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Making A Difference
 Hands holding corn seedling. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Science and Engineering for a Biobased Industry and Economy
Petroleum and other nonrenewable fossil fuels are commonly used for fuels, energy, plastics, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other materials we use daily. But many of these products can be made using plant compounds, oils and fiber. Dedicated feedstock crops are an important source of biomass and bioproducts. They can also be derived from food and agricultural wastes like corn stalks, wood chips, and nut and soybean hulls.
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Multistate Research Fund (MRF) supports projects that are developing ways to recycle agricultural waste and create valuable bioproducts. Learn more about some of the MRF projects and their successes.
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Award Announcements
NIFA Invests in Meat and Poultry Agriculture Workforce Training to Improve the Food Supply
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing seven awards totaling $4.5 million to community and technical colleges in seven states through its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Meat and Poultry Processing–Agricultural Workforce Training (AWT) program. These investments will build a pipeline of well-trained meat processing workers and support safe workplaces with fair wages for workers. Read the full story.
Awardees: University of Arizona; Northwest Arkansas Community College; University of Nebraska; University of Nevada—Reno; Oklahoma State University; Oregon State University; and Texas A&M University—Kingsville.
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NIFA webinar graphic.
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Impact of NIFA-Funded Research and Outreach
Label Date, Not Phrasing, Drives Consumer Decisions to Toss Food
Up to half of consumers may decide to pour perfectly good milk down the drain based solely on their glance at the date label on the carton, a new study suggests.
Ohio State University researchers using eye-tracking technology found that 50% of study participants declared their intent to throw away milk based on the date stamped on the container – without ever even looking at the label phrasing in front of the date. Read more about this NIFA-supported research.
Consumer checking expiration date on milk. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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USDA News
USDA Solicits Nominations to the Tribal Advisory Committee
USDA has announced it will establish a Tribal Advisory Committee and is requesting nominations for membership. The notice is among USDA’s efforts to remove barriers to service for tribal governments, citizens, and tribal nations.
USDA encourages nominations from federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, tribal organizations that are arms and instrumentalities of tribes or democratically elected by their community, or national or regional organizations with expertise in tribal food and agriculture issues.
The nomination period for membership to serve on this advisory committee will be open through August 14, 2023. Specific information and nomination instructions are available in the Federal Register.
Read more.
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LinkedIn Post of the Week
On July 2, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed one of the most important pieces of federal legislation in the history of American higher education and an “enduring legacy of his presidency” – the Morrill Land-grant College Act. https://lnkd.in/gF_vu6_r
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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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