West Virginia Universitys ranking for expenditures in agricultural research has moved up among colleges and universities in the United States for the second consecutive year.

In the most recent rankings, agricultural research at WVU moved from 41st to 39th place in National Science Foundation (NSF) rankings, placing it fifth among colleges and universities in the northeastern United States. In 2006, expenditures in agricultural research moved from 50th to 41st.

The NSF rankings are a meaningful way to see how youre doing as a research institution, particularly in comparison to your peers around the country,said Cameron Hackney, dean of the WVU Davis College and director of the West Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

This is the highest ranking ever for agricultural research at WVU , and were proud to see our ongoing efforts recognized,Hackney added.

He attributes the higher ranking to a number of factors, including faculty productivity, the support of partner units, and the general climate of innovation and inquiry at WVU .

The initiative of the Davis College and WVU Extension faculty, many of whom share appointments to both units, has obviously been critical,said Hackney.During challenging budget years, our researchers have stepped up and pursued competitive grants.

WVU is currently conducting approximately $17 million in agricultural research funded from competitive grants and state and federal sources.

Some of WVU s agricultural projects include multidisciplinary studies of aquaculture, food safety, sheep production, organic farming and livestock feed efficiency. A strong focus for each is the potential for economic development in West Virginia and the surrounding region.

The aquaculture project is an excellent example of the kind of research we pursue,Hackney explained.It focuses on such diverse areas as meat quality and safety, aquacultures contribution to West Virginias recreational economy, the use of reclaimed mine sites for fish production, the engineering of production sites, and the economic implications of the industry as a whole.

Our research program also drives graduate education in the Davis College, so every dollar of research funding we obtain creates new opportunities for students pursuing master and doctoral programs,Hackney said.

Support from the WVU Research Corp. has also been essential to WVU s expanding agricultural research agenda.

The Research Corporation has been an invaluable partner in agricultural research,Hackney said.The Corporation provides strong leadership and support.

The ultimate beneficiaries of the Davis Colleges increasing research efforts are students and the citizens of West Virginia, he said.

Virtually every project we pursue has a direct benefit for our students, whether it comes in the form of bringing new knowledge and technology to the classroom or even more directly, by creating new opportunities for undergraduate research,Hackney noted.

The Davis College and Extension are dedicated to pursuing research that has a direct impact on the quality of life of West Virginians. Our projects are focused on creating new economic opportunities, new technologies and methods for existing enterprises, and improving the Mountain States environment for future generations.