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June 28, 2017

Success Story

Research Reveals Way to Improve Legume Nitrogen Production

A group of University of Kentucky (UK) scientists have discovered a more efficient way for plants to fix nitrogen. Legumes, such as clover and alfalfa, have long been known for their nitrogen-fixing properties. 

Recently, Dr. Hongyan Zhu, a professor in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and his team of researchers found two antimicrobial peptides in the model legume Medicago truncatula (barrelclover or barrel medic) that kill certain rhizobial bacteria as the nitrogen fixation process begins. 

In addition to the UK researchers, scientists from Brigham Young University, University of Massachusetts, and Cornell University, as well as collaborators from Hungary and the Netherlands, contributed to the study.

Zhu’s research findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and supported through funding from NIFA and the Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation. 

Morrill Act 155th Anniversary

President Abraham Lincoln signed into law on July 2, 1862, the Morrill Act that allowed for the creation of the Land-Grant colleges in the United States and the beginning of the Land-Grant University System. NIFA celebrates our land-grant university partners and our long history.  

NIFA for You

NIFA Seeking Nominations 

Partnership Awards Program

NIFA recognizes there are many outstanding contributions that our partners at the land-grant universities and other cooperating institutions and organizations have achieved. To recognize these achievements, the Partnership Awards Program was established in 2007.

NIFA invites all land-grant universities and cooperating institutions and organizations to submit nominations for the 2017 NIFA Partnership Awards Program. This program recognizes outstanding contributions aligned with NIFA's strategic goals in support of the USDA mission. Awards for this year will recognize excellence in:

• Mission Integration of Research, Education, and Extension
• Multistate Efforts
• Innovative Programs and Projects
• Effective and Efficient Use of Resources
• Program Improvement through Global Engagement   

Nominations can be submitted for individuals or teams of up to 20 members. Each institution may submit up to two nominations (combined total across all categories), meaning the entire institution including research, education, and extension functions.

Specific instructions and other information regarding this awards program are in the 2017 NIFA Partnership Awards Criteria. Nominations must be submitted via the NIFA Partnership Awards Nomination Form located on the NIFA website. All signed nomination forms must be submitted by July 31 via email using scanned files that have been saved as .pdf or .jpg file and sent to performance@ars.usda.gov  as per instructions in the Awards Criteria.

Winning nominations will be recognized at the NIFA Day of Appreciation scheduled for October 2017. NIFA will pay travel expenses for one person from each winning nomination, whether it is an individual or team award.

NIFA Hall of Fame

NIFA is seeking nominations for the NIFA Hall of Fame, which was created for the agency's five-year anniversary.

Inductees into the NIFA Hall of Fame have worked, coordinated, or supported activities exemplifying NIFA’s synergy of excellence in any combination of research, education, and extension approaches on local, regional, national, or international levels. 

Inductees have also demonstrated a measurable and positive impact on the lives of citizens and NIFA's mission to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges.

Nominations will be evaluated based on three weighted areas: 

• measurable impact on NIFA; 
• synergy of research, education, and/or extension; and
• endorsement/letters of support. 

Nominations must consist of a completed nomination form and up to three endorsements/letters of support. The NIFA Hall of Fame Nomination Form and NIFA Hall of Fame background and criteria are located on the NIFA website. Nominations must be emailed to Kimberly Whittet no later than Aug. 15.

Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized at the annual NIFA Day of Appreciation tentatively scheduled for October in Washington, DC. NIFA will pay travel expenses for each inductee.

AFRI-Funded Projects Webpage 

The Agriculture Food and Research Initiative (AFRI) Funded Projects webpage was updated and reestablished. It is available for use by our partners/stakeholders and others who are interested in AFRI-funded projects. The AFRI awards are by state and the last three fiscal years awarded (2015–2017). The option to viewing a brief or full award overview is also available.

Legislation

FY 2018 House Agriculture Appropriations The Subcommittee's draft of the FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations Bill for NIFA is on page 10.

Grants and RFA Announcements

NIFA Announces $4.3 Million for Higher Education Support 

NIFA announced 20 grants totaling $4.3 million to help higher education institutions teach the next generation of food and agricultural science professionals. The grants are funded through NIFA’s Higher Education Challenge Grants Program. The Higher Education Challenge Grants Program supports colleges and universities in their efforts to educate the next generation of the food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce. 

NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and promotes transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges.

The NIFA Update is a weekly compendium of news and information that may be of interest to Land-Grant and non-Land-Grant Universities, NIFA stakeholders, and other subscribers. 

Judy Rude, Editor 

If you wish to submit a news item or information, send to NIFAUpdate@nifa.usda.gov