Seaweed aquaculture has great potential for growth in the U.S., but currently production is limited to a small number of farms that cultivate just one or two species of kelp. Supported by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), a company in Maine is working to change that. Springtide Seaweed is addressing several challenges to expanding U.S. seaweed production beyond kelp with funding from NIFA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). Learn more about their work with dulse and nori seaweeds here.

Dulse, a red seaweed, grown by Springtide Seaweed. Photo courtesy of Sarah Redmond. 

NIFA to Hold Listening Session About New Grant Program

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will hold a listening session about a funding opportunity in integrated poultry research and Extension, the Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program. The listening session will be held February 14 from noon to 2 p.m. EST.

The Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program is a competitive grant program designed to improve the efficiency and sustainability of laying hen and turkey production through integrated, collaborative research and technology transfer. Emphasis may be placed on laying hen and turkey disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance, nutrition, gut health, and alternative housing systems under extreme seasonal weather conditions.

Prospective grantees who are interested in this new grant program are encouraged to attend the listening session so that NIFA program staff can receive your input in preparation for release of the Request for Applications. Each participant may speak for up to 3 minutes. Please register in advance to attend this virtual listening session. Go online to register or to learn more.

Laying hens, courtesy of Adobe Stock.

AIM for Climate Grand Challenge: Leveraging the Power of AI and Machine-Learning

The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) is partnering with Enterprise Neurosystem, a research community of leading academic institutions and chief scientists of America’s top technology companies to host a Grand Challenge to advance climate-smart agricultural innovation through open-source artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The Grand Challenge is a unique opportunity to win prizes valued at $5 million and to work with some of the best and brightest in the AI/ML space. Phase 1 of the Grand Challenge, a 250-word proposal open to all, is due by February 15 via the AIM for Climate Innovation Hub. Finalists will be invited to present their ideas at the AIM for Climate Summit in Washington, DC May 8-10.

Learn more about AIM for Climate and the AI and Machine Learning Grand Challenge by watching this video. Email info@aimforclimate.org if you have any additional questions.

Not an AI/Machine Learning expert? No problem. Enterprise Neurosystem is looking for big ideas from a wide range of participants and seeks pitches that draw on diverse knowledge, experiences, and cultures. Enterprise Neurosystem looks forward to working with you to develop and scale your ideas in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.

AIM for Climate twitter graphic.

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 in Arlington, Virginia, on February 23-24, 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 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum graphic.

National 4-H Conference Registration Open

Registration is now open for the 2023 National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. Bringing hundreds of 4-H’ers to the nation’s capital each spring, National 4-H Conference is the flagship youth development opportunity of USDA. From April 14-19, the nationally recognized event is developing the next generation of leaders alongside more federal partners than ever before. Experience unparalleled discovery, learning, professional development and networking with 4-H’ers from around the world. The event features roundtable sessions, Youth Career Fair exhibitions, live “cool job” panels, community service, special events, assemblies and much more. Learn more and register online.

2023 National 4-H Conference “Join Us” graphic.

NIFA AFRI Recipients Appointed to 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Recently, USDA and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the appointment of 20 nationally recognized nutrition and public health experts to serve on the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.

The committee includes five current and past awardees of Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) funding from NIFA. AFRI is the nation’s leading competitive grants program for agricultural sciences, established by Congress in the 2008 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill.  Read more to learn their NIFA-supported research.

Healthy foods and spices courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Read More:
Impacts of NIFA-funded research and Extension programs on our Blog page.

SBIR/STTR FY23 Phase II RFA Technical Assistance Webinar

On February 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. EST, NIFA program staff will provide an overview of Phase II of NIFA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

The programs’ Phase II funding opportunity, which is only open to previous Phase I awardees who have not already applied for a Phase II grant, focuses on continuing the research and development undertaken in Phase I with a goal of commercialization — bringing the innovation to market as the Phase II project completes. Learn more and register online.

NIFA webinar graphic.

Spinning food processing waste into ‘gold’

There is money to be made – and potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – by finding a second life for the potato peels, fried dough particles, cheese whey and other industrial food-processing waste products that routinely end up in landfills, according to new research.

The Ohio State University scientists have taken the first step at estimating the best large-scale uses for food processing waste, first analyzing its contents and, based on those findings, proposing production opportunities ranging from sustainable fuels, biogas and electricity to useful chemicals and organic fertilizer. Read more online.

Processing cheese whey, courtesy of Adobe Stock.

USDA Forest Service Accepting Grant Applications for Wood Innovations Projects, Community Wood Energy Facilities

The USDA recently announced it will offer $41 million through the 2023 Wood Innovations Grant and 2023 Community Wood Grant programs to spark innovation and create new markets for wood products and renewable wood energy. These grant programs provide opportunities for communities and businesses to develop innovative uses and markets for wood. The application deadline for both grant programs is March 23. For more information, read the USDA press release.

Aerial forest view, courtesy of Adobe Stock.

The COVID-19 pandemic strained many poultry processing plants as employees became ill. With funding from a NIFA grant, @ArkAgResearch scientists will soon begin designing robotics to help alleviate that potential strain. Learn more online.

USDA’s 1890 National Scholars Program pays college expenses for students who one; attend an 1890 Land-grant University, and second; study food, agriculture, natural resources or related sciences. The Program is available to high school seniors entering their freshman year of college and rising college sophomores and juniors. Learn more and apply online. The application deadline is March 15. For more information, contact 1890init@usda.gov.