Professor Receives USDA-NIFA Grant to Address Need for Human Nutritionists

A researcher at the University of Arkansas has been awarded a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant to help educate and train master’s degree students to fill expected job openings in diverse communities. Job opportunities for nutritionists and dietitians are expected to increase 11 percent by 2030, but the lack of diversity among healthcare practitioners has limited equitable care for some populations. Read more.

Donna L. Graham, photo courtesy of the University of Arkansas.

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

NIFA Invests $300K in Response to Extreme Weather Events Across the U.S.

NIFA has funded — through the Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems program — a Kentucky State University project related to a flooding incident. Rapid responses to extreme weather events are critical to maintaining a secure, accessible, safe, nutritious, affordable and abundant food supply. Innovative Extension and applied research efforts are needed to alleviate the impacts of extreme weather and disasters across the food and agricultural system.

Flooded road and fields, courtesy of Adobe stock.

GusNIP NTAE RFA Webinars

In March, NIFA staff for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) will host webinars for applicants interested in applying to the GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation and Information Centers (NTAE) competitive program. An evening timeframe is slated to accommodate applicants from insular areas. Registration is required.

• General Webinar: Friday, March 10, 3-4 p.m. EST - Register
• Insular Areas Webinar: Tuesday, March 21, 5-6 p.m. EDT - Register

NIFA webinar graphic.

GusNIP Produce Prescription RFA Webinar

NIFA staff for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) will host two webinars for applicants interested in applying to the GusNIP Produce Prescription Program. Two timeframes will be offered. Registration is required.

• March 13 at 3:30 p.m. EDT - Register
• March 23 at 5 p.m. EDT - Register

Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative RFA Technical Assistance Webinar

NIFA professionals will offer an Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative RFA Technical Assistance Webinar on Tuesday, March 14 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. EDT. This webinar will include a program overview of the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, details of the RFA, description of the proposal evaluation process, and a question-and-answer session.  Register.

Organic Transitions Program RFA Technical Assistance Webinar

NIFA professionals will offer an Organic Transitions Program RFA Technical Assistance Webinar on Tuesday, March 14 from 3 to 4 p.m. EDT. This webinar will include a program overview of the Organic Transitions Program, details of the RFA, description of the proposal evaluation process, and a question-and-answer session.  Register.

Live FAQ Session: Veterinary Services Grant Program

NIFA program staff will host a live FAQ session about the Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) March 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT. 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. Register.

GusNIP Nutrition Incentive RFA Webinars

In March, NIFA, Food and Nutrition Service and NTAE Center staff for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) will host webinars for applicants interested in applying to the GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program. The webinars will focus on the fiscal year 2023 GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program Request for Applications, covering general program guidelines, matching guidelines, SNAP/NAP policy, GusNIP NTAE Center’s Nutrition Incentive Hub free one-on-one support, and the required core firm-level and participant-level metrics.

• Insular Areas Webinar: Thursday, March 16, 4:30-6:30 p.m. EDT - Register

Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative Extension Disaster Education Network RFA Technical Assistance Webinar

Join NIFA staff on March 17 at 2 p.m. EDT for an RFA technical assistance Q&A webinar about the Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative Extension Disaster Education Network (FADI-EDEN) program. A pre-recorded video is available to applicants on the funding opportunity listing; applicants are highly encouraged to watch the pre-recorded video prior to this RFA technical assistance live Q&A webinar. During this RFA technical assistance live Q&A webinar, NIFA staff will briefly highlight the program and then will spend the remainder of time answering participants’ questions. Register.

WIC Workforce Development RFA Technical Assistance Q&A Session

Staff members with NIFA's Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition will host a live RFA technical assistance Q&A session regarding the WIC Workforce Development funding opportunity on Monday, March 20 at 11:30 a.m. EDT. Interested applicants can learn more about this program area priority by viewing this recorded webinar prior to the session. Staff members will respond to questions that arise from the webinar viewing during the live session.

The National WIC Workforce Strategy aims to strengthen the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce, with the goals of increasing WIC participation through reaching those populations that are eligible, but not enrolled and increasing WIC participants’ likelihood of adoption nutrition education and breastfeeding support. Register.

Veterinary Loan Repayment Program Live FAQ

NIFA staff will hold a second Live FAQ on March 28 at 4 p.m. EDT to discuss the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Request for Applications. NIFA anticipates that approximately $10 million in funding will be available in FY23 to help mitigate food animal veterinary service shortages in the United States. VMLRP helps qualified veterinarians offset a significant portion of the debt incurred in pursuit of their veterinary medical degrees in return for their service in certain high-priority veterinary shortage areas. Register.

AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems RFA Technical Assistance Webinar

On March 30 at 2 p.m. EDT, staff with the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative's (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program area will hold a webinar to acquaint prospective applicants with this year’s Request for Applications. The webinar will also include a brief overview of the AFRI SAS program and a question-and-answer session. Register. 

Study Forecasts Tile Drainage and Crop Rotation Changes for Nitrogen Loss

Midwestern agriculture contributes the vast majority of nitrogen in the Gulf of Mexico, causing an oxygen-starved hypoxic zone and challenging coastal economies. State and federal policies have tried for decades to provide solutions and incentives, but the hypoxic zone keeps coming back. A recent study from the University of Illinois offers a new way to understand Midwestern nitrogen dynamics and forecasts future nitrogen loads under various management scenarios across the region. Read more about this NIFA supported research.

Aerial view of Mississippi River, courtesy of Adobe Stock.

USDA’s NIFA supports 1890 Land-grant University students, as well their institutions, in order to develop the nation’s future science and agriculture leaders. The Meats Judging Program at Fort Valley State University is one of many examples of how an 1890 institute is cultivating the next generation of agriculturalists.