A. The Service shall provide the people of the Commonwealth with useful and practical information and knowledge on agriculture, including horticulture and silviculture, agribusiness, home economics, community resource development, 4-H Clubs, and related subjects through instruction and the dissemination of useful and practical information through demonstrations, conferences, courses, workshops, publications, meetings, mass media, and other educational programs. The necessary printing and distribution of information in connection with work of the Service shall be performed in such manner as may be mutually agreed upon by the University, Virginia State University, the Governor or his designee, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and other participating bodies.

B. The Program shall also conduct educational programs and disseminate useful and practical information to the people of the Commonwealth.

C. Personnel of the Service shall inform local governing bodies of the Commonwealth whenever agricultural conditions are present in such localities that would warrant the declaration of a disaster pursuant to Section 301 of P.L. 93-288, 42 U.S.C. § 5141.

D. Personnel of the Service shall provide farmers and local governing bodies with such assistance and information as is available concerning federal and state disaster relief programs.

E. The Station shall conduct research and investigations and establish, publish, and distribute results in such forms as will tend to increase the economy, efficiency, and safety of the various enterprises and activities of interest to the Commonwealth and the nation and promote the conservation and economic utilization of its natural and human resources.

1994, c. 433, § 23-132.3; 2016, c. 588.