Last fall, USDA held a successful Career Expo to introduce the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture to the Kansas City community. Following on that success, we are excited to announce a second expo, which will be done virtually on April 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. CDT. Please visit Work for USDA KC for the latest information on the event, including registration information. The Virtual Career Expo will provide an opportunity for participants to learn more about each agency, learn how to apply for Federal jobs, and ask staff questions.
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USDA Holds Virtual Career Expo for Kansas City Jobs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) are partnering with University of Missouri to host a joint Virtual Career Expo on April 28, 2020, building on an event last year that attracted more than 400 attendees. Both agencies relocated most of their operations to the Kansas City region last fall and are continuing to grow their workforces.
“This is a unique time for our nation and USDA continues to build the ERS and NIFA workforce using innovative techniques,” said Deputy Under Secretary Scott Hutchins, who leads USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics mission area. “Both agencies deliver important scientific programs and services that support American agriculture.” For more information read the full USDA release.
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Research and Funding in the Time of COVID‐19
The novel corona virus (COVID‐19) has disrupted the structure of society across the globe. For researchers, faculty, and students, the cancellation of on‐site classes and the shutdown of labs and field sites makes for drastic changes in the way this year’s spring and summer projects can be completed. For those funded by grants, coming up with means to support students, post‐docs, and faculty is a major stressor. To address questions about research practices and funding affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic, CSA News magazine reached out to two scientists: Dr. Gary Pierzynski and Dr. J. Scott Angle. Angle is the current director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Angle describes steps researchers can take to manage disruption to their research practices and provides valuable resources regarding funding. For more information read the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America article.
The video of the NIFA’s COVID-19 FAQs webinar is available on YouTube and has been added to our NIFA’s Coronavirus page.
Scientist genetic engineering. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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NIFA Invests in Rapid Response Research on COVID-19 Impacts on Agriculture
NIFA recently announced that it is investing in research on the impact of COVID-19 on American agriculture. Last week, NIFA opened its request for applications on research or extension activities that focus on developing and deploying rapid, reliable, and readily adoptable COVID-19 agricultural strategies across the food and agriculture enterprise. Through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program, NIFA will invest up to $9 million for research in the following areas: health and security of livestock; food and food processing; well-being of farm workforce, food service providers, and rural Americans; and economic security. Applications are due June 4, 2020.
“Keeping the agricultural workforce healthy and our nation’s food supply safe is a top priority for USDA,” said Scott Angle, NIFA Director. “The entire country depends on the jobs that these agricultural workers do, from farm to fork, to ensure a robust agricultural food supply. The systems that our agricultural workforce manages and the products they produce literally sustain both our bodies and our nation’s economy.” For more information read the full NIFA announcement.
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Solicitation of Stakeholder Input for Urban, Indoor, and Other Emerging Agricultural Production Research, Education, and Extension Initiative
On April 21, 2020, the Federal Register published a notice entitled, " Solicitation of Stakeholder Input for Urban, Indoor, and Other Emerging Agricultural Production Research, Education, and Extension Initiative.”
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is requesting written stakeholder input to assist NIFA in developing the fiscal year 2020 Request for Applications for the Urban, Indoor and other Emerging Agricultural Production Research, Education, and Extension Initiative.
Written comments on this Notice must be received by June 22, 2020, to be assured of consideration. For more information read the full federal register notice.
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New COVID-19 Rapid Response Program Area for Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
NIFA recently added a program area to its main Agricultural and Food Research Initiative RFA: Rapid Response to Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Impacts Across Food and Agricultural Systems.
There are four areas of priority: Health and Security of Livestock; Well-being of Farm, Food Service Providers, and Rural Americans; Economic Security; and Food Safety. Applicants should focus on critical and urgent research, extension, or integrated solutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the nation’s food and agricultural system. Applications should include strategies and knowledge that can be rapidly implemented to minimize or eliminate COVID-19 impacts on the nation’s food and agricultural system.
Deadline to submit applications is June 4, 2020. NIFA will expedite application evaluation & awards review to ensure rapid project start-up. For more information and to apply, view the AFRI funding opportunity.
Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program (NLGCA)
NLGCA Institutions may use the funds: (a) to successfully compete for funds from Federal grants and other sources to carry out educational, research, and outreach activities that address priority concerns of national, regional, State, and local interest; (b) to disseminate information relating to priority concerns to interested members of the agriculture, renewable resources, and other relevant communities, the public, and any other interested entity; (c) to encourage members of the agriculture, renewable resources, and other relevant communities to participate in priority education, research, and outreach activities by providing matching funding to leverage grant funds; and (d) through: (1) the purchase or other acquisition of equipment and other infrastructure (not including alteration, repair, renovation, or construction of buildings); (2) the professional growth and development of the faculty of the NLGCA Institution; and (3) the development of graduate assistantships. For more information read the NLGCA funding opportunity.
Image of college students using computers; courtesy of Getty Images.
Renewable Resources Extension Act-National Focus Fund Projects (RREA-NFF)
The Renewable Resources Extension Act-National Focus Fund program provides funds for pilot projects that:
- Address emerging forest and rangeland resource issues, and
- Have national or regional relevancy, or
- Develop new and innovative projects that can be replicated at other institutions.
For more information read the RREA-NFF funding opportunity.
Photo of green trees on a farm; photo courtesy of Getty Images.
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