[2] CSREES' mission is to "advance agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities" by supporting research, education, and extension programs at land-grant universities and other organizations it partners with.

CSREES' areas of involvement span 60 programs in the biological, physical, and social sciences related to agricultural research, economic analysis, statistics, extension, and higher education.

CSREES supports research and extension activities at land-grant institutions through federal funds that are appropriated to states on the basis of statutory, population-based formulas.

[8] The Cooperative Extension System is a non-formal educational program implemented in the United States designed to help people use research-based knowledge to improve their lives.

In most states, the educational offerings are in the areas of agriculture and food, home and family, environment, community economic development, and youth and 4-H.

Additionally, the New Mexico extension service hired only one temporary part-time bilingual home demonstrator in its first 15 years, even though half the population only spoke Spanish.

[9] Today, CSREES distributes these so-called formula grants annually in cooperation with state and county governments and land-grant universities.

Information is organized into articles, professional development resources, news, frequently asked questions, and blog posts that provide a knowledge-to-action service that has become an integral part of the Cooperative Extension System.