Stull on Detail to Mission Area
Starting August 1, Josh Stull has accepted a detail to the USDA Research, Education and Economics (REE) Mission Area as a Senior Advisor for Stakeholder Engagement and Congressional Affairs. He brings almost 20 years of federal food and agriculture experience. With NIFA stakeholders being REE stakeholders, Josh will be working closely as a liaison with all stakeholders across the nation to ensure a strong connection to REE programs and opportunities. Additionally, he’ll provide guidance to REE on Congress.
Josh has been with NIFA for about five years, after most recently serving as the Vice President for Policy and Analysis at the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation. Initially, joining NIFA from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Josh served as Acting Director of Congressional and Public Affairs and Team Lead of Congressional and Public Affairs Staff. In June 2008, Josh began his federal executive branch career as a Legislative Analyst at FSIS, answering congressional inquiries, drafting food safety and agency mission-related testimony for the FSIS Administrator, and participating in the USDA Leadership Potential Program in 2009. In 2011, he was the Director of Government Affairs for the National Fisheries Institute, advocating on behalf of America’s seafood industry to the U.S. Congress, USDA, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Josh has seven years of legislative experience in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. He worked for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania), serving as Legislative Assistant handling several issues, including agriculture, agriculture appropriations, and the 2008 Farm Bill. He also served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Don Sherwood (Pennsylvania) handling a multitude of issues, including agriculture, agriculture appropriations, the 2002 Farm Bill, the environment, and trade. Josh holds a master’s degree in European studies from the University of Amsterdam and a bachelor’s degree in international politics with a minor in economics from Penn State University.
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NIST Launches New iEdison System for Reporting Federally Funded Inventions
To promote the transfer of technology from laboratory to marketplace, the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has redesigned the online platform where organizations report their taxpayer-funded inventions. The new Interagency Edison system, or iEdison, includes a modernized user interface and new functionality and security features that will make it easier for government grantees and contractors to comply with the reporting requirements of the Bayh-Dole Act.
iEdison graphic, courtesy of NIST.
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Oyster Researchers Helping Keep Consumers Safe from Dangerous Pathogens
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the leading cause of seafood-borne bacterial infections in the United States. Contaminated raw oysters can cause vibriosis, a gastrointestinal illness that can be life-threatening and even fatal for people with liver disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system. Vibrio diseases have the notoriety of exhibiting the single greatest increase — 116% — in rates of infection from those observed in the mid-1990s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, researchers at Land-grant Universities have discovered how to detect and treat Vibrio-contaminated oysters with support from NIFA, protecting both consumers and the market for farmed oysters.
National Oyster Day graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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Farmers Markets Bring Bounty to Tables Across the Country
Did you know NIFA is helping expand the market for locally grown produce available at farmers markets? With support from NIFA's capacity funding, Extension programs across the nation are helping producers bring more and better fruits and vegetables to their local markets. Extension also works with farmers to ensure they meet the high food safety standards consumers-demand.
National Farmers Market graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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Improving Drainage Management on Agricultural Lands
A team of 22 Land-grant University researchers are working with USDA scientists and industry partners to develop new technologies and strategies that improve drainage. The Hatch Multistate project’s strong Extension component has increased farmers’ knowledge and confidence about drainage management and provided valuable information to industry professionals, educators and policymakers.
National Water Quality Month graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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We are hiring! NIFA recruits a diverse group of talented, creative, motivated professionals who are invested in shaping the future of food and agricultural science. We offer a variety of benefits and services to our employees that focus on work-life balance, career enhancement, and health and well-being.
NIFA has career opportunities in a variety of scientific disciplines covering engineering, food science, forestry, education, animal and crop sciences, and many other agriculture-related disciplines. NIFA job openings are listed on USAJobs.gov. Current NIFA job openings are for Kansas City, Missouri, or a location negotiable after selection, unless otherwise noted below.
Biological Science Specialist (GS 13-14) Closing Date: Sept. 6 or when we have received 200 applications. View the job announcement.
Career Opportunities graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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NIFA Reporting System August Webinar
NIFA will demonstrate “Critical Issues Management,” a component of the new NIFA Reporting System (NRS), during a webinar Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. EDT. Registration is required. This monthly webinar is offered by NIFA's Planning, Accountability and Reporting Staff to provide information to users of NRS. In addition to demonstrating the Critical Issues Management, NRS users will hear about the NIFA Review Process for the Plan of Work and have an opportunity to ask NRS user questions.
Webinar graphic, courtesy of NIFA.
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NIFA Nutrition Security Webinar Series: The Development of New Measures to Complement the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module
NIFA will host a webinar Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. EDT on the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM). Dr. Eric Calloway will explain that, while the definition of food security is holistic and nuanced, measurement has not traditionally been operationalized more fully. The Household Food Security Survey Module is the primary tool used to assess food security in the United States.
Live FAQ Session: Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems
Applicants interested the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems program area priority are invited to attend a live FAQ event Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. EDT, to learn more about the program area priority and meet the NIFA team. The AFRI Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems program area priority is designed to rapidly identify and implement strategies to protect the nation’s food and agricultural supply chains and the people who support them during and after extreme weather events.
A storm over a cornfield, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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National Conference on Next-Generation Sustainable Technologies for Small-Scale Producers
North Carolina A&T State University will host a National Conference on Next-Generation Sustainable Technologies for Small-Scale Producers Sept. 7-9 at its Alumni Foundation Event Center. The conference is a collaboration between the university, NIFA and the Environmental Protection Agency. Visit the conference website for more information and to register.
National Conference on Next-Generation Sustainable Technologies graphic.
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USDA Announces the Second Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair
USDA will hold the second virtual USDA Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT. The fair will showcase the latest food loss and waste mitigation technologies, innovations and programs developed by USDA, academic institutions, local governments and businesses.
USDA Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair banner graphic.
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NIFA Invests Nearly $2M in Plant Biotic Interactions
NIFA has invested nearly $2 million in three projects as part of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Plant Biotic Interactions program. This program supports mechanistic research on the processes that mediate beneficial and antagonistic interactions between plants and their viral, bacterial, oomycete, fungal, plant and invertebrate symbionts, pathogens and pests. 2022 June and July Awardees: University of Maryland, College Park ($500,000); North Carolina State University ($782,568) and University of Florida ($500,000).
NIFA Invests Over $2M in Plant Production and Protection
NIFA recently awarded 13 grants under the Engineering Plant Production and Protection topic area of the USDA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to enhance crop production in both conventional and organic systems by creating and commercializing engineering technologies that enhance system efficiency and profitability and that protect crops from pests and pathogens in economically and environmentally ways. FY 2022 Awardees: Celldot LLC ($181,484); SolarID LLC ($181,500); Agrofocal Technologies, Inc. ($175,000); Root Applied Sciences, Inc. ($174,976); Agriculture Intelligence, Inc. ($180,533); Geo-Spider, Inc. ($180,984); Emission Strategies, Inc. ($173,507); GearJump Technologies, Inc. ($175,000); Application Insight LLC ($175,000); Application Insight LLC ($175,000); Field Data Services LLC ($165,685); Lateral Systems LLC ($181,650); and Dynamic Fiber Systems LLC ($100,000).
NIFA Invests Over $1M in Forests and Related Resources
NIFA recently awarded six grants under the Forest and Related Resources topic area of the USDA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. SBIR is a highly competitive program that meet the needs present of future generations through funding the development of environmentally sound approaches to increase productivity of forest lands, improve sustainability of forest resources, and develop value-added materials derived from woody resources. FY 2022 Awardees: Miller Scientific Inc. ($181,500); Spatial Informatics Group, LLC ($137,881); KSE Inc. ($175,000); Skyward, LTD ($174,998); Pathhouse LLC ($181,500); and Evoseer LLC ($174,629).
NIFA Invests Over $1M in Biofuels and Biobased Products
NIFA recently announced eight grants to domestic small businesses through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to promote product usage through innovative technologies that increase biofuels and biobased products from agricultural materials and provide new opportunities to diversify agriculture’s role in the raw materials industry.FY 2022 Awardees: American Renewable Metals LLC ($175,000); Sustainable Chemical LLC ($175,000); Lakril Technologies Corporation ($181,500); Polnox Corporation ($175,000); Northstar Microbes LLC ($175,000); Pittmoss LLC ($147,605); Yakima Chief Hops, Inc. ($171,185); and Conovate, Inc. ($181,500).
USDA Invests Nearly $8M to Improve Dietary Health and Nutrition Security
USDA has announced the availability of nearly $8 million to support the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) Produce Prescription Program. The funding is part of USDA’s American Rescue Plan efforts and will be administered by NIFA. GusNIP Produce Prescription projects provide financial and non-financial incentives to income-eligible individuals and families to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to improve dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. FY 2021 Awardees: FISH ($500,000); LiveWell Greenville ($500,000); CommuniCare Health Centers ($499,986); SC Hospital Association Foundation, Inc. ($500,000); Feeding Florida INC ($499,999); Legal Food Hub ($498,863); Rural Health Network of SCNY, Inc. ($500,000); Wholesome Wave Georgia ($478,783); New York Common Pantry Inc. ($500,000); High Desert Food and Farm Alliance ($378,210); Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance ($499,953); Garner Health Medical Center – Catskills ($499,580); Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council ($499,565); Ceres Community Project ($495,333); Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County ($500,000); University Healthcare Physicians, Inc. ($500,000); and Farmshare Austin ($80,839).
Fresh fruits and vegetables, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Investment in U.S. Public Agricultural Research and Development Has Fallen by a Third Over Past Two Decades, Lags Major Trade Competitors
In the United States, public agricultural research and development (R&D), which includes any agricultural R&D conducted at universities or government laboratories regardless of funding source, is supported through federal-state partnerships. These partnerships provide an important complement to business R&D, providing scientific and technological innovations that raise U.S. agri-food system productivity. Research supported by the USDA, Economic Research Service has found spending on public agricultural R&D from 1900 to 2011 generated, on average, $20 in benefits to the U.S. economy for every $1 of spending.
Texas 4-H Program Helps At-Risk Horses Find Homes
A new Texas 4-H program is helping address the problem of neglected, abandoned and other “at-risk” horses by pairing them with youth who will help them transition to permanent homes. Texas 4-H is the youth outreach and development component of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Madison Chaloupla of Wildcat 4-H in Idalou, Texas, with Exotica, a 21-year-old registered Arabian mare, courtesy of Texas 4-H Homes for Horses.
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Virginia Cooperative Extension Launches Mobile Processing Unit
The interest in and demand for locally produced food is growing, according to the USDA. Unfortunately, small-ruminant farmers in central, southern and eastern Virginia have limited access to state or federally inspected meat-processing facilities. As a result, they experience costly scheduling delays, increased labor and transportation costs and premium processing charges. To assist such small-scale farmers, VSU College of Agriculture and Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University (VSU-VCE) have established a project to assist small-scale farmers.
Small Ruminant Mobile Processing Unit, courtesy of Virginia State University.
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Turning Down the Hormone Dial Could Improve IVF Live Birth Rates
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers at Michigan State University are studying ovarian stimulation protocols in cattle and in vitro fertilization in humans simultaneously. Through research funded by NIFA and the National Institutes of Health, the team found that the standard practice of using high levels of hormones to stimulate ovaries is linked to negative outcomes in live birth rates in women and disruptions to ovarian genes in cattle.
A pregnant woman holds her belly, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Deltaplex News: Junior High School Students Plant their Own Garden Through UAPB Project
Students at Jack Robey Junior High School recently set up their own school garden thanks to a University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) initiative. Funded by a NIFA grant, the project promotes active and inquiry-based science learning.
Dr. Karleah Harris and UAPB undergraduate students helped students at Jack Robey Junior High School set up a vegetable garden, courtesy of UAPB.
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Happy National Watermelon Day! Check out how the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is using AI to help detect watermelon disease quickly, accurately, ensuring this popular summer treat is available during the scorching heat.
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Meet Gary Mayo
Gary recently joined the NIFA team as a legislative affairs officer. “I wanted a new challenge. I want to work with a great team and NIFA is that team. In addition, I want to make a difference for our communities.” - Gary
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