The umes evans allen program is focused on four strategic areas: 1) agriculture and food, with a focus on food security, 2) natural resources and environmental sustainability, 3) human health and…

The umes evans allen program is focused on four strategic areas: 1) agriculture and food, with a focus on food security, 2) natural resources and environmental sustainability, 3) human health and development, and 4) products to market. Furthermore, umes strives to educate the next generation of teachers, educators, researchers, and scientists in the food, agricultural and related sciences. While umes' research programs address the needs of all marylanders, the university places a special emphasis on serving diverse and historically underserved populations. A brief summary on the research emphasis under each of the four strategic areas of focus is given below. IT is noteworthy that climate change and utilization of emerging technologies are important themes in all four areas: 1) agriculture and food with a focus on food security: agriculture plays a critical role in maryland's economy and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Umes research work in this area has a specific focus on food safety and security and this is undertaken under the following themes: food safety and quality; agribusiness and economic development; alternative agriculture, small-scale production, family farms and urban agriculture; specialty crops, honey bees, poultry, small ruminants and large-scale agriculture. 2) natural resources and environmental sustainability: maryland's natural resources underpin a range of economic activities such as forestry-based industries, agritourism, fisheries, etc., and provide the basis for supporting quality living for citizens. Climate change does impact all these areas and the establishment of a strong and sustainable foundation to guide the use and protection of these resources is a priority. To this end, umes research and education activities will focus on several key areas including but not limited to water resources and watershed management, with a focus on both the chesapeake BAY and the maryland coastal bays. 3) human health and development: the health, social and economic wellbeing, and resilience of communities are important issues for maryland. Relevant research will be undertaken in these areas including work in nutrition and disease vectors of veterinary and medical importance. 4) products to market: the translation of research findings to application by industry and communities is a critical component of our work. Several activities contribute towards this strategic area and include work from our international center for personal protective equipment, food processing projects in collaboration with local entrepreneurs and food companies, and development of materials, such as polymers and nanomaterials for food and non-food use. To fulfill maryland's research goals, umes has identified seven important critical issues. These issues are directly linked to the key strategic areas identified by escop and they also link directly to USDA-nifa priorities. These issues will be the focus of umes' 2023-2027 plan of work and will be used to direct resources under the evans allen program to accomplish the set goals. The seven issues are as follows: 1. Food and agriculture: sustainability, comp etitiveness, and profitability of food and agriculture. 2. Climate change: adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. 3. Renewable energy: energy security and the development of the bioeconomy from renewable natural resources. 4. Safe, secure and AB undant food supply: ensuring a safe, secure and abundant food supply technological innovation, and leadership to ensure a safe, secure, and abundant food supply. 5. Human health, nutrition and wellness: improving human health, nutrition and wellness. 6. Environmen TAL stewardship: environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. 7. Family and community resiliency: strengthening individual, family and community resilience.