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05/20/2011 National Institute of Food and Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture–
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
WHAT WE DO:
Family and Consumer Economics programs are offered through the USDA – NIFA, Institute of Youth, Family, and Community in the Division of Family and Consumer Sciences. The nation’s financial attitude, behavior, and knowledge start within the family unit. Partnerships with the Jump$tart Coalition® provide an excellent opportunity to educate and empower young Americans to make wise decisions regarding their personal finances.
Through research, education, and extension programs, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), in partnership with the Land-Grant University and Cooperative Extension System helps strengthen families, farms, communities, and the economy. The NIFA Division of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs focus on the human dimensions of food and agriculture, addressing priority issues through scientific research and its application; strategic partnerships with federal, state and local agencies; extension education; and preparing the next generation of Family and Consumer Sciences professionals.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Family and Consumer Economics programs are offered by the Land-Grant University Cooperative Extension System (CES) to assist families in maintaining economic stability and security, managing human and material resources and increasing consumer proficiency. CES (Click on underline for Cooperative Extension Background link) will continue its involvement at the national level, as well as locally through its broad network (Click on link, youth programs opportunities listed) of Extension educators and specialists.
Programs within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) serve the nation’s needs by supporting exemplary research, education, and extension that address many challenges facing the nation. NIFA works with the best and brightest scientists at universities and colleges throughout the United States and around the world to find innovative solutions to global problems. The USDA-NIFA deliverables are:
- Research - enables us to develop the knowledge needed to solve many of the issues facing our nation and the world.
- Education - strengthens schools and universities to train the next generation of scientists, educators, producers, and citizens.
- Extension - brings the knowledge gained through research and education to the people who need it most—in the United States and around the world.
WHAT WE NEED:
We need stakeholders that understand the importance of involvement and partnerships. USDA-NIFA is an educational and research network delivered by Cooperative Extension System (CES). Programs are designed to be community-operated and advised by community participants through a grass-roots approach. Program operations are funded through local (County Commissioner funds), state, and federal appropriations. In addition, grant dollars fund research and curriculum development. CES system makes a difference by people working together; it has a presence in local and state levels, reaching 3,000 counties/territories.
WHAT’S NEW: (Only two examples given.)
- Real Money. Real World. – Ohio State University Extension
www.realmoneyrealworld.osu.edu
Each year, America’s high schools graduate thousands of young adults who are unprepared in matters of employment and financial decisions. Ohio State University Extension professionals developed the Real Money, Real World curriculum that simulates real-life experiences to help make youth aware of the money management skills they need. The curriculum focuses on making students aware of the correlation between educational attainments and earning power. Real Money, Real World programs are designed to be a partnership of the county Extension Office, the school, and the business community. An active, hands-on experience, it gives young people the opportunity to make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those they will make as adults.
- Consumer Savvy – Missouri 4-H project
University of Missouri, 4-H Center for Youth Development
http://mo4h.missouri.edu/projects/briefs/docs/ConsumerSavvy.pdf
Learning Objectives are:
1. Experience what it means to be a consumer through saving, spending and sharing.
2. Learn and practice good consumer skills, including wise use of resources, goal setting, and sharing with others.
3. Practice wise decision making, problem solving, critical thinking, and self-responsibility.
4. Realize the influence of peer pressure and the power of advertising while learning to make independent decisions when shopping.
5. Learn about challenges in the market place.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Susan S. Shockey, Ph.D., CFCS
202-690-2674
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