But I know that we are on this, like, trajectory towards making the strides that need to be made.

I am running out of time, but I just want to say thank you all for being here.

So I would say that coordination needs to happen at a much stronger level, not just at the Federal level, but also down into the state and the local level, and back up to the Federal level, so that we all are working to take whatever that number of unserved and underserved is and drive it down to zero.

Just a few years ago the idea of universal broadband accessibility in Virginia seemed really far off, but now I am really proud to say that our Commonwealth, because of investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the American Rescue Plan, Virginia is really within reach of this goal.

Last month, the Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee heard from NRCS Chief Cosby that one barrier to NRCS hiring is that too many job applicants apply to the agency without the required coursework in soils.

And with my remaining time, I just want to talk about kind of the connection between what is happening at your universities...

Thank you for holding today's hearing titled: 'A Review of Title VII: University Perspectives on Research and Extension Programs.'

Thank you for contacting us following the June 14, 2023 hearing on 'A Review of Title VII: University Perspectives on Research and Extension Programs.'

opening statement

And, Dr. Grant, the--certainly Virginia Tech is well known within the Commonwealth for its agriculture programs...

Public investment in agricultural research is critical to the success of American agriculture.