Tag - 2026

Year

young child walking in strawberry patch

Land-grant university research and Extension support resilience for youths, families and communities nationwide

Here are a few examples of that work:  The effectiveness of the Department of Defense’s Military Family Readiness System depends on well-trained Extension professionals with research-based tools and resources. Extension specialists in Kentucky contributed by providing personal finance training to military service providers so they can pass on knowledge, tools and resources that help military families prevent and navigate financial [...]

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Healthy foods and exercise equipment.

Land-grant university research and Extension strengthen nutrition, health and well-being

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in America. Research and Extension are fighting back. Over half of adults who participated in a Texas diabetes education program now choose healthier foods, monitor glucose levels during exercise, and control their diabetes to avoid interference with daily life. These changes could help participants save up to $94,021 in [...]

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Vegetables for sale at a farmers market stand.

Research and Extension ensure everyone has ample access to affordable, safe, nutritious food

Invasive pests damage crops, costing U.S. agriculture an estimated $30 billion every year. Pest management research and Extension stabilize the food supply chain. Researchers and Extension specialists in Oregon, developed cost-effective alternatives to glyphosate for herbicide-resistant Russian thistle control, protecting more than 30,000 acres of wheat and preventing over $1 million in yield losses so far.Oregon State University Extension Service. [...]

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A river bisects a field and forested riparian area

Research and Extension support resilient ecosystems

Recent studies and programs are conserving and protecting water used for drinking, fishing, irrigation and recreation.  Washington research helped establish 25 anaerobic digesters across the Pacific Northwest, turning dairy manure from more than 143,000 cows into biogas that provides more than 126 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy per year. Digesters decrease water quality risks associated with nutrient runoff from manure [...]

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Land-grant university research and Extension drive new biofuels, bioplastics, biochar and other bio-based products, strengthening rural economies, environmental health and energy security

Here are a few examples of that work:  Partnering with a private company, scientists in Pennsylvania roduced and tested biomaterials to replace single-use, petroleum-based plastics. New composites made from cellulose and starch have improved stability and barrier properties and have been developed into compostable food packaging and handling products; adhesives and foams for packaging, wood composites and construction materials; and [...]

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A drone flies over a field.

Research and Extension make agricultural systems more efficient, profitable, competitive and resilient

Strategies and tools for managing crop pests and diseases have increased productivity and profitability. For example: Extension units across the nation offer plant and pest diagnostic clinics. In New Mexico, free diagnoses saved producers an estimated $36,000 in testing fees in 2025, while also supporting biosecurity and export compliance. In Indiana, lab results and recommendations saved clients $890,000 in reduced [...]

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a 4-H member participates in a mock voting exercise

Understanding government, building future leaders: Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor Program

Understanding how state government functions is essential for young people to become informed and engaged citizens. To address this need, the Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor Program was developed to introduce youths in grades 4–6 to the three branches of government and how they work together to serve the public. In partnership with the Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy and [...]

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two people in business attire look at a document

Train-the-Trainer model enhances financial professionals’ ability to increase financial literacy in clients

Finance professionals play a key role in helping American families increase financial literacy and stability. While technology has made it easier for people to learn about finance, limited financial literacy and distrust in finance professionals among low-to-moderate income earners illustrates the need for finance professionals to better reach this audience.  The University of Maryland Extension uses a train-the-trainer approach to [...]

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Buffalo Bayou Park Houston, flooded after Hurricane Beryl

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides disaster relief and recovery

In 2025, the state of Texas experienced 31 severe weather events, including drought, floods and major fires. The Texas State Emergency Operations Center activated 21 times in 2025 for a total of 94 days. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Disaster Assessment and Recovery (DAR) is an educational network that focuses on preparing for, mitigating and responding to disasters. The DAR [...]

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Technology provides hands-on experiences for students to explore soil science and career opportunities

Healthy soils are critical to sustain U.S. food production needs. Currently, the agricultural industry is experiencing a shortage of professionals who are skilled and knowledgeable in soil health and resiliency, and high-tech data analysis. Many students in grade school through college lack adequate exposure to careers in agriculture, including the cutting-edge science of deep soils, which play a significant [...]

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Strengthening and building cooperative businesses to support employees, consumers and local producers

Cooperative businesses, or co-ops, are jointly owned by members, including consumers, employees and producers. Because Co-ops have different business and profit-sharing models than investor-owned, for-profit corporations, they are unique in their ability to drive local wealth creation and support social and economic community stability by strengthening local food systems and providing nutritious local farm products. Co-ops are important sources [...]

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an instructor tutors an adult student

Reducing barriers to strengthen community resilience across Florida

Nearly half of Pasco County households (more than 109,000) struggle to meet basic needs. Of the county’s 230,060 households, 28,079 live below the federal poverty line, while 80,928 fall under the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. East Pasco communities face the greatest hardship, with 62% of Zephyrhills residents, 58% of Lacoochee residents and 52% of Dade City [...]

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One of the participants in the Training for Teens program prepares a science experiment for his after-school class.

Preparing Oregon’s youths for leadership, lifelong success

Oregon employers report that many youths enter the workforce without essential employability skills, including communication, teamwork and time management. To address this gap, Oregon State University Extension Service 4‑H Youth Development partnered with the Umatilla School District after‑school program to create the Teens as Leaders curriculum.  In 2024, 12 youths completed a 10‑hour, weeklong training focused on leadership, communication, teamwork, [...]

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4-Hers look at their robot

Near-peer mentors expand 4-H program reach in Tennessee

While Tennessee 4-H serves over 140,500 youths across the state, many rural communities and communities with limited resources do not have the same programs that give youths high-quality experiential learning opportunities in STEM, agriculture and leadership. Summer 4-H camps help bridge this programming gap but staffing and capacity constraints limit potential impact.   In 2025, six Tennessee State University (TSU) NEXTGen [...]

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An underwater remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, runs though one of its underwater challenges at the SeaPerch regional competition hosted by Louisiana 4-H.

Louisiana 4-H SeaPerch builds workforce-ready STEM skills through experiential robotics learning

Preparing youth for tomorrow’s workforce is critical as STEM occupations are projected to grow 10.8% nationwide between 2022 and 2032. In Louisiana, demand for skilled engineers and technicians continues to rise in energy, coastal restoration and advanced manufacturing sectors. To address this need, Louisiana 4-H implemented the SeaPerch underwater robotics program to expand access to hands-on STEM learning and [...]

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student looking into a microscope

Lending library saves schools time and money

Over 50% of West Virginia’s children in public schools are from low-income families and half of the state’s schools are designated as Title I, experiencing high poverty. As a result of West Virginia’s resource-based funding formula, over half of the state’s youth lack access to the high-tech equipment and innovative learning tools available to students in higher-income school districts.  West [...]

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telephone wires in farmland

Indiana expands broadband map

Through the federal Broadband Equity, Adoption and Deployment program, Indiana received nearly $870 million starting in 2024. Because a map assembled by the Federal Communications Commission dictates where these funds will be invested to extend internet access, Purdue Extension in Indiana set out to ensure the state’s broadband map was as accurate as possible.  Purdue University’s Office of Engagement, Purdue [...]

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a woman paying bills

Improving financial literacy and well-being in adults

Adults in the U.S. often struggle with financial well-being. They face challenges including insufficient savings, debt struggles and confusion around changing tax codes. The Land-grant University System helps adults improve their financial literacy and stability. Here are a few examples of that work: In-person and virtual finance education programs in South Dakota taught fiscal management practices and consumer economics that helped [...]

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a group of smiling college students

Immersive study abroad builds language skills and global readiness in Arkansas

University students must develop foreign language fluency and cross-cultural competence to remain competitive in today’s global workforce. Traditional classroom instruction often limits opportunities for real-world language practice and cultural immersion, creating gaps in applied communication skills. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, through its Office of International Programs and Studies and the Department of English, Humanities and Foreign Languages, launched [...]

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Five young people wearing neon green hard hats and safety vests participate in a hands-on training exercise. Two individuals kneel on a blue tarp, practicing emergency response techniques on a medical manikin, while others observe and take notes around a white folding table.

Hawaii teens prepare to respond to disasters

As an island state more than 2,000 miles from its closest neighbor, Hawaii is vulnerable to natural disasters — tsunamis, hurricanes, flash flooding, wildfires and earthquakes. The catastrophic wildfire that destroyed Lahaina, Maui, in 2023 left the community with a profound sense of loss of control and uncertainty about the future.   To equip youth to save lives and property and [...]

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4-H students in a capital building

Growing tomorrow’s citizens: Land-grant universities empower youth voices

Civic engagement is essential to youth development because it builds leadership, responsibility, critical thinking and a sense of belonging. Land-grant universities play a vital role by delivering research-based Extension and 4-H programs that provide hands-on civic education, leadership training and service-learning opportunities. These institutions connect youth with local leaders, real-world challenges and pathways to lifelong active citizenship. Here are a [...]

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a young boy gardening

Growing healthy kids and strong communities through gardening in North Dakota

The children of North Dakota are the state’s most valuable resource, yet many face serious nutrition and physical activity challenges. Surveys show that 99% of high school students do not consume the recommended daily amount of vegetables, 32% are overweight or obese and 70% are not physically active daily. These trends threaten long-term health outcomes and highlight the need [...]

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a woman helps a senior man on the computer

Free tax prep pays dividends

Paying taxes is a civic responsibility that funds essential public services. Unfortunately, many people face barriers to affordable, accurate tax preparation. Free tax assistance programs, such as the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), offer high-quality services to low-income earners, students, retirees, individuals with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers.  In 2025, Kansas State [...]

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hands writing

Extension teaches local leaders to secure grant funding for community vitality efforts

Grant funding is a critical resource for organizations, nonprofits and communities, particularly small or rural communities with limited budgets. Local leaders have strong ideas and informed understandings of needs in their community but often lack the expertise or confidence to pursue and secure grant funding. Extension is uniquely positioned to support rural economic development by bridging this knowledge gap [...]

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Youths wearing life vests stand on a dock as they fill out forms while an adult explains the process

Extension introduces youths to career opportunities in agriculture and STEM

The United States is facing a dearth of skilled and educated workers across the agricultural industry. With many young people being several generations removed from agriculture within their families, and removed from where their food comes from, introducing youths to the variety of careers in agriculture and food systems and teaching related skills can build a new generation of [...]

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