**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (NCRCRD) IS ONE OF FOUR REGIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTERS AND PURDUE UNIVERSITY SERVES AS ITS HOST INSTITUTION. THE NCRCRD ENHANCES RURAL RESILIENCE BY FACILITATING AND FOSTERING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE 34 LAND GRANT INSTITUTIONS FROM THE TWELVE STATES IN THE NORTH CENTRAL REGION (NCR).THE NCRCRD'S WORK IS FOCUSED ON THREE THEMES: CREATING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES, DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND PROMOTING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THE NCRCRD ALSO USES A SYSTEMS APPROACH AT THE INTERSECTION OF: COMMUNITIES, BUSINESSES, AND HOUSEHOLDS. THIS PROPOSAL ENHANCES USDA'S CURRENT (2022-2026) STRATEGIC GOALS: 1) COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE TO SUPPORT AMERICA'S WORKING LANDS, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND COMMUNITIES; 2) ENSURE AMERICA'S AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM IS EQUITABLE, RESILIENT, AND PROSPEROUS; 3) FOSTER AN EQUITABLE AND COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE FOR ALL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS; 4) PROVIDE ALL AMERICANS SAFE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD; AND 5) EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.THE CENTER FACILITATES RESEARCH AND EXTENSION THROUGHOUT THE NCR VIA PARTNERSHIPS, SMALL GRANTS, MULTISTATE WORKING GROUPS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT. THE NCRCRD INCREASES THE VISIBILITY OF RESEARCH AND EXTENSION FROM THE NCR THROUGH WEBINARS, NEWSLETTERS, AND THE DISSEMINATION OF REGIONWIDE IMPACT INDICATORS. THE CENTER COLLECTS AND MAINTAINS AN OPEN ACCESS DATABASE TITLED NCR-STAT AND PUBLISHES DATA SNAPSHOTS AND RESEARCH BRIEFSRELEVANAT TO RURAL STAKEHOLDERS. THE CENTER FOSTERS OPPORTUNITES FOR THE 34 LAND GRANT INSTITUTIONS TO COLLABORATE ON PROJECTS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT ENHANCES THEIR CAPACITY TO WORK IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.