FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS, WESTERN SARE (WSARE) HAS ADVANCED INNOVATIONS THAT IMPROVE PROFITABILITY, STEWARDSHIP, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. BY FUNDING GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, WSARE HAS CONSISTENTLY PUT FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND FORESTERS IN THE WESTERN REGION FIRST, IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING THEIR MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES, PROTECTING THE NATION'S FOOD, FUEL, AND FIBER SUPPLY, AND SUPPORTING THE PRODUCTION OF HEALTHY, SAFE FOOD FOR CONSUMERS.THIS MISSION DIRECTLY SUPPORTS USDA AND NIFA PRIORITIES BY INVESTING IN DEVELOPING FOOD SYSTEMS THAT ARE RELIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE; FUELING INNOVATION TO KEEP U.S. PRODUCERS AT THE FOREFRONT OF PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY; EXPANDING AND DEVELOPING DOMESTIC MARKETS FOR WESTERN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS; AND INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF AGRICULTURALISTS TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM VITALITY OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE.WSARE'S PROGRAMS USE A SYSTEMIC, STAKEHOLDER-DRIVEN APPROACH, ENGAGING PRODUCERS, RESEARCHERS, EDUCATORS, AND AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONALS AT LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS. THIS PROCESS ENSURES THAT SOLUTIONS ARE APPLIED, PRACTICAL, SCIENCE-BASED, AND INFORMED BY THOSE MOST DIRECTLY AFFECTED, WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING THE INTERCONNECTED CHALLENGES OF PROFITABILITY, RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP, AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.