NIFA & Cooperative Extension Service

The National 4-H Forestry Invitational is recognized as the national event in 4-H forestry by the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The event is managed by a team of qualified and dedicated Extension Educators, U. S. Forest Service personnel, state forestry agency foresters, and volunteer leaders. This event is part of the 4-H youth program administered and run by the Cooperative Extension System.

The Cooperative Extension System is a nationwide, non-credit educational network. Each U.S. state and territory has a state office at its land-grant university and a network of local or regional offices. These offices are staffed by one or more experts who provide useful, practical, and research-based information to agricultural producers, small business owners, youth, consumers, and others in rural areas and communities of all sizes.

The Farm Credit System

The Farm Credit System (FSC) is a government-sponsored enterprise created by Congress in 1916 to provide American agriculture with a dependable source of credit.

The FCS is a nationwide network of cooperatively organized banks and associations that are owned and controlled by their borrowers. It serves all 50 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

The FCS provides credit and other services to agricultural producers and farmer-owned agricultural and aquatic cooperatives. It also makes loans for:

• agricultural processing and marketing activities,
• rural housing,
• farm-related businesses,
• rural utilities, and
• foreign and domestic companies involved in international agricultural trade.

Farm Credit System has 5 district banks with the following links. Click on each link below to find out which district you are in or to find a local officer in your area click here.

Chesapeake Energy

Formed in 1989 with only 10 employees and $50,000 in capital, Chesapeake Energy has grown into one the largest producers of natural gas in the nation and the most active driller of new wells in the U.S.  Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company's operations are focused on discovering and developing unconventional natural gas and oil fields onshore in the U.S. Chesapeake owns leading positions in the Barnett, Fayetteville, Haynesville, Marcellus and Bossier natural gas shale plays and in the Eagle Ford, Granite Wash and various other unconventional oil plays. The company has also vertically integrated its operations and owns substantial midstream, compression, drilling and oilfield service assets.  To learn more about Chesapeake Energy, please click here.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc.

SFI Inc. is a fully independent, charitable organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. SFI Inc. works with conservation groups, local communities, resource professionals, landowners, and countless other organizations and individuals who share our passion for responsible forest management. Find out more here.

Alpha Natural Resources

ANR is one of America's top metallurgical coal suppliers, helping to produce steel for growing nations around the globe. Their high-quality coal helps utilities generate electricity more efficiently, while their diverse network of mines and coal preparation plants in the eastern and western U.S. gives us the agility to develop custom blends that suit the specific needs of hundreds of customers in North America and overseas.

West Virginia University

WVU Extension Service educators and volunteers build and help sustain collaborations and partnerships with people and organizations in West Virginia, to improve their lives and communities. WVU's programs and services strengthen leaders of all ages, youth, and families. We develop and teach best practices for sustainable agriculture, for responsible use of renewable resources, and stewardship of natural resources. We work to improve our state’s communities, workforce, and the economy.

 Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals

The Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) is a professional society for natural resource Extension professionals.  Its mission is to bring Extension professionals together to discuss mutual natural resource issues, needs, and opportunities; to advance natural resource Extension through continuing education for Extension professionals; to promote cooperation among states and regions, agencies, associations, and businesses on natural resource education programs; to develop, sponsor, and promote education and training that advance natural resource management, and to strengthen communication with Extension administrators.