WEBINARS
Online learning opportunities can help Extension professionals learn about disaster resources and programs used by their colleagues, keep up-to-date on federal disaster programs, and assemble a toolbox for building disaster-resilient communities. Webinars listed here have been developed by EDEN, by one of its state-based member Extension programs, or by one of its partners. EDEN’s Professional Development Program hosts a monthly Professional Development Webinar almost every second Tuesday of the month at 1pm Eastern Time. Other webinars may be presented by the EDEN support team (FADI-EDEN). Information about these will be provided in the monthly EDEN Exchange.
Have a webinar topic idea? Submit proposals here.
Upcoming Webinars
Webinar Archive
Lights Out Cooking: A 72-hour Emergency Preparedness Cookbook
Emergency management experts recommend having enough food, water, and essential supplies to shelter in place for at least 72 hours following a disaster. During this time, power outages are common. This means families need to rely on alternative ways to prepare meals and manage basic needs. Lights Out Cooking offers a practical solution with flexible, nutritious recipes that can be prepared with limited resources.
Presented by Cindy Brison and Soni Cochran, University of Nebraska | November 2025
Disaster Exercises – Practice to Be Prepared
This webinar deals with how to exercise what you train for so that when “Grey Skies” appear you are ready to act the way you exercise. This helps with decision making and learning to work with others under ICS. Additionally, a short intro to the table top exercise during the EDEN Annual Conference was given.
The Relevance of Extension for the Emergency Management Community: How to Get There
Description: Resources are increasingly tight for emergency management agencies (EMAs) and their traditional preparedness and response partners. With the changing environment at the national level impacting state and local EMAs, Extension is increasingly important for overall community readiness and support for disaster response. Extension brings knowledge, skills, and abilities in more than agriculture (ESF11) and includes areas of practice that support ESF6-Mass Care, ESF8-Public Health & Medical Services, VOAD, and more. So how do you make Emergency Managers in your state and local area aware that Extension is a valuable partner across all four phases of emergency management. Find out what your team needs to do to become a better partner to your EMAs, to stay current, and to expand partner networks beyond the Extension family. Learn through the lens of a professional emergency manager in extension and real world lessons from COVID, the Maui Fires, and more.
Presented by Liz Fischer, Univeristy of Hawaii | September 2025
Development and Evaluation of a Biosecurity Framework for Livestock Exhibitions
Livestock exhibitions can create high-risk environments for zoonotic disease outbreaks, making strong biosecurity measures essential to protecting animal and human health. Join this webinar to explore how researchers at the University of Florida have developed and assessed a biosecurity framework tailored to livestock exhibitions. This framework serves as a template and guide for exhibition staff in creating effective biosecurity plans for their events. Participants will gain practical insights on adapting and implementing strong biosecurity strategies to ensure a safer exhibition environment.
Presented by Isabell Revere, University of Florida | July 2025
Mental Health Resiliency During Times of Disaster and Recovery
Working on the front and secondary lines of disaster and recovery makes professionals and volunteers susceptible to the effects of trauma of others. In this session, you will learn how to increase your resiliency and readiness to serve now, so you can be better equipped for the sudden increase of stress. Additionally, you will develop basic skills to recognize when folks need professional help and when you can provide basic care, comfort, and support to your clientele or colleagues who are experiencing disaster-related stress.
Presented by Dr. Jesse M. Ketterman, Jr. – University of Maryland Extension and Glenda Hyde – Oregon State University Extension | June 2025
A Storm Like No Other and Unforgettable Wildfires
Learn how North Carolina State Extension agents continue to support communities recovering from Hurricane Helene and an update on the wildfires devastating much of North Carolina. Dr. Mike Yoder serves as the Associate Director and State Program Leader for 4-H for North Carolina Extension. In addition, he serves as Coordinator of Emergency Programs for NC State Extension since 2008. His service to EDEN includes being member/Chair of the Agriculture, member of the Marketing; Professional Development, 4-H, and FCS committees. Finally, Mike is a past national chair of EDEN.
Presented by Dr. Mike Yoder, Associate Director & State Program Leader – 4-H and Emergency Programs for North Carolina State Extension and others | May 2025
NFWF Funded Hurricane Michael Marine Debris Removal Project
After Hurricane Michael, UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant filled a critical gap in long-term recovery, leading marine debris removal when few others could. With UF’s grant management and procurement support, we secured funding, hired a project manager and field staff, and focused on applying marine and coastal expertise.
Rather than an immediate response, our role was to sustain and implement recovery efforts after the emergency phase ended. Acting as a general manager, I connected teams with University, NOAA, and NFWF resources to ensure they had the tools to get the job done.
This presentation highlights how Extension agents and professionals can play a vital role in disaster recovery by utilizing institutional support, partnerships, and expertise to support recovery efforts.
Presented by Scott Jackson, Florida Sea Grant Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Bay County | March 2025
Emergency Planning Documents to Improve Community Resilience Webinar
This webinar provides an overview of emergency planning documents and other products that can assist families, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits become more disaster resilient. It also outlines a marketing strategy that includes the “how do I include this” in my regular programming.
Presented by Conne Burnham, University of Missouri | February 2025
Keep the Holidays Merry with Food Safety
The holidays are a very hectic time with all the food, family and friends gatherings, and festivities. This is also a prime opportunity for foodborne illnesses, accidents and injuries to occur. This webinar shares tips on how to keep the holidays healthy and safe.
Presented by Amy Simonne, University of Florida | December 2024
When Duty Calls; Cooperative Extension Responds
This webinar delves into the experiences and lessons learned from recent disaster response efforts, specifically Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
Presented by Bryan Davis and Zach Schaefer, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Mike Yoder and Scott McCollum, North Carolina State Extension | November 2024
An Introduction to Tabletop Exercises
The purpose of this webinar is to discuss the importance of tabletop exercises in the simulation of an emergency situation and what to expect during the exercise that will be taking place on October 25, just after the 2024 Annual EDEN Conference. The intended audience is for those attending the exercise, however, anyone from EDEN is welcome to attend.
Presented by Anne Howard Hilbun-Benoit, Extension Instructor, Mississippi State University Extension Service | October 2024
Reunification Following a Disaster: Two Real World Examples
This webinar covers the importance and process of reunification following a disaster..
Presented by Carol Janssens, American Red Cross, Northwest Region Mass Care Lead, National Reunification Program Support and Allison J. Anderson, Will County Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director | August 2024
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Community Centered Severe Weather Preparedness and Resilience
The National Severe Storms Laboratory and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium have partnered to build an extension program centered around community severe weather preparedness and resilience for VORTEX-SE (Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment Southeast). The neighborhood level approach outlined in this presentation. In “Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Community-Centered Severe Weather Preparedness and Resilience,” Dr. Tracie Sempier will present a neighborhood-level approach to severe weather preparedness. This approach is aimed at empowering individuals to understand their role in helping one another in the event of severe weather and acquiring the skills necessary for an appropriate response during a disaster and can collectively take action to protect people and property..
Presented by Dr. Tracie Sempier, Coastal Resilience Engagement Specialist with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, University of Southern Mississippi
June 2024
March 2024 Webinar – Spring Flood Outlook
This webinar will look at various factors that are incorporated into the spring flood and water resources outlook, including soil moisture, current streamflow, and snowpack. Temperature and precipitation outlooks will be included in both the short-term and long-term time frames, along with flood probabilities at locations throughout the country.
Presented by Mark Fuchs, Senior Service Hydrologist National Weather Service St, Louis, Missouri
April 2024
DIGITAL INCLUSION AND DISASTERS
The EDEN Monthly Webinar for May 2023 addressed digital inclusion and what it means when it comes to disaster education. Beginning with digital inclusion 101, the first half of the webinar provided participants the background and vocabulary to discuss the digital divide and other issues of the digital age. The second half of the webinar connects digital inclusion to disaster education and work done by EDEN.
Presented by Cheyanne Geideman, Purdue University’s North Central Regional Center of Rural Development
April 2023
Extension’s Role and Response to Chemical and Oil Spills
This webinar will help Extension professionals from Sea Grant and Land Grant universities alike better understand the role and response of Extension during chemical and oil spills. Learn the difference between natural disasters and technological disasters and their impacts on community response in both coastal areas and inland.
Panelists:
Christopher Petrone, Delaware Sea Grant
Kelsey Prihoda, Minnesota Sea Grant
Davin Holen, Alaska Sea Grant
Steve Sempier, Mississippi- Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
April 17th, 2023 at 1:00pm (Eastern)
BE PREPARED: A COMMUNITY PLANNING APPROACH TO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, HAZARD MITIGATION, AND FLOODING
Kara Salazar and Carrie McKillip will present a new program funded through the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) which is designed to support community-based updates of hazard mitigation and resilience planning with an emphasis on green infrastructure. Ken Hellevang will present being prepared for flooding, which includes knowing your roles, having educational resources prepared, and following forecasts.
Presented by EDEN and the North Central Regional Center of Rural Development
March 7th, 2023
How Will the New Madrid Seismic Zone Affect You?
This webinar will outline the basics of the NMSZ and how it could affect those inside and outside the zone. Learn how an earthquake could impact national security, the supply chain, mass care, the economy and infrastructure. It will also cover the New Madrid Seismic Zone Multi-State Public Awareness and Education Project and how this grant will help communities become more disaster resilient.
Presented by Conne Burnham
February 21, 2023
Biosecurity: Personal to Farm
Helping Extension professionals understand biosecurity, carcass management, preparedness, disaster response and environmental management, the Biosecurity webinar is presented by EDEN’s Agriculture Committee Chair, Tommy Bass, of Montana State University.
Presented by Tommy Bass
January 24, 2023
Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture
Dr. Ashley Mueller, NIFA’s National Program Leader for the Institute of Youth, Family and Community, and Dr. Danielle Farley, NIFA’s Program Specialist for the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability and Dr. Amy Ganguli, NIFA’s National Program Leader for the Institute of Bioenergy, Climate and Environment, present EDEN’s latest webinar. They introduce the A1712 Program Team and discuss the funding opportunities, CAP and applications.
Presented by Ashley Mueller
April 5, 2022
EDEN Seas-Level rise in the Classroom
EDEN Professional Development Webinar: Sea-Level Rise in the Classroom Fostering Science-to-Civics Literacy
Presented by
March 2, 2022
Point of Contact Discussion
As we begin 2022, all of us in Cooperative and Sea Grant Extension Systems across our nation are facing growing responsibilities to help educate and prepare our stakeholders for ever-increasing numbers of man-created technological incidents and natural disasters, as our disruptive weather patterns occur with more frequency. Many of us will also be expanding our roles in the realm of community resilience, recovery and mitigation from natural disasters in our regions. The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN), founded 26 years ago through the efforts of land-grant leaders and the USDA, is committed to providing timely, appropriate and relevant research-based information for all member institutions. The Point of Contact Discussion will occur twice a year with the intention of each session being to help identify best practices in the field of emergency preparedness/management with presentation of materials currently being utilized, the gaps that need to be addressed, and the types of tools and resources that will help practitioners at your institution better meet stakeholder and client needs.
Presented by Abby Lillpop
February 18, 2022
Step Up With 4-H
A new, flexible, free, high quality curriculum: STEP! The Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) presented by Shelby Carlson, 4-H Youth Development Educator for the University of Illinois.
Presented by Shelby Carlson
September 7, 2021
Preparing the Urban Canopy for Weather Related Disasters
Trees can often cause trouble for communities and individuals in high-wind events across the nation. Presenters Sarah Vogel, Ryan Pankau and Chris Enroth discuss tree species, health and proper maintenance for your trees to prevent damage and to better prepare for weather related disasters.
Presented by Sarah Vogel, Ryan Pankau and Chris Enroth
August 7, 2021
Hurricane + Flood & Tornado Resistant Building Construction
Spencer Rogers, a coastal engineer and geologist with North Carolina Sea Grant, discusses hurricane resistant construction techniques, shoreline erosion, coastal management and marine construction.
Presented by Spencer Rogers
July 7, 2021
Saving Pets, Saving People
The number one reason that people who own pets will not evacuate during a disaster is fear that the pets will not be allowed to go with them. When in fact the better prepared the pet owner is for their pet(s), the better first responders can help them. This webinar will discuss how pet owners can prepare for their pets in times of disasters and discuss how emergency managers can develop community animal disaster plans to better serve their citizens.
Presented by Ragan Adams
June 8, 2021
Let’s Talk Fairs and Potential Disaster Situations
What’s your relationship with your county or state fair? Do you know who to call if the fairgrounds is needed for emergency shelter? How have you addressed the potential for animal disease outbreaks, zoonotic disease outbreaks or other emergency (and potentially disastrous) situations in planning sessions with your local or regional fair? This webinar will provide a high-level overview of the fair industry (county fairs, regional shows and exhibitions, and state fairs) in the United States to provide an awareness of the varying organizational structures across the country. This session will also identify several areas of risk which can be mitigated with education and training and the role Extension might play in that.
Presented by Marla Calico
March 9, 2021
A Case Study of an Extension Response to a Severe Wildfire Season
The presentation will present an overview of the Extension programming response to the record 2015 wildfire season in north-central Idaho as well as a discussion of lessons learned..
Presented by William “Bill” Warren
June 9, 2020
Epidemic Preparedness for Community Organizations
When EDEN’s Epidemic Preparedness for Community Organizations program was developed a few years ago, nobody was talking about coronavirus. But now, community organizations are serving their members or other audiences possibly without much planning. This EDEN program helps community organization representatives (from houses of worship, nongovernmental organizations, service providers, etc.) walk through a process to help them plan for their own group and their work with other groups to fill gaps and avoid duplication in communities. Now with the coronavirus pandemic, community organizations may use the program to document their recent experiences and plan for the future.
Presented by Becky Koch
May 27, 2020
UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH AND REALITY TO SUPPORT PARENTS IN TRYING TIMES
Parenting isn’t always easy, especially in unprecedented times like these. It is essential for Extension professionals to have a variety of tools that support parents as they navigate the uncertainty of a crisis like COVID-19. Trustworthy resources, grounded in research can be offered alongside the realization that each family has a different reality and therefore different needs. This webinar offers parents and professionals resources that may help guide decisions about what is best for their own children and families. Professionals will learn about The Science of Parenting podcasts and blogs as resources to support the constituents they serve as well as gain an understanding of the Stop. Breathe. Talk. parenting technique
Presented by Lori Hayungs, Mackenzie Johnson, Mackenzie DeJong, and Barbara Dunn Swanson
May 19, 2020
Managing Work-Life Balance When Working from Home with No Child Care
This webinar uses guiding principals from research on family resilience and child development in order to provide some useful tips and strategies for identifying ways to cope with working at home with your entire family in one small space. The presenter highlights some common challenges and solutions, as well as provide some example “cases” in order to demonstrate how to come up with a strategy that works for a variety of types of families.
Presented by Kristine Marceau
April 10, 2020
KNOW HOW TO KEEP YOUR FOOD SAFE
We cannot always predict the severity of emergencies or natural disasters before they occur. Know how to prepare and keep food safe to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Presented by Joyce McGarry
March 10, 2020
1890-EDEN ACTION PLAN UPDATE
It is widely known that limited resource audiences and other vulnerable population groups are disproportionately affected by disasters. Therefore, in times of disaster, 1890 land-grant universities (LGUs) play crucial roles in connecting with and engaging these communities. As early as 2009, NIFA and the EDEN Executive Committee observed the lack of participation in EDEN by 1890 LGUs. With the support of the EDEN Executive and the 1890 Association of Extension Administrators (AEA), NIFA’s Division of Family and Consumer Sciences hosted an EDEN Visiting Scholar in the summer of 2017 toward assisting with developing a formal structure for 1890 engagement in EDEN. The output was an action plan. EDEN, NIFA and the AEA view this approach as critical to bolstering disaster management programming at 1890 LGUs; thereby enhancing disaster preparedness, resilience and quality of life for limited resource clientele nationwide. The 1890-EDEN Advisory Group was created to provide leadership for creating and executing the 1890-EDEN Action Plan.
This webinar reviews the structure of the action plan and will outline the Advisory Group’s approach to execute the plan. The approach includes conference calls, face-to-face planning meetings, webinars, training, presentations at professional meetings and responding to requests for proposals. We will also present an overview of current and proposed collaborations in EDEN, with the wider land-grant community, other academic institutions, Federal and non-Federal agencies and entities. The action plan outlines an ambitious framework of goals, challenges and strategies that will ultimately improve disaster programming in the 1890 community.
Presented by Noel M. Estwick, Michelle Eley, Kimberly Davis, and Finis Stribling III.
February 11, 2020
Community Resources for Power Outage
Power outages cost the U.S. economy at least $150 billion per year and, with an average of 300 annual electrical grid electric grid disturbances from 2011-2013, the U.S. experiences more than any other developed nation. In December 2018, the National Infrastructure Advisory Council released recommendations on how to strengthen capabilities of the nation to survive catastrophic power outages, including the development of guidance and resources for states, territories, cities and localities to design community enclaves where critical services and resources could be co-located in order to maintain health and safety in communities and to allow residents to shelter in place.
This webinar reviews the basics of energy storage technology and summarizes existing public education and project development resources for Extension personnel and emergency managers interested in assisting municipalities with developing community resilience to power outages and, more broadly, creating a community of practice around this series of topics. We also present an overview of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Battery Energy Storage System Guidebook, which contains information, tools, and step-by-step instructions to support local governments managing battery energy storage system development in their communities. The Guidebook provides local officials in-depth details about the permitting and inspection process to ensure efficiency, transparency, and safety in their communities, and serves as a national model for other states seeking to learn about the community resilience aspects of these technology and facilitate the development of community-scale battery energy storage systems.
Presented by Katherine Herleman and Jennifer Manierre
January 14, 2020
ESF 11: Agriculture and Natural Resources – What Extension Needs to Know in Supporting USDA
The webinar provides a familiarization of Emergency Support Function (ESF) #11 in general and expands on the roles of government partners in disaster response. Since 2016, EDEN has been listed as a supporting agency on ESF #11 behind the ESF coordinator and primary agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ESF #11 – Agriculture and Natural Resources supports State, tribal, and local authorities and other Federal agency efforts to provide nutrition assistance; control and eradicate, as appropriate, any outbreak of a highly contagious or economically devastating animal/zoonotic (i.e., transmitted between animals and people) disease, or an outbreak of an economically devastating plant pest or disease; ensure the safety and security of the commercial food supply; protect natural and cultural resources and historic properties (NCH) resources; and provide for the safety and well-being of household pets during an emergency response or evacuation situation.
Presented by Mike Serach
July 9, 2019
Disaster Financial Preparedness Strategies
While no one expects to be affected by a disaster, we all know that disasters can hit with little to no warning. Creating a culture of preparedness is essential in helping disaster survivors bounce back more quickly and efficiently following a disaster. One step to prepare for disasters includes financial preparedness. This webinar focuses on resources and tools available to assist individuals and families in preparing financially for the unexpected impact of a disaster.
Presented by Sara Croymans and Lori Hendrickson
June 18, 2019
Extension’s Response to the Spring Floods of 2019
This webinar takes a close look at flooding in four states and how extension services are participating in the flood response. This webinar is moderated by Carrie McKillip (University of Illinois), and features stories and lessons learned from Tom Ball of Mississippi State Extension, Jim Crawford of the University of Missouri Extension, Ashley Mueller of the University of Nebraska Extension, and Mandy Mahler of Iowa State University Extension. If your extension service is responding to flooding or any other hazard, please remember to fill out the response notes.
Presented by Tom Ball, Jim Crawford, Ashley Mueller, and Mandy Mahler
May 21, 2019
EDEN FADI Proposal Review and Update
This webinar addresses the USDA’s Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative (FADI) EDEN project, as funded under a cooperative agreement with Purdue Extension. Abby Hostetler, National EDEN Project Coordinator, takes an in-depth look at what was proposed in Purdue Extension’s response to the USDA request for application. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions about how the project enhances the work of the network and increases Extension’s capacity to provide disaster education programming.
Presented by Abby Hostetler, Jason Henderson, and Lionel “Bo” Beaulieu
April 16, 2019
Spring Conditions, What to Expect
This webinar looks at the recent weather, including snowfall and ice build-up, and what implications that has on hydrological outlooks for this spring. Jim Noel, Service Coordination Hydrologist at NOAA/National Weather Service Ohio River Forecast Center, covers national flood and drought risks as well as other topics during his presentation.
Presented by Jim Noel
March 19, 2019
Communicating About Risks, More Than Just Information
Wondering why people don’t respond the way you want them to when it comes to information about flooding, climate change, and other risks? Communicating about risks isn’t as simple as providing more information. People respond to that information based on lots of different things.
This webinar discusses:
Presented by Sarah Watson
January 10, 2018
Basics of the National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures. It does so by providing affordable insurance to property owners and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations.
This webinar addresses:
Presented by Sarah Watson
January 10, 2018
Search is Over – Explore EDEN’s New Website Webinar (Part 1)
It’s here! EDEN’s new website (eden.lsu.edu) has been launched. Learn to navigate it’s 3 new channels–Educate, Explore and Engage. Reduce your time searching for research-based resources, grant projects and programs, or other colleagues programming in Disaster Education. Presenters: Rick Griffiths, EDEN Information Clearinghouse Chair, New Mexico State University Extension, along with Austin Rome, Web Developer, and Henry “Paco” Capello, Director of IT, Stephenson Disaster Management Institute, Louisiana State University, will provide an overview of the website design and “how-to’s” on searching resource catalog, finding delegate toolbox, and other new features.
Presented by Rick Griffiths, Henry “Paco” Capello, and Austin Rome
November 8, 2017
Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency
Remembering the rules about food safety when the power is out and during an emergency is difficult.
Presented by Lizann Powers-Hammond
October 2016
Developing Personal and Office Emergency Plans
Emergency plans are important, but are they urgent? They should be. If you don’t have a personal and an office emergency plan, you should move them to the top of your to-do list. This webinar explains why emergency plans are important AND urgent. It also explains how to create them.
Presented by Elizabeth Kiss and Rick Atterberry
September 2016
Developing Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COADs)
Does your community have a COAD? Bev Maltsberger, University of Missouri Extension, Carrie McKillip, University of
Illinois Extension, and Dr. Mike Gaffney, Washington State University, discuss how to develop COADs.
Presented by Bev Maltsberger, Carrie McKillip, and Mike Gaffney
August 2016
Protecting Your Farm or Ranch From Wildfire
What can you do to prepare your farm or ranch for wildfire? Scott Cotton, University of Wyoming Extension, discusses steps that you can take.
Presented by Scott Cotton
July 2016
Safe Drinking Water Before, During, and After a Disaster
We don’t think too much about access to safe drinking water in this country because we have many sources for the water. When a disaster strikes, those sources may be unavailable.Planning to include drinking water for emergencies or disasters will reduce your chances of running out of safe drinking water. Learn what you can do to have access to safe drinking water when a disaster strikes. This webinar will focus on water storage for emergencies, and sources of water when stored water has been depleted. In addition, you will learn who determines if rural water systems have safe drinking water, when to test wells, and other risks associated with wells.
Presented by Michael Smolen, Barbara Brown, and Gina Peek
April 25, 2013
EDEN + eXtension Webinars:
We don’t think too much about access to safe drinking water in this country because we have many sources for the water. When a disaster strikes, those sources may be unavailable. Planning to include drinking water for emergencies or disasters will reduce your chances of running out of safe drinking water. Learn what you can do to have access to safe drinking water when a disaster strikes. This webinar will focus on water storage for emergencies, and sources of water when stored water has been depleted. In addition, you will learn who determines if rural water systems have safe drinking water, when to test wells, and other risks associated with wells.
