Energy Independence, Bioenergy Generation and Environmental Sustainability:
The Role of a 21st Century Engaged University

Environmental Resources Center
University of Wisconsin - Madison
www.uwex.edu/erc

University of Wisconsin Extension
Environmental Resources Center
445 Henry Mall
Madison, WI 53706
608-262-0024

A National Facilitation Project of the National Integrated Water Quality Program

For more information on this project, please go to the project website: http://clean-water.uwex.edu/nfpbioenergy/.

Project Personnel

    Sharon Lezberg, slezberg@wisc.edu, Coordinator, Environmental Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Jeff Mullins, jeff.mullins@ces.uwex.edu, Project Outreach Specialist, Environmental Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Robin Shepard, robin.shepard@ces.uwex.edu; co-Project Investigator, North Central Cooperative Extension Association
    Gerald Miller, soil@iastate.edu; co-Project Investigator, Assoc. Dean, Extension Programs and Outreach, Iowa State University

Summary of Project

The NFP project is a collaborative response by states within the North Central Region to develop training and professional development programs on bioenergy and sustainability for Extension professionals and public officials.

We are developing pilot training programs in the North Central region that will provide a foundation for the development of a national response to sustainability and bioenergy issues.

Project components include:

  • development of regional and national training programs for Extension personnel,
  • development of evaluation protocols for full cost assessment of bioenergy generation, and
  • migration of training and professional development programs to support a national Extension Community of Practice.

Stage One: Assessment of Current Programming and Training Needs

In order to understand current Extension involvement in bioenergy and sustainability programming in the North Central Region, we conducted an inventory of Extension personnel in two program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Community Resource Development. The inventory was developed by project staff in conjunction with the North Central Cooperative Extension Association and NC Program Directors. The inventory and summary report are available on the project website: http://clean-water.uwex.edu/nfpbioenergy/.

The inventory included questions on three topics:

  • Extension agent current programming on bioenergy, energy conservation, and sustainability as related to bioenergy;
  • Constituent concerns (as identified by Extension personnel) about bioenergy generation;
  • Training needs

Stage Two: Establishment of a Curriculum Design Team

The Curriculum Design Team (CDT) provides expertise to identify training needs and support the development of training programs and curriculum materials.

The Curriculum Design Team (CDT) will:

  1. analyze the issues to be covered,
  2. develop teaching objectives and identify outcomes,
  3. suggest components of a training program and educational materials to accompany the training,
  4. identify trainers, and
  5. suggest components of an assessment and evaluation protocol. A subgroup of the CDT, along with additional representation, will develop the assessment and evaluation protocol.

Stage Three: Develop Prototype Training Programs and Curriculum materials

The first training workshop is tentatively set for winter 2010.

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