“Land-grant universities are uniquely positioned to help defend the United States against biological threats to food, livestock, crops, wildlife, biofuels, pharmaceuticals, textiles, the environment, the bioeconomy, and the food and agro-economy, valued at more than $1 trillion annually. In serving the states, localities, tribes, and territories...land-grant universities have their boots on the ground in the fight against threats to food and agriculture.”
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense: Boots on the Ground: Land-Grant Universities in the Fight Against Threats to Food and Agriculture
Strengthening America's National Security
A strong domestic agricultural sector reduces strategic vulnerabilities. America's national security depends on a robust food supply, healthy crops and livestock, advanced biosecurity, a skilled workforce, and local engagement. Public and land-grant universities strengthen these foundations to help communities, farmers and ranchers, and industries respond to emerging challenges and support long-term prosperity. As a designated critical infrastructure sector, the U.S. food and agriculture system is essential to economic stability, public health, and national resilience.
“The Food and Agriculture sector is one of 16 critical infrastructures sectors whose assets, systems, and networks are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof.”
Source: Food and Agriculture Sector and other Related Activities | FDA
“Food security is national security, and investing in America’s farmers and ranchers is an investment in America’s families. We all benefit from a reliable and affordable food supply.” - Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation
Advancing Food Security for National Security
A nation that cannot reliably produce, distribute, and access food is more vulnerable to instability and threats. Land-grant universities work to ensure a safe, affordable, and abundant domestic food supply, which is fundamental to America's stability and national security.
Protecting Animal and Plant Health
Healthy crops and livestock are vital to a secure food supply and strong economy. Land-grant universities conduct research to address diseases, invasive pests, and other emerging biological risks, while diagnostic laboratories provide critical detection and response capabilities during outbreaks.
Strengthening Agricultural Biosecurity
America's food and agriculture system faces threats from foreign and domestic animal diseases, crop pathogens, agroterrorism, and other biological risks to crop and livestock production. Public and land-grant universities address these challenges through research, surveillance, diagnostics, and control.
Developing the Next Generation Workforce
United States’ security depends on a strong and skilled pipeline of scientists, engineers, veterinarians, educators, and agricultural workers. Public and land-grant universities prepare future professionals to lead critical industries, support economic prosperity, and strengthen the nation's resilience.
Supporting Communities Through Local Engagement
Cooperative Extension supports producers, families, businesses, and local leaders by translating scientific discoveries into practical applications. Extension professionals help communities prepare for and recover from disasters and enable rapid response to emerging challenges.
Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) – Reducing the Impact of Disasters through Education
EDEN is a collaborative multi-state effort by Cooperative Extension Services across the country to improve the delivery of services to citizens affected by disasters. EDEN’s mission is to reduce the impact of disasters through research-based education.
Powerful Foundations for a Strong America
Through research, education, and Cooperative Extension, public and land-grant universities advance innovation, strengthen food and agricultural systems, and prepare the next generation of leaders. Their work delivers practical solutions that support healthy communities, a vibrant economy, and a secure future for the nation. The future of America's national security relies on the foundations that are created and reinforced today.
Photo courtesy of Desiree Rustos/University of Arizona.
Sample Social Media Posts
The food and agriculture sector contributes more than $1 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. Through programs like [program name], [institution] helps strengthen the workforce needed to keep our food system strong: [program link]
Food security is national security. Through Cooperative Extension, [institution] helps farmers, ranchers, and communities access research-based solutions that strengthen local food systems and support long-term resilience: [program link]
Healthy crops and livestock are essential to a secure food supply and strong economy. At [institution], programs like [program name] help producers combat disease, invasive pests, and other biological threats through science-based solutions: [program link]
Land-grant universities have “boots on the ground” in the fight against threats to food and agriculture. Through [program name], [institution] helps protect crops, livestock, and communities while strengthening America’s national security: [program link]
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Have a story for us to share? Email Kim at agcomms@aplu.org.
Holidays
MONTHS
National Chicken Month, #NationalChickenMonth
National Hispanic Heritage Month, #HispanicHeritageMonth (September 15 – October 15)
National Mushroom Month, #NationalMushroomMonth
National Potato Month, #NationalPotatoMonth
National Preparedness Month, #PreparednessStartsAtHome
National Rice Month, #NationalRiceMonth
Whole Grains Month, #WholeGrainMonth
WEEKS
September 13-20: National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, #HBCUWeek
September 14-20: National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, #HSIsWeek
September 21-26: National Farm Safety and Health Week, #NFSHW
DAYS
September 2: World Coconut Day, #WorldCoconutDay
September 4: National Wildlife Day, #WildlifeDay
September 7: Labor Day, #LaborDay
September 13: National Peanut Day, #PeanutDay, #EatMorePeanuts
September 15: National Online Learning Day, #OnlineLearningDay
September 16: National Guacamole Day, #NationalGuacamoleDay
September 18: World Water Monitoring Day, #WorldWaterMonitoringDay
September 22: Autumnal Equinox, #AutumnalEquinox, #FirstDayofFall
September 25: National Lobster Day, #NationalLobsterDay
September 27: World Rivers Day, #WorldRiversDay
September 29: National Coffee Day, #NationalCoffeeDay
September 29: World Heart Day, #WorldHeartDay