Category: Uncategorized

Thanks to ESP for supporting my trip in April to attend the 2025 PILD conference in Washington DC. I have been aware of PILD conferences for decades, since I began working with national and Northeast regional teams on ways to build Extension’s capacity to educate in the face of controversy through the tradition in Extension known as Public Issues Education. I have attended and presented at PILD conferences in the past, now and then, when the time and expense made sense for me. This year I felt a special desire to go again due to the uncertainties related to continued federal funding of work at Land Grant Institutions. PILD always includes updates from our federal partners and provides background and opportunities for participants to visit key contacts and policymakers in Washington DC. Inasmuch as I am serving currently as Chair of the National Extension Climate Initiative, my attendance this year seemed likely to be particularly useful.

The PILD agenda this year included a number of opening plenary sessions with remarks from our leaders including Conference Chair Daphne Richards, Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) President Phil Durst, and newly appointed USDA-NIFA director Dr. Jaye Hambly. Their remarks set the stage for the conference, providing some reassuring insights into the perspectives of leadership into the future of the Extension system.

Dr. Doug Steele, appearing as Vice President of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) and representing the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), offered a well-grounded set of ideas for ways to “navigate the rapids” with effective leadership, as he framed his talk. This opening session concluded with an inspirational keynote from Vonda Richardson, Chair of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), on the importance of investing public resources for greater impact. Realization of this goal might, in fact, be thought of as the central reason to have a PILD conference.

We also got an update from Dr. Brent Hales on ECOP’s agenda and an overview of the achievement-directed work currently being carried out by the 8 Program Action Teams (PATs) currently being supported by ECOP and the Extension Foundation (see advocacy.extension.org for more on these PATs).

From this introduction, there was a wealth of opportunities to learn more from professional colleagues in a variety of sessions, drawing on all areas of Extension programming and aspects of our organization. As a member of the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) as well as of ESP, I paid special attention to the NACDEP-associated topics in “Ignite” presentations and posters.

I was particularly happy to meet up with two New York State Extension colleagues at PILD this year. Bernie Wiesen, incoming JCEP President, and Orange County Family and Community Resilience Resource Educator Julika von Stackelberg arranged an onsite briefing with Diane Miller, Cornell’s Senior Director of Federal Government Relations. Diane filled us in on her angles on what was unfolding in Washington at the time and what the implications for Cornell might be. Of course, the situation then was much up in the air and has only partially been clarified since then. An overwhelming takeaway from the conference was the unprecedented uncertainties regarding federal roles and the need for adaptability while remaining true to Extension’s core missions.

The final day of the conference is always devoted to visits by state delegations to policymakers and others in Washington. Our small NYS team had an excellent meeting with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute’s (EESI) President, Daniel Bresette. EESI has spent decades offering routine, science-based bipartisan briefings to members of Congress, their staff, and public audiences on the environmental, energy, and climate policy themes that are at the core of my own work. Because EESI has the ear of Congress, an educational mission closely related to that of Extension, and a broad network of experts and audiences, I am looking forward to deepening the relationship with Daniel.

Overall, PILD proved once again to be a “drinking from a firehose” experience of information and opportunity. Thanks to ESP for helping to make my attendance possible. Anyone wishing to follow up with me, please feel free to do so.

David Kay

Senior Extension Associate, Department of Global DevelopmentCritical Issue Lead, Climate Change and Sustainable Energy, Cornell Cooperative Extension
ESP,  Lambda Chapter Member and Professional Development Scholarship Winner

 

Some of you have heard me talk before about Julie Dirksen, my favorite instructional design writer.  Her book – Design for How People Learn – is beautifuly written and illustrated and made great impression on me while I was working on a degree in instructional design. Her latest book is equally compelling for those of us who teach and try to help others to change behaviors.

If you’ve ever struggled to spark real behavior change—in yourself, your team, or your audience—Talk to the Elephant by Julie Dirksen is a must-read. Known for her practical and engaging writing on learning and design (Design for How People Learn), Dirksen takes us deeper into the world of behavior change and how we can make it stick.

The title refers to the well-known “Elephant and Rider” metaphor from psychologist Jonathan Haidt, where the Rider is our rational brain and the Elephant represents our emotional and instinctual self. Too often, we try to persuade the Rider, but forget that it’s the Elephant who actually decides which direction to go. Dirksen invites readers to “talk to the Elephant” by focusing on emotion, environment, social influence, and habits—all the things that truly drive human behavior.

This book is especially valuable for educators, designers, managers, public health professionals, and anyone in the business of helping others adopt new practices. Dirksen offers research-based guidance alongside real-world stories and actionable tools that help bridge the gap between intention and action.

Some standout insights include:

• The limits of motivation: Why good intentions aren’t enough—and how to design for ease, not willpower.
• The role of friction and environment: Small barriers can make or break a behavior change effort.
• Why social norms matter: If everyone’s doing it (or not doing it), that changes everything.
• The importance of feedback: Not just any feedback—timely, relevant, and actionable feedback.

Talk to the Elephant is not about forcing change but about designing conditions that invite it. With humor, clarity, and compassion, Dirksen helps us see why change is hard—and how to make it a little easier.

Recommended for:
Instructional designers, nonprofit leaders, Cooperative Extension educators, program developers, behavior change advocates, and lifelong learners looking to build smarter strategies for change.

Hosted by Epsilon Sigma Phi | Presented by Laura Biasillo

Jun 24, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time | Zoom Recording

Join us for an engaging webinar that dives into the CCE Food Systems Curriculum, an innovative online resource created by Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County in collaboration with subject matter experts from across the CCE system and Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration.

Presented by Laura Biasillo, Agricultural Economic Development Specialist and long-time food systems educator, this session will highlight how the ten-module curriculum helps educators and community partners better understand and support New York State’s dynamic food system. You’ll gain insights into key components such as:

• What defines a food system
• Relationship-building within the system
• CCE’s evolving role in food systems work
• Focus areas like workforce development, land access, and public health

This session will also spotlight the cohort-based model used to deliver the curriculum, providing a platform for shared learning, professional networking, and program development. Learn how you can join a future cohort and apply the curriculum to strengthen your local or regional programs.

Whether you’re new to food systems work or looking to deepen your approach, this webinar will equip you with practical tools and a broader perspective.

Meet the Presenter:
Laura Biasillo brings over two decades of experience in agricultural and food systems education, serving communities across New York through her work with CCE Broome County.

This fall, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) invites you to be part of something more than a book club—an opportunity to reflect, connect, and grow through the voices of our own educators.

Join us for the Fall 2025 Book Read: Catalyzing Change: Profiles of Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators from Greene, Tompkins, and Erie Counties, New York—a powerful collection edited by Scott J. Peters, Daniel J. O’Connell, Theodore R. Alter, and Allison L. H. Jack.  As you may know, Dr. Scott Peters is a professor in the Department of Global Development at Cornell University and a nationally recognized leader in the civic engagement movement in higher education.

In three virtual lunchtime discussions (9/23, 10/28, and 12/2 Noon – 1pm), we’ll explore the personal narratives, professional journeys, and community-rooted commitments of CCE educators. These stories reveal how Extension work is not only about sharing knowledge, but also about building trust, adapting to change, and sparking transformation—within ourselves and in the places we serve.

Why should CCE staff join the book read?

• Reflect on Our Shared Purpose: These profiles highlight real-life examples of how Extension educators navigate complexity, deepen relationships, and cultivate change—all while staying rooted in local knowledge and community priorities.
• Build Connection Across the System: Whether you’re in your first year or your fortieth, participating in this book read connects you with peers who care deeply about CCE’s mission.
• Fuel Your Work with Fresh Insight: The stories provide practical inspiration and honest reflections that resonate across program areas—from agriculture and youth development to nutrition, natural resources, and community development.
• Engage with Thought Leaders: Dr. Andy Turner, Director of CCE, will facilitate our sessions, and Dr. Scott Peters—one of the editors—will join as a special guest for at least one discussion.

Details at a Glance:

• Book: Catalyzing Change: Profiles of Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators from Greene, Tompkins, and Erie Counties, New York
• Download the book here
• Register for the book club here

The Extension Book Club series is co-sponsored by Epsilon Sigma Phi, https://blogs.cornell.edu/esp-lambda/, a staff development organization of CCE. Let’s come together to celebrate the everyday leadership, creativity, and courage that Extension educators bring to their communities—and discover how our own stories might continue to catalyze change.

At our recent Program Development Leadership Cohort in-person Kick-Off, I collected ideas for follow-up professional development. One of the suggestions that came up was “Time Management.” It’s not a surprise—it is a perennial request. I often think, ” There are time management experts, and then there are…the rest of us.” I often feel overwhelmed by deadlines and search for tips, tricks, and practices for managing and, ideally, mastering my time.

A couple of years ago, while looking for sage advice about getting up earlier in the mornings (and going to bed earlier at night), I stumbled across a blog I liked from Laura Vanderkam, a writer, author, and time management specialist.   I enjoyed her writing style and candor about life and getting more things done that we want to be known for.  At the time, her book, Off the Clock, helped me to track my time, shift my schedule, and make decisions that helped me to get things done that I prized (over just doing what I had to do). I’ve gone on to read or listen to most of her books, and I do my best to follow her guidance (and then sometimes relisten. I have no shame in saying that I am a work in progress 😊).

I thought I’d share a couple of her tips, including my application, in case they are helpful to you…

1. Plan on Fridays. Vanderkam advocates for planning your week on Fridays (rather than Sundays or Mondays). This approach allows you to prioritize tasks, set goals, ensure a balanced schedule for the upcoming week, and, most importantly, wrap your head around next week before you are in it.  I love this, and yes, I still need a refresher on Monday on what is to come, but reviewing the upcoming week and sometimes moving and shifting meetings so that I have enough time blocks to get deeper work done is monumental.  Additionally, Laura encourages making time for this in a way that I look forward to that planning time (which doesn’t feel the same way if I wait until Monday).
   
2. Establish a Consistent Bedtime.  Yes – this will help you with your time management! Sleep is crucial for productivity. By setting a regular bedtime, you ensure adequate rest, which enhances focus and efficiency during the day…and certainly makes an early start much more achievable. Full disclosure: (for me) when going to bed early equates to scrolling through Instagram, it does not have the same benefits.  However, 20 minutes of diving into a book read for joy…is restful and restorative.
   
3. Embrace a ‘Three Times a Week’ Rule. In her book Tranquility by Tuesday, Vanderkam expounds that habits don’t have to be daily to be effective. Engaging in an activity three times a week can establish a consistent routine without overwhelming you or your schedule. Whether it is “make time to walk 10K steps a day 3 times a week”, “make time for deep work ( a 2hr block of no distractions) 3 times a week”, or “bring lunch 3 times a week”…this is a step toward progress without fear of failure.  You can always do more than 3x a week – but there are no bad feelings if you only do 3 times a week (which isn’t too tough). This takes the pressure off, and helps me give myself a little grace when the day or week just doesn’t go as planned. Most of the time – 3 times a week is very achievable.

Implementing these strategies can transform your approach to time management, leading to a greater productivity and…whallah – a more balanced life. For more insights and resources, visit Laura Vanderkam’s website. https://lauravanderkam.com/

Recommended Reading or listening (from me 😊) from Laura Vanderkam:

• Tranquility by Tuesday
• 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think
• Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done
• I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time
• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
• What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast

Other books about time management that I’ve found helpful:

• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
• Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

This week I led the 8th season of CCE Program Development Leadership Cohort kickoffs.  We had 17 incredible staff members participate from all corners of NYS and we had campus partners involved as well – which was fabulous!

I will be asking cohort members to reflect on their learnings and share here, as I think this is a great way to learn from each other.  Below is our first submission from Jennifer Coe,  CCE Franklin 4-H Camp Overlook Team Leader (thank you Jennifer!!).

As we embark on new initiatives and strive to expand our impact across New York, the initial planning phase is absolutely critical. It’s where our vision takes shape, our goals are defined, and the very foundation of our program is laid. To ensure these foundations are strong and our efforts are efficient and effective, embracing a program development model isn’t just a suggestion – it’s a necessity.

Think of a program development model as your path through the woods, all the tools you might use to guide your way, and the trail markers you see along the way. If you lose your way, you have those tools to back you up and encourage you back on path. Once you know the trail, it is much easier to follow the next time.  (PS- I’m a camp director!) It provides a step-by-step framework, guiding you through the essential stages of creating and implementing a new program. Without this roadmap, we risk getting lost in the details, overlooking crucial steps, and ultimately, hindering our ability to deliver impactful outcomes for the communities we serve.

So, why is this structured approach so vital? Let’s explore some key benefits:

Clarity and Focus: A well-defined model helps us to clearly articulate the program’s purpose, target audience, and desired outcomes right from the start. This shared understanding ensures everyone on the team is on the same page, minimizing confusion and maximizing focused effort.

Systematic Planning: Program development models break down the complex process of creation into manageable steps. From needs assessment and resource identification to implementation and evaluation, each stage is thoughtfully considered and addressed. This systematic approach reduces the likelihood of overlooking critical elements and helps us anticipate potential challenges.

Efficient Resource Allocation: By outlining the necessary steps and anticipated resources early on, a program development model enables us to allocate our time, budget, and personnel more effectively. This proactive approach helps prevent resource strain and ensures we’re utilizing our assets wisely. Consider resources close to your organization as well in adjacent programs seeking out new ideas and avoiding duplication of services.

Enhanced Collaboration: A structured model fosters better communication and collaboration among team members and stakeholders. With clear roles and responsibilities defined within the framework, everyone understands their contribution and how their work fits into the larger picture.

Improved Evaluation and Sustainability: Many program development models incorporate evaluation as an ongoing process, not just an afterthought. This allows us to monitor progress, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately build more sustainable and impactful programs. By embedding evaluation from the outset, we can gather valuable data to demonstrate our effectiveness to funders and the community.

Adaptability and Innovation: While providing structure, a good program development model also allows for flexibility and adaptation. As we learn and grow, the model can help us refine our approach and incorporate innovative strategies to better meet the evolving needs of our communities.

In essence, utilizing a program development model empowers us to move beyond a hurried planning and embrace a more strategic and intentional approach. It’s about working smarter, not just harder, to create programs that are robust, impactful, and truly make a difference.

As you embark on your next program development journey, I encourage you to explore the various models available – whether it’s the ADDIE model, Logic Model, Dick & Carey, or others – and find the one that best suits your program’s needs and context. Let’s leverage these frameworks to ensure our collective efforts to continue to thrive and create meaningful change.

Let’s build strong programs together!

For more information about the practice of program development and models to help you make sense of it all, visit: https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/courses/ccepdc-101/program-development-concepts-and-models 

Jennifer Coe is the 4-H Camp Overlook Team Leader from CCE Franklin County.

Hi all –

Recently, members of the Epsilon Sigma Phi board suggested that it would be helpful for CCE Administration to provide years of service certificates once again for counties to print and honor staff during annual meetings.

Templates for these certificates are now available for you to use and posted on our staff site: https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/units/ses/staffrecognition   Please help us to spread the word to those who work on recognition.

This request was a great reminder about the value of staff recognition.  No surprise – staff recognition and appreciation are linked to employee retention.  Cornell’s staff recognition site has several resources that have useful suggestions or employee recognition.  We are sharing in case this is of interest (note that some items are specific to Cornell).  https://hr.cornell.edu/people-leaders/employee-engagement/recognition.

Thank you to you and all of your staff for the great work that happens in the name of Extension across the state.

Best –

Celeste Carmichael
Program Development Specialist (and Epsilon Sigma Phi Lambda Chapter President)