Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) was an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 established CSREES by combining the former Cooperative State Research Service and the Extension Service into a single agency. Following the passage of the 2008 Farm Bill, CSREES was replaced by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). In 2009, NIFA assumed all responsibilities of CSREES, including oversight of the Cooperative Extension System.

The mission of CSREES was "to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations." CSREES did not conduct research directly. Instead, it provided funding opportunities and program leadership to universities, extension services, and other research organizations to support the advancement of knowledge.

CSREES sought to address "quality of life problems" American communities. CSREES research and education supported efforts to improve agricultural productivity, promote rural development, and advance public health. CSREES organized its research and education programs around thirteen national emphasis areas:

CSREES appropriated federal funds in support of research, education, and extension through three primary funding mechanisms:

CSREES employed national program leaders to assist communities in identify and meeting the research, extension, and education priorities of communities across the United States. Program leaders focused on issues that affect agricultural producers, small businesses, youth, families, and communities. CSREES national program leaders served four main functions:

CSREES oversaw educational programs to advance teaching and learning in subjects related to the agency's national emphasis areas. A key goal of CSREES' educational programs was to develop the scientific workforce of the future. CSREES collaborated with land grant universities, public institutions, and private sector partners to provide educational programming and leadership.

In 1997, CSREES implemented a teaching partnership, which sought to "support human capital development through programs that strengthen agricultural and natural resource sciences literacy in K-12 education, improve higher education curricula, modernize institutional academic capacity, and increase the diversity and quality of future graduates to enter the scientific and professional workforce." CSREES also supported Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC), which was established in 1981 to promote agricultural literacy in classrooms across the country.

CSREES’ educational programs focused on preparing a workforce that was prepared to meet the future needs of the U.S. food, agriculture, and natural resources industries. These efforts included broadening student recruitment, expanding training opportunities in high-demand fields, adapting curricula to align with innovative technologies, and providing students with the communication, teamwork, and practical skills necessary to advance scientific discovery.