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Making a Difference
Celebrating Juneteenth and Black American Contributions to Agriculture
Juneteenth, observed on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans in 1865. This day is not just a celebration of freedom but a reminder of the resilience and contributions of Black Americans to various sectors, including agriculture.
Land-grant Universities nationwide, including historically minority-serving ones, have fostered these contributions and continue to align their work with the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) priorities to support agricultural education, research and Extension programs. Read more about both contributions made by Black Americans to agriculture and how NIFA is working to inspire future advancements and build a more equitable and innovative agricultural sector.
Celebrating Juneteenth. NIFA graphic.
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National Opportunities Abound at NextGen Spring Student Summit
This spring, NIFA hosted 111 students at USDA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. for the NextGen Spring Student Summit. Students traveled from 11 states and Puerto Rico, representing more than 20 colleges and universities including 1890 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 1994 Tribal Colleges and Hispanic-serving Institutions.
NextGen Student Summits provide opportunities for students funded through the program to come together for three days of professional development trainings, career exploration sessions, networking opportunities with leadership across the department, as well as special experiential learning opportunities to explore identity and inclusion in food, agriculture and the environment. Read more about the Summit and its impact on students.
NextGen Summit participants with Secretary Vilsack. USDA Image.
Open Data Framework Program Pre-recorded Webinar Available for Viewing
Applications are currently being accepted for the Open Data Framework program. Deadline for applications is July 18.
A pre-recorded technical assistance webinar is now available to help those interested in submitting a proposal. NIFA program staff will host a live Q&A webinar at 2 p.m. EDT on Monday, July 1.
The program will build a framework needed to create a neutral and secure data repository and cooperative where producers, universities and nonprofit entities can store and share data in ways that will foster agricultural innovation and will support technological progress, production efficiencies, and environmental stewardship.
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NIFA Invests $ 11.4 Million in Animal Nutrition and Growth Projects
NIFA has announced $ 11.4 million to 27 projects supported by the Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation program area priority within the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. The program area promotes innovative work in cellular, molecular, genomic and whole-animal aspects of nutrition, growth and lactation.
NIFA Invests $ 5.3 Million to Spur Small Business-Led Innovation
NIFA has announced $ 5.3 million to 35 projects supported through NIFA’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. These programs provide competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses to support high-quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits.
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University of Florida Study Shows How Strawberry Growers Can Use Less Pesticide to Control Destructive Chilli Thrips
Florida strawberry growers can use less pesticide and save money as they try to control a mighty pest known as chilli thrips, University of Florida (UF) research shows.
An invasive pest in the southeastern United States, chilli thrips was introduced to the United States from Southeast Asia. In the newly published study, UF researchers found chilli thrips prefer to aggregate in about a 100-meter radius outside the center of strawberry fields. That’s because in the field-border area, chilli thrips are close to adjacent woods, where they can easily live during the summer and reinfest during the next strawberry season.
Read more about how this NIFA supported research is focusing on potential damage chilli thrips can cause to Florida’s $500 million-a-year strawberry industry.
UF researcher Sriyanka Lahiri in a Gulf Coast Research and Education Center strawberry field. Image courtesy of UF/IFAS.
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WIC Workforce Webinars Available for Review
Recordings of two technical assistance webinars related to grant programs aimed at strengthening the workforce of USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children program are available now.
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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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