SU Ag Center launches Disaster Education Resource through EDEN and the Extension Foundation

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, SU Ag Center, staff recently launched a new resource titled, "Advancing Disaster Education: 1890 Research-Based Curriculums, Lessons and Workshops." The project compiles educational modules, workshop agendas, and a collection of relevant fact sheets related to disaster education from 1890 land-grant institutions. 

The publication was made possible by an Extension Disaster Education Network Development (EDEN) Grant and published by the Extension Foundation. It features contributions from project authors Dr. Krystle J. Allen, Family and Human Science Program Leader and Community and Economic Development Assistant Specialist; Angell C. Jordan, Communities of Color Network Regional Coordinator; Dr. Marlin R. Ford, Agriculture Superintendent and Assistant Director of Plant Research; and Kiyana E. Kelly, Director, Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness and Quality of Life. This comprehensive 94-page resource serves as a centralized hub of essential information, empowering educators and communities to enhance their resilience against disasters through a single, comprehensive document.

The resource caters to a variety of demographics, including homeless individuals, low-income groups, farmers, youth, families, older adults, and pets, with a specific focus on rural and low-resource regions. Underserved communities are often less likely to engage in preparedness efforts, and this publication serves as a valuable asset for Cooperative Extension offices and programs seeking to support these communities.

“Preparedness saves lives,” said Dr. Allen, the lead author. “We have to collaborate with some of our most underserved populations to strengthen their resilience.”

This compilation offers a range of adaptable materials for extension professionals and K-12 educators.

Noel M. Estwick, chair of the 1890 EDEN project, expressed confidence in the resource's potential impact, stating, "I believe this publication will be a significant addition to the national EDEN shared resources, contributing to disaster resilience, emergency preparedness, response, and management efforts both domestically and internationally."

The "Advancing Disaster Education" resource is now accessible on the EDEN Resource Dashboard, providing a wide array of adaptable materials available to strengthen disaster preparedness and response efforts across the country.

To access the resource visit, https://extensiondisaster.net/resource-dashboard/1890-curriculum/. 

The Southern University Ag Center stands as the fifth campus of the Southern University System. It embraces a tripartite mission of teaching, research, and extension/public service. As a land-grant institution, its role is to educate, train, and mentor a cadre of highly skilled students and professionals to prepare them for a highly technological and globalized workforce.

EDEN is a collaborative network of Cooperative Extension educators across the United States and territories who work to improve the delivery of education, information, and the availability of resources related to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Historically, this grassroots network has been aligned with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and supported by USDA/NIFA through the Food and Agricultural Defense Initiative (FADI) grant.

The Extension Foundation, in partnership with Washington State University, Iowa State University, and the Cooperative Extension System, supports the administration of the FADI-EDEN project.