Alabama's research and extension seeks to address selected questions that lead to the identification of critical issues of strategic importance

These issues include, but are not limited to (1) enhancing the sustainability, competitiveness, biosecurity, and profitability of U.S. FOOD and agricultural systems; (2) playing a global leadership role in ensuring a safe, secure, nutritious, and abundant FOOD supply for the U.S. And the world; (3) heightening environmental stewardship through the development of sustainable management practices (FOOD/WATER); and adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change on FOOD, feed, fiber, and fuel systems in the U.S.; (4) improving human health, nutrition, and wellbeing of the US population; (5) promoting community development, rural health, prosperity and resilience; (6) building capacity of individuals and families in the context of learning, culture, and community; and (7) supporting energy security and the development of the BIO-economy from renewable natural resources in the U.S. As part of the combined alabama land grant plan of work, tuskegee university's integrative research and extension programs are planned to address the national USDA FOOD, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences strategic goals; nifa priority science areas and the alabama agricultural critical issues as identified by the stakeholders. Our programs are therefore focused on the following crucial issues: (1) global FOOD security and hunger; (2) natural resources conservation and management, environmental sustainability, and climate change; (3) FOOD system and FOOD safety; (4) human nutrition, well-being, health, and obesity; (5) sustainable energy; (6) community development; and (7) family, home and 4-H and youth development. Our programs are designed to address the alabama black belt region and historically disadvantaged and underserved limited resource producers and landowners. Specific research projects are therefore focused on: efficient WATER use and adaptation to climate variability: a sustainable production solution for historically disadvantaged and limited resource farmers and landowners; sustainable meat goat production systems for limited- resource producers; SU stainable and reliable approaches and marketing strategies to increase yield of vegetables and fruits for socially disadvantaged farmers in alabama; alternative poultry production: a sustainable integrative poultry production model for small scale producers; integ rative approaches to obesity prevention in alabama black belt counties; strengthening programs in organic farming in alabama through research and education; and development and evaluation of integrative alternative energy sources for limited-resource farmers and underserved communities in alabama.