NIFA published the “Access Control for NIFA Network ” policy to establish a clear understanding of what is required of each of us to meet USDA’s requirements to access the NIFA network. Section 3. d. states “Access to the NIFA network shall be by the USDA Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card called the LincPass or AltLinc.” The PIV card lets you use to gain access to the Waterfront Centre, and other federal buildings as well as the NIFA computer network. NIFA instituted this requirement over the last few years in order to comply with federal laws, regulations and standards. 

USDA monitors our compliance. Our last review shows that only 65 percent of users are using their PIV. The standard we are supposed to reach at this time is 85 percent. We need your help! There are four valid reasons some people cannot use PIV cards: lost cards, forgotten cards, inoperable or expired cards, and the need to access multiple accounts simultaneously.  The first three reasons have a limited time window when you are allowed network access of either 24 hours or 14 days. These time windows  IT management.

If you have a concern about your ability to access the network using your PIV card, please reach out to the NIFA Service Desk to have your issue resolved using Cherwell Service Desk.

Desiree Abrams Receives Certification

Institute of Food Production and Sustainability program specialist Desiree Abrams obtained her Certificate of Accomplishment in Project Management from the Graduate School USA. The certificate is geared toward current project managers and those wishing to enter the field. Certificate requirements include completion of one basic course, five core courses that address key knowledge areas and project management processes, and one elective. Participants must complete the program within three years. Desiree will now take the Project Management Professional Exam offered by the Project Management Institute, Inc. Click here if you’re interested in the field of project management.

Huskers Aim to Increase Diversity in Agricultural Science Workforce

A new project at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is focused on increasing women and minority interest in science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related agricultural majors and careers. The project is called Cultivate ACCESS: Agriculture Career Communities to Empower Students in STEM. Over the next decade, experts project a 35 percent deficit of graduates with relevant education and experience to fill STEM-related jobs in food, agriculture and natural resources is anticipated. To meet the demand, NIFA has invested in programs to increase the number of underrepresented students enrolled in STEM-related agricultural, majors and careers. The institute is funding the three-year, $94,387 Cultivate ACCESS project at Nebraska. Read the full program story. 

Rock Salt is Getting into Groundwater

Despite some strong winter weather this weekend, many were able to get out and drive thanks to salt on the road. But could that come back to hurt us, both medically and financially? A recent study at Virginia Tech said the salt could be a problem. In fact it's been a problem since the early 1990s, but it takes a long time for the effects to start showing up. The study found despite measures to avoid it, chloride in the rock salt is getting to water. Recent studies found storm water runoff ponds are not containing the chloride. Joel Snodgrass is the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Department Head at Virginia Tech and leads the study explained, "It turns out that the salt that we put on the roads doesn't stick in the ponds, so to speak, and enters the ground water fairly rapidly, and then is transported to the streams or the surface waters." Read more about the Virginia Tech research. 

Help Us Update NIFA's Strategic Plan 

NIFA is currently working to update its strategic plan and Goal 4 relates to communication. The committee working on this task has drafted a new communications goal and identified four primary audiences for our communication. We need your help to determine what we need to be communicating and what communication NIFA needs from each of these audiences. Teleworkers are encouraged to join via Zoom. Your participation and insight are greatly appreciated.The meetings will be held in room 3301.

If you have any questions about the communications goal and these brainstorming session, contact Amy McCune. If you have questions about the overall strategic planning process for NIFA, contact Karl Maxwell. 

• Jan. 9, 2 p.m., Public Audiences (Congress, media, families, etc.)
• Jan. 9, 2:30 p.m., Employee Audience (internal to NIFA)
• Jan. 11, 2 p.m., Stakeholder Audiences (partners, industry, etc.)
• Jan. 11, 2:30 p.m., Grantee Audiences (current and prospective)

January Events

Jan. 11, Martin Luther King Jr. Observance and Drum Major for Service Award, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Jefferson Auditorium, South Building.
Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Holiday.
Jan. 17, "Why (and How) to Target Mexican-Heritage Fathers in a Family-Centered Program to Improve Nutrition and Increase Physical Activity among Their Children" webinar by Dr. Joseph R. Sharkey, 3 - 4 p.m., room 2311

USDA 94th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum

The theme of this year’s Agricultural Outlook Forum is “Roots of Prosperity.” USDA wants to help rural America thrive, and the Outlook Forum is an opportunity to bring folks together to talk about key issues in agriculture. The forum offers USDA a chance to get together with you, the framers, ranchers, and foresters, but also processors, policy makers and customers so we can discuss how rural American can reach its full potential. 

Early-Bird registration ends January 26.

USDA Smoking Policy

Recently, cigarette smoke was detected in the stairwell between the second and third floors. USDA’s policy  prohibits smoking at USDA facilities except in areas that meet the conditions stipulated under SECTION 5b of Department Regulation 4000-006, and have been specifically designated as smoking areas. Read more about the policy. 

Getting Stuck in the Negatives (and How to Get Unstuck)

Alison Ledgerwood, with the Department of Psychology at University of California-Davis, investigates how certain ways of thinking about an issue tend to stick in people's heads. Her classes on social psychology focus on understanding the way people think and behave in social situations, and how to harness that knowledge to potentially improve the social world in which we all live. Watch the Ted Talk video.