Virginia state university cooperative extension (VSU extension) advances the land-grant mission of transforming research into practical, science-based education that improves the economic,…

The Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Virginia State University $7,411,626 on October 1, 2025, under the Extension Services at 1890 Colleges and Tuskegee University, West Virginia State College, and Central State University formula grant program (CFDA 10.512). The award funds VSU Cooperative Extension's delivery of agricultural systems, agroforestry, youth leadership, and community health programming across Virginia through September 30, 2030.

VSU Extension operates two integrated program units to translate research into practical education. The Food, Ag Systems and Agroforestry (FASA) unit strengthens farm viability and expands local food systems through the Small Farms Outreach Program, Controlled Environment Agriculture and Aquaculture Initiative, and Small Ruminant Enterprise Program. The Integrated Wellbeing of Youth, Family, and Community (IWYFC) unit advances public health, nutrition, and 4-H youth leadership through the Community Health and Nutrition Hub, Youth Demonstration Farm, 4-H Lumina Lab Maker Space, and the AgDiscovery and Agriculinary Academy experiential learning programs. Programming collectively addresses workforce development, food security, health and nutrition, environmental stewardship, and extreme-weather resilience across urban and rural Virginia. Work is performed in Petersburg, Virginia. The formula grant program supports extension activities at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions to assist audiences with limited social and economic resources through practical, research-based educational opportunities.

Virginia state university cooperative extension (VSU extension) advances the land-grant mission of transforming research into practical, science-based education that improves the economic, environmental, and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities across the commonwealth. Through a unified system focused on innovation and measurable impact, VSU extension delivers programs that strengthen virginia's agricultural economy, empower youth and families, and build resilient communities prepared for future challenges. VSU extension's FY 2026 plan builds upon seven critical issue areas: (1) agricultural viability, profitability, and sustainability; (2) agricultural innovation; (3) biotechnology, biomaterials, and bioenergy; (4) community viability; (5) food, nutrition, and health; (6) natural resources and environment; and (7) youth, family, and community well-being. Collectively, these initiatives address workforce development, food security, health and nutrition, environmental stewardship, and extreme-weather resilience across urban and rural virginia. Guided by a systems approach, VSU extension integrates its two program units, food, AG systems and agroforestry (fasa) and integrated wellbeing of youth, family, and community (iwyfc), to translate research into practice. Programs within fasa strengthen farm viability and expand local food systems through efforts such as the small farms outreach program, controlled environment agriculture and aquaculture initiative, and small ruminant enterprise program. Iwyfc advances public health, nutrition, and 4-h youth leadership through the community health and nutrition hub, youth demonstration farm, 4-h lumina lab maker space, and the agdiscovery and agriculinary academy experiential learning programs. VSU extension leverages transdisciplinary collaborations with public and private partners to support entrepreneurship, technology adoption, and the creation of equitable pathways in agriculture and natural resources. Programs emphasize measurable impacts such as increases in small-farm profitability, improved nutrition literacy, youth steam engagement, and expanded conservation practices. Stakeholder input collected through extension leadership councils, advisory committees, listening sessions, and statewide situation analyses continues to guide planning, implementation, and evaluation. Data from these processes inform the annual plan of work and ensure that extension programming remains responsive to emerging issues, community priorities, and nifa goals. Through this proposal, virginia state university affirms its commitment to strengthening rural prosperity, enhancing food and energy security, and preparing the next generation of leaders who will sustain and advance virginia's agricultural and community systems.