GUIDELINES FOR WRITING LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO OUTSIDE GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES Frequently, employees are asked by non-profit groups, organizations, or agencies in their county to provide a letter of support or commitment from Extension for a project/grant for which that organization is requesting/receiving funds. Below are the Definitions of (1) Letter of Support versus (2) Letter of Commitment: Letter of Support States that the Cooperative Extension Service supports a particular project that aligns and complements CES educational programs of work. The letter commits the support of an individual or office staff and offers educational activities already provided by Extension. Letter of Commitment States that the Cooperative Extension Service will actively participate in a project and contractually obligates resources of the CES. It specifies the resources that CES will commit to the project and identifies what role the Extension Agent or employee will play in bringing the project to a successful conclusion. Letters of commitment generally accompany a grant application and must be approved through the administrative chain of command and Sponsored Programs department as documented by signatures on FIN 312. Employees are not authorized to provide a letter of commitment without administrative approval. For employees who are asked, because of their position with the Cooperative Extension Service, to provide a LETTER OF SUPPORT, follow these steps: 1. Discuss the request with your staff chair or immediate supervisor. The support requested by the outside group, organization or agency must include Extension Educational programs that already exist and are being provided by the Extension Service. 2. If approved that the support is within the scope of the Extension Mission, is appropriate and aligned with Educational Plan of Work Goals, draft a letter (see examples) and forward to the Associate, Assistant or District Director for final approval. 3. After approval, mail a copy of the letter to the requesting group, under your signature, and send a copy of the letter to your immediate supervisor, and Associate, Assistant or District Director for their files.
August 4, 2017 Arkansas Breast Cancer Research Committee Little Rock, AR Dear Arkansas Breast Cancer Research Committee: On behalf of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Jefferson County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences, we support the Novel Technology Approaches to Remind Users of BSE & Mammography/Physician Scheduling Research Project developed by UAPB Professors, Dr. Janette Wheat and Dr. Kaye Crippen. This seed project is requesting $75,000.00. We feel the funds will be utilized to the fullest extent. We have employees who are breast cancer survivors, including Mary Ann Kizer, so we hope that this project will lead to early breast cancer detection to increase survival rates. Please give highest consideration for the Novel Technology Approaches to Remind Users of BSE & Mammography/Physician Scheduling Project. If you have further questions, please contact me at rcartwright@uaex.edu or 501-67-2001. Sincerely, Richard D. Cartwright, Ph.D. Associate Vice President for Agriculture-Extension and Director, Cooperative Extension Service University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
May 11, 2017 To: NIFA Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Selection Committee Dear Selection Committee Members: Please accept this letter of support and commitment to serve as the state Point of Contact for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension service 4-H Youth Development department for the duration of the proposed two year program entitled, National Youth Preparedness Initiative: Preparing Teens; Preparing Communities - Phase 2 Expansion. We welcome the opportunity to partner with the Mississippi State University Extension Service (MSU-ES) and the other collaborating institutions. Our shared goal of promoting emergency preparedness through education and enhancing the safety and security throughout the state is directly aligned with this program s notion that involving our teens in individual, family, and community preparedness efforts is critical to the livelihood and resiliency of our population. With the proper training, oversight, and technological resources, our Extension Service, with its time honored tradition of education and outreach, has the necessary county footprint to not only effectively replicate the components of the national award winning Mississippi Youth Preparedness Initiative, but to mirror its positive impact across our state. As Extension professionals, we know that the most effective manner in which to deliver critical messages home is through our youth. This program thoroughly engages teens in emergency preparedness and enhances teamwork, communication, leadership, self-esteem, civic responsibility, as well as family cohesion and decision making, among other concepts. The three-pronged program consisting of a certified curriculum, specialized add-on catalog, and capstone service project, positively impacts individual, family and community preparedness. Angie Freel is willing to serve as the Point of Contact and provide the following support and participation for this project: Attendance at monthly conference calls with partnering states for project updates and individual follow-up calls and emails as needed; Assistance in identifying at least 5 counties, 125 total students, and 10 total Extension Agents for the delivery of my state s portion of the national program; Participation and assistance in coordinating one 3-day Train the Trainer workshop; Oversee class report submissions and necessary project correspondence, as well as, state data review and project recommendations. We look forward to working with the PI for the national project, Dr. C. Ryan Akers of the MSU-ES, to deliver this proven and high quality product. A program of this nature, in its content and delivery, seamlessly supports the inherent ideals of the Extension mission. Sincerely, Richard D. Cartwright, Ph.D. Interim Associate Vice President for Agriculture-Extension and Director, Cooperative Extension Service University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
January 25, 2017 Ms. Anupama Joshi National Farm to School Network P.M.B. #104 8770 West Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 1300 Chicago, IL 60631-3515 Dear Ms. Joshi: We appreciate the opportunity for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service (CES) to support our Arkansas Farm to School Program to participate in the National Farm to School Network 2017-2019 Core Partners request for applications. CES has an ongoing and collaborative relationship with the Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) Childhood Obesity Prevention Research Program that has served as the state lead on aspects of farm to school programming for several years. As I understand it, this project will serve to continue the work of helping community stakeholders interested in farm to school to make connections, understand procurement and help to secure local foods into school cafeterias. Having faculty and staff that have worked on food system research and program development for several years, we recognize the value of farm to school extension. CES is willing to work collaboratively with the ACHRI Arkansas Farm to School team to respond as much as we are able to community requests for technical assistance related to farm to school procurement and program development. We are willing to connect Division of Agriculture Research and Extension faculty and staff who may be able to provide additional technical support and educational programs related to nutrition education, food safety, marketing and community development with the ACHRI Farm to School team. Based on the description of the program and our past collaborations, I am sure that our teams will work cooperatively to enhance farm to school extension impact in Arkansas. Sincerely, Richard D. Cartwright, Ph.D Interim Associate Vice President for Agriculture Extension and Director, Cooperative Extension Service The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
July 7, 2017 Ms. Greta Greeno President The Foundation for Agricultural Studies in Science, Engineering and Technology (ASSETT) 366 Mallard Pond Lane Fisher, AR. 72429 Mr. Kip Hesse School Board President Weiner Academy of Agriculture and Technology Dear Ms. Greeno and Mr. Hesse: The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service is pleased to support your application for the creation of the first Arkansas Academy of Agriculture and Technology. The identified location for the Agriculture and Technology Academy is in the heart of the Arkansas Delta, a key agricultural production and processing region. Science and technology undergirds our successful food and fiber system. ACT 742 opened the door for the creation of an innovative charter school approach, such as this one, to engage Arkansas young people in discovery, academic inquiry, and agricultural career development related to Arkansas-based jobs in education, research, agribusiness, technology and engineering. The mission of the UA System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is to strengthen agriculture, communities and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Whether it s a new crop variety, information about keeping your food safe, how to have a positive influence on youth, or how to develop a small business, Extension takes what scientists discover and provides educational outreach and programs that communities, schools and individuals can actually use. Extension has more than 100 years of experience in Arkansas as a leader in the field of positive youth development and experiential youth education. The Division of Agriculture is proud of 4-H Youth Development programs whose legacy has been built through strong local partnerships based on local community needs. Extension s large, trained volunteer network is present in all 75 counties of Arkansas, supporting diverse youth and adult programming. Arkansas Extension is committed to rural Arkansas, and provides educational programs and resources at very low cost or free of charge. The Cooperative Extension Service enthusiastically will serve as a vital link connecting the resources of the University of Arkansas with the Weiner Academy of Agriculture and Technology. The Cooperative Extension Service will work as a committed partner to help meet the developmental, programming, curriculum, and student educational needs of the Weiner Academy of Agriculture and Technology. This commitment is based on the participation of Dr. Karen Ballard to serve as a liaison between the two parties. University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Page 2 July 7, 2017 Through our state faculty, we will assist with strategic planning, grant development, and faculty/staff training and team building. The UA System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension agrees to also provide curriculum and classroom programming, as funding and staff are available, in support of a range of potential curriculum and student development areas, which could include: 1. STEM 2. Healthy Living 3. Citizenship and Leadership 4. Communications & Family Life 5. Nutrition, Food Safety & Food Preservation 6. Consumer Economics for Youth 7. Agricultural Economics 8. Plant Pathology Through local county agents and statewide subject-matter faculty, the Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service may provide technical assistance in areas such as: 1. School Teaching Garden 2. Scientist mentors in support of student research (through the Soybean Science Challenge) 3. Soybean seeds for applied research and student awards for excellence in applied student research. 4. Student internships (as opportunity exists) In collaboration with our state and county 4-H program, county agents may work with school leaders to plan and implement appropriate in-school and after-school clubs and programs focusing on STEM, leadership, civic engagement and other topics identified based on student interest. The 4-H youth development program is the oldest and largest research-based youth development program in Arkansas, with 151,517 youths ages 5-19 across Arkansas engaged (Oct 2016) in rural, suburban and urban programming. The 4-H mission to help our youth learn to be productive citizens has not changed in 105 years. 4-H is the only informal education program with a direct connection to the University of Arkansas. The 4-H program is science based and designed to shape future leaders and innovators. 4-H is based on a 100 year tradition of experiential learning learning by doing. The mission of the Cooperative Extension Service is clearly aligned with the goals of the proposed Academy of Agriculture and Technology in Weiner. We look forward to supporting the students, faculty and vision of this Academy of Agriculture and Technology. Sincerely, Richard D. Cartwright, Ph.D. Interim Associate Vice President for Agriculture-Extension and Director, Cooperative Extension Service RDC/ah c: Karen Ballard, Sam Boyster, Jerry Clemons, Victor Ford, Stacey McCullough, Martha Sartor