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Editor: Maggie Lawrence November 30, 2022
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NIFA Nutrition Security Webinar: The Role of 1890 LGUs in Prioritizing Nutrition Security
In November, NIFA held the latest edition of its Nutrition Security Webinar Series. The event focusesed on the role of 1890 Land-grant Universities in prioritizing nutrition security. The session began with NIFA’s Acting Director Dr. Dionne Toombs providing an overview of the recent White House Conference for Hunger, Nutrition and Health and sharing how NIFA is working to implement the National Strategy with the goal of ending hunger, improving nutrition and physical activity, and reducing diet-related diseases and disparities. Dr. Manoharan Muthusamy provided an overview of the 1890 Centers of Excellence Program, followed by featured panelists highlighting work being done through the Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness and Quality of Life. View the recording of the webinar on NIFA’s YouTube channel.
We Want to Hear From You About NIFA’s Grants Modernization Initiative
As part of NIFA’s Grants Modernization Initiative, we are examining NIFA’s current external-facing grants management system capabilities and exploring two new grants management solutions – eRA and GrantSolutions. As part of our process, we are considering a number of factors, such as what advantages our current systems have in meeting our customers’ needs; what the “gaps” are in our current systems’ capabilities; how familiar our external stakeholders are with the eRA (Commons) and GrantSolutions systems; and what grants management features are most important to our customers’ experience.
We welcome your feedback on NIFA’s Grants Modernization Initiative. If you have any comments, questions or concerns about NIFA’s current grants management systems or the grants management systems NIFA is considering adopting in the future (eRA or GrantSolutions), please send them to NIFAGrantsMod@usda.gov.
Grant Modernization NIFA graphic.
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USDA’s New Nutrition Research Initiative Launch
Join USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and USDA Chief Scientist & Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young on Monday, December 5 at 9 a.m. EST for a virtual event announcing USDA’s new initiative to better support USDA nutrition research coordination and enhance community access to nutrition information. Register by 5 p.m. EST Friday, December 2.
USDA’s New Nutrition Research Initiative banner graphic.
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Registration Now Open for 2023 Agricultural Outlook Forum
USDA’s 99th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, will be held in-person at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on February 23-24, 2023, and all sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform. More than 30 sessions and 100 agriculture leaders and subject matter experts will discuss key issues impacting the sector. Learn more about the Forum and register here.
USDA’s Agriculture Outlook Forum graphic.
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NIFA-funded Project Brings COVID-19 Education, Vaccines to Rural Dairy Farms
Research shows that the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally impacted U.S. dairy farm workers — especially Hispanic populations — and affected the dairy industry in several ways, from decreased milk prices and disrupted milk supply chains to worker shortages, increased production costs and lack of operating capital. Through a project funded by NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, Texas A&M researchers developed COVID-19 training resources for U.S. dairy industry producers and workers and partnered with the State Department of Public Health to hold on-farm mobile vaccine clinics. Learn more about their work here.
Farm worker using COVID training materials, courtesy of Texas A&M
Read More:
Impacts of NIFA-funded research and Extension programs on our blogs page.
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CPPM Applied Research and Development RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
Join NIFA staff for a technical assistance webinar December 1 at noon EST to learn more about the Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) Applied Research and Development program. This program addresses high-priority issues related to pests and their management using integrated pest management (IPM) approaches at the state, regional and national levels. The CPPM program supports projects that will ensure food security and respond effectively to other major societal pest management challenges with comprehensive IPM approaches that are economically viable, ecologically prudent and safe for human health.
NIFA webinar graphic.
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Live FAQ Session: Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems
NIFA will hold an FAQ session December 8 at 3 p.m. EST for those interested in the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems (A1712) program area priority. This AFRI priority area 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.
Specialty Crop Research Initiative RFPA Technical Assistance Webinar
On December 9 at 2 p.m. EST, NIFA staff will discuss the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Request for Pre-Applications requirements and will provide technical assistance to applicants. The purpose of the SCRI program is to address critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and Extension that address focus on key challenges of national, regional and multistate importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems.
Methyl Bromide Transition RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
Join NIFA staff December 20 at 2 p.m. for a technical assistance webinar regarding the Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) Program. This program addresses the immediate needs and the costs of transition that have resulted from the phase-out of the pesticide methyl bromide. Methyl bromide has been a pest and disease control tactic critical to pest management systems for decades for soilborne and postharvest pests. The MBT program focuses on integrated commercial-scale research on methyl bromide alternatives and associated extension activity that will foster the adoption of these solutions.
Kids in The Kitchen Offers Healthy Recipes, Family Fun
Kids in the Kitchen is a summer program through Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T State University. Virtual and in-person classes offered during the past three summers have given children a chance to do cooking demonstrations and gain an introduction to international cuisines and cultures. Learn more about Kids in the Kitchen here.
Kids in the Kitchen participants, courtesy of North Carolina A&T.
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Banker Plants Effective for Managing Thrips on Roses
Chilli thrips are a nuisance to rose growers, as their feeding causes foliar and flower damage. University of Florida researchers investigated using a banker plant system for managing chilli thrips on roses. Recently published research demonstrates the potential of this system for helping rose growers using two predatory mite species. Read more here.
A flowering pepper banker plant hosts beneficial predatory mites,
courtesy of University of Florida.
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New Mexico State University (NMSU) is leading a group of scientists working to develop genetic tools and resources to breed climate-adapted pecan trees that could combat vivipary - a condition that causes nuts to germinate prematurely on trees. Read more at NMSU online.
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Join NIFA for a virtual information session on December 7 at 4 p.m. EST to learn more about the 2023 National 4-H Conference including the registration process, schedule and key events, chaperone roles and travel logistics. Register online.
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NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and Extension that solves 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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