Land-grant universities (LGUs) play a vital role in safeguarding the health of plants and animals. Through innovative research, world-class education, and impactful outreach, LGUs equip farmers and ranchers with practical solutions to address a wide range of destructive, complex, and expensive challenges. By confronting existing and emerging threats including diseases, pests, and pathogens, LGUs strengthen our nation’s food supply and build a resilient future.
RESEARCH
Plant scientists develop strategies that safeguard crops from diseases, invasive species, droughts, and other environmental stressors. For example, they are advancing precision agriculture, breeding resistant plant varieties, using drones for early disease detection and better management, and strengthening specialty crop quality and economics.
Animal scientists at LGUs are at the forefront of discovery. Their research helps reduce the impact of diseases, lower the likelihood of future zoonotic pandemics, keep livestock cool in extreme temperatures, and identify genetic traits that optimize production while ensuring animals’ well-being.
EDUCATION
LGU educators have the vital responsibility of preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals who will protect crops and animals in the coming decades. Educators spark their students’ curiosity and ensure students gain a comprehensive understanding of plant and animal sciences. These students are tomorrow’s workforce including our future plant scientists, veterinarians, teachers, Extension professionals and others. Dedicated educators equip today’s students so they are ready to address current and future national and global challenges and fortify U.S. agriculture and food production.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Extension professionals safeguard plant and animal health by working with farmers and ranchers to implement practical solutions. For example, Extension educators help farmers diagnose diseases and provide timely guidance to help producers effectively respond. In addition, veterinary laboratories based at LGUs work in cooperation with Extension to provide state-of-the-art services to veterinarians, livestock producers, and others to improve animal health.
Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) is a collaborative multi-state effort by Cooperative Extension Services to reduce the impact of disasters through research-based education. EDEN has an extensive dashboard for Agricultural and Zoonotic “hazard resources” that includes subjects such as swine influenza, avian influenza, plant, and crop security.
To protect plants and animals, LGUs also combat invasive species, safeguard pollinators, and fight avian influenza.
Combatting Invasive Species
LGUs are at the forefront of research, education, and outreach to develop and apply new and emerging technologies and practices that more effectively detect, monitor, and control invasive species. They help farmers implement practical solutions for prevention and control to quickly and effectively manage existing and emerging threats.
Learn more here: AgisAmerica: Invasive Species
Safeguarding Pollinators
Pollinators play a critical role in the world’s ecosystems, facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants and ensuring crop production. Many pollinator populations are declining or at risk due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and changing environmental conditions.
Learn more here: Land-grant researchers and Extension educators protect essential pollinators
Fighting Avian Influenza
LGUs are developing and disseminating research findings to detect, prevent, and/or minimize avian influenza outbreaks. Avian flu outbreak is estimated to cost the U.S. poultry industry $1.4 Billion as of January 2025.
See examples from several LGUs and learn more here: AgIsAmerica: Avian Influenza
ADDITIONAL LAND-GRANT IMPACTS EXAMPLES
Advancing food security through sustainable livestock and crop innovations
Research at 1890 LGUs addresses critical challenges in animal and plant production. Collectively, these projects support sustainable food systems and food security by improving livestock and crop health, reducing reliance on agrochemicals and increasing production efficiency.
Specialty crop growers benefit from land-grant university research
Scientists at LGUs are responding to local grower needs to strengthen specialty crop quality and economics.
Land-grant universities support the viability of livestock production
From teaching producers biosecurity techniques to keeping poultry cool in extreme temperatures to identifying genetic traits that will optimize production, LGU researchers and Extension professionals are supporting the viability of livestock production in the United States.
Digital agriculture enhances production, monitoring capabilities
Data modeling, automated machinery and drones are just a few of the technologies that are powering improved efficiencies in livestock and crop production. Land-grant universities are at the forefront of researching and applying these technologies, paving the way for increased productivity, better disease management and optimized harvest timing.
With their extensive and unique expertise that is grounded in three strong pillars (research, education, and Extension), LGUs provide a well-prepared agricultural workforce and address complex challenges to strengthen crop and animal health. Through these efforts, LGUs help farmers and ranchers thrive, bolster rural communities, improve the U.S. economy, and fortify our nation’s agriculture and food systems.
SOCIAL MEDIA
SAMPLE POSTS
RESEARCH
From emerging diseases to an increase in extreme weather events, it's more important than ever to invest in [plant and/or animal] health research. Scientists like [name] help build a more resilient food system through [project].
EDUCATION
Land-grant universities are empowering the next generation of change-makers in the fields of plant and animal health. In the [major] program, students gain hands-on, practical experience through [courses, labs, undergrad research, internships, etc.]. [link]
EXTENSION
Working directly with [state] farmers and ranchers, [@university] Extension professionals safeguard plant and animal health by [project].
Looking for pre-made stories to feature? Check out:
- Land-grant Impacts
Scroll down to "View by Institution" and click your university's name. Only institutions who submitted impacts to the National Impacts Database in 2024 are listed. This page features research and Extension impacts. - Multistate Research Funds Impacts
Scroll down to "Filter by Institution" on the sidebar and click your university's name. This page features research impacts.
Feel free to reach out to us with specific posts that you would like @AgIsAmerica to share. Please email your request to Kim Scotto at agcomms@aplu.org or use #AgIsAmerica.
HASHTAGS AND HANDLES
HASHTAGS
#LandGrantUniversities
#AgIsAmerica
HANDLES
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Ag is America |
@AgIsAmerica |
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APLU Ag |
@APLU_Ag |
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USDA |
@USDA |
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USDA National Institute of Food & Ag |
@USDA_NIFA |
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APLU |
@APLU_News |
CALENDAR
JULY HOLIDAYS
MONTHS
National Blueberry Month, #NationalBlueberryMonth
National Grilling Month, #NationalGrillingMonth
National Hemp Month, #NationalHempMonth
National Ice Cream Month, #NationalIceCreamMonth
National Peach Month, #NationalPeachMonth
DAYS
July 2: First Morrill Act Signed in 1862, #LandGrantUniversities
July 7: World Chocolate Day, #WorldChocolateDay
July 8: National Raspberry Day, #NationalRaspberryDay
July 20: National Ice Cream Day, #NationalIceCreamDay
July 22: National Mango Day, #NationalMangoDay
July 23: National Lemon Day, #NationalLemonDay
July 28: World Conservation Day, #WorldConservationDay
July 31: National Avocado Day, #NationalAvocadoDay
Source: July - National Day Calendar
