PURDUE UNIVERSITY AS THE HOST OF THE NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (NCRCRD) USES A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO BUILD THRIVING RURAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS AND INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS. THE NCRCRD IS FOCUSED ON THREE INTERCONNECTED SYSTEMS: COMMUNITIES, BUSINESSES, AND HOUSEHOLDS. THIS PROPOSAL ENHANCES USDA'S CURRENT (2018-2022) STRATEGIC GOALS OF FACILITATING RURAL PROSPERITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; FOSTERING PRODUCTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF OUR NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEMS LANDS; AND PROVIDING ALL AMERICANS WITH ACCESS TO A SAFE, NUTRITIOUS, AND SECURE FOOD SUPPLY.THE NCRCRD IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A MORE RESILIENT NORTH CENTRAL REGION BY IMPROVING THE ADAPTIVE CAPACITY OF HOUSEHOLDS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH IMPACTFUL RESEARCH AND OUTREACH. RESILIENCE REQUIRES MANY AND COMPLEX INTERCONNECTING DECISIONS MADE BY INDIVIDUALS, HOUSEHOLDS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITIES. THE RESILIENCE OF THESE INTERCONNECTED SYSTEMS RELIES ON THEIR ABILITY TO BOUNCE BACK BETTER AFTER MAJOR SHOCKS TO THEIR VARIOUS CAPITALS SUCH AS HUMAN, BUILT, FINANCIAL, SOCIAL, POLITICAL, NATURAL, AND CULTURAL.THE CENTER WILL ESTABLISH FACULTY FELLOWSHIPS. THE CENTER WILL ENCOURAGE FACULTY FROM THE NORTH CENTRAL REGION TO WORK WITH THE CENTER ON A "MINI SABBATICAL". FACULTY WILL WORK ON CENTER SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCED THE CENTER'S THEMES FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME. THE CENTER'S FACULTY FELLOWS WILL BE VITAL CONTRIBUTORS BY DEVELOPING SURVEY TOPICS, RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS, AND EXTENSION CURRICULA. THE FACULTY FELLOWS PROGRAM WILL INCREASE INTERREGIONAL COLLABORATION AND ENHANCE THE CENTER'S STATURE WITH FACULTY ACROSS THE REGION.