The call for a new Agricultural Research & Extension Services in Gyeongsangbuk-do for South Korea comes as we enter a transition period from the industrialization of the 20th into a new reality when the resiliency of modern societies faces the repercussions of our new globally connected world. Agriculture will be essential in building our communities’ resiliency to meet future challenges. Yet, despite our urbanized world, the rural still matters. The countryside provides the resources our cities need to thrive, directly through the products we consume and, more importantly, indirectly through the landscapes that ensure a healthy planet.

Despite its critical place, the hinterlands face a continuing crisis. Increased competition due to globalization, ever-evolving consumer demands, and increased mechanization all challenge rural industries’ recent traditions like agriculture. Furthermore, as climate change continues, agriculture research must adapt to ensure we can still provide the necessary staples despite the shift in the regional environment. Therefore, it is fitting that Korea chooses to invest in cultivation research and education, but it is celebrated through a structure that embodies the importance of agriculture.