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Making a Difference
NIFA’s FRSAN Connects Farmers and Ranchers to Stress Assistance Programs
Battling unexpected weather conditions, farm equipment repairs and excessive workloads are just a few stress factors experienced by farmers and ranchers in the United States.
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Program supports community-based outreach education to improve mental health outcomes for individual and families in rural communities. Over the last several years, NIFA has invested nearly $25 million for 50 grants supporting FRSAN State Department of Agriculture projects.
The funded projects must initiate, expand or sustain programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral for other forms of assistance as necessary through farm telephone helplines and websites; training programs and workshops; support groups; and outreach services and activities. Read more about the impacts these programs are having across the nation.
Farmer in field. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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NIFA Funded Projects Help Strengthen Maui Community
May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and according to the National Interagency Fire Center, more than 56,000 wildfires burned 2.6 million acres last year, destroying more than 4,300 homes and commercial structures across the United States. This includes the catastrophic Lahaina wildfire on Maui, with nearly 100 lives lost, more than 2,100 acres burned and 2,300 residences destroyed.
Even as they face this risk, communities on Maui continue to recover from last year’s devastating fires. Through its Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events program, NIFA is supporting five projects in the region that will strengthen local community capacity, build resilience and deepen cultural connections.
Read more about these projects have the potential to reach the entire community during their recovery.
Wildfire burning at sunset. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
The American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program Is Growing Success
The American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment program (ARPTAI) ensures equitable participation in the full range of USDA programs and services among underserved farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and operators through technical assistance projects and networks.
Administered by NIFA, the program currently has two cohorts of ARPTAI cooperators. More than $100 million is supporting projects of these 34 ARPTAI cooperators. The network has reached more than 61,000 participants through a combination of face-to-face meetings, webinars, online courses and one-on-one technical assistance sessions. Read more about ARPTAI here.
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NIFA Invests Over $6 Million in Commodity Board Research Topics
NIFA has announced more than $6 million in funding for 18 projects addressing research topics identified by commodity boards. These grants are part of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. In Fiscal Year 2023, boards that submitted topics for co-funding support included the California Walnut Commission, Cotton Board, Kansas Wheat Commission, National Peanut Board, United Soybean Board and USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council.
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Researchers Uncover What Makes Some Chickens More Water Efficient Than Others
University of Arkansas researchers have shown chickens bred for water conservation continued to put on weight despite heat stress that would normally slow growth.
Their research indicates the specially bred line of chickens could save growers thousands of gallons of water and thousands of pounds of food each month without sacrificing poultry health.
The study, part of a five-year project funded by a $9.95 million grant from USDA NIFA, showed a broiler chicken’s physiology could be significantly improved to convert food and water to body weight even with three weeks of heat stress. Read more about this research that could be instrumental to produce the world’s most popular meat protein using fewer resources.
Chickens in a commercial operation. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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USDA Publishes Request for Information to Support Next Steps in Implementing the Growing Climate Solutions Act
USDA is seeking information from the public on protocols that may be considered for inclusion in a new Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, the main program of the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The input is being collected through a Request for Information and will be considered in the preparation of a proposed rule to establish the program. Read more about how to provide feedback here.
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Nomination Deadline Extended for NIFA Hall of Fame and Partner Awards
NIFA is seeking nominations for the NIFA Hall of Fame and its Partner Awards. Nomination deadline has been extended to June 10.
Read the Partner Award guidelines and find nomination forms here. Partner Award nominations forms should be emailed to performance@ars.usda.gov and include “NIFA Partnership Award Nomination” in the subject line.
Find more information about NIFA Hall of Fame background information and criteria as well as a link to the nomination form here. Nominations must be e-mailed to the Admin Operations Team at AdminOpsTeam.NIFA@usda.gov and put “Hall of Fame Nomination Submission” in the subject line.
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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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