NIFA Update Nov. 15

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

NIFA Update Banner

Editors: Kelly Sprute and Judy Rude                                                             Nov.15, 2017

Making a Difference

Sonny Ramaswamy director of NIFA at eh CSIS Farm Bill Discussion

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.


NIFA News

NIFA Listens image

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.

Oklahoma State University students Olivia Hawkins and Lei Wu

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)

News for You

Suzanne Nielsen

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




Integrated Pest Management leaf image

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

Federal Register Notice

Federal Register Logo

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

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.