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Editors: Kelly Sprute and Judy Rude Nov.15,
2017
Making a Difference
 NIFA Director Talks at CSIS Farm Bill Research Funding Discussion
Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, Director, National Institute of Food
and Agriculture, participated in a panel, The Farm Bill: Ensuring U.S.
Leadership in Agricultural Research and Development, Nov. 13, hosted by the
Center for Strategic International Studies, Washington D.C. Sonny’s
remarks focused on the importance of nutritional security; the simultaneous
concerns of productivity, profitability, and affordability facing the
agriculture community and consumers; the returns on agricultural research and development; and
the importance of getting discoveries out to the field through eXtension. His
remarks begin at 43:10 in the video. Other panelists included Dr. Susan G.
Schram, senior partner, SP Consulting, and Dr. Robert L. Thompson, senior
advise, Global Food Security Project, CSIS. Dan Glickman,
former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and executive director, the Aspen
Institute Congressional Program, addressed the attendees prior to the panel.
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NIFA News
 Thank You for Your
Participation
The NIFA Listens stakeholder listening sessions were a
huge success. A series of four in-person sessions were hosted in different
regions across the country so NIFA could hear from you about your priorities and
opportunities in agriculture. Regardless of attendance at in-person events,
submissions of written comments will be accepted via the input
form through Dec. 1. You can watch the videos of all the sessions
along with finding more information about NIFA Listens on our website.
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 NIFA Programs
Helping to Combat America’s Growing Diabetes Crisis
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the
United States, yet many are not aware that they have the deadly disease, or
that it may be stalking them. Worldwide, about 366 million people (about 5.2
percent) have diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the situation is even worse in this country: About 9.3 percent
(29 million people) have diabetes. The American Diabetes Association reported
that in 2015 diabetes was the underlying cause on nearly 80,000 death
certificates, and a contributing cause on over 172,000 others. Non-Hispanic
black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native adults are about twice as
likely to have diagnosed diabetes as non-Hispanic white adults. Read
the full NIFA blog.
Photo caption: Oklahoma
State University students Olivia Hawkins, left, and Lei Wu work on a project to
study the health benefits of whole eggs in improving insulin resistance and
lowering blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. (Photo courtesy of Dingbo Daniel
Lin)
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News for You
 Purdue Food
Science Processor Receives National Award
Suzanne Nielsen, Purdue University Professor, recipient
of the U. S. Department of Agriculture National Excellence in College
and University Teaching Award. Nielsen is currently serving as a faculty fellow
for the Office of Corporate and Global Partnerships, and continues to teach her
signature course. “Food Analysis.” Read
the full Purdue University article.
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 Integrated Pest
Management the More You Know
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs help farmers,
businesses, homeowners, communities, schools, and other public facilities
address pest issues. The need for IPM research and Extension continues to grow
as new invasive pests emerge, pests develop resistance to pesticides, and
concerns are raised about the effects of pesticides on human and environmental
health. Land-grant universities research and Extension specialists are working
IPM educators to enhance coordination and share new technologies and ideas that
make the program possible. Read
the full Multistate Research Impact.
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 Matching Funds
Requirements for Agricultural Research and Extension Capacity Funds at 1890
Land-Grant Institutions and 1862 Land-Grant Institutions in Insular Areas
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture
(NIFA) withdraws the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (RIN
0524-AA25) published on April 29, 2003. In addition, NIFA proposes
to revise its regulations for the purpose of implementing
the statutory amendments applicable to the matching requirements for
federal agricultural research and extension capacity (formula) funds for
1890 land-grant institutions (LGUs). Written comments on the proposed rule must
be received on or before Jan. 12, 2018.
Please follow the instructions online for submitting
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Read
the full Federal Register notice.
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Grant Announcements
USDA Research to
Support Environmentally-Friendly Pesticides, Reduction of Methyl Bromide
NIFA announced funding
available to research new, environmentally-friendly pesticides, and innovative
tools and strategies to replace methyl bromide, an older treatment for
pests.
The Methyl
Bromide Transition (MBT) program is helping to discover and implement
practical and safer pest management alternatives. Projects may focus on
integrated research and extension activities or extension-only projects that
promote the adoption of new pest management practices. This year, NIFA’s Methyl
Bromide Transition Program will award grants totaling $1.9 million for such
research. Read
the full Methyl Bromide Transition announcement.
USDA Helps Rural
Communities Thrive With Health, Safety Outreach
NIFA announced support
for health education projects for individuals and families living in rural
areas. Funding is made through NIFA’s Rural Health and Safety Education (RHSE)
Competitive Grant Program.
The Rural
Health and Safety Education Competitive Grant Program seeks to address
the needs of rural Americans through individual and family health education
programs delivered via cooperative extension. Read
the full Rural Health and Safety Education announcement.
USDA Invests in
Integrated Pest Management for Increased Production
NIFA announced grants to
bring safer, more effective pest management approaches to farms and
communities.
These grants are awarded through three NIFA pest management programs. The Crop
Protection and Pest Management program supports research and extension
projects that address critical state, regional, and national pest management
challenges and help ensure food security. The Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4)
program supports pest management solutions primarily for specialty
crops, such as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery
crops (including floriculture). The Methyl
Bromide Transition program supports research for new, effective
pesticides and approaches to managing pests that can replace methyl bromide, an
older, ozone-depleting treatment used in farming, storage, shipment, and
quarantine. Read
the full Crop Protection and Pest Management announcement.
NIFA to Invest in
Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research
NIFA announced a
competitive opportunity to conduct research on the environmental effects of
genetically engineered (GE) organisms, including plants, animals, insects, and
microorganisms. The $3.5 million in grants is available through NIFA’s
Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program.
The BRAG program
supports applied and fundamental research to help federal regulators evaluate
the effects of GE organisms on their environment. Proposals are solicited to
support standard research projects or conference proposals that bring together
stakeholders to discuss and evaluate science-based data relevant to
environmental risk assessments or risk management related to
biotechnology-developed organisms. Read
the full BRAG announcement.
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NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture.
If you wish to submit a news item or information, send to NIFAUpdate
USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer.
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