In This Issue
2015 EDEN Annual Meeting
Call for Proposals Deadline April 10
From the Chair
Greetings,
March 2-4, the EDEN Executive Committee conducted its mid-winter meeting in Saint 
Augustine, Florida. This meeting is an opportunity for the committee to evaluate EDEN’s progress towards the fulfillment of current projects, evaluate partnerships, membership and any other ships that may be appropriate.
As EDEN begins assess its role for the next 20 years, the primary topic of discussion was development of a new strategic plan. Plans were developed to conduct this strategic plan during the summer and fall of 2015. To conduct this plan, we have asked Dr. Nick Place, EDEN’s representative to ECOP, to bring a number of State Extension Directors to the table, to meet with the EDEN Executive Committee and our NIFA representative. Since the Directors have been major supporters of EDEN, it is imperative that we have an understanding of their vision for EDEN’s relationship with Extension. Once the strategic plan has been developed, it will be presented to the membership for approval at the EDEN Annual Meeting in October, in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
A number of agenda items were discussed at this year’s mid-winter meeting including but not limited to:
- Use of “Response Notes” during a disaster to inform not only our Federal partners but EDEN delegates and State Directors.
- EDEN’s response to “climate variability.” As Extension seeks to determine it’s proper role in addressing the issues of climate variability, what can EDEN bring to the table?
- Inviting greater participation in EDEN by our 1994 sister institutions.
- Re-writing our “standard operating procedures” to help direct operations and guide new officers.
- Strengthening support for EDEN delegates at the state level. Being sure delegates receive needed support for participation in EDEN activities, including the annual meeting
As EDEN prepares for the next 20 years, it is important that we remember our roots, an integrate lessons learned into the strategic planning process. We look forward to this process and to sharing the results with all delegates at the 2015 Annual Meeting.
Best wishes,
Mike Yoder
America’s PrepareAthon!
Disasters can happen at any time and take us all by surprise, so the time to prepare is now. America’s PrepareAthon! is working to help people, just like you, prepare ahead of time.
National PrepareAthon! Day is April 30, 2015 and there will multiple ways to prepare for six specific disasters: earthquake, flood, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, and winter storm. The purpose of America’s PrepareAthon! is to help people understand what type of disasters can happen in their community, how to prepare for those disasters, how to recover from damage from those disasters, to increase their preparedness in general, and to prepare as a community.
Preparing for disaster is extremely important so America’s PrepareAthon! makes it easy to join. Just go to their website and join a group, then begin telling others about what you are planning. Participants can plan an event for themselves, their families, or their communities whatever they are comfortable doing. There are discussion forums for participants to share event ideas, along with disaster preparedness tips.
If you are interested in finding out more information, see their fact sheet and frequently asked questions. Don’t forget to join a group, follow the conversation at #PreparAthon, and be prepared to get prepared on April 30! — Written by Michelle Buffkin, AU Agriculture Communications Student/EDEN Community of Practice Social Media Assistant.
Webinars and Events
Upcoming Webinars & Events
- EDEN and FEMA Introduce America’s PrepareAthon! March 31, 3 PM Eastern
- Protecting Women and Children in Disasters (U.S.) April 10, 2 PM Eastern
- Enhancing Biosecurity at Fairs and Shows April 24, 2 PM Eastern
- Horses and Vesicular Stomatitis May 29, 2 PM Eastern
- Ready Community: Vulnerability and Resilience June 26, 2 PM Eastern
- Livestock First Aid and Safety July 31, 2 PM Eastern
- Exploring Sea Grant’s Coastal Resilience Toolkit August 21, 2 PM Eastern
- Practical Livestock Evaluation September 25, 2 PM Eastern
- Foodborne Outbreaks–What You Need to Know October 30, 2 PM Eastern
Webinar Archives
Featured Resources
- Flooding: The Big Picture describes the phases of disaster response on the context of floods. Each phase links to additional information. Brought to you by the EDEN flood NEIL and CoP.
- America’s PrepareAthon! also has flood resources, including a playbook for an organizational tabletop exercise.
- Need a resource on basic disaster preparedness? Check out these two courses from EDEN. One is for families and the other for businesses.
- Grant opportunities
- State Farm Service Learning Grant. Closing date is May 1. Steve Cain is coordinating discussions.
- Strengthening the Public’s and/or K-12 Students’ Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience to Extreme Weather Events and Environmental Changes. Contact Keith Tidball if you’re interested in this opportunity.
- Specialty Crop and Organic Agriculture Research and Extension. Steve Cain is coordinating discussion on applicability of drought education to specialty and organic crops. Contact Steve for more information.
