Making a Difference

National Climate Change Roadmap Released

A new resource, National Climate Change Roadmap - A Research Framework for Agriculture, Forestry and Working Lands, funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and led by researchers from Colorado State University and Meridian Institute, was released recently.   

The science roadmap includes an assessment of the state of climate adaptation research in agriculture, forestry and working lands, along with key needs and gaps. For each gap, the authors identified research questions to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture, food systems, forests and natural resources, which are aligned with seven themes. Learn more about the Climate Change Roadmap.

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News from NIFA

Secretary Vilsack Meets with NIFA and Other Agency Professionals in Kansas City

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, to meet with USDA professionals from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the Farm Production and Conservation Mission Area. NIFA leadership including Director Dr. Manjit Misra, Associate Director for Programs Dr. Dionne Toombs and Associate Director of Operations Drenda Williams were part of a key group of ERS and NIFA professionals who shared insights with the Secretary. 

Secretary Vilsack presented his vision for a Climate-Smart USDA to more than 225 people. The Secretary said that USDA and its programs are crucial to agriculture and rural economies’ growth and development.

To wrap up the visit, Dr. Misra moderated a panel discussion with Secretary Vilsack and Dr. Spiro Stefanou, administrator of the Economic Research Service. All three fielded questions from employees.

NIFA Teams Honored with USDA Nation to Nation Tribal Innovation Awards

Two NIFA teams received USDA Nation to Nation Tribal Innovation Awards recently in recognition of their work to enhance the federal nation-to-nation relationship with Tribal governments. Presented by the USDA Office of Tribal Relations, the awards recognize staff who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to elevating tribal interests through agency policies, programs, outreach and related activities.

NIFA’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) received the 2023 Tribal Innovation Award on Removal of Barriers, and NIFA’s Tribal Programs received the 2023 Tribal Innovation Award for Extraordinary Tribal Engagement. Read more about their work.

Cover Crops’ Value Affirmed in Recent Survey

Cover crops can increase soil organic matter and fertility, reduce erosion, improve soil structure, promote water infiltration, and limit pest and disease outbreaks. Many farmers receive incentive payments from USDA to plant cover crops, but a new national cover crop survey report challenges assumptions on the role of incentive payments in cover crop adoption. Learn more about the Cover Crop Survey developed by the NIFA-supported Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program and its partners, the Conservation Technology Information Center and the American Seed Trade Association.

• December 19, 12 p.m. EST: Extension Risk Management Education RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
• December 19, 1 p.m. EST: FY 2024 RFA Crop Protection and Pest Management Program Technical Assistance Webinar
• December 19, 3 p.m. EST: FY 2024 Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants Program RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
• December 21, 12:30 p.m. EST: Technical Assistance Webinar: Methyl Bromide Transition Program RFA
• January 4, 2 p.m. EST: Technical Assistance Webinar: Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program
• January 8, 1:30 p.m. EST: Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
• January 8, 3 p.m. EST: Organic Transitions Program RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
• January 8, 3 p.m. EST: Technical Assistance Webinar: Children, Youth and Families At Risk Sustainable Community Projects RFA
• January 8, 6 p.m. EST: Technical Assistance Webinar: GusNIP Produce Prescription 2024 RFA (for Insular Areas)
• January 10, 2 p.m. EST: GusNIP Produce Prescription 2024 RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
• January 11, 5 p.m. EST: Technical Assistance Webinar: Children, Youth and Families At Risk Sustainable Community Projects RFA
• January 16, 2 p.m. EST: SBIR/STTR FY24 Phase II RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
• January 16, 5 p.m. EST: Technical Assistance Webinar: Competitive Grants for Insular Areas
• January 17, 3 p.m. EST: Alaska Native-serving and Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants program RFA Technical Assistance Webinar
• January 18, 12 p. EST: Technical Assistance Webinar: Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program
• January 24, 11 a.m. EST: Stakeholder Listening Session: Administration of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and Veterinary Services Grant Program
• January 30, 12 p.m. EST: Grant Applicant/Awardee Networking Sessions (GAANS)
• March 13, 2 p.m. EDT: Lessons Learned from Teams Using Transdisciplinary Approaches Webinar

Impact of NIFA-Funded Research and Outreach

Contaminants in Cannabis and Hemp Flowers Create Potential for Health Risks

Cannabis use, even for medicinal purposes, could make some people sick due to harmful fungi that contaminate the plants.

That is the finding of a recently published peer-reviewed journal article, whose authors recommend further study and consideration of changes to regulations to protect consumers, especially those who are immunocompromised. With funding support from NIFA, researchers from University of Tennessee, Arizona State University and Canada’s Simon Fraser University examined data, previous studies, and U.S. and international regulations related to the cannabis and hemp industry. Learn more about their findings.

News from USDA

USDA Announces Fellowship Applications to Reach Hispanic-serving Institutions

USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement is accepting applications for the 2024 USDA E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program. These fellowships introduce faculty and staff from Hispanic-serving Institutions and Hispanic-serving school districts to USDA’s many resources available to them.

The Fellowship Program offers faculty and staff the opportunity to work collaboratively with USDA to gain insight and understanding of the federal government. Fellows receive access to long-term collaboration opportunities with USDA agencies, and then share what they have learned with students and colleagues at their home institutions and in their communities.

Education Fellowships are for faculty and staff at Hispanic-serving Institutions. High School Fellowships are for secondary education superintendents, principals, agricultural and/or district-level teachers working at Hispanic-serving school districts. Participants will attend a one-week program in Washington, D.C. in July 2024. Learn more about the program and how to apply.

Facebook Post of the Week

A new resource, National Climate Change Roadmap - A Research Framework for Agriculture, Forestry and Working Lands, funded by NIFA and led by researchers from Colorado State University and Meridian Institute, was released recently.

The science roadmap includes an assessment of the state of climate adaptation research in agriculture, forestry and working lands, along with key needs and gaps. For each gap, the authors identified research questions to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture, food systems, forests and natural resources, which are aligned with seven themes.

 https://www.nifa.usda.gov/.../usda-announces-national...