NCCC_OLD009: MWPS:Research and Extension Educational Materials
Statement of Issues and Justification
The mission of MWPS is to enhance the outreach, research, and teaching programs of the Land-Grant universities of the North Central Region by developing and distributing resources to support educational programs. These materials should be based on the coordinated recommendations of the Extension and Research units of the participating institutions and should include publications relevant to engineering, agriculture, natural resources, rural living, and other issues Land-Grant universities address.MWPS was originally developed in 1929 as a mechanism by which the land-grant universities of the North Central Region could convey building plans and information about building plans to the public. Over the years, MWPS has evolved into a cooperative agency that provides educational materials to a wide variety of disciplines. In addition to meeting its historical goal of providing information about issues related to agricultural engineering, MWPS also produces information about dairy science, beef cattle production, farm business management, and agricultural economics. These publications provide a vehicle to publish research findings and facilitate technology transfer in formats useful to public and semi-technical audiences.
MWPS activities benefit from the professional partnerships between Research and Extension personnel from all NC states and from other regions of the country. MWPS materials must often provide specific conclusions which required that comprehensive exchanges of technical information occur. All participants benefit from the sharing of expertise that translates research-based knowledge into practice. MWPS activities and publications address regional priority research objectives by doing the following:
1)Conveying information that improves agricultural production systems, improves quality of life, and enhances the economic competitiveness of clients. 2)Describing and illustrating proper systems for storing, managing, and applying manure effectively and efficiently with minimal adverse effects. 3)Documenting the links between an animals environment, its welfare and behavior, and its care and management by focusing on how to construct and maintain the most effective, efficient, and safe animal housing facilities. 4)Assessing and explaining the effects of agricultural practices on soil, water, and air quality. 5)Publicizing and detailing methods to control and reduce chemical and pesticide contamination of soil, water, and air. 6)Developing materials to publicize and explain innovative decision-making models that are designed to improve the economic well being of agricultural producers. 7)Publishing farm business management materials that convey strategies necessary for improved economic well being. 8)Improve housing through education of homeowners, designers, and builders.
MWPS publications are thorough, unique, and widely respected references. The publications present data and interpretations that enhance both the expert and consumer knowledge bases. Additionally, accumulated MWPS knowledge serves researchers, extension educators, university faculty, government agencies, and the public by providing guidelines, standards, and models for improved production agriculture systems and animal facilities.
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