Cooperative Extension specialists from across the U.S. have pulled together and pooled expertise to launch MiTTNet (Managing in Tough Times Network), an online starting point for educational materials and programs that address the day-to-day challenges that the nation’s economic setbacks have exacerbated for families, communities and individuals. The website’s resources cover the gamut of hot-button topics, including community economic development strategies amid suddenly reduced revenues; guidance for families trying to decide which bills to pay first; considerations for farmers adjusting to pricing adversities; and some suggestions for youth looking for low cost entertainment options. The program delivery tools include publications, software, curriculums, complete resources for offering workshops and pointers to additional Web resources.
As of July, almost a third of the nation’s 15,000 Cooperative Extension professionals were yet to sign up for their eXtension IDs. The comprehensive and timely resources that MiTTNet brings to the table should now serve as added incentive for helping the broad-ranging eXtension initiative close in on its ultimate goal of getting 100 percent of the nation’s Extension professionals involved and active in eXtension. There’s a quick link to the sign-up for an eXtension ID at the bottom of the MiTTNet splash page. Researchers, teaching faculty, students and anyone with an e-mail account are also welcome to get themselves an eXtension ID. There are now nearly 40 Communities of Practice, serving as clearinghouses for breaking news as well as repositories for detailed background information. Two of the newer Communities of Practice to come online recently, in addition to MiTTNet (Managing in Tough Times Network), are “Gardening Relating to Human Nutrition and Physical Activity” and “Companion Animals.”)
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