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 4-H Conference participant speaking at a Youth Perspective Briefing. NIFA image.
Making a Difference
Voices Carry: National 4-H Conference Provides Youth Voice on National Issues
Each year, hundreds of 4-H members travel to Washington, D.C., from across the U.S. and its territories to take part in National 4-H Conference – a nearly weeklong celebration of all things 4-H. While opportunities for networking, sightseeing and fun pepper the agenda, attendees know they are in the nation’s capital to work – and that is what they do. The 4-H members are placed into groups and spend the bulk of their time in D.C. preparing a Youth Perspective Briefing. The presentations are developed in response to a challenge question submitted by a federal agency about a topic for which that agency is seeking youth input. Read more about two 4-H club members’ experiences sharing both their research and personal reflections on a question posed by the Department of Justice.
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Better Berries, Cold-Tolerant Sugarcane, Precision Breeding Is Making It Possible
With support of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Land-grant Universities across the nation are maximizing plants’ positive genetic traits through targeted plant breeding efforts. In the Southern region, precision breeding efforts at Land-grant Universities are leading to crop varieties that can better withstand diseases and pests, have better yields and quality, and a host of other characteristics that help farmers face fewer issues in the field and at harvest time. Read more about the work being done at the University of Arkansas, University of Florida and LSU AgCenter.
LSU AgCenter sugarcane breeder Collins Kimbeng stands amidst potential new sugarcane varieties. Photo by Kyle Peveto/LSU AgCenter.
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Breaking The “Grass” Ceiling: From the Winter Strawberry Capital to Our Nation’s Capital
NIFA Associate Director Dr. Dionne Toombs was profiled recently in the FarmHer blog. The blog highlights her career journey and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of agricultural scientists and leaders. Read the complete profile.
NIFA Associate Director Dr. Dionne Toombs. Image courtesy of USDA.
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NIFA Invests $1.8 Million in Methyl Bromide Transition Program
USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $1.8 million for three awards as part of the Methyl Bromide Transition Program. This program addresses the immediate needs and the costs of transition that have resulted from the phase-out of the pesticide methyl bromide. This program supports the discovery and implementation of practical pest management alternatives for commodities and uses affected by the methyl bromide phase-out. The MBT program seeks to solve pest problems in key agricultural production and post-harvest management systems, processing facilities, and transport systems for which methyl bromide has been withdrawn or withdrawal is imminent.
NIFA Invests $2.6 Million to Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food Chain
USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $2.6 million for five awards through the Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food Chain program area priority within NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. The program is a systems-based integrated program that empowers interdisciplinary teams to develop, refine, and disseminate science-based knowledge about food and agricultural management and production practices that can mitigate or reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance along the food chain.
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University of California, Davis Examines How Early Harvest, Storage Affect Tomatoes
Growers often harvest tomatoes before they ripen in hopes of extending shelf life and avoiding crop loss. Additionally, storing tomatoes below certain temperatures also hurts quality and shelf life.
New research published recently by the University of California, Davis, examined changes in tomatoes at the molecular level to better understand what happens during postharvest handling and cold storage.
UC Davis researcher Dr. Diane M. Beckles says the findings are a first step toward establishing optimal tomato handling and storage guidelines and could reduce food loss and waste. Read more about this NIFA supported research.
A tomato growing at the UC Davis Student Farm. Image courtesy of Jael Mackendorf/UC Davis.
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AFRI Animal Systems Technical Assistance Webinar Recording Now Available
The Agriculture Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is the flagship funding program for NIFA. In this recorded webinar, you will learn more about the Animal Systems Division programs within the AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Request For Applications (RFA). Information covered includes RFA due dates, program priorities, eligibility and application details.
NIFA Hosts 1890 CBG Technical Assistance Webinar
NIFA recently hosted a technical assistance webinar for the 1890 Capacity Building Grants (CGB) Program’s current request for applications (RFA). The 1890 CBG RFA was released on June 6 and will close on August 6 at 5 p.m. Eastern. The webinar discusses RFA details and changes made to the program this fiscal year.
The 1890 CBG Program is intended to strengthen teaching, research and Extension programs in the food and agricultural sciences by building the institutional capacities of the 1890 Land-grant Universities, including Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University and Central State University (per Section 7129 of Pub. L. 113-79). Recording available to view on the NIFA website.
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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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