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Making a Difference
NIFA Communications Training with Hopi Community
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funds a number of programs that promote learning, opportunities and health in Tribal communities. The agency continues to look for ways to expand its support of Tribal communities. As part of this effort, NIFA’s Communications team has developed a communications and photography project to support NIFA’s Tribal partners.
In August, NIFA Communications professionals traveled to northern Arizona to deliver a pilot training to the Hopi community. Learn more about the three-day visit.
Hopi Tribe Cooperative Extension and 4-H Hopi Healthy Living program youth working on photography in a corn field. Image courtesy of Edwin Remsberg.
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News From NIFA
Henney to Deliver 2023 Seaman Knapp Memorial Lecture
NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra has announced Dr. Caroline Henney will deliver the 2023 Seaman Knapp Memorial Lecture on November 12 in Seattle, Washington, at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) annual meeting.
The lecture is one of three rotating lectures presented by NIFA and APLU that honor three historic Land-grant University figures: Justin Smith Morrill, William Henry Hatch and Seaman A. Knapp. This year's lecture commemorates the vision of Seaman Knapp, the father of Cooperative Extension.
Henney focused her career on creating and facilitating a unified theme for exceptional Cooperative Extension programs that advance the health of people, communities and agriculture. Read more about Henney and the Knapp Lecture.
Dr. Caroline Henney. Image provided.
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Misra Speaks at Tuskegee University Ag Workers Conference
NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra gave the keynote address recently at the 81st Annual Professional Ag Workers Conference in Montgomery, Alabama. Misra also visited the Tuskegee University (TU) campus where he toured the Artificial Intelligence for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management, and Sustainability Institute, which is funded by NIFA, and he met with TU President Dr. Charlotte Morris.
NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra and Tuskegee University President Dr. Charlotte Morris. NIFA image.
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Toombs Speaks at Arkansas Agri-Innovation Summit
NIFA Associate Director for Programs Dr. Dionne Toombs spoke recently at the inaugural Agri-Food Innovation Summit hosted in part by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The Summit brought together national and state leaders in agriculture and food innovation and entrepreneurship to spotlight the federal funding opportunities that can drive industry transformation.
Dr. Dionne Toombs, NIFA Associate Director for Programs. NIFA Image.
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Award Announcements
NIFA Invests $4.7 Million for Scientific Equipment and Instruments
NIFA has invested more than $4.7 million to allow 16 projects to purchase scientific equipment and instruments through the Equipment Grants Program (EGP). EGP increases access to shared special purpose equipment/instruments for scientific research for use in the food and agricultural sciences programs in our nation's institutions of higher education, including State Cooperative Extension Services.
NIFA Invests Nearly $2 Million in Support to Food and Ag Service Learning Programs
NIFA has awarded almost $2 million to support nine projects through its Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP). FASLP’s goal is to advance the knowledge of agricultural science and improve the nutritional health of children.
NIFA Invests About $2 Million to Support Rural Women and Minorities in STEM
NIFA has invested about $2 million in 10 projects that will support STEM education efforts. Specifically, this program supports integrated education/teaching and Extension/outreach projects that increase STEM participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas.
NIFA Supporting Teachers and Schools Dedicated to Agri-Science
NIFA has awarded nearly $1 million to 11 projects that will provide important support to teachers. The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program enhances agriculture-based education at primary and secondary schools as well as at junior colleges.
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New: NIFA Funding Opportunities for Climate Change Research
Climate change projects are funded through many programs across NIFA ‘s 70+ program portfolio — not just those housed in the Division of Global Climate Change. Join us at 3 p.m. Eastern on November 30 to learn about those “unusual suspects” programs that contribute to the formidable work we’re funding in climate change resilience, adaptation and mitigation.
In this webinar, program leaders from across NIFA will provide quick descriptions about their programs and showcase successful climate change-focused proposals in research, education and Extension. Time will be reserved for Q&A. Register online.
New: Tribal Colleges Extension Program - Special Emphasis Listening Session
Join NIFA for a listening session to gain feedback on the upcoming Tribal Colleges Extension Program Fiscal Year 2024 Request for Applications on Wednesday, December 6, at 3:30 p.m. EST. Register online.
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Impact of NIFA-Funded Research and Outreach
What Makes a Carrot Orange?
Research at North Carolina State University (NCSU) is unlocking the answer to the question of what makes a carrot orange. A NCSU study of the genetic blueprints of more than 600 types of carrot shows that three specific genes are required to give carrots an orange color. Surprisingly, these three required genes all need to be recessive, or turned off. Learn more about the NIFA supported research and how it sheds light on the traits important to carrot improvement efforts and could lead to better health benefits from the vegetable.
Massimo Iorizzo examines orange carrots to learn more about their pigmentation and domestication. Photo courtesy of North Carolina State University.
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News from USDA
Cultivating Future Leaders in Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is sowing the seeds of tomorrow through the Future Leaders in Agriculture Program, a joint effort with its Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. Founded in 2007, the program introduces students from Land-grant Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving Institutions, and Non-Land-grant Colleges of Agriculture to the work of USDA and its partner organizations.
Aimed at undergraduates and graduate students majoring in agriculture-related subjects, including business, economics, communications, nutrition, food science and pre-veterinary studies, the program seeks students who exhibit leadership at their university and/or in their community.
Program winners travel to Washington, D.C., in February to tour the nation’s capital and attend USDA’s premier annual event, the Agricultural Outlook Forum. They also participate in a USDA briefing and discuss career development with leaders in USDA.
Learn more on how to apply. For questions, email futureleaders@usda.gov
New Four-Year Tuition Coverage for Tribal Scholars Program
The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program provides full tuition, fees, books, a housing stipend, and paid workforce training to any interested and eligible student pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines at a Tribal College or University (TCU). Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors, full-time students currently enrolled at a 1994 land-grant tribal college or university, or recent TCU associate degree graduates.
For FY 2024, 27 scholarship slots are available from: USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Farm Service Agency, Farm Production and Conservation, Forest Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. The application deadline is December 1. Visit the USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program or email 1994@usda.gov for more information.
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Linked In Post of the Week
NIFA continues to invest in projects that will increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and support a growing workforce in rural areas. Through its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, NIFA investments are building a pipeline of well-trained meat processing workers. Oregon State University is leading a multistate program to help solve workforce challenges in the Pacific Northwest. https://lnkd.in/dwFWJ5Dm
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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 X (formerly 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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