 2018 SNAP-ED
Program Development Team Meeting Highlights
The annual meeting of the Land-grant Universities SNAP-Ed
Program Development Team (PDT) was held in Alexandria, Virginia in April. Representatives from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, National Institute of
Food and Agriculture, Cooperative Extension and Experiment Station Sections
met with current and incoming members of the development team. The team
reviewed progress on their strategic plan and developed goals for the upcoming
year. See
the highlights of the meeting at eXtension online.
2018 SNAP-Ed Program Development Team Members. Not all team
members were present for the photo.
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 Texas
A&M's 'Revolutionary' New Lab with PerkinElmer Genome Research
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and their internationally
recognized Genomics and Bioinformatics Service are poised to change the face of
agriculture-focused genomics. “We are excited to make this significant
announcement on National DNA Day, which celebrates the 15th anniversary of the
Human Genome Project,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John
Sharp. Read
the full Texas A&M AgriLife Today article.
Dr. Charlie Johnson, director of the Texas A&M
AgriLife Research Genomics and Bioinformatics Service facility, shows off the
new equipment. Photo provided by Texas A&M AgriLife.
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 A Less Allergenic
Peanut Extract for Use in Allergy Treatment
As baseball season gets into full swing, many fans enjoy
traditional ballpark favorites like peanuts. But, not everyone can safely savor
this popular treat. Peanuts induce an allergic reaction in millions of
Americans. Peanut allergy is a major public health concern, especially for children.
“This is the most common cause of anaphylaxis in children and has become more
prevalent in recent years,” said recently retired Agricultural Research Service food technologist Si-Yin Chung. Anaphylaxis is a potentially
life-threatening allergic reaction that has a quick onset. Read
the full USDA article.
Peanut image provided by Jack
Dykinga.
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 Secretary Sonny
Perdue is Listening
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue would like to hear from you. Let USDA know
how to improve our customer service. If you have ideas to make USDA work
better, Sonny is listening to your suggestions. An online feedback form is available to
submit your comments or concerns.
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NIFA Announces New
Funding Opportunity for Sustainable Agricultural Systems
Up to $80 million in
funding is available for integrated projects to increase the sustainable production of food and
agricultural products. Funding is made through a new Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program – Sustainable Agricultural Systems
(SAS) program.
SAS focuses on system-level approaches that will promote transformational
changes in food and agricultural systems within the next 25 years. SAS supports
trans-disciplinary projects that aim to transform agricultural systems that
provide safe, nutritious, abundant, and affordable food for a growing
population, while enhancing economic opportunities for Americans, especially
those in rural areas. Read
the request for applications for more details.
NIFA Announces Support
for a Funding Opportunity for Education and Workforce Development
More than $24 million in available funding for
research, education, and professional development of K-14 teachers and education
professionals, training of undergraduate students in research and extension, and
predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships. Funding is through the Education
and Workforce Development (EWD) program. Funding is authorized by the 2014
Farm Bill. Read
the request for application for more details.
NIFA Announces Funding
to Recruit and Educate a More Diverse Agricultural Workforce
Nearly $1 million is available to help
foster the next generation of multicultural scholars in agricultural sciences. NIFA’s Higher
Education Multicultural Scholars Program is providing $945,400 to help colleges and
universities recruit and retain multicultural scholars who may pursue degrees
in food and agricultural sciences disciplines or the Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine degree. Projects may involve scholarships to support recruiting,
engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training of committed, eligible
multicultural scholars. Read
the request for applications for more details.
NIFA Announces Funding
for the Food and Agriculture Education Information System
NIFA requests applications for the Food and Agriculture
Education Information System (FAEIS) for fiscal year 2018. The system will maintain a
national food and agricultural education information system that contains
information on enrollment, degrees awarded, faculty, employment placement, and
other similar information in the food and agricultural sciences.
FAEIS is a comprehensive database that gathers
information, on a voluntary basis, from degree granting institutions of higher
education on student enrollment in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences, degrees awarded, and graduate placement at all
degree levels and by gender, race, and other relevant categories. Read
the request for applications for more details.
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