New Book Provides Complete Look at Northwest Atlantic
Seaweeds
Seaweeds of the
Northwest Atlantic by NH Agricultural Experiment Station researcher Arthur
Mathieson, professor of marine plant biology at UNH, and Clinton Dawes,
university research professor emeritus at the University of South Florida,
documents more than 500 types of seaweed and represents more than 40 years of
research on Northwest Atlantic seaweeds. It also provides the
first comprehensive look at seaweeds in the Northwest Atlantic in more
than 60 years.
The project took
seven years to complete, and includes detailed descriptions and illustrations of more than
500 seaweed taxa, including about 2,000 line drawings as well as description of
each taxon’s taxonomy, ecology, and economic value.
The global
commercial seaweed market is expected to reach $22.1 billion by 2024, according
to Grand View Research, Inc. The growing demand for food products derived from
seaweeds is expected to augment the global commercial seaweed market growth.
The material
summarized in the Northwest Atlantic volume is based upon work supported by the
NH Agricultural Experiment Station, through joint NIFA, funding,
under award number 1007230, and the state of New Hampshire. Additional funding
was provided by NH Sea Grant and the Hubbard Research Marine Endowment of the
School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering.
NIFA News
EFNEP Input ─ Follow-Up to Call to Conversation Meeting
On June 14 and 15, many NIFA partners participated in a Call to
Conversation on Nutrition Education Programming -- The Expanded Food and
Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
NIFA is now reviewing the excellent feedback that was shared. In that
meeting, NIFA representatives noted that the agency is inviting comments from those who did not
participate in that meeting. Those not in attendance are
invited to respond to the following questions by August 1:
- Who in the target
audience would not be served if EFNEP remains the same in 2047 (30 years from
now)?
- What do we need
to do to reach these audiences – not worrying about resources?
- What
barriers/challenges exist for making needed changes, and how might these be
overcome?
- Based on your
comments, what are your recommendations for the future of EFNEP?
Please email comments to NIFA, or Dr. Helen Chipman.
 Global Challenges
by Cristina Ciranda, Center for International Programs-NIFA
Land-Grant Universities and other higher-education institutions in the United States play a major role in tackling global agricultural challenges. Issues related to food security, nutrition, food safety, youth development and environmental sustainability transcend all borders. By strengthening agricultural development abroad, these colleges and universities bring the benefits of global engagement back to the United States. NIFA’s Center for International Programs is capturing these international efforts by requesting “Global Engagement Profiles” from universities. Twenty-seven universities have submitted such profiles to date. In
Tanzania, Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) is a devastating plant disease that can cause up to 90% yield loss in some areas in one season. Since maize is a staple food crop in many African countries, including Tanzania, it is of great importance to invest in research that can positively impact food security in this region.
Caption: The image above, Dr. Peg Redinbaugh, Adjunct Professor of Plant Pathology at The Ohio State University, works with Innovative Agricultural Research Initiative (iAGR) project participants in Tanzania on Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) diagnosis and resistance.
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Reminder: NIFA Partnership Awards Nominations Due July 31
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture recognizes there are many outstanding contributions that our partners in the Land-Grant
Universities and other cooperating institutions and organizations have
achieved. To recognize these achievements, NIFA established the Partnership Awards Program in 2007.
NIFA invites all Land-Grant Universities and
cooperating institutions and organizations supported by NIFA to submit
nominations for the 2017 NIFA Partnership Awards Program. This program
recognizes outstanding contributions, aligned with NIFA strategic goals, in
support of the USDA mission. Nominations are due July 31. For more information.
News for You
 Censky Nominated for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
Stephen Censky, a soybean industry executive with ties to Minnesota and South Dakota, has been nominated to be deputy secretary of agriculture. The deputy secretary traditionally manages USDA's day-to-day operations.
Censky has served as CEO of the American Soybean Association for 21 years. He began his career working as a legislative assistant and later served in both the Reagan and George H. W. Bush Administrations at USDA as Foreign Agricultural Service administrator. He received his B.S. in agriculture from South Dakota State University and Ph.D. in agriculture science from the University of Melbourne, Australia. He grew up on a soybean, corn, and diversified livestock farm near Jackson, Minnesota. (White House Release)
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 National Academies
Study on Science Breakthroughs 2030: A Strategy for Food and Agricultural
Research
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine are pleased to announce Science
Breakthroughs 2030: A Strategy for Food and Agricultural Research, a new
study to identify ambitious scientific opportunities in food and agriculture
made possible by incorporating knowledge and tools from across the science and
engineering spectrum. The year-long project will involve the scientific
community in describing research directions with high potential to open new
frontiers for food and agriculture science.
The goal is to develop a compelling scientific strategy for
food and agricultural research for the next decade and beyond that would
stimulate transformational change in the food and agricultural system by catalyzing
new research directions and partnerships, attracting new research talent,
stimulating entrepreneurial activities, increasing funding opportunities, and
ultimately opening new paths to a safe, healthful, and sustainable supply of
food and fiber.
The study needs input from scientists of all disciplinary
backgrounds to understand where opportunities are emerging. The public is also
invited to contribute to the Breakthroughs discussion. Go to the Community
Input page to find out how you can share your ideas. (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Science Breakthroughs 2030 Tool Kit)
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Grants & RFA Announcements
USDA Announces $7.2 Million for Research on Plant-Biotic Interactions
NIFA announced 10 grants totaling $7.2 million for research on the interactions of plants, microbes, and
invertebrates. This is the first round of grants awarded through the
Plant-Biotic Interactions program, a joint funding opportunity established
through a partnership between NIFA and the National Science Foundation. NIFA funding is made possible through the Agriculture and Food Research
Initiative program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
USDA Announces More Than $8 Million to Address Shifting Environmental Conditions and Impact on Agriculture
NIFA announced nine grants totaling more than $8 million to study and develop new approaches for the agriculture sector to adapt to and mitigate
the effects of changing environmental conditions. The funding is made possible
through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative program,
authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Agriculture and
Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area
aims to provide risk management information and tools to enable land managers
to stay viable and productive, and reduce the use of energy, nitrogen, water,
and greenhouse gas emissions.
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