Dr. Keith Howard, Dean
103 Alva Tabor Building
478-825-6327

The College of Agriculture, Family Sciences, and Technology is committed to providing a leadership role in assisting the University in fulfilling its land-grant mission, while simultaneously providing educational programs and services which address the needs of citizens that are designed to enrich their lives. This commitment is actualized through Agricultural Research, Cooperative Extension, and Resident Instruction. Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension programs provide educational outreach and services offered by the College. In the Instructional Program, there are four academic units, namely, the Departments of Agricultural Sciences, Engineering Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Veterinary Science and Public Health. Together these four departments provide classroom instruction, research and field experiences which respond to state, regional, national, and world needs, thereby providing a cadre of well-trained personnel to meet both human and societal needs.

Agricultural Research Program

The Fort Valley State University Agricultural Research Station scientists are involved on a daily basis with agricultural and environmental issues through collaborative and cooperative arrangements with the Georgia Experiment Station, state agencies, federal agencies and other organizations.

The Agricultural Research Program has primarily a dual focus: (1) improving the ability of the agricultural sector in providing food and fiber in quantity and quality at a price that consumers can afford, and (2) assessing those factors which impact the environment and influence the quality of life for the state’s citizens with special attention given to limited resource residents, both farm and non-farm. Projects range from the very basic to the more applied and include studies related to the use of technology in improving livestock and crop production, developing of new varieties, and processing of food and fiber products. Also included are studies aimed at assessing the impact of federal, state, national and international programs on the quality of life for residents of Georgia.

To a large extent, researchers and professional extension staff are engaged in resident  instruction programs as joint appointees. Joint opportunities enhance the totality of program efforts of the College in increasing the quality of life of students, families, communities, organizations, and related agencies associated with the agricultural food and fiber industry.

Cooperative Extension Program

The Cooperative Extension Program at Fort Valley State University, as part of the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences, and Technology, is responsible for educational outreach and leadership in various disciplines. The program provides practical problem-oriented learning opportunities for those persons who do not or cannot participate in formal classroom instruction offered on campus. As a functional part of the Georgia Extension Service and the United States  Department of Agriculture, the program specifically seeks to identify and develop educational programs for a diverse clientele which includes the rural disadvantaged, working homemakers, part-time and small family farmers, community leaders, youth, small business persons and other members of the general public in Georgia.

Through its staff of Program Leaders, Subject Matter Specialists, County Extension Agents, County Extension Program Assistants, and support personnel, the Program provides educational services in four primary areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family Sciences, Community Resource Development and 4-H Youth and Manpower Development. In addition, and through the identification of National Priority Initiatives, the Cooperative Extension Program in partnership with the National Extension System addresses national priority initiatives essential to the social and economic well-being of all citizens.