Chapter 9

Long-Range Ecosystems Dynamics:

Goal:  Enhance focus and depth in undergraduate education, graduate education, research, and outreach in the long-range adaptation of agriculture in the 21^st century in response to changes in demography, water availability, water and agricultural policies, environmental and land use policies, demand for recreation, and national and international markets.  Colorado State University will be recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally for modern crop, range, and livestock systems in semi-arid environments.  This will include disciplinary and interdisciplinary work in crop and soil sciences, animal sciences, pest sciences, range science, wildlife biology and ecology, forest science, water sciences, economics, and landscape design and policy.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Establish a coordinated, integrated research, graduate education, and outreach program in long-range agro-ecosystem dynamics, led by a faculty steering committee, incorporating disciplines in the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources, Engineering, and Natural Sciences.

• Align research facilities for integrated plans and fill gaps in expertise through collaboration or new positions.

• Realign Soil and Crop Sciences undergraduate concentrations, expand the environmental soil science concentration, and develop a new degree in "organic and sustainable food systems" in collaboration with several Colorado State departments.

Critical Resource Growth:

• Assure adequate faculty staffing in irrigation, rangeland, and wildlife sciences and community development economics to support a comprehensive approach to the area.

• Develop a small number of large, multi-disciplinary grant programs to provide research and travel support.