These focus areas serve as a framework to guide units in developing and directing their own programs. Frequently a College unit will be involved in more than one area. To look for sites which cover a particular topic, check out the site database.
- Environment and Natural Resources
- Family, Youth and Community
- Human Nutrition, Food Safety and Health
- Marketing, Trade and Economics
- Animal Systems
- Plant Systems
Environment and Natural Resources
- protection, enhancement and use of soil, air and water
- management and use of natural resources
- public policy regarding environmental pollution
- waste management
- water conservation/reuse
- possible impacts of climate change
- education in the environmental sciences and engineering
- recreational/aesthetic amenities
Family, Youth and Community
- social, psychological, and biological factors affecting individuals and families
- interpersonal relationships
- developmental pathways of children, adolescents, adults, and elderly
- effective parenting
- violence prevention
- resource management
- responsible decision-making
- leadership
- access to community support systems
Human Nutrition, Food Safety and Health
- relationship of nutrition and dietary choices to health
- disease prevention
- cellular and molecular research in nutrition
- health/exercise performance
- safety and quality of food for human consumption
- stored feed and food products
- transportation and processing of food
- consumer handling of food
Marketing, Trade and Economics
- dynamics of the global and value-added chain of consumer goods and services
- management of the supply chain
- analysis of marketers' environments, both nationally and internationally
- successful business management strategies and tactics
- consumer attitudes toward products and services
- consumer economic impact on economic development, natural resources, and the environment
Animal Systems
- biological methods for improving productivity
- increasing the quality, composition, and desirability of animal products
- promoting integrated and long-term, sustainable production systems for arid environments
- enhancing genetic diversity and biological performance
- improving the health and well-being of food and companion animals
Plant Systems
- production and biology of plants used for food, fiber, feed, industrial products, and for environmental and ornamental purposes
- best cultural management practices
- plant genetics
- understanding plant, microbe and insect interactions
- pest management and disease
- plant adaptability
- use of plants in arid environments