THE SOUTHERN RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SRDC) SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF THE LAND-GRANT SYSTEM TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY VITALITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE FARMING, RANCHING, AND FORESTRY SECTORS. PROPOSED BY THE TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD WITH REPRESENTATION FROM LAND-GRANT PARTNERS AND THEIR STAKEHOLDERS, THIS PLAN ENTAILS FOUR PRIORITIES: ENHANCE CORE RURAL DEVELOPMENT CAPACITIES, DEVELOP PATHWAYS TO COMMUNITY VITALITY, BUILD STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, AND MOBILIZE RESOURCES AROUND EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES. EFFORTS TO ENHANCE CORE CAPACITIES WILL INCLUDE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH AND EXTENSION THAT CUT ACROSS INSTITUTIONAL AND STATE BOUNDARIES. THE SRDC WILL DEVELOP PATHWAYS TO COMMUNITY VITALITY THROUGH: (A) COORDINATION TO ADVANCE LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS AND DOMESTIC MARKETS; (B) ASSISTANCE WITH RESEARCH AND TRAINING ON CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS TO FAMILY LAND AND TANGLED TITLES; (C) ENHANCEMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, CYBERSECURITY IN AGRICULTURE, AND AI; (D) DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULA FOR WORKSHOPS TO BUILD COLLABORATIVE CAPACITY; AND (E) RURAL HEALTH AND AGING RESEARCH. TO BUILD STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, THE SRDC WILL: (A) PROVIDE MENTORSHIP AND TRAINING FOR EMERGING LEADERS THROUGH REGIONAL PROGRAMS AND FORUMS; AND (B) CONDUCT RESEARCH ON CONNECTIONS BETWEEN FARMING, RANCHING, AND FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY VITALITY. THIS WILL INCLUDE OUTREACH WITH AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY PRODUCERS AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS. IN ORDER TO MOBILIZE RESOURCES, SRDC WILL: (A) PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR GRANTSMANSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING; (B) ANALYZE DATA FOR THE OUTDOOR RECREATION SECTOR; AND (C) SEEK EXPANSION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY VITALITY IN RESPONSE TO POPULATION CHANGE AND EXTREME WEATHER.