The Land-Grant University’s Role in Lifelong Workforce Development in Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources: Leveraging the Relationship between Academic and Extension Programs

Abstract

Today’s food, agriculture, and natural resources (FANR) workforce is constantly evolving. Lifelong learning is no longer a lofty goal but is now a necessity. Colleges of agriculture at land-grant universities have the potential to meet the lifelong learning needs of the FANR workforce. In this article, we present a model where the academic and Extension components of colleges of agriculture at land-grant universities can link together to provide seamless lifelong workforce development. Our model is built on workforce development theory and is based on the traditions of the land-grant universities evolving to meet the needs of the people. Our model can serve as the catalyst for meaningful discussions at each land-grant university about meeting workforce development needs.