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Summer Farm

1890s INSTITUTIONS
ARD

Association of 1890 Research Directors

The Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) is the federation of the nineteen (19) autonomous 1890 land grant universities that provides coordination of research initiatives among member 1890 Institutions in cooperation with federal, state, and private partners.

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The ARD is integrally involved in creating a society where all people have opportunities for wholesome living and learning through responsible pursuits of their goals and aspirations. To accomplish this, the food and agricultural research mission of the ARD is to provide visionary and enlightened leadership to member institutions as they continually address issues impacting their ability to provide innovative solutions to the food and agricultural research challenges facing the state, region, nation, and world-at-large.

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Primary attention is given to a broad-based research agenda and institutions’ capabilities in targeted areas that address the needs of all people in society but in particular, those who are socio-economically deprived.

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ABOUT THE ARD

Mission

Provide visionary and enlightened leadership to member institutions as they continually address issues impacting their ability to provide innovative solutions to the food and agricultural research challenges facing the state, region, nation and world-at-large.

 

​Vision

The ARD envisions a region and a world with a safe and plentiful supply of food, fiber and water for all, where natural resources and businesses are managed in ways that are sustainable, serve public good and provide innovative solutions to global challenges.

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Priorities

Empower individuals, families and communities by increasing the knowledge and skill base, and developing behaviors to address the daily quality of life issues.

  • 4-H youth development and leadership training

  • Financial management and workforce development

  • Stronger community infrastructure, including broadband and housing

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Improve health, nutrition and wellness issues confronting local and global communities

  • Addressing health disparities and food deserts

  • Advancing food science and nutrition research

  • Disease prevention and health promotion

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Ensure local and global food and nutrition security.

  • Safe, nutritious and health-promoting foods

  • Reducing food loss and waste

  • More inclusive, equitable food systems

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Ensure the viability, sustainability, competitiveness and profitability of small- and medium-scale agriculture.​

  • Risk management and marketing support for small and beginning farmers

  • Specialty crops, small ruminants and animal genetics

  • Precision agriculture and smart technologies

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Assist rural communities to create prosperity and promote economic development.

  • Expanding rural broadband and technology

  • Improving crop yields and market access

  • Growing the bioeconomy and renewable energy

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Advance innovations at the nexus of food, energy and water.

  • Interdisciplinary research on connected food, energy and water systems

  • Climate change risks to production

  • Soil and water quality and sustainable bioenergy

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Protect the environment and natural resources.

  • Soil health and water quality management

  • Sustainable agroforestry and food production practices

  • Biodiversity and ecosystem services

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