NCEA is the Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association. We are a professional organization for faculty and staff who work in University of Nebraska Extension.
In the fall, we renew membership within NCEA and the different sections and we hold an annual conference. Please register to join/renew your membership and to participate in the annual conference. Pay your conference registration fee to join us in Norfolk. The fee covers the conference costs (meals, speakers, social events, etc.). As an individual conference for 2026, note that the extended time together will slightly increase the fee for accommodations.
Wondering about what committee to join within NCEA? These committees include: Advocacy, Audit and Budget, Access, Member Services, Policy, Professional Improvement, Recognition and Awards and Technology! Check out the descriptions for each specific committee HERE!
NCEA serves as the umbrella organization for the different professional sections. The sections underneath the NCEA umbrella are:
- National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
- National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS)
- National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP)
- Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals/National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (ANREP/NACDEP)
- Association for Communication Excellence in Agricultural and Natural Resources (ACE)
- National Association of Extension Program & Staff Development Professionals (NAEPSDP)
- Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP)
As a reminder per the NCEA By-Laws, Extension Leadership Team members are administrators and are excluded from being in NCEA. (Extension Leadership Team (ELT) includes Dean/Director, Engagement Zone Coordinators, Program Leaders/Associate Deans, Director of Integrated Technologies, Professional Development Coordinator, and Rural Prosperity Nebraska (Executive Director). Please reach out to your section President for membership questions.
2026 NCEA Fall ConferenceTentative Agenda
Wednesday, November 18
9:30-10:30 a.m. NCEA Registration Conference Check-In
9:30-10:30 a.m. Professional Headshots Available
10:00-11:00 a.m. ESP Section Meeting
10:00- 12:00p.m. Retired Staff Gathering & Share Updates*
11:00-12:00 p.m. Opening/General Session- Keynote Speaker Chris Sund, Author of 'You Are Capable of More' https://www.thebash.com/keynote-speaker/chris-sund
12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00- 3:00p.m. Retired Staff Gathering & Speaker*
1:00-1:15 p.m. Networking Break (set up for committee meetings)
1:15-2:15 p.m. Committee Meetings- Advocacy, Audit & Budget, Diversity, Member Services, Policy, Professional Improvement, Recognition & Awards, Technology
2:15-2:30 p.m. Networking & Refreshment Break
2:30-5:00 p.m. NCEA Section Meetings (Ag Section, 4-H Section, FCS Section, ANREP/NACDEP Section)
5:00-6:00 p.m. Networking Break (room check-in, etc.)
6:00-7:00 p.m. Dinner & NCEA Awards Presentations
7:30-10:00 p.m. NCEA Social Event -Divots Brewery Tour
Thursday, November 19
7:30-8:30 a.m. Breakfast on your own
7:30-8:30 a.m. Past Presidents Breakfast
8:30-9:30 a.m. Breakout Sessions (Theory Based Extension Programming, Something For Everyone: Nebraska Harvest of the Month, SARE Grants, Engaging Clientele-Tips on How to Reach Them)
9:30-9:45 a.m. Networking Break
9:45-10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions (Theory Based Extension Programming, Something For Everyone: Nebraska Harvest of the Month, SARE Grants, Using a Productive Mindset & Understanding Stress)
10:45-11:00 a.m. Networking Break
11:00-1:30 p.m. NCEA Business Meeting & Lunch Buffet Meeting
1:30 p.m. Safe Travels Home
*Retirees will have a separate registration.
Those with food allergies, please submit your registration by Nov. 9, 2026, so necessary accommodations can be made.
Hotel Information:
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Norfolk Lodge & Suites, Divots Conference Center, 4200 W Norfolk Ave, Norfolk, NE 68701. Check-in begins at 4:00 PM, and check-out is scheduled for 11:00 AM on the day of your departure. Enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast available each morning from 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Guests can also enjoy the indoor heated pool, spa, and fitness center. The on-site restaurant, The Sandbar, offers dining options as well as room service for your convenience.
Book rooms under the NCEA 2026 before Friday October 16, 2026 to receive a special rate of $135 plus tax per room per night. To book call The Lodge at 402-379-3833 or book online at https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/KN66M8
For those of you who need hotel accommodations for the NCEA Annual Conference you will be responsible for those charges. If using your county direct pay or CONCUR for your hotel expenses, please double check current travel policies. NOTE: if booking rooms through CONCUR, it is not part of the Room Block and room rates most likely will be higher.
Join us for our Evening Social!
Join us for our Evening Social 2026 – Wednesday, November 18th, 2026, at the Divots Brewery from 7:30 p.m. -- 10:00p.m.
- RSVP for this event during the registration process.
NCEA Members Slideshow!
The NCEA Membership Slideshow will return during our 2026 annual conference! Current members are encouraged to take a look at the slide you prepared last year and provide any edits as needed. New members, please complete a slide to help our membership get to know you a little bit more. This will rotate on the screen periodically throughout our conference.
If you haven't filled out a slide, we invite employees to right click and duplicate the provided slide template (it should be the last blank slide), customize it to fit YOU, and fill it out accordingly.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GVUS1oe34rfN6z9AWAEG8OTB16DgOBaleKyU1oW0NpU/edit?usp=sharing
