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Media contact: Sally Gifford, 202-720-2047
WASHINGTON,
D.C. August 24, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National
Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced 12 new grants
totaling $35 million for science-based solutions and new technology for the
specialty crop industry. Funding is made
through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), authorized by the 2014
Farm Bill.
“Specialty
crops generally fetch high value for the farmers, but require more intensive
farming than conventional crops, such as wheat or corn,” said NIFA Director
Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA investments in specialty crop research provide high-tech
solutions to the needs of farmers and processors. They foster a competitive
U.S. industry that offers abundant, nutritious, safe and affordable food
sources.”
Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts,
dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. The Specialty Crop
Research Initiative seeks to invest in long-term solutions that address problems in
the overlapping systems of production, distribution and processing, and
consumers and markets. This research initiative encourages collaboration, open
communication, the exchange of information, and the development of resources
that accelerate application of scientific discovery and technology to help U.S.
producers be more competitive in a global market.
The
new recipients of fiscal year 2017 grants are:
- University
of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, $2,447,432
- University
of California, Santa Cruz, California, $2,513,040
- University
of California, Davis, California, $4,494,490
- Colorado
State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, $2,538,539
- University
of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, $45,470
- Michigan
State University, East Lansing, Michigan, $3,208,657
- University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, $5,485,292
- Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York, $6,550,976
- Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas, $4,409,547
- Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas, $3,279,861
- Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas, $46,550
- University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, $46,550
These
projects include a Texas A&M University effort to enhance the
sustainability and profitability of melon production in the United States,
emphasizing consumer preferences and industry-driven needs. The University of
Arkansas is leading a multi-state and multi-agency collaboration to meet
growing consumer demand for spinach by developing new, disease-resistant
cultivars and conducting outreach to industry stakeholders.
NIFA
has invested more than $400 million through the SCRI program to date. Among past
projects, a University of
Maryland
project developed a wireless irrigation system to save water, increase efficiency, and reduce the environmental
impacts of ornamental plant production practices. Michigan
State University
led a multi-year, public-private collaboration to develop region- and
crop-specific pollination management approaches using both wild and managed
native bees. The Integrated Crop Pollination project has resulted in resources
for growers, research publications, and has helped growers increase yield with lower
production costs.
More
information on these projects is available on the NIFA website.
NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research,
education, and extension that solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in
transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global
preeminence of U.S. agriculture. To learn more
about NIFA’s impact on agricultural sciences, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/Impacts, sign up for email updates or follow us on Twitter @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAImpacts.
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opportunity lender, provider, and employer.
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