This abstract represents a combined plan of work for two entities: the west virginia agricultural and forestry experiment station (WVAFES) and west virginia university extension (WVUES)

The current five-year implementation period (2020-2024) will be extended to 2025 due to restructuring (UNIFICATION) within WVUES and WVAFES. The UNIFICATION will enable WVUES and WVAFES to optimize existing resources, driving innovation and efficiency to address critical needs and deliver impactful solutions for the citizens of west virginia. We will continue to use the six statewide critical issues of the current workplan as a guide for all program development and implementation in the year 2025. Our six critical issues are: food access, security and safety and sustainable agriculture, climate change and natural resources management, health disparities, community revitalization, strengthening youth and families, and nutrition and obesity prevention. The experiment station operates seven farms and two forests which support faculty research. The regular WVU extension workforce of county agents, state specialists, and staff is augmented by additional seasonal employees who help deliver our large, statewide summer learning programs. The university's strategic plan specifically mentions the work and contribution of the extension service, 'expand outreach efforts to connect the campuses to citizens and communities throughout the state. Provide resources and information to equip west virginia university extension agents, and other personnel engaged in outreach and care, for a broader role as ambassadors for the institution.' research programs of the WV agricultural and forestry experiment station are coordinated with and supported by educational and outreach programs of west virginia university extension. Stakeholder input is valued by WVUES and WVAFES; each organization includes communications professionals that coordinate a variety of promotional activities and social media posts to increase non-traditional stakeholder awareness and make university resources more available to the public. These activities will continue through the 2025 plan of work. Administrators, program directors, and division directors will continue to meet with traditional stakeholder groups such as farm bureau, 4- H volunteers, 4-H teen council, master gardeners, community education outreach service (CEOS) members, the west virginia agriculture and forestry hall of fame, and other statewide organizations to listen to their concerns and their input into priority programming. WVU extension and WVU agricultural and forestry experiment station will continue to identify stakeholders through the purposive sampling of individuals who have participated in our programs, those who have not participated in our programs, community- based organizations, key decision makers, extension volunteers, service committees, and extension employees. This method of identifying individuals, groups, and organizations is replicated in each WV county to ensure we have an overview of statewide stakeholders' input. County and state faculty will continue to enhance their engagement activities by becoming active members in industry and trade associations as well as serving on community development action teams. We believe that active participation in community-based engagement opportunities helps US to strengthen our connections to stakeholders and through this, we become aware of local and statewide issues that could inform our programming. WVU extension and WVU agricultural and forestry experiment station will continue to assess the needs of west virginians by partnering with state agencies, local agencies, and other public institutions in the state, as well as non-profit organizations in WV grassroots. Faculty will continue to collaborate across different disciplines to design programs and projects that will take a holistic approach towards improving the lives and livelihoods of west virginians.