THE WESTERN RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER COLLABORATES WITH WESTERN LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITIES AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION FOR THE PROSPERITY OF WESTERN RURAL COMMUNITIES. THE CENTER WORKS TO BUILD CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE REGION'S LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITIES AND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE TO HELP RURAL COMMUNITIES PROSPER, THRIVE ECONOMICALLY, AND BECOME SELF-SUSTAINING. THE WESTERN RURAL DEVELOPMENT CETNER LINKS THE SCIENCE-BASED RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH CAPACITY OF THE REGION'S PUBOLIC UNIVERSITIES WITH COMMUNITIES, LOCAL DECISION-MAKERS, ENTREPRENEURS, FAMILIES, FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO HELP ADDRESS A WIDE RANGE OF DEVELOPMENT ISSUES.