NIFA Update, Sept. 20, 2017 -- Making a Difference -- for the World

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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.

Sept. 20, 2017

Making a Difference

boxwood blight
C. pseudonaviculata white sporulation, Photo Credit: Margery Daughtrey, Cornell University

Concerned About Boxwood Blight? Here Are Some Updated Management Tips

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), in conjunction with the National Plant Board, has released an updated version of its Boxwood Blight Best Management Practices, version 2.0, and is now available online at HRIResearch.org.  

In 2012, the nursery and floriculture industry was still reeling from the discovery of boxwood blight (BB) in 2011. HRI quickly established a fund dedicated to BB research and a BB working group composed of industry leaders and National Plant Board (NPB) representatives. Since 2012, the industry rallied behind a coalition of researchers dedicated to finding the best management strategies for this disease. Resources to support these research efforts have come from different sources, including directly from the industry through the HRI grants program, the IR-4 Ornamental Horticulture Program administered by NIFA, and from the Farm Bill, Section 10007 funds administered by  the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Section 10007 has allocated nearly $3 million alone to BB.

While researchers know of only three host plants for BB, economic impact is potentially quite large, with more than $20 million annually in retail sales. Boxwood blight is confirmed in 24 states, with Illinois and Missouri being among the latest detections. There are a few states yet with significant boxwood production where the disease has not been confirmed, including Texas and Louisiana. APHIS recently confirmed BB in Illinois. University of Illinois Extension personnel are confident that the infected plants did not likely originate from an Illinois nursery.

NIFA News

Late Application Flexibility 

NIFA is diligently working to establish administrative relief for those in the hurricane related federally-declared disaster areas who have NIFA grant and cooperative agreements. For those who have NIFA awards in the affected hurricane areas, we understand that you have immediate priorities. We want, therefore, to provide the maximum flexibility within our authority during these trying times. We encourage you, at your earliest convenience, to reach out to your NIFA program contact so we can work directly with you.

For general questions about NIFA's policy on late applications read the "Late Application Consideration," guidelines. 

Listening Sessions

NIFA Listens: Investing in Science to Transform Lives 

A Stakeholder Input Opportunity 

NIFA is accepting input from stakeholders regarding research, extension, and education priorities in food and agriculture. A series of four in-person listening sessions hosted in different regions across the country and submission of written comments will offer two ways to share your thoughts and ideas. Stakeholder input received from both methods will be treated equally.

This listening opportunity allows stakeholders to provide feedback on the following questions:

  • What is your top priority in food and agricultural research, extension, or education that NIFA should address?
  • What are the most promising science opportunities for advancement of food and agricultural sciences?

NIFA wants to hear from you about priorities and opportunities in agricultural sciences. This will help NIFA prioritize science emphasis areas, identifying gaps in programming, and determining which programs are redundant or underperforming. More details.

Paul Cotton

New Nutrition Division Director

Dr. Paul Cotton was selected as the new Director for the Division of Nutrition with the Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition. Cotton joined NIFA in May 2016 as national program leader for Public Health Nutrition. He previously served as assistant division director in the Division of Receipt and Referral, Center for Scientific, and as the program director and team leader at the National Institute of Nursing Research both jobs with the National Institute of Health. Cotton started his federal service as a Category 4 scientist at the ARS Beltsville Human Nutrition Center, in 2000 after serving as faculty and staff at Howard University, where he received his PhD in human nutrition. Cotton is located in room 2382 and can be reached via telephone (202) 604-6176. 

News for You

NSF

NSF Awards $36.6 Million in New Food-Energy-Water System Grants 

The number of humans alive on our planet today is some 7.5 billion. By 2087, projections show, 11 billion people will be living on Earth. How will we continue to have a sustainable supply of food, energy and water, and protect the ecosystems that provide essential "services" for humans?

To help answer these questions, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has partnered with NIFA to award $46.6 million in new grants through the joint NSF-NIFA program on Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems (INFEWS). NSF grants total $36.6 million; NIFA awards, $10 million. 

Researchers have found that food-energy-water systems are intricately linked to each other and to the planet’s ecosystems through complex interactions. With an increasing human population, there is a growing need for new approaches to understanding these interactions and how they will respond to population growth, land-use change, climate change and other factors. Read the full news release.

Photo Credit: T. Paris, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Cover Crop Survey

SARE 2017 Cover Crop Survey Analysis

Farmers reported increased yields of corn, soybeans and wheat, and improved control of herbicide-resistant weeds, according to a nationwide survey. In addition, the survey of 2,012 farmers showed acreage planted in cover crops has nearly doubled over the past five years. A full summary and the complete 2017 Survey Report is available online. 

This marks the fifth consecutive year in which the survey reported yield increases in corn and soybeans following cover crops. Previous surveys are located on the SARE website. It is also the first year the survey team was able to calculate the impact of cover crops on wheat yields.

Grants and RFA Announcements

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program

Fiscal Year 2018 Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program RFA is now available for public viewing. Full RFA.  Application Deadline: Dec. 4, 2017. A synopsis of the funding opportunity is available via Grants.gov