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Editor: Kelly Sprute Aug. 5, 2020
Making a Difference
 Collection of grains, cereals, seeds, beans in small containers and spoons, photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Research on Regulatory Policy Impacting Low-Moisture Food Safety
Nut products. Spices. Pet food. Breakfast cereals. Although most consumers would not expect these foods to contain harmful bacteria, all have been linked to nationwide outbreaks and recalls due to the presence of salmonella, which is the most frequently reported bacterial cause of food-related illness in the U.S. To better regulate the way foods are grown, harvested, and processed, the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act focuses on preventing food contamination rather than responding to foodborne-illness events.
To address that need, NIFA funded a five-year, $4.7 million project (Enhancing Low-Moisture Food Safety by Improving Development and Implementation of Pasteurization Technologies) led by Professor Bradley Marks at Michigan State University, with collaborators at Washington State University, University of Nebraska, Illinois Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University, and the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. This team of engineers and microbiologists spent the past five years improving methods to ensure food processing systems can effectively control salmonella bacteria. They have accomplished this through laboratory research, industry-scale testing, and training programs supporting industry professionals responsible for the safety of low-moisture food products. For more information, read the NIFA article.
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As you’ll recall, NIFA launched the Project CAFÉ (Collaboratively Achieving Functional Excellence) initiative earlier this year, an initiative to optimize NIFA’s service delivery while improving its ability to provide excellent customer service. The first step of Project CAFÉ was to conduct an official review of the more than 900 comments received; this review was carried out by the Project CAFÉ Board and the board will issue its final report later this month. In the meantime, I’m pleased to inform you that the board has identified eight near-term improvement recommendations that can swiftly be acted on so that NIFA can begin to move the needle forward in operating more efficiently and effectively.
In fact, five task orders have already been issued, and task teams are working as we speak on efforts to modernize training tools and materials so staff can provide top-notch services. We are working to improve communications of the awards, financial processes and milestones as packages undergo review, and to provide robust, up-to-date and reliable technology and support for virtual panels, just to name a few efforts being worked on as a result of the feedback received from our partners and stakeholders. That said, I can assure you that exciting improvements are coming to NIFA in the weeks and months to come, and I look forward to keeping you updated on the progress of the initiative.
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New Investigator Seed Grant Questions?
Do you have question about the New Investigators seed grant and standard grant opportunities? The Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) program helps institutions develop competitive projects and to attract new scientists and educators into high-priority careers in areas of national need: agriculture, food, and environmental sciences. Check out the FAQs now posted on the NIFA website.
NIFA Capacity Funds Support Disaster Responders
Hurricane Season is heating up and storms are threatening U.S. coastlines. NIFA-funded experts are hard at work to prevent or minimize agricultural losses, support communities and families, and aid in disaster response. NIFA capacity funds support Cooperative Extension responders in local communities and the Extension Disaster Education Network, which offers nationwide support material and training for them to be prepared for a wide range of disasters. For more information, read the planning page from Cornell University.
Hurricane Season warning sign courtesy of Getty Images.
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NIFA Career Opportunities
We are hiring! Remember to check out NIFA's Career Opportunities webpage, where there is a direct link to all open positions. You can also explore NIFA jobs at the USAjobs.gov website. Current openings in Kansas City, Missouri:
Equal Employment Specialist, (GS 13)
Closing date: 08/18/2020
Biological/Social Science Specialist (National Program Leader), GS 13-15
Closing date: 9/30/2020
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Ajay Sharda: Sharing a Passion for Automation and Robotics with the Next Generation
Associate Professor and Precision Agriculture Engineer Ajay Sharda of Kansas State University has established a large on-farm research network on planter systems related to downforce, speed, and seed placement. This innovative program has been a model for others to follow on how to work with farmers and ag professionals in precision ag topics. A NIFA AFRI funded project under the National Science Foundation’s National Robotics Initiative Program is one of the many within what Sharda calls FARMS (Fusing Automation and Robotics for Ag Machine Systems) Lab at K-State. The goal of this particular project is to design a robotic platform, along with an application system, that will not only provide an alternative but use artificial intelligence to conduct knowledge-based, real-time applications. For more information, read the Kansas State University article.
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The Intersection of Nanotechnology and Agriculture
NIFA AFRI grant recipient Professor Swadesh Santra of University of Central Florida speaks on "The Intersection of Nanotechnology & Agriculture." In this podcast episode, Professor Santra discusses the intersection of nanotechnology and agriculture. For more information, listen to this National Nanotechnology Coordination Office podcast.
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Agricultural Workforce Training Priority Area
The Agricultural Workforce Training Priority Area, part the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development, addresses the need for training or retraining of agricultural workforce by providing institutional training grants to develop a technology- and data-savvy workforce, ready for the field and industrial jobs. These include opportunities for the development of new workforce training programs, and the expansion, improvement, or renewal of existing workforce training programs and curriculum. The application deadline is September 24, 2020 at 5 p.m. (ET). For more information about the program area priority, check the AFRI EWD RFA. Interested applicants are invited to register for an informational AFRI EWD webinar on August 19, 2020 at 1 p.m. (CT).
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Reminder:
NIFA FAQs Relating to Flexibility for Applicants and Recipients Webinar
You are invited to a “NIFA FAQs Relating to Flexibility for Applicants and Recipients” webinar August 7, at 3:30 p.m. (ET). Register for this free webinar online. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
NIFA Invests $8.3 Million to Educate and Develop Agricultural Scientists and Professionals
NIFA recently awarded 51 Postdoctoral Fellowship grants to support post-graduate training in agricultural related disciplines. These fellowships will develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and extension fields within the food and agricultural sciences. The aim of these grants is to cultivate future industry, government, or academic leaders who can solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st century These grants are a part of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Education and Workforce Development program.
NIFA Invests $7.6 Million to Educate and Develop Agricultural Scientists and Professionals
NIFA recently awarded 57 Predoctoral Fellowship grants to support graduate education in agricultural related disciplines. These fellowships will develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and extension fields within the food and agricultural sciences. The aim of these grants is to cultivate future industry, government, or academic leaders who are able to solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st century. These grants are a part of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Education and Workforce Development program.
USDA SBIR Program Invests in Small and Mid-Size Farms Grants to Small Businesses
The USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, administered by NIFA, recently awarded six grants to U.S. small business to promote and improve the sustainability and profitability of small and mid-size farms and ranches.
USDA SBIR Program Invests in Rural Community Development Grants to Small Businesses
The USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, which is administered by NIFA recently awarded seven grants to U.S. small business to improve the quality of life in rural America. These projects will create and commercialize new and existing technology, products, processes, and services that will:
- Enhance efficiency and equity of public and private investments
- Build a diversified workforce
- Increase resilience to natural and human disasters
- Improve economic vitality of rural communities and the reduction of poverty
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NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension that solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture. Keep informed about NIFA, USDA, our land-grant and non-land-grant university partners, and stakeholders with the NIFA Update. Read past issues online, sign up for email updates or follow us on Twitter @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAImpacts or LinkedIn @usda-nifa.
If you wish to submit a news item or information, send an email to NIFAUpdate.
USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer.
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