Our Values

• SOCIETY - Our foundational principle is to enhance the societal impact of the Land Grant University System. 

• CONNECTIVITY - Our priority is to facilitate communication, collaboration, networking, and partnerships among our member Associations. 

• OPPORTUNITY - Our purpose is to ensure accessibility and availability of Extension professional development opportunities and leadership capacity building. 

Our Conferences

Extension Leadership Conference (ELC)

Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD)

The aim of ELC is to build leadership capacity, and provide professional development and networking opportunities for state officers and members of the Extension Associations:

·        ANREP

·        ESP

·        NACAA

·        NACDEP

·        NAE4-HYDP

·        NAEPSDP, and

·        NEAFCS.

The purpose of the PILD Conference is to:

·        provide professional development to broaden understanding of public policy issues impacting Extension and Extension clientele,

·        enhance advocacy and public policy education skills,

·        share how changing political environments affect support for Extension,

·        build support for Extension through consistent and targeted communication with decision makers,

·        strengthen partnerships and explore new linkages with local, state, and federal agencies, and

·        encourage visits with federal legislators and decision-makers.

Excellence in Extension Engagement Award

This Excellence in Extension Engagement Award recognizes high-quality, evidence-based Extension work that has documented outstanding outcomes and impacts with clientele and strengthens the Extension profession. The selection committee considers individual or team applicants that documents an engagement program that is local needs-driven, grounded in scholarly practice, has adequate program evaluation, adoption beyond the initial audience, strengthens professionals within or across states, and shows innovation that brings something new to Extension professionals. First place receives: a $750 award, must present a presentation at ELC, and ELC registration is waived. Honorable mention receives: a $250 award and ELC registration is waived. 

View Application Guidelines.  Applications are due September 30 and must  include the following. 

 Letter of application by the individual or nominator

 Two letters of support from a client, peer, supervisor, or director

 The application topic needs to have some currency, but is not limited to any recent timeframe and may have started many years in the past with recently documented successes, impacts, or culmination of the effort.

AWARD WINNERS

2026 Winner: Jan Scholl-Kennedy: Establishing a Research Base to Sustain the 4-H Program

2026 Honorable Mention: – Danielle McFall, Windsor Sherrill, Michelle Stancil, Melissa Bales, Rhonda Matthews, Samantha Kanny, Abigail Diblin, and Janet Evatt: Health Extension for Diabetes: A Community-Based Diabetes Self-Management Support Program

2025 Winner: Dr. Jennifer Aranda, Isabel Huot-Link, Ellen Wolter, Tobias Spanier, Tim Young Chol Choi, Dr. Scott Chazdon, and Victoria McWane-Creek, University of Minnesota,

The Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Program

2025 Honorable Mention: Steve Ball, Kelsey Weitzel, Kristin Miller, Marta Novaes Oliveira, University of Missouri, Stay Strong, Stay Healthy (SSSH) Program

2024 Winner: Paul Hill, Ph.D., Utah State University, The Remote Online Initiative

2024 Honorable Mention: Jason de Koff, Ph.D., Tennessee State University, Bioenergy and Drone Technology

Nominations of past award winners:

2024, Paul Hill, The Remote Online Initiative

Please click here for a sample submission. 

2025 Winner: Dr. Jennifer Aranda, Isabel Huot-Link, Ellen Wolter, Tobias Spanier, Tim Young Chol Choi, Dr. Scott Chazdon, and Victoria McWane-Creek, University of Minnesota,

The Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Program

Please click here for a sample submission.

2026 Winner: Jan Scholl-Kennedy: Establishing a Research Base to Sustain the 4-H Program

Please click here for a sample submission.

Make plans now for the 2027 PILD Conference, 

April 12-14, 2027

Bethesda

Call For Proposals

2027 

Public Issues Leadership Development  Conference (PILD)

Theme: 

Changing Landscapes:  

Extension's Role in a Changing World

Proposals Due:  Tuesday, January 5, 2027 

Submit proposals via: go.osu.edu/PILD2027

About the Conference

The Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) invites proposals for the 2027 PILD Conference. This annual event brings together Extension professionals, elected officials, and volunteers to:

●        Communicate the value of Extension

●        Strengthen understanding of federal partnerships

●        Build confidence in engaging with elected leaders

PILD is open to all Extension professionals from 1862, 1890, and 1994 land-grant institutions. 

We welcome proposals across all disciplines that align with the conference theme and mission.

Presentation Types

Concurrent Sessions:

●        45-minute workshop

●        All sessions include Q&A and must be engaging and participatory

Posters:

●        Displayed throughout the conference

●        Staffed poster session time will be assigned

●        Dimensions and setup instructions provided upon acceptance

Ignite Talks:

●        10-minute timed presentation with up to 25 auto-advancing slides

●        2 minutes for Q&A

●        Focus on a single impactful idea, event, or tool

Evaluation Criteria

All proposals will undergo blind peer review.

Criteria Weight

Relevance to PILD mission and all land-grant institutions 20%

Innovative approach to funding, partnerships, advocacy, or leadership 20%

Demonstrated impact and communication to decision-makers 20%

Replicability of tools, models, or strategies 20%

Alignment with 2027 theme 10%

Application to a wide variety of audiences (including volunteers) 10%

 Submission Guidelines

●        Submit proposals via: go.osu.edu/PILD2027

●        Deadline: Tuesday, January 5, 2027

●        Presenters must be current members of a JCEP professional organization

●        Presenters are responsible for their own registration and travel costs

 Contact & Additional Information

●        Visit the PILD Conference Website: https://www.jcep.org/pild

●        Questions? Email: tbrent@vt.edu OR bennett.709@osu.edu  or ldavis@uada.edu

For a full copy of the Call for Proposals with additional guidelines please click here:  2027 PILD Call for Proposals

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