The federal partnership rests on a base program of jointly sponsored, and for the most part co-funded, projects in the three mandated functions. This advocacy plan has been developed to further garner support for the region s Agricultural Knowledge System. To inform constituencies of the successes of the Northeastern Agricultural Knowledge System through a new partnership with our stakeholders that recognizes the region s plurality of interests, its diversity, and the benefits that can be derived through inter-institutional and cross functional collaborations. It is generally recognized that there is an under appreciation of the effectiveness of the U.S. Agricultural Knowledge System. This acknowledgement comes at a time of constrained resources, growing competition for funding, and the emergence of new expectations for public institution accountability.
Several issues seem to be driving the current degree of under appreciation.
Agriculture, by its nature, directly affects environmental and consumer attitudes beyond traditional boundaries. Important, meaningful interactions with decision makers are most effective when done by the intended beneficiaries. Primary among these reasons is the absence of information necessary to influence national, state, and local decision makers. What is needed, it is said, is an effective means of communicating the System s successes on a sustained basis. These fundamental principles require a well thought out advocacy plan built on sustained commitments and activities.