Tag - Northeast

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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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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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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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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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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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Mother and child smile

Extension program improves well-being for Maine families

The first three years of a child’s life are critical for growth and development. Early identification of developmental delays and subsequent referrals to early intervention services are essential to reduce long-term impacts. Intervention before kindergarten has significant academic, social and economic benefits.  University of Maine Cooperative Extension is addressing this need with Maine Families Home Visiting Programs. This effort promotes [...]

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High School Students pipetting as fellow high school students wait their turn during a workshop on using precision-cut lung slices to study lung biology

Expanding rural youth access to biomedical research careers

Rural students often have limited access to immersive STEM experiences that expose them to advanced scientific research and biomedical career pathways. Without early engagement and mentorship, many young people, particularly first-generation college students, lack awareness of academic opportunities in health science and regenerative medicine fields. This gap limits workforce pipeline development and participation in high-demand STEM careers.  The University of [...]

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Farmer spreading feed for cattle

Confronting farm stress through research, Extension

Across the Land-grant University System, outreach and research-based work are critical to strengthening the health, safety and well-being of agricultural communities. By pairing scientific evidence with trusted Extension networks, land-grant universities address urgent challenges while improving quality of life nationwide. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers in Pennsylvania held discussion groups with 68 farm women in Ohio, Vermont [...]

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a group of youth at a training

Building West Virginia’s future fire service workforce through youth engagement

Volunteer fire departments across West Virginia face ongoing recruitment and retention challenges threatening emergency response capacity, particularly in rural and economically distressed communities. Aging volunteer memberships, increased training requirements and limited early exposure to fire service careers have weakened the traditional pipeline of new volunteers.  To address this workforce gap, the West Virginia University Extension State Fire Training Academy operated [...]

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Wellness on Wheels truck

Empowering community resilience

Community resilience support is a critical function of the land-grant system because it equips individuals, families and local organizations with the knowledge, tools and partnerships needed to adapt to economic, environmental and public health challenges. Through research-based education and Extension outreach, land-grant universities strengthen local capacity, promote equity and help communities not only recover from disruption but build long-term [...]

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a teacher and students look at classwork

Advancing student workforce development in West Virginia

In West Virginia, fewer students are going to college after high school. To meet the state’s workforce demand, 60% of West Virginians need to have some form of degree or certificate. As of 2022, only 45% of the adult population had achieved this level of education.  West Virginia University Extension conducted a statewide needs assessment in 2021 and discovered that [...]

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UConn Extension experts at a well water testing booth

Well water testing improves public health 

Clean and safe water is essential to public health, agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Those with private wells are responsible for their own water safety. Without accessible testing, education and coordinated planning, contaminants can threaten drinking water, food safety and ecosystem health, particularly in rural communities.  Here are a few examples of that work: In Connecticut, 65% of participating households took [...]

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a person looks at a phone screen with a photo of a tick in a wooded area

Robust resource hub, outreach campaign help prevent tick bites, reduce spread of tickborne diseases

Tickborne diseases pose a growing public health threat — most notably Lyme disease, which affects nearly half a million Americans annually. Despite this increasing risk, the number of public health entomologists has declined, creating a critical gap in education and prevention efforts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the urgent need for new tools to [...]

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an Extension agent shows a member of the public how to read a nutrition label on a box of cereal

Improving food and nutrition knowledge and skills

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helps adult and youth participants improve their nutrition and health. It promotes budget-friendly food choices by teaching skills in how to plan meals, shop wisely, and prepare affordable, nutritious foods. It empowers participants and builds self-confidence, leadership and lifelong healthy habits. By teaching food resource management and efficient use of available [...]

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a scientist examines a test tube

Gut microbial research promotes better health, prevents chronic illness

Gut microbial research is important because the microbes living in the digestive system play a central role in human and animal health. They help regulate metabolism, support immune function and protect against harmful pathogens. Understanding the gut microbiome can reveal early markers of disease, improve nutritional strategies and guide the development of personalized medicine. Research also shows strong links [...]

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UME Agent, Shauna Henley, preparing mason jars for sterilization

Extension trainings keep Americans safe from foodborne illness

Foodborne illness is a widespread, costly public health concern in the United States. Each year, one in six Americans becomes sick from contaminated food, leading to hospitalizations, long-term health complications and even death. Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people with weakened immune systems or chronic diseases are most at risk. Because food safety risks can occur at [...]

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a group of youth and an instructor cook in an industrial kitchen

Expanding food and nutrition education among youth

Early habits among youth often last a lifetime. Extension provides the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to both youth and adults to improve habits in nutrition, physical activity and food safety. Youth-centered programs help participants develop healthy habits, reduce obesity levels and promote overall well-being. Here are a few examples of that work: Youth in Maine face high rates [...]

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gallons of milk

Artificial intelligence decodes microbes’ message in milk safety testing approach

Ensuring the safety and integrity of the food supply is critical to public health, consumer confidence and the economic stability of the agricultural sector. In a groundbreaking collaboration, researchers from the Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University in New York, and IBM Research have demonstrated how artificial intelligence can strengthen dairy safety by detecting subtle microbial signals that indicate potential [...]

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two seniors drinking tea at a table

An integrated community-based approach to hypertension

Hypertension is one of the most significant chronic health challenges facing older adults, affecting two-thirds of Americans over age 60 and contributing to cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline and loss of independence. Despite its prevalence, this population has the lowest hypertension control rates, increasing strain on families, health systems and community resources. While the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) [...]

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two researchers examine a cow

A safer treatment for mastitis, helping herds and farmers’ bottom lines

Mastitis, udder inflammation/infection, is a leading health issue in dairy herds, responsible for an estimated $2 billion in annual losses for U.S. farmers. New England dairy farms face unique challenges managing this disease due to high care costs for small-scale operations and restrictions on antibiotic use in organically certified dairies. There is a growing need for alternative, non-invasive methods [...]

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