Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service New Staff Orientation AgrAbility National Training Workshop Sacramento, California October 30, 2007 Karen Hunter, CSREES

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service History of AgrAbility Grassroots effort Modeled after pioneering efforts in Iowa and Vermont Grown from 8 awards in 1991 to 21 awards in 2007 totaling $4.3 M

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service CSREES? Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service One of agencies comprising the USDA Research, Education, and Economics area Mission: to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service More on CSREES… Staff of about 360 USDA employees and 30 contractors Managed $1.1B in appropriations in FY 2007 Extension appropriations of $430M in FY 2007 Includes formula, special grants, and competitive grant programs

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service What does CSREES DO? Program leadership to identify, develop, and manage programs to support university- based and other institutional research, education, and extension

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Administration of Funds Provide fair, effective, and efficient administration of Federal assistance Satisfy Legislative and Executive branches Collect data to justify continuing programs

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Cooperative Extension Service Partnership of: –3000 counties with over 9000 local educators –Land-Grant Institutions institutions 18 historically black 1890 institutions 31 Native American 1994 institutions –USDA-CSREES

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service CSREES and AgrAbility Promotes accomplishments across USDA and university systems Assists during project transitions Helps projects make choices based on agency administrative requirements and mandates to the program by Congress

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Farm Bills Authorized partnership between land-grant institutions and disability organizations Established funding recommendations Provided guidance on eligible programs Appropriations for AgrAbility under Smith- Lever 3(d)

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service AgrAbility Funds DO Support… Education—long term investment strategy –Accommodating disabilities and avoiding secondary injuries –Directed towards health, farm, and government service providers Networking –Sharing of information and provision of services –Customers, peer supporters, volunteers, stakeholders, other funding organizations, etc.

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service AgrAbility Funds Also Support… Assistance –Focuses on individualized consultative services increasing likelihood of client’s success in farm operation –Includes client and others working at same place Marketing –Increasing awareness of AgrAbility and its initiatives

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service AgrAbility Funds May NOT… Pay for assistive technology or other farm site modifications Solicit other federal funds Pay tuition or student fees Pay overhead or indirect cost Conduct research (work must remain within accepted bounds of Extension)

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service New Staff Reminders Keep your directors, colleagues, and CSREES informed of any significant recognition of your project Inform me if you have a change in or reorganization of project staff Submit reports on time

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Contact Information Karen Hunter, Program Specialist –Phone: (202) –Fax: (202) –