Southern university agricultural research and extension center utilizes the section 1445 funding to advance its agenda associated with food and agricultural programming benefiting the state of…

Southern university agricultural research and extension center utilizes the section 1445 funding to advance its agenda associated with food and agricultural programming benefiting the state of louisiana's stakeholders, as reflected in its approved five-year plan of work (POW). Incidentally this plan is also coordinated by the state's sister landgrant institution louisiana state university agcenter (LSU agcenter). Thus, the POW consists of one consolidated and integrated plan for both the research and extension programs at southern university and louisiana state university. The mission of the SU AG center is to enhance the quality of life for the people of louisiana through basic and applied research and educational programs that address scientific, technological, social, economic and cultural needs. Therefore, to address the emerging needs of its stakeholders, emphasis is placed on the five programming areas identified as critical for the state, including: (1) family & community development: focuses on issues affecting individuals, families, community development; disaster, epidemic and pandemic preparedness, mitigation and recovery; risk awareness; sustainable housing; agrosecurity; and agritourism. (2) food security & systems: focused on increasing the sustainability and profitability of louisiana's animal, aquaculture and plant systems and food accessibility, affordability, policy; food safety, to include seafo OD, raw produce, and processed commodity - safety, certification programs, farm financing and succession planning issues. (3) natural resources & environmental sustainability: focuses on conservation and preservation of natural resources, state's forestry in dustry, wildlife, wetland plants, water, waste management, landscapes, feedstocks, alternative biofuels, biomass processing and their effects on the environment. (4) obesity, health & wellness focuses on increased consumption of health foods - fruits and VEG etables; increasing time in physical activity; complete physical; mental and social well-being; policy, system, and environment change; and related nutrition/health/wellness issues to include epidemic and pandemic prevention; and (5) youth development: focuses on providing louisiana youth with positive development opportunities and activities to build great leaders and healthy citizens. These programs and associated outcomes are accessible to stakeholders across the entire state of louisiana and disseminated in several modalities, including research conducted on campus and experimental stations, and off-campus at different stakeholders and partner sites. Faculty, students, staff, and administrators actively participate in program design, development, delivery and assessment. To meet the ever-changing needs of our stakeholders in the agriculture and natural resource communities as well as the youth and families served by our institution, new approaches to conducting business will become the norm. Increased reliance on new technologies and tools such as social media; increased external funding and funding from local entities; increased collaboration, and trained volunteers will become increasingly important as we attempt to deliver high quality programs to louisiana residents. The SU AG center will c ontinue ensuring that these and other available resources are appropriately allocated and utilized to assure a maximum return on investment, high responsiveness and relevance to critical needs, and program impact.