LAND-GRANT IMPACTS EXAMPLES

• Michigan State University Product Center drives food business growth, job creation, and innovation
  Michigan State University
  
  Since 2003, the Michigan State University Extension’s Product Center has supported business expansions resulting in more than $446 million in total investments and the creation of 3,729 jobs. The Center delivers statewide business development, technical expertise, and access to advanced food processing facilities to help entrepreneurs and established companies succeed.
  Primary Funding Source: Smith-Lever (3b&c) Capacity Funds
  
  
• Helping Farmers Navigate Global Trade Challenges
  Virginia Tech
  
  As the U.S. develops new trade policies, this work helps leaders make better decisions providing timely, data-driven evidence of potential costs and benefits that can lead to stronger trade deals and better outcomes for our farmers.
  Primary Funding Source: Hatch Multistate Capacity Fund
  
  
• Securing Kansas' Agricultural Future: A Multi-State Farm Transition Initiative
  Kansas State University
  
  Kansas agriculture faces a critical transition point. Within the next two decades, approximately 70% of U.S. farmland, representing billions of dollars in agricultural assets, is expected to transfer to new ownership. In Kansas, 65% of primary farm operators are age 55 or older, creating an urgent need for structured succession planning. In partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Purdue Extension, K-State Extension delivered an educational series that brought farm transition expertise directly to Kansas families.
  Primary Funding Source: Smith-Lever (3b&c) Capacity Funds and County Funding
  
  
• Rural West Virginia Farmers Strengthened Economic Prosperity Through Farm Agritourism
  West Virginia University
  
  The WV Agritourism Farm Crawls strengthens rural economies and expands consumer access to locally produced food and agricultural experiences across West Virginia. By connecting the public directly with working farms, the Farm Crawl program also improves agricultural literacy, builds community pride, and fosters long-term support for the state’s agricultural and tourism sectors. In 2025, 80 participating farms hosted an average of 100 visitors each and reported revenue increases of up to 500%.
  Primary Funding Source: Smith-Lever (3b&c) Capacity Funds
  
  
• Mizzou Researchers Patent First Black Walnut Cultivar, Help Expand State Industry
  University of Missouri
  
  Mizzou’s newly patented "Hickman" Walnut – a product of more than 25 years of development – is a key step toward expanding Missouri's tree nut industry, offering greater economic opportunities for growers through improved nut production.
  Funding Sources: USDA Competitive and State Appropriations
  
  
• Building Economic Resilience by Expanding Forest Landowners’ Market Awareness
  Mississippi State University
  Through accessible, localized forest economics education, Mississippi State University Extension’s comprehensive forest economics outreach program increased knowledge, reduced financial risks, and strengthened decision-making for nearly 2,000 stakeholders, generating broader economic and community benefits for Mississippi’s forest-dependent regions.
  Primary Funding Source: Smith-Lever (3b&c) Capacity Funds
  
  
• UMES teaches alley cropping to boost farm profits
  University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  
  Alley cropping can increase small farmer profits by incorporating more variety and reducing water usage. Rural areas then have a greater variety of fresh, nutritionally dense food available. UMES Extension helps small-scale farmers adopt alley cropping and other profitable, ecologically friendly practices.
  Primary Funding Source: 1890 Extension Capacity Funds
  
  
• Research aims to improve viability of regional wine production
  Iowa State University
  
  A multi-state effort led by Iowa State University supported regional grape and wine production and expanded market opportunities for the industry. The enology and viticulture industry represents significant economic value in the U.S., with potential to provide benefits outside of the West Coast’s prime wine grape-growing region.
  Funding Sources: Hatch Multistate Capacity Funds and USDA Capacity - Research
  
  
• Oregon State research vital for Oregon's nursery industry success
  Oregon State University
  
  Oregon State advances precision irrigation, efficient pesticide application and stress-tolerant ornamental plants, helping Oregon’s $1 billion nursery and greenhouse industry conserve water, cut costs and remain nationally competitive.
  Funding Sources: State Appropriations and USDA Capacity – Research
  
  
• Backyard Pigs to Booming Business
  College of Micronesia
  
  The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) relies heavily on imported pork due to a decline in local production. The Swine Production Extension Program fosters a culture of responsible livestock management, strengthens food security, and contributes to the economic resilience of the islands. Public awareness campaigns have further amplified the program's impact by educating the broader community.
  Primary Funding Source: Smith-Lever (3b&c) Capacity Funds
  
  
• Extension supports economic success in rural Nevada with pomegranate research
  University of Nevada, Reno Extension
  
  By supporting small-scale growers to adopt novel pomegranate cultivars and better respond to consumer preferences, this program strengthens local agriculture, diversifies income sources and supports rural economic resilience. In the long run, this kind of innovation reduces dependency on large corporate suppliers and helps maintain agricultural diversity and local food sovereignty.
  Funding Sources: USDA Capacity – Research and County Funding
  
  
• Researcher “Speed-Breeds” Small Grain Varieties to Boost Crop Production in Alaska
  University of Alaska Fairbanks
  
  A University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher is using a "speed-breeding" process to accelerate the development of suitable varieties of small grain crops, which can improve Alaska's food production, promote economic development, and strengthen Alaska’s food system.
  Primary Funding Source: Hatch Capacity Funds

MONTHS

National Garden Month, #NationalGardenMonth
National Pecan Month, #NationalPecanMonth
National Soy Foods Month, #NationalSoyFoodsMonth
National Volunteer Month, #NationalVolunteerMonth

WEEKS

April 5-9: National Wildlife Week, #NationalWildlifeWeek
April 6-12: National Public Health Week, #NPHW
April 19-25: National Volunteer Week, #NVW

DAYS

April 1: National Walking Day, #NationalWalkingDay
April 7: National Beer Day, #NationalBeerDay
April 7: World Health Day, #WorldHealthDay
April 14: National Gardening Day, #NationalGardeningDay 
April 14: National Pecan Day, #NationalPecanDay
April 15: National Banana Day, #NationalBananaDay
April 16: National Orchid Day, #NationalOrchidDay
April 17: National Crawfish Day, #NationalCrawfishDay
April 19: National Garlic Day, #NationalGarlicDay
April 20: Volunteer Recognition Day, #VolunteerDay
April 21: National Rendering Day, #NationalRenderingDay
April 22: Earth Day, #EarthDay, #InvestInOurPlanet 
April 24: National Arbor Day, #ArborDay 
April 25: World Veterinary Day, #WorldVeterinaryDay
April 29: Stop Food Waste Day, #StopFoodWasteDay