THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND USDA - NIFA WILL ALLOW WSARE TO PROVIDE CAPITAL AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, STATE AGENCIES, UNIVERSITIES, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS WESTERN U.S. TO: (1) MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE SOIL; (2) CONSERVE SOIL, WATER, ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT; (3) MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE OF SURFACE AND GROUND WATER QUALITY; (4) PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE FOOD AND FARM SYSTEM; (5) PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF ANIMALS; AND (6) INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE. RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WILL BE CONDUCTED ACROSS THE 13 CONTINENTAL STATES AND FOUR ISLAND PROTECTORATES OF WESTERN U.S. TO ACHIEVE THE PROPOSED GOALS, THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF WSARE WILL INTEGRATE ITS CHAPTER 1 (RESEARCH & EDUCATION, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY) AND CHAPTER 3 (PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING) PROGRAMS TO (1) COORDINATE THE SENDING OUT OF CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL + PRODUCER, FRAMER/RANCHER, GRADUATE STUDENTS GRANTS, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS. ADDITIONALLY, WE WILL (2) ASSEMBLE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES TO REVIEW PROPOSALS, (3) SUMMARIZE RECOMMENDATIONS OF TECHNICAL REVIEW PANELS, (4) CONVEY MEETINGS OF THE WSARE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BOARD WHICH ESTABLISHES PRIORITIES, DETERMINES POLICIES, AND SELECTS FUNDED PROJECTS, (5) DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION RELATED TO RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGH A NEWSLETTER, PRESS RELEASES, WEB PAGES, SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER MATERIALS. AND (6) ADMINISTER BUDGETS AND PRESENT TECHNICAL REPORTS.

Montana State University, Bozeman MT

Investigators