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Editor: Maggie Lawrence December 7, 2022
  A car is lodged in a Montecito, California, home after a January 2018 debris flow following the massive Thomas Fire. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey.
Even After a Wildfire, Dangers Persist
Following wildfires, cascading hazards such as debris flow, landslides and flooding may occur, resulting in potentially catastrophic sequences. While dangerous for anyone, these post-wildfire cascading hazards are particularly perilous for economically disadvantaged communities.
As a result of the escalating risk of cascading hazards, decision-makers, engineers, social scientists and other stakeholders need to work together to enable disadvantaged communities to better confront them. In August 2021, a research team launched a three-year project funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture that aims to reduce the vulnerability of disadvantaged communities to the impacts of wildfire-related cascading hazards under a changing climate. Learn more about their efforts here.
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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 focuses 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. Watch the recording.
Assortment of fresh healthy food, courtesy of Getty Images.
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2022 Census of Agriculture is Here!
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has mailed invitations to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Starting December 13, NASS will mail paper questionnaires to all known agricultural producers. The deadline to respond is February 6, 2023.
Join NASS in encouraging producers to respond by amplifying NASS’ messages on social media and sharing census information with your field offices, partners and producers. NASS’ Partner Tools site has resources for outreach, including ads for newsletters, banners for web pages and email signatures, videos and web ads for social media, flyers for printing, posters and more.
2022 Census of Agriculture graphic, courtesy of NASS.
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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.
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.
2023 Agriculture Outlook Forum graphic, courtesy of USDA.
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Notice of Intent to Extend and Revise a Previously Approved Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget regulations, this notice announces NIFA's intention to extend and revise a previously approved information collection, entitled Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
Federal Register graphic logo.
Notice of Intent to Request a New Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget regulations, this notice announces the NIFA's intention to request approval for a new information collection titled Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Funding Agreement Certifications.
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Enhancing Pepper Production in the U.S.
Bell peppers consistently rank as one of the most popular vegetables eaten in the United States. Other peppers, including sweet types and spicy ones such as green chiles, are popular as well. NIFA-supported research at the nation’s Land-grant Institutions and other universities and colleges is focused on the challenges pepper producers face. Read more about their work here.
NIFA Peppers graphic.
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Land-grant Universities Helping Solve Needs of Specialty Crop Industries
Across the nation, researchers and Extension specialists at Land-grant Universities funded by the Specialty Crop Research Initiative are addressing critical needs of the specialty crop industries, including conventional and organic food production systems. Fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture comprise the bulk of specialty crops. Learn more about some of this NIFA-funded work.
Guava root-knot nematode galling, which appears as clumps of knots on the plant’s roots, courtesy of Clemson University.
Read More:
Impacts of NIFA-funded research and Extension programs on our blogs page.
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Live FAQ Session: Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems
NIFA will hold a FAQ session December 8 at 3 p.m. EST for those interested in the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems (A1712) program area priority. This 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.
NIFA webinar graphic.
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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. SCRI addresses critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and Extension that address key challenges of national, regional and multistate importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems.
USDA-NIFA’s Overview of Employment and Educational Opportunities Webinar
NIFA’s Equal Opportunity Staff will host an informational webinar Thursday, December 12 at 1 p.m. EST to provide an overview of the organization’s mission and structure as well as USDA educational programs designed to recruit the next generation of federal employees who support agricultural science and business operations. Speakers will discuss program areas and professional experiences for undergraduate and graduate students exploring opportunities in the federal sector.
Food Safety Outreach Program FY 2023 RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
On December 19 at 3 p.m. EST, NIFA will host a technical assistance webinar to discuss the FY 2023 Request for Applications (RFA) for the Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grants Program (FSOP). Webinar participants will learn the FSOP priorities and requirements and other essentials for applying to the program. Topics will include an overview of the FSOP; introduction of the new Technical Assistance – Grant Writing Skills Project program area; guidance on adhering to the RFA and the evaluation criteria; and grant writing fundamentals. Registration is required.
Methyl Bromide Transition RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
Join NIFA staff December 20 at 2 p.m. EST for a technical assistance webinar regarding the Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) Program. MBT 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. This program focuses on integrated commercial-scale research on methyl bromide alternatives and associated extension activity that will foster the adoption of these solutions.
Alternative Forages for Seasonal Slumps
Scientists with the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station are helping identify what forage crops could be grown to supplement traditional forages during these seasonal “slumps.” These forage slumps can impact dairy and livestock production — and threaten livelihoods — by making it more difficult and expensive to feed grazing animals. Learn more about their research here.
Seasonal Forage Slump infographic,
courtesy of New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station.
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Broiler Research Points to Lasers as Environmental Enrichment Devices
Motivating broiler chickens to move using specially designed lasers can boost animal welfare and improve meat quality.
Research from Iowa State University shows periodically projecting randomly moving, dot-sized laser lights on the floor of broiler pens stimulates birds’ predatory instincts and encourages them to be more active. This is especially important as broilers approach market weight and become more sedentary, which can negatively impact their quality of life. Read more about this NIFA-supported research here.
Young broiler chickens at a feeder, courtesy of Iowa State University.
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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.
Biological Science Specialist (GS-9)
Closing Date: December 20 or when 75 applications are received.
View the job announcement for more information.
NIFA career opportunities graphic.
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USDA Internship Opportunities
Several paid internship opportunities are available with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
The University of Missouri College of Agriculture's Center for Regenerative Agriculture received NIFA funding to help farmers adopt climate-smart practices that will ultimately help them improve the resiliency of their crops and livestock. Learn more online.
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A $50,000 USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture planning grant awarded to Texas A&M AgriLife research scientists will help identify CEA research priorities. Team members include Drs. Azlan Zahid, Joe M. Masabni, Genhua Niu and Daniel Leskovar. Read more 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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