The following provides a high-level summary of the work we intend to support with 1445 evans- allen capacity funding and matching funds provided by the state of west virginia

Wvsu aligns its programs within critical areas based on ongoing stakeholder input as well as identified emerging issues within the state of west virginia. Food access, security and safety & sustainable agriculture both, in urban and rural areas in west virginia, access to healthy and safe fresh food is a challenge for vulnerable populations. Increased sustainable production of agricultural products and food, implementation of proper processing/handling of food and food products, as well as improved access to quality fresh food and food products are key issues to increase food security in west virginia. The appalachian region has unique threats and opportunities as IT relates to environmental, water, energy, food and natural resources management. All of these issues are interrelated and have a significant impact on agricultural and economic activities throughout the state. Our proposed plan to work on an array of research programs will support a diversity of enterprises for current and future farmers in our state. Research programs focused on improvement of the safety, quality, and sustainability of specialty crops such as microgreens, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers and, other cucurbits crops (melon, watermelon, pumpkin, and squash) as well as aquaculture production and pollinator health, will benefit the farmers in WV. Climate change, energy and natural resources management the a ppalachian region has unique threats and opportunities as IT relates to environmental, water, energy and natural resources management. Ongoing activities of the extractive industries and the legacy of point and nonpoint sources of pollution continue to be major environmental and ecological issues affecting west virginia's agriculture, natural resources, its land management, and the wellbeing O F its communities. Looking forward, west virginia seeks to develop sustainable alternative and clean energy sources, address legacy problems, and to deal with fallout from climate change. Protection and restoration of environmental quality and ecosystem services and the development of economically effective and environmentally sound and sustainable resource management practices, while effectively mitigating the effects of climate change, are essential steps for the prosperity of the state. Wvsu research programs will work to study, protect and restore environmental quality and ecosystem services while developing economically effective and environmentally sound and sustainable management practices for alternative energy/bioenergy, bioproducts, agriculture, forestry, mining, and rural communities and anticipating and adapting. Additionally, the wvsu agricultural and environmental research station will join our fellow 1890 universities in a multistate multidisciplinary consortium to further development, implementation, and adoption of climate-smart technologies and management and conservation practices, and promote equity and advancement of socially disadvantaged farmers, landowners, and communities of color.