The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is the primary outreach and engagement organization for the land-grant mission of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University in cooperation with Tuskegee University. Programming specialists with Alabama Extension at Alabama A&M University (AAMU) develop resources that can be delivered directly to audiences online (virtually) and other community locations, including schools, centers, businesses, and places of worship. There are programs for everyone, including families, older adults, students, teachers, business owners, and community leaders. Alabama Extension plans ongoing learning opportunities that build relationships through a series of classes, as well as quick lessons that can be delivered in one short class.

Personalized Approach to Learning

Personalized learning opportunities include face-to-face program series, community meetings, demonstration gardens, club meetings, on-site visits, classroom demonstrations, group classes, youth camps and field days, interactive webinars, conferences, and speaking engagements.

If you are interested in learning more about Alabama Extension at AAMU, contact the associate director to see how programming can be adapted to meet your needs. Agents and specialists can adjust the length of a lesson, prepare materials for all age levels, and host your group online or travel to a chosen site for program delivery.

Jennifer Wells Marshall, Associate Extension Director, Alabama Extension at AAMU

Office: (256) 372-8648

Email: wellsja@aces.edu

Mobile Education Units

The mobile education units helps Alabama Extension at AAMU deliver high-quality innovation to youth and adults statewide. The vehicles enable staff to reach diverse audiences who may not otherwise have access to these learning opportunities. The mobile units were obtained through funding by the US Department of Agriculture.

• The Mobile Nutrition Lab is a 36-foot mobile lab used to educate youth and adults about proper nutrition and the importance of physical activity, handwashing, and food safety practices. To schedule, contact Tamara Warren at (256) 372-4981 or tcw0004@aces.edu
• The Mobile STEM Lab is a 36-foot mobile lab used to introduce real-world, hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to youth ages 5 to 18 in communities across Alabama. To schedule, contact Angela Williams at (256) 372-5713 or arw0033@aces.edu.
• Water Wheels (Outdoor Water Conservation Laboratory) is a 36-foot mobile lab used to educate audiences about water conservation. The lab comes complete with a rainwater collection system and 15 gaming computers. To schedule, contact Karnita Garner at (256) 372-8331 or kfg0003@aces.edu.

Urban Extension Program Areas

Scroll down to browse current programs or skip to a specific subject area by clicking one of the topic links below.

4-H Youth Development • Animal Science & Forages •  Community Resource Development • Consumer Sciences & Personal Financial Management  • Family & Child Development • Forestry, Wildlife & Natural Resources • Human Nutrition, Diet & Health • Urban Agriculture & Home Horticulture

 

4-H Youth Development

– Angela Williams, EdD (256) 372-5713 | arw0033@aces.edu

4-H Health Rocks!^® is a national healthy-living program for youth ages 8-14 designed to reduce the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances by preteens and teens.  This program is comprised of ten lessons (one hour each) that can be delivered over two to ten days to meet the scheduling needs of teachers.

HYPE (Helping Youth Promote Empathy) is a four-session program that brings individuals together within schools and communities to decrease harassment, victimization, and bullying. Participants learn how to identify bullying behaviors, develop intervention strategies to combat bullying and recognize the impact bullying and violence have on mental health.

STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts/Agriculture and Mathematics) program helps to improve reading and introduces youth to content, skills, and practices for future success in STEM disciplines and careers. STREAM can be completed in four one-hour lessons.

• Mobile STEM Lab is a 36-foot mobile lab used to introduce real-world, hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to youth ages 5-18 in communities across Alabama.

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Animal Science & Forages

– Felix U. Samuel, DVM, PhD, FCVSN (256) 372-4983  | sfu0001@aces.edu

The Small Ruminant Program educates landowners and small-scale producers about raising healthy goats and sheep. The program also provides in-person and remote technical support to current and future farmers in Alabama about research-based management practices to establish or maintain a productive and sustainable farm business.

• The Small Ruminant Webinar Series features speakers from different agricultural institutions across the United States who examine challenges and opportunities in the small ruminant production industry, especially goat and sheep production.

Breeding for Parasite Management (BPM Alabama) is a USDA-funded capacity-building grant program that promotes the adoption of animal breeding management for the sustainable control of gastrointestinal parasites in meat goats. The program focuses on building the capacity of small ruminant producers in underserved communities in the Southeast.

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Community Resource Development

– Terence Norwood, MPPA (256) 932-0947 | tpn0004@aces.edu

Career Countdown is an educational series for youth and adults that uses interactive lessons to provide participants with insights for linking their interests, skills, and abilities to career choices and how to create pathways to achieve career goals.

Filing for Success is a four-session series that provides a comprehensive overview of setting up a business in Alabama. New and aspiring small business owners will learn about local, state, and federal requirements and receive step-by-step guidance on forming an LLC, registering tax accounts, and more.

Go-Getter is a free educational series for Alabama residents that offers workforce credentials or entrepreneurship strategies.

Small Business Café is a resource for all entrepreneurs and small business owners in Alabama looking to connect and learn. This program provides educational resources such as webinars and a public Facebook group where members can network and seek advice.

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Consumer Sciences & Personal Financial Management

– Dorothy Brandon, PhD (256) 372-5458 | dpb0010@aces.edu

FLIP (Financial Literacy in Progress) helps to improve economic well-being by teaching participants how to utilize the planned buying process, establish a budget, manage credit, save and invest money wisely, and involve all family members in financial decisions. This program also teaches participants how to use debt elimination software. The FLIP series can be completed in four to five 1-hour lessons. 

PREP (Promoting Readiness for Employment Possibilities) promotes job readiness by focusing on five major competencies: enhancing soft skills, completing job applications, resume building, interviewing,  and properly dressing for interviews. This program can be completed in six, 1-hour sessions.

PC-FLIPP: Parent-Child Financial Literacy in Progress Program is a USDA-CYFAR-funded grant program that promotes the training of parents and their children (ages 4-9) in financial education. The program helps parents manage their financial health while learning how to model and teach practical money management skills to their children. Emphasis is placed on eliminating debt, establishing saving goals, managing credit, and understanding the benefits of using a bank/credit union.

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Family & Child Development

– Dorothy Brandon, Ph. (256) 372-5458 | dpb0010@aces.edu

PCREP (Parent-Child Reading Enhancement Program) teaches parents and guardians techniques that will help to improve the reading level and skills of children ages 4-9 in five key areas: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.

Successful Aging Initiative (SAI) promotes health and estate planning for Alabama’s older adults, families, and caregivers. SAI also uses Seniors CAN, a curriculum that educates older adults on issues such as abuse, health, safety, economics, and well-being to prepare them for independent living in the latter years of life. In addition, the SAI Conference/Expo is held annually across the state.

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Forestry, Wildlife & Natural Resources

– Karnita Garner, PhD (256) 372-8331 | kfg0003@aces.edu

EMEP (E-Waste Management Education Program) teaches the hazards of electronic waste (e-waste), the importance of recycling, and the benefits of being good stewards of the environment. EMEP works to increase awareness and help individuals adopt safe e-waste management practices.

SerPIE (Synergistic Efforts to Reduce Pharmaceutical Impacts on the Environment) offers a one-health approach to minimizing environmental impacts. The program highlights the connection between pharmaceutical drugs, personal care products, and pollution by tackling tough topics like the opioid crisis and giving the public information to safeguard their home and the environment.

UESEP (Urban Environmental Science Education Program) provides adults and youth with natural resource conservation strategies that lead to improved environmental awareness and stewardship. UESEP uses the following resources:

• Camp Conservation is an on-site field trip alternative for youth to experience environmental science education that focuses on green issues currently facing communities.
• Eco-friendly Fridays Environmental Education Series teaches best management practices to help reduce your ecological footprint.
• Engaging Citizens through Environmental Education adapts programs regionally across the state that focuses on wildlife recovery and sustainability, GPS and geocaching, disaster preparedness, and urban forestry and ecological processes.
• Lend an EAR: Environmental Awareness through Reading Storytime Series engages K-5th grade students through reading and interactive activities.
• Teen Nature Club offers 6-10th grade students an opportunity to explore the natural world around them and enhance their stewardship.
• Youth Exploring Environmental Science is an in-school or after-school program that pairs hands-on learning experiences with school curricula for a better understanding of environmental science issues.

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Human Nutrition, Diet & Health

– Tamara Warren, PhD (256) 372-4981 | tcw0004@aces.edu

CHAMPION (Community Health, Aerobics & Motivational Program, Initiating Optimal Nutrition) is a learning series focused on the prevention & understanding of chronic diseases like heart disease & diabetes. The program provides interactive education to improve eating habits, increase physical activity, and decrease chronic disease risk factors through health literacy. Educational components of this program include: Walking Like a CHAMPION to promote physical activity; CHAMPION Tour to Health to encourage youth and adults to live healthier lives; and Shaping Your Health which focuses on health literacy. CHAMPION can be completed in eight one-hour classes.

TEEN (Technology Enhancing Exercise and Nutrition) uses technology, such as apps, exergaming, and health-related websites to engage teens. These tools are used to increase knowledge of nutrition and exercise in an effort to reduce childhood obesity. TEEN is an active program that works great in a school gym or other large areas where participants can spread out and move. TEEN can be broken down into 10 one-hour lessons: four nutrition lessons, two food demonstration lessons, and four iDance activities.

Urban EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) is geared towards mothers with children under five, teaching them how to consume healthy foods on a limited budget and encouraging daily physical activity for the whole family. A typical program can be completed in 6–8 lessons.

Urban SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education) makes food easy, tasty, and affordable! Using evidence-based teaching methods, limited-resource families and individuals are encouraged to select nutritious food, be physically active, maximize food budgets with smart shopping tips, utilize healthy cooking techniques, and keep food safe during purchase, preparation, and storage. This program is comprised of ten lessons (one-hour each) that can be combined to meet scheduling needs.

• Mobile Nutrition Lab is a 36-foot mobile lab used to educate youth and adults about proper nutrition and the importance of physical activity, handwashing, and food safety practices.

Urban Youth STEAM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics) is a laboratory-based program using tower gardens to encourage youth to eat healthier and obstacle courses to increase physical activity. It also fosters youth interest in pursuing STEAM majors and careers.

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Urban Agriculture & Home Horticulture

– Karnita Garner, PhD (256) 372-8331 | kfg0003@aces.edu

Home Horticulture: Urban Green and Urban Agriculture encompass educational opportunities for urban/suburban small farms and residential clientele. Programs are designed to revive brownfields for community food production or small business utilization, promote water and natural resource conservation, inspire community development in urban food deserts, and establish landscaping management and urban agricultural practices. The following programs are used:

• Back 2 Basics provides basic gardening and landscaping training for individuals in limited-space urban areas.
• STEM in the Garden trains teachers on basic gardening principles and ways to align the Alabama gardening calendar with a school year calendar. It will also include solutions to common problems associated with outdoor classrooms.
• Water Wheels (Outdoor Water Conservation Laboratory) is a 36-foot mobile lab used to educate audiences about water conservation. The lab comes complete with a rainwater collection system and 15 gaming computers.

– Clement Akotsen-Mensah, PhD (256) 372.4969 | akotscl@aces.edu

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs deliver research-based strategies, as well as sustainable and timely solutions to resolve pest problems many small fruit and vegetable farmers encounter every day. By following these practices, farmers can improve on-farm revenue and reduce the negative impacts of pest management practices on the environment.

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