Extension Program Theme Areas

Agricultural Competitiveness
Our role is to evaluate the effects of changes in the economic environment on agriuclture and agribusiness in Virginia. The purpose of exetnsion efforts in this theme area is to identify appropriate responses to these changes, which may occur at state, national, or international levels, to enhance the economic viability of agriculture in the Commonwealth. The Department seeks to: 1) provide agricultural entrepreneurs with information and an economic framework that allows them to respond successfully to issues affecting competitiveness in agriculture and agribusiness; 2) help policy makers make informed decisions that will help enhance Virginia's agriculture competitiveness; 3) generate knowledge in production economics, farm and agribusiness management, financial management, marketing and price processes, and policy analysis to improve agricultural competitiveness; and 4) contribute to sound agricultural, environmental, and market policy at the local, state, national, and international levels.

Rural and Community Development
Our role in fostering rural and community development is to enhance the opportunities for rural residents in Virginia to achieve a quality of life equal to the rest of the populace. The Department seeks to: 1) generage knowledge that will help rural residents to take advantage of opportunities that will enhance the quality of their lives in rural communities; 2) provide information on, and analyses of, economic issues important to rural America; and 3) facilitate new communication with public and private decision makers for rural areas.

Environmental and Natural Resource Systems
Our role is to create and communicate economic knowledge needed to inform public and private decisions about the environment so as to minimize conflicts between rural economic activitiy and environmental quality . The Department seeks to provide economic education, computer-based decision support tools, and applied economic analysis to discover policies and programs which will minimize such conflicts.

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