|
Soil Nutrients Affect How Attractive Plants Are to Bees from the Ground Up (Gettysburg Times, 4/7) Pollination is vital for many plants, and nutrients present in the soil before these plants even sprout may affect how attractive they eventually are to pollinators, according to Penn State-led research. In a study with cucumber plants, the researchers found that in general, higher amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil resulted in larger plants and floral display, including flower number and size, leading to increased attractiveness to pollinators and increased fruit production. However, they also found that regardless of nitrogen and phosphorus levels, pollinator “rewards” such as sugar content in nectar, the amount of nectar in female flowers, and protein and lipid concentrations in pollen stayed the same. This work is supported in part by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
MSU Faculty Selected for National Land-Grant Leadership Program (MSU, Meg Henderson, 4/6) Three Mississippi State University faculty are representing the university in LEAD21, a national program that develops leaders in the fields of agricultural, environmental and human sciences at Land-grant Institutions. Beth Baker, associate Extension professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; Jay McCurdy, associate professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences; and Florencia Meyer, associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, are among 90 participants in the 19th LEAD21 class selected from land-grant universities across the country. LEAD21 provides an immersive professional development program for academic leaders from the Land-grant system. Supported by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Adult Mental Health First Aid Seminar Set for April 11 (NDSU Times Record, 4/6) Addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of those working in agriculture or related areas will be the focus of an upcoming seminar sponsored by North Dakota State University Extension and FirstLink. Registration is now open for the Adult Mental Health First Aid program, scheduled for April 11 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The full-day seminar is intended to address ongoing issues of farm stress and mental health in North Dakota. Taught by trained facilitators from FirstLink, the training will provide participants with awareness and skills to support the mental and behavioral health of self, others working in agriculture and those supporting the agricultural industry. The seminar is free of charge to registered participants because of support from the North Dakota Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center project, a federally funded grant to NDSU Extension from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Analyzes Strategic Cropping System to Promote Climate Change Resiliency (Patch, 4/6) Researchers and Extension specialists at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have received a grant to study alley cropping as a viable solution to mitigate crop stress and improve the sustainability of organic vegetable production amid climate extremes in the Southeast. Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice where herbaceous annual crops are grown in wide alleys between rows of trees. Given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events induced by climate change, the buffering ability of trees will likely increase resiliency of regional vegetable production. Vegetable crops can be susceptible to stress induced by heat extremes, which can significantly reduce yields and quality. This three-year grant is funded by USDA-NIFA through Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program.
Blueberries Benefit Postmenopausal Women with High Blood Pressure: Study (NutraIngredients-USDA.com, Asia Sherman, 4/5) Daily blueberry consumption improves endothelial function in postmenopausal women with high blood pressure, according to a recent study. Hypertension occurs in 75% of postmenopausal women in the U.S. Hypertension contributes to reduced endothelial function, which is important for controlling proper blood flow, clotting and immunity. “We showed that consuming 22g/day of freeze-dried highbush blueberry powder for 12 weeks significantly improved endothelial function, but not blood pressure, in postmenopausal women with above-normal blood pressure,” wrote the team of researchers from Colorado State University. “These findings are clinically meaningful considering the prevalence of endothelial dysfunction in this population and its central role in cardiovascular disease.” The study was supported by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Revisiting Title IV of the Farm Bill – Nutrition (FB.org, Bernt Nelson, 4/5) Title IV of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill, PL 115-334) is the nutrition title. Title IV reauthorizes several nutrition and domestic food assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Thrifty Food Plan. Other programs included under Title IV include: the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Community Food Projects, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the Gus Schumacher Food Incentive Program (GusNIP). GusNIP is authorized in the 2018 farm bill and allows the agriculture secretary to provide funding opportunities to conduct and evaluate projects that provide incentives to eligible consumers to increase purchases of fruits and vegetables. GusNIP is one of the grant portfolios for USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and has provided $270 million in funding for 197 projects since it was established in 2019.
Soil Nutrients Affect the Attractiveness of Plants to Bees from the Ground Up (Tech Explorist, Vidya Nagalwade, 4/5) According to Penn State research, pollination is essential for many plants, and nutrients present in the soil before these plants sprout may influence how attractive they are to pollinators later on. Higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil resulted in larger plants and floral display in a cucumber plant study, increasing attractiveness to pollinators and fruit production. However, the researchers discovered pollinator “rewards” such as sugar content in nectar, the amount of nectar in female flowers, and protein and lipid concentrations in pollen remained constant regardless of nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Previous research has found a link between higher nitrogen and phosphorus levels in soil and faster plant growth, as well as positive effects such as flower number and size and pollen number and size. More work needs to be done to determine how these nutrients influence pollinator attraction and, ultimately, plant reproduction. Supported by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Squelches Idea that All Pollinators are Suffering at the Hands of Humans — ScienceDaily (Swift Telecast, James Odonell, 4/5) While pollinator populations of many species have plummeted worldwide, one bee species is blowing up the map with its rapid population expansion. The key to this insect’s success? Its passion for pumpkins, zucchinis, and other squashes, and the massive increase in cultivation of these crops across North America over the last 1,000 years. A new study led by Penn State found that the squash bee has evolved in response to intensifying agriculture — namely squashes in the genus Curcurbita. The research is the first to demonstrate the role of agriculture as an evolutionary force acting on a wild insect pollinator and may have implications for food security. This research was supported in part by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
How Wayne County is Working to Protect the Future of Agriculture (Delecious Food, 4/5) An ongoing initiative, Pathways to Prosperity, launched its 2023 program in early March to better protect the future of agriculture in Wayne County. Led by the Agricultural Success and Pathways to Prosperity team, over 100 people gathered at the Buckeye Agricultural Museum to learn more about a project called Wayne Onward. Project member Jessica Eckleberry said the project aims to connect different farming communities and provide solutions to the endemic problems farmers face. Farm Taste! Wayne County is part of a unique project to promote agriculture. This program is about supporting the farming community and individuals facing issues such as troublesome finances, lack of access to decent health care and problems with insurance. If successful, Eckleberry said, the program would empower small and medium-sized farms in a world of shrinking farmland. Pathways to Prosperity came to Wayne County in 2020 when it was funded by a $500,000, three-year grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Auburn University: Agricultural Funding Received for Research Grants, New Equipment (India Education Diary, 4/4) This past year, Auburn University’s College of Agriculture announced the availability of state-funded research and equipment purchase capital for fiscal year 2023. These competitively awarded grants were offered through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) research program. A total of 34 proposals were submitted across the three principal AAES programs: AgR-SEED, Production Agricultural Research (PAR) and equipment grants. Of these, 22 AgR-SEED proposals, four PAR grants and three equipment grants were selected to receive funding. The grants are administered through the AAES with USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch funding and matching state appropriations. Many of the two-year, $50,000 grants support combined research and Extension projects to address current farming problems in a timely manner through applied research.
For Gardens: Look for Co-Op Programs (Womens World, 4/3) Spring is the perfect time to plant flowers, shrubs and trees. No need to hire a landscaper to get advice if your greenery isn’t thriving or you don’t know which plants are best for your area. That’s because gardening pros are available at no cost at Cooperative Agricultural Extension offices at universities that have partnered with the USDA. Here, you’ll find free information about all aspects of gardening (including plants, soil, fertilizer, and irrigation), can ask questions and take classes to improve your green thumb. Some even offer clinics where you can get plants, soil, and water diagnosed so you can avoid disease and pests. To find a program near you, visit NIFA.USDA.gov/land-grant-colleges-and-universitiespartner-website-directory, your state, and “Extension” in the drop-down menus.
Squash Bees Flourish in Response to Agricultural Intensification (EurekAlert!, 4/3) While pollinator populations of many species have plummeted worldwide, one bee species is blowing up the map with its rapid population expansion. The key to this insect’s success? Its passion for pumpkins, zucchinis, and other squashes, and the massive increase in cultivation of these crops across North America over the last 1,000 years. A new study led by Penn State found that the squash bee (Eucera pruinosa) has evolved in response to intensifying agriculture — namely squashes in the genus Curcurbita. The study is the first to demonstrate the role of agriculture as an evolutionary force acting on a wild insect pollinator and may have implications for food security. This research was supported in part by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
The National Cover Crop Survey is Open for Farmer Insight (Successful Farming, Chelsea Dinterman, 4/3) The National Cover Crop Survey has been extended until April 6. The 10 to 15-minute survey helps gather insight from farmers who plant cover crops, as well as those that do not. Farmers of any crop are encouraged to respond. Survey results will guide cover crop research, communications, seed development, and more. This is the seventh survey conducted by the USDA-NIFA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, Conservation Technology Information Center, and the American Seed Trade Association. Interested farmers can find the survey at bit.ly/CoverCrop23. Survey answers are anonymous and those who complete the survey are eligible to enter a drawing for a $100 gift card.
Specialty Crop 'Big Data': Researchers Help Provide Easier Access (The Times and Democrat, Denise Attaway, 4/2) In the U.S., the specialty crop industry is valued at $36 billion. The competitiveness and sustainability of this industry is currently threatened by declining land availability, labor shortages, pests, diseases, increasing costs, supply shortages and climate change. To help the industry overcome these challenges and ensure an adequate food supply, two Clemson University agriculture researchers have joined colleagues on a research initiative focused on expanding existing resources by providing easier access to “big data.” Ksenija Gasic, horticulture professor and peach breeder and geneticist in the Clemson Plant and Environmental Sciences Department, and Trevor Rife, assistant professor of phenomics and crop improvement at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center, are leading the Clemson team. This research is supported by an almost $5.2 million grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Rural Partnerships Institute Call for Pre-Proposals Due April 12 (University of Wisconsin Madison, 3/31) University of Wisconsin Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences faculty and staff are invited to submit pre-proposals for funding to support research-focused projects, with an integrated outreach component, that engage existing and new local partners in the development of novel solutions to the challenges faced by rural communities and tribal nations in Wisconsin. The deadline for pre-proposals is April 12. Proposals be research driven and include an integrated outreach and community engagement plan. The creation of a Rural Partnerships Institute (RPI) is a 4-year, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded initiative.
AgriLife Extension Agents Prepare for Large Animal Rescue Missions (High Plains Journal, Blair Fannin, 3/31) Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Disaster Assessment and Recovery (DAR) agents spent two days learning more about how to safely recover, rescue horses and other large animals with techniques and strategies taught by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Emergency Services Training Institute. The AgriLife Extension training activity is an ongoing partnership with TEEX and the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Emergency team, all a part of The Texas A&M University System. The training will better equip AgriLife Extension DAR agents with the skills and techniques in assisting first responders across Texas. The training exercise completion is part of a National Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) grant, funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative (FADI).
|
