** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** WHILE WSARE STRIVES TO ENHANCE ALL THE USDA FY 2018 - 2022 STRATEGIC GOALS IN ITS ONGOING EFFORTS, THE PROGRAM WILL STEP UP EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE STRATEGIC GOALS 5 AND 7, SPECIFICALLY TO STRENGTHEN THE STEWARDSHIP OF PRIVATE LANDS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH AND PROVIDE ALL AMERICANS ACCESS TO A SAFE, NUTRITIOUS, AND SECURE FOOD SUPPLY. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS WSARE HAS INITIATED A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT INVOLVING CHAP.1 AND CHAP 3 RESOURCES TO UNDERTAKE A RESEARCH/EDUCATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT, A LEARNING STYLES ASSESSMENT OF REGIONAL PRODUCERS AND A WHITE PAPER ON FOOD SECURITY ISSUES IN THE WESTERN REGION. THIS INFORMATION WILL INFORM AC ACTIONS TO ESTABLISH FY21 RESEARCH AND OUTREACH PRIORITIES. CONTINUATION OF EFFORTS TO MEET THE REMAINING USDA STRATEGIC GOALS ARE EXPRESSED IN THE ONGOING COMPETITIVE AND RESTRICTED GRANT PROGRAMS, FUNDED AT APPROXIMATELY 3:1 RATIO FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (CHAPTER 1) AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CHAPTER 3), RESPECTIVELY. CHAPTER ONE GRANT PROGRAMS INCLUDE (1) RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, (2) PROFESSIONAL + PRODUCER, (3) FARMER/RANCHER, (4) GRADUATE STUDENTS, AND (5) SABBATICALS. CHAPTER THREE GRANT PROGRAMS ARE (1) RESEARCH TO GRASSROOTS, (2) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND (3) STATE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION. IN 2020/21, WESTERN SARE STAFF WILL WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL TO ASSEMBLE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES, FACILITATE PROPOSAL REVIEW, CONVEY REVIEW OUTCOMES TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL AND COORDINATE OTHER MEETINGS TO ESTABLISH PRIORITIES, DETERMINE POLICIES, AND DIRECT PROJECT FUNDING ALLOCATIONS. WESTERN SARE COMMUNICATION WILL DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION RELATED TO RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGH NEWSLETTERS, PRESS RELEASES, WEB PAGES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND PODCASTS.