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

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Arizona $3.157 million under the Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act program (CFDA 10.203) on October 1, 2025, for the performance period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027.

The award supports research and extension activities aligned with USDA priorities and Arizona stakeholder goals. Deliverables include peer-reviewed and general publications, improvements in the functioning and productivity of Arizona's agricultural systems, enhanced health and wellbeing of Arizona citizens including rural and tribal communities, and economic development across the state. Research and extension address five critical issues: ensuring a sustainable, profitable, and competitive food and fiber system in Arizona; enhancing natural resource conservation and management; improving health, safety, and economic security of Arizona families and communities; preparing Arizona youth to be productive citizens; and preparing Arizona's agricultural industry for future solutions. Projects are selected through a competitive process and administered in alignment with Hatch, Hatch Multistate, Animal Health, and Smith-Lever program requirements, integrating research and extension with strong stakeholder input.

Work is performed in Tucson, Arizona, with beneficiaries extending across the state and emphasis on rural and tribal areas. The University of Arizona, a 1862 land-grant institution and Hispanic Serving Institution, is the direct recipient. As a subordinate entity of the Arizona Board of Regents, the university acts as the administrative and operational entity for the award.

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.