All universities engage in research and teaching, but the nation's more than 100 land-grant colleges and universities , have a third critical mission—extension. “Extension” means “reaching out,” and—along with teaching and research—land-grant institutions “extend” their resources, solving public needs with college or university resources through non-formal, non-credit programs. Read more from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Web site ....

K-State Research and Extension focuses its programs in 12 areas:

•  Healthy Sustainable Communities
• Positive Child, Youth, and Family Development
• Positive Adult Quality of Life
• New and Enhanced Products from Agriculture
• Conservation of Soil, Water, and Energy
• Improved Quality of Land, Air, and Water
• Efficient and Sustainable Cropping and Horticultural Systems
• Efficient and Sustainable Animal Production Systems
• Farm and Food Systems Management
• Safe, Secure, High-quality Food Supply
• Enhanced Nutritional Quality of the Food Supply