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Editor: Maggie Lawrence February 8, 2023
  Turf grass field image, courtesy of Oklahoma State University.
OSU Going to Super Bowl LVII with Support from NIFA
Oklahoma State University’s Tahoma 31 has become a staple, not only for lawns such as the U.S. Capitol Lawn in Washington, D.C., but also at major sports venues around the world, from Dodger Stadium and Churchill Downs to the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs football stadiums. Now add Super Bowl LVII to that list. When the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles take the field Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, they will be on familiar turf. Exactly one million pounds of Tahoma 31 was grown for the Super Bowl. The turfgrass variety was developed by OSU researchers with support from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
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February marks Black History Month, a time when our nation celebrates the generations of African Americans whose courage, advocacy and patriotism have enriched our communities and strengthened our country. The nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and, in particular, the 1890 Land-grant Universities have been the career gateway for many African American scientists, researchers and professors.
I am a product of an 1890 Land-grant University, having obtained my master’s degree in food science from Alabama A&M University. Since I returned to NIFA, I have had the enormous pleasure of seeing firsthand the impact of 1890 research and Extension programs. The strides that our 1890 Land-grant University partners are making in the classroom, the laboratory and our communities is truly positioning us for success and preparing the next generation of agriculturalists.
This month’s NIFA Update will share some of the research impacts being made at 1890 LGUs, student successes as well as introducing you to several African American Cooperative Extension pioneers. I hope that you will find these stories both uplifting and inspiring.
Dionne Toombs
Acting NIFA Director
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Virtual Stakeholder Listening Session: Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will hold a listening session about a funding opportunity in integrated poultry research, 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 applicants 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 three minutes. Please register in advance to attend this virtual listening session.
Laying hens, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
More ICYMI:
Methyl Bromide Transition RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
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NIFA Programs Supporting 1890 Institutions, Their Faculty and Students
NIFA is committed to providing the broadest support possible to the 1890 Land-grant Colleges and Universities, their faculty and their students. In Fiscal Year 2022, NIFA oversaw $212.5 million in competitive and capacity grants awarded to its 1890 Land-grant University partners. This funding included $26 million in capacity building grants, $20 million in student scholarships, and $10 million to fund 1890 Centers of Excellence.
Female student studying, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Researchers Helping Protect Crops from Pests
Between 20% to 40% of global crop production is lost to pests annually. Each year, plant diseases cost the global economy around $220 billion, and invasive insects around $70 billion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. With support from NIFA, Land-grant University researchers are addressing high-priority issues related to pests including insects, nematodes, pathogens and weeds, and their management using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches at the state, regional and national levels.
The newly invasive cereal grass aphid. Courtesy of University of Idaho.
Read More:
Impacts of NIFA-funded research and Extension programs on our Blog page.
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NIFA Invests $846K for Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across the Food and Agricultural Systems
NIFA has awarded three grants totaling $846,000 as part of its Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems program. Rapid responses to extreme weather events are critical to maintaining a secure, accessible, safe, nutritious, affordable and abundant food supply. The awardees are Montana State University and University of Florida (two awards).
Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program FY23 RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
NIFA Hispanic-Serving Institutions program staff will present a webinar February 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. EST describing the FY 2023 Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program Request for Applications. This competitive grant program is intended to promote and strengthen the ability of HSIs to carry out higher education programs in food and agricultural sciences and train students to enhance the nation’s food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce.
NIFA webinar graphic.
Alaska Native-serving and Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions (ANNH) Education Grants Program FY23 RFA Release Technical Assistance Webinar
NIFA Alaska Native-serving and Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions (ANNH) program staff present a webinar February 15 from 4:30 to 5:30 EST describing the FY 2023 ANNH Education Grants Program Request for Applications. The purpose of this program is to promote and strengthen the ability of ANNH Institutions to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs in food and agricultural sciences-related disciplines. Priority will be given to those projects that enhance educational equity for underrepresented students; strengthen institutional educational capacities; prepare students for careers related to the food, agricultural, and natural resource systems of the United States; and maximize the development and use of resources to improve food and agricultural sciences teaching programs.
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 and Small Business Technology Transfer 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.
Live FAQ Session: Veterinary Services Grant Program
NIFA program staff will host a live FAQ session about the Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) February 22 from 3 to 4 p.m. EST. The goals of the VSGP are to support food animal veterinary medicine through EET funds for accredited schools and organizations and through RPE funds for veterinary clinics that provide services in veterinary shortage situation areas. This program is designed to support education and Extension activities that will enable veterinarians, veterinary students, and veterinary technicians gain specialized food animal skills and practices.
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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, D.C. from May 8-10.
Learn more about AIM for Climate and the AI and Machine Learning Grand Challenge by watching this video. Email 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.
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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 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.
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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.
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University of Delaware Research Plays Prominent Role in Shaping Future of Agriculture
Whatever terms they prefer — farmers, growers, ranchers or producers — the individuals who operate within the many disciplines of Delaware agriculture relish their role as early adopters of innovative ideas and practices. The University of Delaware plays a critical role in encouraging that innovation.
University of Delaware Extension specialist Gordon Johnson reviews research on watermelons, including his signature research on the causes of hollow hearts in watermelons. Courtesy of University of Delaware.
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Meet Roxann Martinez.
Roxann serves as an administrative operations specialist in NIFA's Office of the Director.
“I have an interest in learning about the mission of a different agency of the USDA and wanted to contribute the knowledge gained with Natural Resources Conservation Service to assist NIFA in accomplishing the agency’s mission. I was also interested in the fact that NIFA supports research and education to individuals who want to further their own knowledge of food and agriculture.” – Roxann.
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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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