** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** TWO MAIN IDEAS GUIDE OUR VISION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN THE WESTERN REGION:A) THAT FOODSYSTEMS ARE COMPLEX, INVOLVING THE MUTUAL INTERACTION OF AGRICULTURE WITH CLIMATE, NATURALRESOURCES, AND HUMAN FACTORS, AND B) THE RECOGNITION THAT THE REGION IS CULTURALLY,GEOGRAPHICALLY, AND ECOLOGICALLY DIVERSE. AS HOST INSTITUTION, WE AIM TO ENHANCE RESEARCH,EDUCATION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT ACKNOWLEDGES AND INCORPORATES THIS COMPLEXITYAND GROGRAPHIC SPREAD. WE ENVISION A PROGRAM WHERE RESEARCHERS, PRODUCERS, EXTENSION EDUCATORS, ANDOTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN ALL AGRICULTURAL SECTORS AND MARKETS, SCALES OF PRODUCTION, AND CULTURALPRACTICES WORK IN PARTNERSHIP TOWARDS REGION-WIDE RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEMS. WE WILL DILIGENTLYPROVIDE UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO AGRICULTURALSTAKEHOLDERS AND BEGINNING PRODUCERS.IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY PROJECTS THAT WILL LEAD TOAGRICULTURAL PRACTICES THAT ARE INNOVATIVE, REGIONALLY APPROPRIATE, AND CONSERVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES UPON WHICH AGRICULTURE DEPENDS.