Three countries. One agricultural partnership.
The NAAAN is a North American platform among extension and rural advisory services organizations promoting and supporting innovation, knowledge utilization, and information sharing in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. We share North American best practices and facilitate learning from global expertise.
THEMATIC AREAS
BIODEFENSE AND BIOSECURITY
Pests, diseases, and outbreaks present a serious threat to our food security and agricultural systems and economies. The NAAAN works to support producers by coordinating with farmers, ranchers, policymakers, scientists, and other experts across the continent.
NATURAL DISASTER MITIGATION
Wildfires, droughts, floods, and other natural disasters not only have devastating effects on our communities, but also on the livelihoods of producers who feed our families. Soil health and water management are key components of supporting mitigation efforts. We work in partnership with organizations like the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) to support those impacted by disaster.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Over 60% of Canadian farmers will retire by the decade’s end, only 5% of Mexican farmers are under the age of thirty, and U.S. farm producers average 58 years old. At the same time, many young people cannot afford to stay in their communities and have narrowing economic opportunities. Through extension and rural advisory services, the NAAAN works to build capacity and support the agricultural workforce and rural prosperity.
CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS
With the support of GFRAS and other regional networks, NAAAN focuses on three core areas.

KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT
Support discussions and analysis to strengthen agricultural advisory services’ technical and empirical grounding in conceptual frameworks.

NETWORKING
Create expanded contact and closer relationships among NAAAN stakeholders in North America and worldwide counterparts.

POLICY ADVOCACY
Develop and utilize research, analysis, experience, and discussion to create policy briefs related to agricultural extension and support advocacy with program leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders.