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From the Director
NIFA Stakeholders and Friends,
It’s my honor to share the announcement of Dr. Manjit Misra as the Director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, effective May 8, 2023. We are thrilled to have a leader and scientist of his caliber leading NIFA.
Thank you for your support during my time as Acting Director. I truly enjoyed meeting with you and seeing firsthand the tremendous impact you make with NIFA investments. I look forward to continuing to support you in my new role as NIFA’s Associate Director for Programs. We are so fortunate to have such a strong base of stakeholders who so wholeheartedly believe in the work and partnership we share.
Please take a moment to learn more about Dr. Misra in the USDA Announcement.
Dr. Dionne Toombs
Acting Director, NIFA
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Making A Difference
Award-winning Film Highlights Rutgers Efforts to Protect Basil from Blight
When a devastating disease wiped out New Jersey farmers' basil fields, growers turned to Rutgers University scientists for help. Thanks to a new film, “Fields of Devotion,” the public can learn about the partnership between local farmers and Rutgers University scientists to battle the disease and develop new disease-resistant cultivars. The film represents an innovative way to communicate science to the public. Read more about how Rutgers scientists addressed the disease challenge and the film.
Pioneering work on disease-resistant basil led by Rutgers University's Distinguished Professor James Simon is featured in a new film. Courtesy of Rutgers University.
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News from NIFA
National 4-H Conference Celebrates the Future’s Best
Nearly 300 of the nation’s best and brightest young people were in Washington, D.C., recently to attend the 2023 National 4-H Conference, hosted by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). With the theme of “From Youth Success to the Future’s Best,” 4-H delegates in attendance represented 43 states, two U.S. territories and 57 Land-grant Universities. Read more about the Secretary’s Conference.
USDA Acting Deputy Secretary Kevin Shea speaks with delegates at National 4-H Conference. USDA photo.
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Award Announcement
USDA Invests Over $6 Million in Foundational Knowledge of Ag Production Systems Grants
NIFA announced today an investment of more than $6 million in Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural Production Systems grants. This program supports plant research to advance knowledge for the wide range of agricultural production systems from conventional open fields to protected built environments. Read more about these grant awards.
Awardees: Iowa State University; Michigan State University; Oregon State University; University of Illinois; University of Minnesota; University of Tennessee; Utah State University and West Texas A&M University.
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NIFA Grants Writing Technical Assistance Workshop graphic.
For more information or to register, go online. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Neerja Tyagi at Neerja.tyagi1@usda.gov.
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Impact of NIFA-Funded Research and Outreach
Opening Farms to Visitors Boosts Nearby Farms’ Direct Sales and Vice Versa
Farmers use many marketing strategies to diversify their incomes and stay in business. New research done at Penn State University suggests that two of these strategies — agritourism and direct farm sales — complement one another when they occur within the same community. Learn more how this NIFA supported work help farmers plan strategically for farm resilience and growth.
Basket of fresh strawberries. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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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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