NIFA Invests in Economics, Markets, Trade, Environmental and Natural Resources

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture invested $14.5 million in two key programs awarded through its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. NIFA awarded $8.6 million for 18 Economics, Markets and Trade projects, and $5.9 million for 12 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics projects.

“These investments will help our nation better promote agricultural products and maximize export markets and opportunities,” said NIFA Director Dr. Carrie Castille. “This research will help U.S. farmers provide a safe, nutritious, secure food supply, while enhancing rural prosperity and economic development.” For more information, read the NIFA press release.

Large wheel irrigation system on Western farm; image courtesy of Getty Images.

NIFA Invests Over $2.3M for Small Business Innovation Research

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently announced an investment of over $2.3 million as part of the USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program. NIFA recently awarded eight grants totaling $812,939 to small businesses to improve plant production and protection, eight awards totaling $797,602 for animal production and protection, and seven awards totaling $706,120 for conserving natural resources.

“NIFA’s Small Business Innovation Research program stimulates technological innovations in the private sector and strengthens the role of federal research and development in support of small businesses,” said NIFA Director Dr. Carrie Castille. “This program also fosters and encourages participation by women-owned and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses.” For more information, read the NIFA press release.

A bee gathers pollen from a blueberry bush, courtesy of Getty Images.

NIFA Partnership Awards Program 

Specific instructions and other information about this awards program are in the 2020 NIFA Partnership Awards Criteria. Nominations must be submitted by May 28 using the NIFA Partnership Awards Nomination Form. All the award information and forms can be found on NIFA’s Partnership Award webpage. 

NIFA Hall of Fame Awards

The NIFA Hall of Fame Nomination Form and NIFA Hall of Fame background and criteria are located on the NIFA website. Nominations must be emailed to Kimberly Whittet no later than May 28. All the award information and forms can be found on NIFA’s Hall of Fame Awards webpage. 

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:

Staff Accountant (GS 9-12)
Closing Date: 05/21/2021

Grants Management Specialist (GS 9-12)
Closing Date: 05/27/2021

Grants Management Specialist (GS 9-12)
Closing Date: 05/27/2021

Register Now for the Virtual USDA Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair

The USDA will host the first-ever Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair on May 26 (12 - 4 p.m. ET), to showcase USDA investments and business leadership in reducing food loss and waste throughout the food system. “In the U.S., more than one-third of all available food goes uneaten through food loss or waste,” said USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison Jean Buzby. “USDA is proud to highlight public and private leaders who are transforming the food system and combatting food loss and waste.” The Innovation Fair will present businesses and research teams that have received USDA funding to research or commercialize cutting-edge food loss and waste solutions. Go online to register or learn more about the fair.

Confirmation of Dr. Jewel Bronaugh as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently issued the following statement on the confirmation of Dr. Jewel Bronaugh as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture: “I am grateful for today's confirmation of Jewel Bronaugh as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Bronaugh’s confirmation is historic, as she will serve as the first black woman and woman of color to serve as Deputy Secretary. Dr. Bronaugh has a long, distinguished career as an educator and champion for farmers and rural communities. Learn more about Dr. Bronaugh online.

USDA's New Deputy Secretary’s Goals

What are Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jewel Bronaugh’s goals and areas of focus? USDA’s Rod Bain talks with USDA’s new Deputy Secretary. For more information, listen to the USDA’s broadcast.

Discovery of Flowering Gene in Cacao May Lead to Accelerated Breeding Strategies

For the first time, Penn State researchers have identified a gene that controls flowering in cacao, a discovery that may help accelerate breeding efforts aimed at improving the disease-ridden plant. The characterization of the Flowering Locus T gene in cacao, responsible for the production of florigen — a protein that triggers flowering in most plants — is expected to enable scientists to develop disease-resistant trees faster, which is critical because 20 to 30 percent of the world’s cacao crop is lost to disease annually. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture provided support for this work. For more information, read the Penn State news article.

Cocoa tree new growth. Image courtesy of Getty Images.

Extension Educates Farmworkers on Vaccination  

To educate North Carolina farmworkers about vaccination, and especially COVID-19 vaccination, NC State Extension is offering a new program called "Get Informed and Decide" or, (in Spanish, "Me Informo y Decido"). The program is part of Cooperative Extension efforts nationwide to deliver education that advances adult immunization in rural communities, and new federal funding is helping enhance the program. A new initiative of USDA’s National Institute for Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided funding to allow NC State Extension to fine-tune Me Informo y Decido, continue to deliver the program in Eastern North Carolina, and to raise awareness about the training. For more information, read the NC State CALS news article.

NC State Extension's Roberto Rosales. Image courtesy of NC State.

USDA Funding to Support Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions  

The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently announced that the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is one of four 1890 land-grant institutions set to receive funding from its total investment of $5.76 million reserved for 1890 Centers of Excellence grants. “The 1890 Centers of Excellence awards are an effort to increase rural prosperity and economic sustainability of food systems in underserved farming communities,” said NIFA Director Dr. Carrie Castille. “These grants will support projects that address critical needs for developing global food security and defense; enhancing academic and career activities for students pursuing careers in food and agricultural sciences; and addressing vital needs in nutrition and health to improve the quality of life of underserved populations.” For more information, read the University of Maryland Eastern Shore news article.

UMES’ J.T. Williams Hall. Image courtesy of University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Overview of NIFA Competitive Education Programs

Interested in learning more about NIFA's education portfolio and grant opportunities? Then sign-up for a webinar, June 11 at 2:00 p.m. CST, aimed to raise awareness about NIFA's competitive education programs including our K-12, undergraduate, graduate programs, as well as programs targeted to minority-serving institutions. For more information, read the NIFA webinar announcement.

Webinar graphic courtesy of Getty Images.