Virginia cooperative extension (VCE), a partnership between virginia polytechnic institute and state university (VT) and virginia state university (VSU), the virginia agricultural experiment station…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (doing business as Virginia Tech) $15,792,764 in formula grant funding on October 1, 2025, under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511). The award supports cooperative agricultural extension activities through Virginia Cooperative Extension, a partnership between Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, along with the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and the Virginia State University Agricultural Research Station. The recipient will develop and transfer applied and basic life science knowledge, perform research responsive to Virginia citizens' needs, and improve community and citizen quality of life across the commonwealth through science-based research and educational strategies addressing agricultural viability, profitability, sustainability, biotechnology, biomaterials, bioenergy, and community viability programming. Place of performance is Blacksburg, Virginia. The period of performance extends from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030.

Virginia cooperative extension (VCE), a partnership between virginia polytechnic institute and state university (VT) and virginia state university (VSU), the virginia agricultural experiment station (VAES) and the virginia state university agricultural research station (VSUARS), enables people to improve their lives through research and education using scientific knowledge focused on the issues and needs of the citizens of virginia. Audiences are involved in designing, implementing, and evaluating needsdriven programs. VCE, VAES and VSUARS are dynamic organizations which stimulate positive personal and societal change leading to more productive lives, families, farms, and forests, as well as a better environment in urban and rural communities. VCE's goals are to: 1) develop and transfer new knowledge in applied and basic life sciences, 2) perform relevant, objective, and timely research 3) improve the quality of life for communities and citizens in the commonwealth, 4) use a systems approach to programming, with task-oriented work teams that respond to the needs of individuals, groups, and organizations, 5) work with audiences who need focused and specialized attention, 6) fully integrate a culturally diverse paid and volunteer staff in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs, and 7) recruit and collaborate with public and private partners to better utilize resources, heighten impact, and reach a more diverse audience. We will use science-based research and educational strategies to address 1) critical agricultural viability, profitability and sustainability 2)our biotechnology, biomaterials, and bioenergy programs focus on establishing regional community and industry networks to identify, research and educate on utilization of bacteria, water, plants, animals, and forests products to produce goods for human, industrial, and agricultural needs for all virginians 3) community viability programming will promote continuing prosperity and financial security for all virginians 4) we will address food security and safety, nutrition challenges and health issues for all virginians; 5) we will address critical issues of natural resource and environmental enhancement, protection and conservation; 6) we will support strong, healthy family development and well-being leading to stronger virginia communities; 7) 4-H programs focus on developing positive, healthy, skilled, productive youth to be tomorrow's leaders.