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Making a Difference
 Family preparing meal. Courtesy of Adobe Stock.
NIFA's EFNEP Changing Lives
Since 1969, when the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) began, it has reached more than 34 million low-income families and youths. EFNEP is conducted by the Cooperative Extension System through Land-grant Institutions in all U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia.
Using a peer-led education model to support program participants’ efforts toward self-sufficiency and nutritional health and well-being, EFNEP remains at the forefront of nutrition education efforts to reduce nutrition insecurity of low-income families and youths today. Read more about EFNEP.
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News from NIFA
Tribal Youth Use ‘Seed Bombs’ to Heal Wildfire-Damaged Lands
In northeast Washington, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have experienced three major wildfires over the past seven years. In July of 2021, during the state’s hottest and driest year ever, the Chuweah Creek Fire burned more than 10,000 acres on the reservation, destroying homes, as well as burning more than 34,000 acres of tribal timberland. With funding provided by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program grant, Extension and tribal partners developed a citizen science project to help youth learn about wildfires and contribute to recovery. Learn more about how Native youth are helping restore their people’s land.
Students from Lake Roosevelt School get ready to disperse seed bombs on Colville Reservation Fish & Wildlife habitat, burned in the 2021 Chuweah Creek Fire. Courtesy of Linda McLean.
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Land-grant Universities Improve Local Food and Nutrition Security
Food security impacts individuals, as well as the health of entire communities. Through the creation of food pantries, community gardens, food drives, farmers markets and more, Land-grant Universities and local community initiatives collaborate to keep food on the table for many. Learn more about a number of successful efforts here.
Young children exploring a community garden. Courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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 NIFA graphic
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will host a five-day technical assistance workshop from May 8 through May 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT. This workshop will focus on accessing information about NIFA’s competitive programs, grant writing tips for success, application review process and post-award management.
Different topics will be covered each day. Participants can attend all five days, or they can choose to attend sessions featuring topics of particular interest or as their schedule permits. However, registration is required. Find workshop and registration details here.
Multiple sessions will focus on helping underrepresented institutions become more competitive in receiving and complying with NIFA funding. During the daily sessions, approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for live Q and A. Participants are encouraged to submit questions that will be posted as FAQs along with the recordings for future use.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Neerja Tyagi at Neerja.tyagi1@usda.gov.
Read More:
Impacts of NIFA-funded research and Extension programs on our Blog page.
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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 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.
NIFA webinar graphic.
Higher Education Challenge RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
NIFA staff will host a webinar for applicants interested in applying to Higher Education Challenge competitive program on March 30 at 3 p.m. EDT. The webinar will focus on the HEC Request for Applications (RFA) and general program guidelines for FY 2023. Register.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Technical Assistance RFA Q/A Session
As a follow-up to the formal Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) Technical RFA Webinar on March 8, the BFRDP Program Team will host informal Q/A sessions to answer any additional questions. Register.
- April 4: 2 - 4 p.m. EDT
- April 11: 2 - 4 p.m. EDT
FY 2023 Distance Education Grant / Resident Instruction Grants Informational Technical Assistance Webinar
On April 5 at 6:30 p.m. EDT, NIFA professionals will host a technical assistance webinar for applicants interested in applying for Resident Instruction Grants and Distance Education Grants. These NIFA-administered competitive grants programs focus on improving formal, postsecondary agricultural sciences education in the following eight insular areas: the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the Virgin Islands of the United States. Register.
Renewable Resources Extension Act–National Focus Fund Projects Technical Assistance Webinar
On April 6 at noon EDT, staff with the Renewable Resources Extension Act – National Focus Funds program will host a webinar to discuss the program’s Request for Applications and answer audience questions. Register.
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AFRI Technical Assistance Webinar Foundational Plant Sciences
Join NIFA staff on April 10 at 2 p.m. EDT for a technical assistance webinar regarding Agriculture and Food Research Initiative's (AFRI) Foundational Plant Sciences program. Register.
Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems Live FAQ Session
NIFA staff will host a webinar for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems (A1712) program on April 11 at 2:30 p.m. EDT. This program 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. Register.
Equipment Grants Program Technical Assistance Webinar
NIFA staff will host a technical assistance webinar on April 11 at 4 p.m. EDT for people interested in learning more about the Equipment Grant Program. The program seeks to strengthen the quality and expand the scope of fundamental and applied research at eligible institutions, by providing them with opportunities to acquire one major piece of equipment/instruments that support their research, training, and Extension goals and may be too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NIFA grant programs. Register.
Multicultural Scholars Program FY 2023 RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
NIFA staff for the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) will host a webinar for applicants interested in applying to MSP competitive program on April 12 at 4 p.m. EDT. The webinar will focus on the MSP Request for Applications (RFA) and general program guidelines for FY 2023. Register.
NIFA Stakeholder Listening Session - Research Facilities Act Program
On April 13 at 3 p.m. EDT, NIFA will hold a virtual, open, public listening session with remote participation only to collect stakeholder input on the implementation of a new competitive grant. The Research Facilities Act Program assists eligible institutions with the construction, modification, acquisition, modernization, refurbishment, or remodeling of their agricultural research facility to conduct research in the fields of food and agricultural sciences. NIFA is particularly interested in achieving the most impact and identifying suggested priorities in the program. Register.
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NIFA In the News
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.
NIFA Career Opportunities graphic.
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Impact of NIFA-Funded Research and Outreach
University of Minnesota Students Sequence Genome of Newly Discovered Soybean Pest
University of Minnesota students conducted crucial genome sequencing for the newly discovered soybean gall midge — a pest that is threatening the soybean crop, one of the most widely cultivated and consumed throughout the world. This small fly has been found in major soybean-producing states in the Midwest, including Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Missouri. Read more about this NIFA-supported research.
Image of soybean gall midge. Courtesy of Gloria Melotto.
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News from USDA
Laredoans Share Thoughts on Food, Health with USDA in TAMIU Listening Session
 Left to right, Sanah Baig, USDA Deputy Under Secretary REE; Dr. Rebecca Seguin-Fowler, Associate Director, Texas A&M University Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture; John Sharp, Texas A&M University System Chancellor; Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and Chief Scientist; Julie Bazan, Executive Director for the Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande Border Region; U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-28); Dr. Pablo Arenaz, President, TAMIU; and Dr. Richard Chamberlain, Health Director, City of Laredo. Image courtesy of Texas A&M International University.
A special community listening session, “Building a Healthy Community Together,” provided Laredoans with an opportunity to share their thoughts on food and health with the USDA and Texas A&M AgriLife’s Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture (IHA) at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) recently.
The session encouraged input from the Hispanic community to help ensure USDA’s science-based solutions on nutrition and diet-related chronic diseases are impactful and relevant to the communities it serves.
USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics and Chief Scientist Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young was impressed with the Laredo response and engagement.
FY2023 Equity in Conservation Outreach Notice of Funding Opportunity
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for its Equity in Conservation Outreach program. Proposals are due by e-mail at 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 27. This funding is available to both new partners and current agreement recipients.
Priorities this year include projects that: address local natural resource issues; promote potential conservation career opportunities; promote climate-smart conservation; encourage conservation in small-scale and urban agriculture; and develop conservation leadership skills and opportunities. Awards will range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $1 million.
Find more information online, including a link to the funding announcement, FAQs, and informational webinars go online. The funding announcement itself is posted to Grants.gov. Send direct questions to SM.FPAC.NRCS.DCWA2.MSOutreachandPartnership@usda.gov.
USDA/1890 Scholars Program Application Deadline Extended to April 15
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the application deadline to April 15 for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890s institutions to pursue food and agriculture career paths. Originally scheduled to close on March 15, the deadline has been extended to April 15 to allow for as wide a pool of candidates as possible. The program is administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
This is the first year that the program has used online applications, replacing paper applications with electronic forms to create a more effective and standardized application process. The additional time will help ensure that this popular program is accessible to as many applicants as possible.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between USDA and the country’s 19 historically Black Land-grant Universities that were established in 1890. USDA partners with these 1890 universities to provide scholarship recipients with full tuition, fees, books, room, and board. Scholarship recipients attend one of the 1890 Land-grant Universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or related academic disciplines. The scholarship also includes work experience at USDA.
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Facebook Post of the Week
Imagine your favorite cured meat like beef jerky, pepperoni or bacon without any added sodium nitrite from any source currently necessary for color and shelf life. Dr. Wes Osburn, associate professor in meat science in the Texas A&M University - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science is doing exactly that.
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The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is committed to ensuring that its programs and services are accessible to all individuals, including individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited English proficiency. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any NIFA event, please contact the appropriate Program staff no later than 10 days prior to the event. To find Program staff by event, please visit the NIFA Calendar of Events. NIFA Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request. If you need interpretation or translation services please visit NIFA language services or contact Lois Tuttle, Equal Opportunity Specialist, at Lois.Tuttle@usda.gov or (443) 386-9488 no later than 10 days prior to the event.
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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