The overall goal of the center for farming systems, rural prosperity and economic sustainability (CFSRPES) is for 1890 land grant universities (LGUS) to develop, leverage and share best practices,…

The overall goal of the center for farming systems, rural prosperity and economic sustainability (CFSRPES) is for 1890 land grant universities (LGUS) to develop, leverage and share best practices, innovations, technologies and personnel across an eighteen state region address the profitability, sustainability and prosperity challenges of small farmers, ranchers and forestland owners (SFRLS). Emphasis is placed on socially disadvantaged and underserved farmers. CFSRPES builds on and incorporates the structure and learnings from the center for innovation and sustainability of small farms, ranches and forestlands (CISFRL), an 1890 center of excellence currently funded by USDA nifa (2020-2022). CFSRPES uses an integrative research- education-extension approach with multiple disciplinary university partnerships, private and public sector partnerships to benefit and strengthen SFRLS and engage and educate students in the food, agricultural, natural resources and human (FANH) sciences at THE1890 LGUS. CFSRPES has five thrust area (THA) teams with four to eight members per team from 19, 1890 land grant universities. The THA teams are farm commodities, processes and systems; ranch commodities, processes and systems; forest commodities, processes and systems; value added technology; and integrated environment, economic and social impacts. All THA teams include marketing and entrepreneurship components. Cross-THA and international collaborations are encouraged.