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Making A Difference
 Farmer and child in a field. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Understanding and Addressing the Stress Faced by the Nation’s Farmers and Ranchers
For the nation’s farming communities, stress-related impacts to mental health stand as a significant and growing concern. As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, NIFA is recognizing the work of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Program and how they are addressing important needs within farm communities. Learn more about some FRSAN projects here.
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NIFA from NIFA
 NIFA professionals presenting at NERAOC.
NIFA Hitting the High Notes at 2023 National Extension and Research Administrative Officers Conference
A NIFA delegation attended this year’s NERAOC Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. NIFA delivered on the conference theme, “Hitting the High Notes,” with a variety of workshops and sessions for these crucial units in the Land-grant University System, as well as one-on-one networking.
Left to right: Venu “Kal” Kalavacharla, Drenda Williams, Matthew Faulkner, Deb Hamernik and
Brent Elrod. Photos by Ryan Kornegay, NIFA Biological Science Program Specialist.
Read More:
Impacts of NIFA-funded research and Extension programs on our Blog page.
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Award Announcements
NIFA Announces More Than $9.6 Million Investment in Animal Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics Projects
NIFA will invest more than $9.6 million in 17 projects addressing issues in animal breeding, genetics and genomics. The agency’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), Animal Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics program supports research on development of novel quantitative genetic methods, development of national and regional breeding strategies, development of new phenotypes for improving selection criteria and/or development of high-throughput methods for on-farm recording of traits and development of alternatives to control inbreeding.
Awardees: Gordon Research Conferences, Inc.; North Carolina State University; Oklahoma State University; Pennsylvania State University; Texas A&M University, College Station; University of California, Davis; University of Maryland; University of Minnesota; University of Missouri; University of Wisconsin; USDA Agricultural Research Service; and Washington State University.
Colorado State Tapped to Lead Development of NIFA’s National Climate Change Roadmap for Universities
NIFA is investing $300,000 in a Colorado State University (CSU) project that will use a “horizon scan” method to identify the critical research, Extension, education and engagement activities that will be necessary to address the key climate change issues in agriculture for nationally funded science programs over the next 10 years. Read the CSU story for more.
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NIFA webinar graphic.
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Impact of NIFA-Funded Research and Outreach
Clemson Researcher Studies Climate-resilient Rice Production
A Clemson researcher is conducting studies on salt-tolerant rice lines at the Coastal Research and Education Center to determine how using climate-smart technologies and practices can enhance rice production. Read more here.
Rice and stalks. Courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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News from USDA
USDA Seeks Members for Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
USDA is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Nominations will be open to public from May 15 to July 15, 2023. The 12-member Committee, which first convened in March 2022, is part of USDA’s efforts to increase support for urban agriculture and innovative production. Read more here.
USDA graphic symbol.
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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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