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changes have been dramatic, and are not yet coit^lete. As the 

 parent institutions redefine their role, and as the national 

 system of higher education develops new paradigms for meeting 

 changing needs, the land-grant units will be called upon to 

 further manage change and modify both structure and function 

 to match new expectations. While these changes may enhance 

 the ability to respond to national interests of the 

 Department, there is also the possibility that shifting 

 priorities will dictate reconsideration of relationships. 



Land-grant: where the grass roots meet the ivorv tower. For 

 over a century, the land-grant university agricultural system 

 has balanced the short-term imperatives of local clientele 

 with long-range opportunities identified by minds functioning 

 at the forefront of human knowledge. This unique approach to 

 setting priorities, identifying opportunities, and 

 implementing programs has proven to be a most effective means 

 of infusing science into the daily activities of productive 

 citizens. It is evident that the future of our nation is 

 heavily dependent on our ability to capitalize on past 

 experience and extend these abilities to ever-changing 

 problems and opportunities. You may be assured that this 

 system is both strong enough and flexible enough to continue 

 its productive role in the Department of Agriculture of the 

 future. 



