Project CAFÉ is moving along steadily on all fronts, and I am pleased to share with you that all five Task Order Teams focusing on near-term improvement opportunities are wrapping up their deliverables. I’m confident NIFA’s partners and stakeholders will realize these much-needed improvements soon, and in fact, I am excited to announce that you can now follow Project CAFÉ’s status and the progress of each Task Order Team by visiting the Project CAFÉ webpage.
The webpage not only provides an at-a-glance overview of Project CAFÉ’s status, but also shares background information about why NIFA undertook the Project CAFÉ initiative, an overview of the project’s workplan, as well as a breakdown of the governance structure for each phase of the project. Project CAFÉ Task Order Teams are making progress each day on their respective deliverables so we, at NIFA, can be a better federal partner to you. I continue to be impressed by the quality of the solutions put forward that address feedback we received from many partners and stakeholders earlier this year.
Though five of the eight short-term improvement Task Order Teams are wrapping up, two more will be established soon, not to mention the longer-term Theme Teams that will be formed in the weeks to come. While I look forward to keeping you updated in future newsletters, I do hope you’ll visit our webpage and follow along as we make progress in addressing the feedback you provided.
If you have any questions or comments about Project CAFÉ, please don’t hesitate to contact me at Parag.Chitnis@usda.gov.
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NIFA Tackles Harmful Citrus Disease with $45M in Research Grants
NIFA recently awarded 12 grants totaling over $45 million for research to combat Huanglongbing, commonly known as citrus greening disease. “USDA-NIFA’s Emergency Citrus Disease Research & Extension program brings the nation’s top scientists together to tackle this problem,” said NIFA’s Acting Director Parag Chitnis. “This research is critical to help farmers find scientifically sound solutions to citrus greening so they can continue to grow citrus crops in a financially sustainable way. We hope this latest round of grant support moves us closer to a viable solution.” For more information, read the NIFA press release.
Photo of citrus tree, courtesy of Getty Images.
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What Kind of Weather Will Winter Bring this Time?
The Climate Prediction Center is just out with its long-range national weather outlook for this coming winter. USDA’s Gary Crawford talks with the Deputy Director of NOAA's Climate Prediction Center Mike Halpert on what America’s winter might be. For more information, listen to the USDA broadcast.
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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:
Program Assistant, GS 5-6
Closing date: 10/30/2020
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UTSA to Advance Research and Workforce Development in Green Energy and Sustainability
The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a four-year, $1 million grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to advance research, technology development, student training and the diversity of students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The Bioenergy and Water for Agriculture Research and Education (BE AWARE 2) Network is a consortium led by Krystel Castillo, director of the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute. This project will involve several partners, including the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, San Antonio College, South Texas College and multiple USDA agencies. For more information, read the University of Texas at San Antonio article.
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On Farm Safety with Jason Detzel
Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in America. Farmers may be surprised to know that most accidents and injuries on farms are not caused by traumatic events, but repetitive motion injuries and improper form when moving objects or animals. This 16-minute video from the Cornell Cooperative Extension will review ways that you can decrease stress on your muscles and joints, protect yourself when moving or interacting with heavy equipment or animals, and how to complete preventative and maintenance exercises to keep your body in good shape for years to come. This work is supported by a grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, watch the Cornell Cooperative Extension video.
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NIFA Invests $7.6 Million to Improve Food Safety Education
NIFA recently awarded 24 Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) grants for food safety education, training, and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small- to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers, small processors, small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers, food hubs, farmers’ markets, and others. FSOP helps the development of new food safety education and outreach programs in local communities and expand upon existing food safety education and outreach programs that address the needs of small, specialized audiences whose education needs have not previously been adequately addressed. FSOP helps all types of farmers and businesses have the education and tools they need to be successful and comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act.
NIFA Invests $4.6 Million for Crop Protection and Pest Management
NIFA recently awarded 17 Crop Protection and Pest Management Program (CPPM) grants to address high-priority issues related to pests (including insects, nematodes, pathogens, and weeds) and their management using integrated pest management approaches at the state, regional and national levels. The CPPM program supports projects that will increase food security and respond effectively to other major societal challenges with comprehensive IPM approaches that are economically viable, ecologically prudent, and safe for human health. The CPPM program addresses pest management challenges with new and emerging technologies. The outcomes of the CPPM program are effective, affordable, and environmentally sound IPM practices and strategies supporting more vital communities.
 Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program
The Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program assists 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges) in building institutional research capacity through applied projects that address student educational needs that meet community, reservation, or regional challenges. For more information, read the TCRGP funding opportunity.
Distance Education Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG)
The Distance Education Grants strengthens the capacity of Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas to carry out resident instruction, curriculum, and teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences through distance education technology. For more information, read the DEG funding opportunity.
AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities
AgrAbility works to increase success for farmers, farm workers and farm family members with disabilities, including disabled veterans. For more information, read the AgrAbility funding opportunity.
Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program
The Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program helps to improve the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers by maintaining and expanding a national, publicly available farm financial management database. For more information, read the FBMB funding opportunity.
Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS)
Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Fields Program supports women and underrepresented minorities in rural areas in their development in STEM fields. For more information, read the WAMS funding opportunity.
Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program
The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants promotes and strengthens secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in the food and agriculture sciences. For more information, read the SPECA funding opportunity.
Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program
The Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program promotes and strengthens the ability of Alaska Native-Serving Institutions and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs. For more information, read the ANNH funding opportunity.
Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program
The Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program (RHSE) Improves the quality of life in rural communities by providing the essential knowledge necessary for successful programs of rural development. For more information, read the RHSE funding opportunity.
Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) & Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment (AGFEI)
The purpose of the RIIA and AGFEI programs is to strengthen the capacity to carry out resident instruction, curriculum, and teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences as well as to upgrade agriculture and food science facilities, and equipment necessary to conduct tropical and subtropical agricultural research. For more information, read the RIIA and AGFEI funding opportunity.
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
The Higher Education Challenge Grants Program strengthens institutional capacities, including curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment in the food and agricultural sciences. For more information, read the HEC funding opportunity.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program
The Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program promotes and strengthens the ability of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to carry out higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences. For more information, read the HSI funding opportunity.
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