West virginia faces pressing challenges in health, workforce development, energy, land, and water management, and community vitality, all of which affect both our rural and suburban populations

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded West Virginia University $9.009 million in Smith-Lever Extension Funding (CFDA 10.511) on October 1, 2025, for cooperative extension activities through September 30, 2030.

West Virginia University Extension will deliver evidence-based outreach, education, and technical support across four priority areas: maximizing energy, land, and water resources; building workforce readiness; improving health outcomes; and rebuilding rural communities. Programs will empower youth and adults to develop career-ready skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing, while supporting workforce re-entry and upskilling for adults. Extension faculty and staff will assist agricultural producers and land managers in adopting science-based practices to enhance competitiveness, productivity, and resilience, including innovations in forestry, water resource management, biosecurity, crop improvement, and integrated pest management. Health and wellness programming will promote food and nutrition education, encourage physical activity, combat substance misuse, and improve access to health-promoting resources. Civic engagement, family, and youth programming will build local leadership, expand recreational, economic, and digital literacy opportunities, and revitalize communities. Specific activities include field-based training, community workshops, 4-H and youth leadership programs, resource development for grant-writing and capacity building, and hands-on demonstrations to expand local food systems, agritourism, and smart technologies. Expected outcomes include increased workforce participation and credential attainment, improved physical and mental health indicators, enhanced natural resources, and establishment of community-led development.

Performance occurs in West Virginia.

With the support of this federal award, west virginia university extension will deliver a comprehensive suite of evidence-based outreach, education, and technical support in four priority areas: maximizing energy, land, and water resources; building workforce readiness; improving health outcomes; and rebuilding rural communities. Our programs will empower youth and adults to develop career-ready skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing, while also supporting workforce RE-entry and upskilling for adults. We will enhance lifelong health and wellness by promoting food and nutrition education, encouraging physical activity, combating substance misuse, and improving access to health-promoting resources. WVU extension faculty and staff will assist agricultural producers and land managers in adopting science-based practices to boost competitiveness, productivity, and resilience, including innovations in forestry, water resource management, biosecurity, crop improvement, and integrated pest management. Additionally, WV ES will lead civic engagement, family and youth programming E??orts that build local leadership, expand recreational, economic, and digital literacy opportunities, and revitalize communities with natural and physical assets. Specific activities will include field-based training, community workshops, 4-H and youth leadership programs, resource development for grant-writing and capacity building, and hands-on demonstrations to expand local food systems, agritourism, and smart technologies. Expected outcomes include but are not limited to increased workforce participation and credential attainment, improved physical and mental health indicators, enhanced natural resources, and the establishment of community-led development projects. Deliverables will include toolkits, curricula, outreach events, community plans, extension publications, and evaluation reports demonstrating impact.??intended beneficiaries??are all west virginians including american farmers, ranchers, foresters, the broader appalachian region, families and youth, agricultural and food workers, local businesses and communities, and consumers. Extension initiatives will improve the quality of life of west virginians, strengthen the production of food, fuel, and fiber, and build long-term capacity for prosperity throughout the state.