Stakeholders asked the College to support quality of life issues for rural West Virginians. These would include at-risk children, youth and families. West Virginians face many changes as welfare reform programs are implemented. They will need basic information and support materials as those affected by these changes cope with them. Farmland preservation, growth and the rural economy, and rural economic development in the face of increasing development and loss of farmland were raised as issues at several community meetings.
Stakeholders are also concerned about the next generation of farmers.
A request was made to the College to develop programs that would support second generation transfer of farmlands in an economically viable way. The development of targeted educational programs that would enable College students to adapt sustainable technology on their own land as part of their academic program was suggested. Back to top Education of Society-Ready Graduates Stakeholders recognize the need for the College to have a sufficient number of faculty who are adequately paid and rewarded. Faculty need to keep at the cutting edge of their disciplines and use the latest information technology in their instruction. Concerns were raised by stakeholders at several community meetings about the condition of the Agricultural Sciences Building.