Southern Region Land-grant Researchers Finding Feral Hog Solutions

Feral hogs are a nuisance in many areas of the United States. They are reported in 35 states with a population of approximately nine million hogs causing billions in damages each year. They eat crops, dig up trees and devour food that other animals depend on. Researchers at several southern Land-grant universities are working to find solutions to the challenges that feral hogs create.

Feral hogs run through a field.
Image courtesy of LSU AgCenter. 

NIFA Seeks 2023 Hall of Fame and Partnership Award Nominees

Inductees into the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hall of Fame have worked, coordinated or supported activities exemplifying NIFA’s excellence in any combination of research, education and Extension approaches on local, regional, national or international levels. Inductees have also demonstrated a measurable and positive impact on the lives of citizens and NIFA's mission to invest in and advance agricultural research, education and Extension to solve societal challenges. Nominations will be evaluated based on three weighted areas: measurable impact on NIFA; synergy of research, education and/or Extension; and endorsements/letters of support. Nominations must consist of a completed nomination form and up to three endorsements/letters of support. To learn more, visit the NIFA Hall of Fame Awards webpage. Nominations must be e-mailed to AdminOpsTeam.NIFA@usda.gov no later than May 14. Please include “NIFA Hall of Fame Award Nomination” in the email subject line.

NIFA also invites all Land-grant Universities, cooperating institutions and organizations supported by NIFA to submit nominations for the 2023 NIFA Partnership Awards Program. Nominations can be submitted for individuals or teams of up to 20 members. Complete details, instructions and the form are found on the NIFA Partnership Award webpage. All signed nomination forms must be submitted by May 14, via email toperformance@ars.usda.gov . Please include "NIFA Partnership Award Nomination" in the email subject line.

Winning nominations will be recognized at the NIFA Day of Appreciation.

Golden trophy award, courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Celebrating World Health Day Extension Program Efforts

On World Health Day 2023, NIFA highlighted programs that reflect this year’s theme of health for all. Learn more about Extension programs that promote physical activity, work to decrease tobacco use and provides health support to older adults.

World Health Day NIFA graphic.

Connect & Explore Webinar – Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being: Implementation and Intersections with NCCOR Partners

On April 27 from noon to 1:00 p.m. EDT, the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research (NCCOR) in partnership with the USDA, will host a free Connect & Explore webinar, “Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being: Implementation and Intersections with NCCOR Partners.” Launched in 2021, the updated framework addresses the contextual factors that impact a person’s health outcomes, including social determinants of health, policies and practices. This session will provide an overview of the framework and discuss initial strategies for implementation by academics, practitioners and decision makers. This webinar is ideal for researchers, practitioners, decision makers and students working to advance health equity and well-being.   

Panelists: 

• Suzanne Stluka, Ph.D, RDN, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA  
• Sheila Fleischhacker, Ph.D, J.D, RDN, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA  
• Roger Rennekamp, Ph.D, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Cooperative Extension 
• Kerry Gabbert, MPH, West Virginia University/Extension Foundation

NCCOR LinkedIn graphic logo.

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

• April 13—3 p.m. EDT: NIFA Stakeholder Listening Session - Research Facilities Act Program
• April 18—11 a.m. EDT: 1890 Facilities Grants Program Technical Assistance Webinar
• April 25—1 p.m. EDT: Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Program Technical Assistance Webinar
• April 25—3 p.m. EDT: AFRI Bioenergy, Natural Resources and Environment Program Area Technical Assistance Webinar
• April 26—2 p.m. EDT: AFRI Plant Health and Production and Plant Products: Plant Protection Technical Assistance Webinar
• April 26—5 p.m. EDT: New Beginning for Tribal Students RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
• May 8—11 a.m. EDT: Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
• May 9—11 a.m. EDT: Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
• May 10—11 a.m. EDT: Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
• May 11—11 a.m. EDT: Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
• May 12—11 a.m. EDT: Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop

NIFA webinar graphic.

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.

• USDA-REE Program Support Specialist—Closes April 24
• USDA-REE Program Support Specialist—Closes April 25

NIFA Career Opportunities graphic.

Soil Nutrients Affect How Attractive Plants Are To Bees From The Ground Up

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. Read more about this NIFA supported research.

Bee on cucumber flower. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

USDA Awards Innovations in Climate-Smart Agriculture, Soil Health and Nutrient Management

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA is investing $40 million this year for 31 new projects through its Conservation Innovation Grants program, one of the ways USDA brings together partners to develop innovative approaches to climate-smart agriculture. Additionally, USDA is announcing a $19 million investment in two projects focused on nutrient management funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and two new formal partnerships to further nutrient management implementation.

These investments emphasize adoption and implementation of climate-smart practices, including nutrient management, which helps producers manage nutrients and soil amendments to maximize their economic benefit while minimizing their environmental impact. Read more here.

USDA graphic symbol.

Cancer is the number one cause of death for Coos County residents, nearly double the Oregon rate. Studies demonstrate that eating fruits and vegetables could improve outcomes for cancer patients. Funded through NIFA.