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

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded West Virginia State University Research and Development Corporation $4.882870 million under the Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University program (CFDA 10.205) on October 1, 2025.

The award funds agricultural research programs addressing food security, specialty crop safety and quality, aquaculture production, pollinator health, environmental restoration, natural resource management, and renewable energy development across West Virginia. Research efforts focus on improving the safety and quality of specialty crops including microgreens, mushrooms, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and cucurbit crops (melon, watermelon, pumpkin, and squash), as well as aquaculture production and pollinator health to benefit farmers statewide. The award also supports research on protecting and restoring environmental quality and ecosystem services to address legacy pollution challenges from extractive industries and to develop biologically derived energy sources in the Appalachian region.

Work is performed in Dunbar, West Virginia, with a period of performance from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. Under the Evans-Allen capacity grant program, WVSU aligns its research programs based on stakeholder input and identified emerging issues within West Virginia, addressing challenges related to food access, production, processing, and handling in both urban and rural areas. The award is a formula grant structured to support continuing agricultural research at the 1890 Land-Grant Institution. Up to 100 percent of funds may be carried over for up to one year after the end of the fiscal year of appropriation without prior approval.

West virginia state university (wvsu) aligns its programs within critical areas based on ongoing stakeholder input as well as identified emerging issues within the state of west virginia. In both urban and rural areas of west virginia, access to healthy and safe fresh food remains a challenge. Increasing production of agricultural products and food, implementing proper processing and handling of food and food products, and improving access to quality fresh food are key issues for enhancing food security across the state. The appalachian region faces unique challenges and opportunities related to environmental, water, energy, food, and natural resource management. These issues are interrelated and have a significant impact on agricultural and economic activities throughout the state. Our proposed plan includes a range of research programs designed to support a variety needs of current and future farmers in west virginia. Research efforts focused on improving the safety and quality of specialty crops such as microgreens, mushrooms, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and other cucurbit crops (melon, watermelon, pumpkin, and squash), as well as aquaculture production and pollinator health, will benefit farmers statewide. The appalachian region continues to face environmental and ecological issues associated with ongoing extractive industries and legacy sources of pollution, which affect agriculture, natural resources, land management, and community well-being. Looking forward, west virginia seeks to develop biologically derived energy sources and address legacy challenges. Protection and restoration of environmental quality and ecosystem services, along with the development of economically effective and environmentally sound resource management practices, are essential steps for the prosperity of the state. Wvsu research programs will focus on studying, protecting, and restoring environmental quality and ecosystem services while developing effective management practices for bioproducts, agriculture, forestry, mining, and rural communities. Additionally, the wvsu agricultural and environmental research station will continue participation in a multistate, multidisciplinary consortium with other 1890 universities to advance the development and implementation of innovative technologies and management and conservation practices across agricultural and environmental systems.