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Making a Difference
Empowering Lives: AgrAbility and Farm Boot Camp Programs Amplify Support for Farmers and Veterans
Living with chronic disease is a constant and often unseen struggle for many. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, liver disease and bipolar disorder can bring on debilitating symptoms like fatigue, sleeplessness, anxiety and frustration. Managing these challenges daily can be an overwhelming and isolating experience.
To help address those challenges, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture supports programs across the country making it possible for individuals with disabilities to work in agriculture. Read more about how AgrAbility programs at the University of Georgia and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are opening doors for new farmers.
Read more about the work being done to empower farmers in Georga and Illinois.
Farmer working in greenhouse. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Dr. Toombs Delivers Keynote Address
At the 2024 Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture Summit held in Washington, D.C., Dr. Dionne Toombs, NIFA's associate director for programs, delivered the keynote address on "AI for Agriculture: Advancing the Vision." During her speech, she provided an overview of USDA priorities and NIFA funding allocated for research, Extension and education in Fiscal Year 2023. Dr. Toombs also highlighted the collaboration between NIFA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), resulting in a $100 million investment to establish a national network of Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes.
This investment stands as the most significant federal contribution to AI research and workforce development in the agricultural sector. The event was co-hosted by five agricultural-focused AI institutes, which are funded by NIFA and NSF: AIFARMS - University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign; AIFS - University of California- Davis; AgAID - Washington State University; AIIRA - Iowa State University; and AI-CLIMATE - University of Minnesota- Twin Cities.
Dr. Dionne Toombs speaking at recent AI for Agriculture Summit. NIFA Image.
NIFA Now Recruiting for 2025 National 4-H Conference Leaders
NIFA is now accepting submissions from youth and adults to serve in leadership positions at the 2025 National 4-H Conference. The National 4-H Conference offers opportunities for youths to learn, practice, and apply civic engagement skills through roundtable discussions, federal agency briefings and more. These unique and engaging experiences would not be possible without the Youth Leadership Team, Collegiate Facilitators and Adult Advisors who provide leadership to conference activities and events.
Learn more about the 2025 National 4-H Conference and how to apply for a leadership role. Leadership Interest Form Part A and a resume must be submitted to National4-Hconference@usda.gov using subject line “National 4-H Conference Leadership Interest,” and in the cc line include the State 4-H Program Leader/contact for the Land-grant University you plan to represent. Interest Forms are due by 11:59 P.M. EDT Wednesday, September 4.
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NIFA Invests $4.3 Million in Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases (A1344)
USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $4.3 million for 8 awards from Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Diet, Nutrition, Prevention of Chronic Diseases (A1344) program area priority, part of the Food Safety, Nutrition and Health program area within AFRI's Foundational and Applied Science program. The focus of this program is to invest in integrated projects that help prevent and control chronic disease equitably across the lifecycle by supporting and encouraging culturally relevant, healthy dietary choices through data-driven, flexible, customer-focused approaches.
Additional Award Announcements
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Research Highlights How Climate Change Challenges, Transforms Agriculture
As the climate continues to change, the risks to farming are only going to increase. That's the key takeaway from research done at the University of California, Merced. A recently published paper dives into what those challenges are, how farmers are working to address them and what should come next.
"Climate Smart Agriculture: Assessing Needs and Perceptions of California's Farmers" was first authored by Samuel Ikendi, with engineering research Professor Tapan Pathak as a corresponding author. Pathak is also a project director of USDA NIFA-funded project "Multifaceted Pathways to Climate-Smart Agriculture through Participator Program Development and Delivery," which supported this study. The study appeared in the open access journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.
The needs assessment was designed to understand farmers' perceptions and experiences with climate change exposures, the risk management practices they currently use, and what tools and resources would assist them in making strategic decisions. Read more about just what the assessment learned about how farmers are working to address climate change.
California pistachio orchard. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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USDA Announces Additional RAPP Funding to Expand, Diversify Export Markets
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will make an additional $300 million available through the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to help grow export markets for American farm and food products around the world.
Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last October that USDA would use $1.2 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation to establish RAPP to help U.S. exporters expand their customer base beyond established markets. In May, USDA allocated the first $300 million in RAPP funding to 66 U.S. organizations to implement hundreds of market development projects focusing on a wide range of products and markets.
A Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found on Grants.gov, and interested organizations must apply by Ocober 4. USDA anticipates that allocations will be announced before the end of the calendar year.
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Nominations Now Being Accepted for Morrill Lecture
USDA NIFA and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities are seeking nominations for the Justin Smith Morrill Memorial Lecture. The lecture is awarded to honor outstanding contemporary leadership in teaching and significant contributions as an educator. Nominations will be accepted through 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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