? by Julie Kelly (University of MN Science Librarian) [1-13-21]
Going Global for Professional Development by Neil Linscheid, Anita Harris Hering, and John Vreyens [11-11-20]
Podcasting Extension: Reaching out to share our stories and programming by Kari Robideau and Nate Meyer [10-14-20]
The Relationship Between Culture and Money Management by Becky Hagen Jokela, Jennifer Garbow, and Antonio Alba Meraz [9-9-2020]
The Good, The Bad & The Learning: Lessons from Online Programming by Sara Croymans, Jody Horntvedt, and Samantha Roth [8-12-2020]
No One Should Garden Alone by Julie Weisenhorn [7-8-2020]
Relationships & Communication: Cornerstones of Collaboration by Lisa Dierks [6-10-2020]
Halal & Kosher Meat Market Assessment Project by Serdar Mamedov, Brenda Postels, Ariel Kagan [4-8-2020] Link to full Project Report
Super Food Shelf Redesign by Kelly Kunkel [12-11-2019]
Challenges Facing Our Latino Neighbors by Antonio Alba Meraz [11-13-2019]
MN's First Hispanic 4-H Club by Gabriela Burk [8-14-2019]
Making It Home Program by Neil Linscheid [7-10-2019]
Addressing Rural Stress Initiative by Emily Wilmes [6-12-2019] NOT recorded
If you'd like more information, contribute content to this page or if you would like to join this committee, please contact Lisa Hinz, Committee Chair, at hinzx001@umn.edu/651-480-7734