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 Farmer standing in front of hay bales. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
Making a Difference
SARE Grant Programs Support Farmer-Focused Research and Education
For over 35 years, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) competitive grants program, funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), has been supporting research and education projects that bring new ideas to farms and ranches around the country.
SARE relies on local, farmer-driven leadership to guide its investments in research and education projects that improve the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. Since 1988, SARE has invested more than $389 million in research funds to empower America’s most innovative farmers, ranchers, educators, researchers, graduate students and other farm research, education and professional and community development.
SARE operates in four regions—North Central, Northeast, South and West with each regional program hosted by a Land-grant Institution. Read more to learn about success stories from each region.
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More than a Market
In 2009, six women shared a vision of providing members of the Savannah, Georgia, community an inclusive place to purchase locally grown food while addressing food access issues. After overcoming logistical challenges, the Forsyth Farmers Market established its home in the historic Forsyth Park in Savannah, providing central access for community attendees. The producer-only market features vendors who produce at least 75% of the products they sell. Over the years, the market has continued to grow by incorporating a mobile farmers market and nutrition education programs called Farm Truck 912. Read more to learn about the market.
Farm Truck 912. Image courtesy of Bella Marchena.
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NIFA Invests $7.4 Million in Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems
USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $7.4 million for 14 awards to Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Inter-Disciplinary Engagement in Animal Systems priority program area. This program supports Integrated (Research and Extension or Education) projects that focus on precision animal management, environmental synergies of animal production, and societal aspects of animal welfare.
NIFA Invests $7 Million to Study Water Quantity and Quality
USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $7 million for 16 awards to AFRI’s Water Quantity and Quality priority program area. This program supports projects to improve water science, management and technologies, water conservation and water use efficiency; promote common data exchange formats and access to data for decision-making, improve forecasting and model water related systems, and promote technology adoption and behavior change
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Research Suggests Zinc Supplementation Prior To Transport Can Benefit Cattle Welfare, Performance
Beef cattle are likely to be transported at least once during their lives and are often moved several times at different stages of production. During each transition, they may travel for hours, standing in moving, vibrating trailers. Upon arrival, their new situations and pen mates are unfamiliar. In hours and days post-transit, fatigued, stressed animals tend to eat and drink less and are more susceptible to disease.
Research underway at Iowa State University is investigating the potential of boosting zinc levels before transport as a low-cost, easy way to ease animals’ muscle fatigue during transit, improve their health and increase their long-term growth. Read more about this work supported in part by NIFA.
Facility where researchers collect blood samples and weigh cattle before and after they are transported. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Hansen/Iowa State University.
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Nominations Now Being Accepted for Morrill Lecture
Each year, NIFA joins with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) to sponsor a lecture presented at the APLU Annual Meeting. The lecture honors one of the three most important historical figures of the Land-grant University System, William Henry Hatch for research, Seaman A. Knapp for Extension, and Justin Smith Morrill for whom the Morrill Act, which created the Land-grant University System, is named.
NIFA and APLU are seeking nominations to honor Morrill. The Justin Smith Morrill Memorial Lectureship is awarded to honor outstanding contemporary leadership in teaching and significant contributions as an educator. Nominations will be accepted by August 23. Learn more about the Morrill Lecture and how to submit a nomination.
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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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