The objective of this federal award is to support research and extension activities aligned with the broad goals of the USDA and stakeholder groups in arizona

Activities address the following critical issues: ensuring a sustainable, profitable, and competitive food and fiber system in arizona; enhancing natural resource conservation and management; improving the health, safety, and economic security of arizona families and communities; preparing arizona youth to be productive citizens; and preparing arizona's agricultural industry for solutions of the future. Projects are identified through a competitive process, are administered in alignment with the requirements of the hatch, hatch multistate, animal health and smith-lever programs, and continue the long-standing integration between research and extension with strong stakeholder input. Deliverables include new knowledge leading to peer reviewed and general publications, improvements in the functioning, productivity and long-term health of arizona's agricultural systems, improved health, and wellbeing of the citizens of arizona, including rural and tribal communities, and enhanced economic development across the state. Beneficiaries extend across the state with emphasis on rural and tribal areas.