|
Making a Difference
USDA Launches Initiative to Enhance Competitiveness of the U.S. Specialty Crops Industry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced recently a new effort to expand support for the U.S. specialty crops sector and increase the competitiveness of its products.
As part of the initiative, USDA announced it is investing $70.2 million in the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to support 21 research and Extension projects that address key challenges of national, regional and multistate importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems.
The grant program, administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), prioritizes projects that improve crop characteristics; manages threats from pests and diseases; improves production efficiency, profitability and technological innovation; and mitigates food safety hazards.
Learn more about the USDA initiative and the 21 projects funded by NIFA.
Sacks of seeds. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
|
|
|
Message from the Director
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and I think for many of us it offers a time for reflection and gratitude. As I look back on my seven months as Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, I am honored to work with a team of talented colleagues who are dedicated to and enthusiastic about NIFA’s mission of supporting agricultural research, education and Extension to solve challenges facing our nation and world.
It is an exciting time at NIFA – a time of growth, change and renewed focus. Our aim is to always lead federal efforts to advance agriculture-related science and associated research.
While like you I have many things to be thankful for, I want to share some that are NIFA focused. I am thankful for:
- the opportunity to serve everyone who calls the United States home;
- our commitment to innovative programs that feed people and fuel progress toward advancing agricultural sciences;
- the entire NIFA team who are delivering outstanding NIFA programs and service;
- increased resources allowing us to develop new programs as well as expand existing ones;
- and NIFA partners who support us as we work to provide programs to improve lives.
I also want to express NIFA’s thanks to all of our partners for your work making life better across the nation through your innovation, dedication and hard work.
I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving holiday. And as you enjoy your Thanksgiving feast with family and friends, take a moment to remember our collective work and investments help put that meal on the table not only for ourselves but for people across the nation especially women, children and those who are underserved.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Manjit Misra
Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
There will be no NIFA Update for November 22. NIFA Update will return on November 29.
|
|
|
News from NIFA
Mississippi State University Film Ignites Farm Stress Conversation
Stress-related mental health issues present a very real risk among the nation’s farming and ranching families. The challenges of the industry are often amplified by the economy and multiple factors that producers have no control over.
According to the National Rural Health Association, farm owners, managers and workers have the highest rates of death due to stress-related diseases. The profession also has the fourth highest rate of suicide of any profession in the U.S. Supported by funding from NIFA, Mississippi State University (MSU) has produced a film illustrating the stress associated with farming through the personal stories of four farmers.
Read more about this project.
MSU film being screened at USDA Headquarters. Image courtesy of MSU.
|
|
|
Award Announcements
NIFA Invests Over $52 Million to Improve Dietary Health and Reduce Food Insecurity
NIFA announced recently an investment of more than $52 million to improve dietary health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for eligible families. The funds support efforts across three NIFA competitive grant programs that make up the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP).
GusNIP’s three grant programs include Nutrition Incentive, Produce Prescription and the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation and Information (NTAE) Center. By bringing together stakeholders from various parts of the food and health care systems, GusNIP projects help foster understanding to improve the health and nutritional status of participating households, facilitate growth in underrepresented communities and geographies and aggregate data to identify and improve best practices on a broad scale. Read more about these funded projects.
NIFA Invests Nearly $28M for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
NIFA has announced an investment of $27.9 million across 45 projects through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). BFRDP projects teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers, including programs for U.S. veterans who are entering into agricultural careers and starting new farming businesses. These projects will provide new producers with the support they need to succeed and the educational resources to guide their operations on a path toward long-term sustainability and profitability.
NIFA Invests About $2 Million in Research Facilities Act Program
NIFA has announced a nearly $2 million investment in 7 projects as part of the Research Facilities Act Program. The program is designed to assist in the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of an agricultural research facility to enhance the institution’s long-term impact on food and agricultural research.
|
|
Impact of NIFA-Funded Research and Outreach
California Dairy Farmers Generate Renewable Energy from Waste
California ranks number one in the nation for dairy production mostly concentrated in the San Joaquin Valley. A major dairy waste is cow manure, a byproduct that can require millions of dollars for each dairy to manage.
Pramod Pandey, University of California Cooperative Extension specialist, has been studying dairy digesters for over 20 years to understand the conversion of manure into renewable energy. He also is trying to determine the effects of anaerobic processes on dairy manure quality, biogas production and the environment.
About 40 cubic feet of biogas is produced from the manure of one cow under anaerobic conditions, and this biogas has a potential to produce around 24,000 btu per cow. In California, a 1,000-square foot home uses 45,000 to 55.000 btu per day for heating and cooling. That means manure from two or three cows could meet the daily energy demand of a small home. Learn more about Prandey’s work.
|
|
|
News from USDA
Important Information on Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Coverage
In an effort to prevent Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) participants from losing health coverage as a result of the end of the Federal Public Health Emergency. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona recently released a letter to higher education institution leaders with important information to help connect eligible students and their families with available, affordable health coverage options via Medicaid, CHIP or the Affordable Care Act. To learn more, visit the following websites:
USDA Announces New Resources to Empower Native American Young People
USDA is offering new resources to inspire Native American youths to explore Indigenous foodways and knowledge and to highlight career paths at USDA and beyond. These efforts are part of USDA’s commitment to empowering tribal self-determination and bringing Indigenous perspectives into agriculture, food and nutrition.
“USDA is reimagining how we support Indigenous agriculture and tribal communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This includes reaching out to the next generation with educational opportunities both formal and informal.”
Learn more about these new resources.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
