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Making a Difference
Growers Helping Growers Avoid a Devastating Cranberry Disease
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) supports four Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Centers. Regional IPM Centers help NIFA and its partner institutions identify, prioritize and coordinate national pest management research, Extension and education programs.
Funded by the Western Region IPM Center, Washington State University (WSU) Extension is working to keep West Coast cranberry farms safe from false blossom disease, an insect-spread pathogen that’s plaguing East Coast cranberry producers.
Laura Kraft, WSU Extension’s cranberry specialist, wants to keep it that way. Kraft is leading a Western IPM Center outreach and implementation project that hopes to leverage the experiences of East Coast growers to educate and prepare their West Coast colleagues. Read more about the work being done to safeguard West Coast cranberry production.
Cranberry bog in Washington State. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Williams Speaks at National Women in Agriculture Conference
NIFA Associate Director for Operations Drenda Williams spoke at the 3rd Annual National Women in Agriculture Association Conference held recently at the Center for Sustainable Communities in Compton, California. Williams spoke on the numerous resources that NIFA offers to its many stakeholders and partners, including opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in agriculture and USDA. The USDA Pathways program is one of USDA's programs providing student opportunities.
While at the conference, Williams had the opportunity to connect with one of her former interns Arionne Brown. Brown is a former USDA 1890 Scholar and now works at USDA NRCS recruiting students for the USDA Pathways program.
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NIFA Associate Director for Operations Drenda Williams, left, is joined by NWIAA Executive Director Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele, center and Catrina Irvin with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. NIFA Image. |
Williams left, with Arionne Brown, former USDA 1890 Scholar and currently with USDA NRCS. NIFA Image. |
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FAO Seeking Applicants
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking applicants for a number of senior level positions. Visit Jobs at FAO for more information on how to apply.
Vacancies
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NIFA Invests $3.8 Million in Rural Health and Safety Education Program
USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $3.8 million for 11 projects through NIFA’s Rural Health and Safety Education Program (RHSE). Three of the projects will address suicide prevention and mental health in rural communities. Three projects will address opioid and substance abuse/misuse. The remaining five projects address various rural health related challenges. The RHSE program supports community-based outreach education programs.
NIFA Invests $1.2 Million Investment in Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects
USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $1.2 million for 11 projects as part of the Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk (CYFAR). The CYFAR mission is to provide resources to the Land-grant University System and the Cooperative Extension System so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs that equip at-risk youth with the skills they need to lead positive, productive, contributing lives.
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Genome Study Informs Restoration of American Chestnut Tree
Fungal blight decimated the American chestnut tree in the early 20th century, killing billions of trees and altering the life cycle of the species native to the Appalachian Mountain region. Because of chronic fungal blight infections, the species is unable to reproduce, migrate or evolve in response to climate change.
Recently published research conducted by Virginia Tech scientists is shedding light not only on the variation of the native chestnut genome, but it will guide efforts to breed cultivars that are resistant to blight. Read more on the work being done to return American chestnuts to Appalachian forests.
American chestnut. Image courtesy of Vern Wilkins, Indiana University, Bugwood.org.
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USDA Appoints New Members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
USDA announced the appointment of 20 new members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. This committee is part of USDA’s support for equitable access to USDA’s services and programs and creating more market opportunities for local and regional production.
Committee members represent ranching and farming producers, related state and Tribal agricultural entities, academic institutions, commercial banking entities, trade associations, and related nonprofit enterprises. All committee members have previously demonstrated the ability to serve on behalf of new and beginning farmers, minorities, women and persons with disabilities, and to represent small establishments and geographic diversity.
Read more about the appointments and the role of the advisory committee.
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NIFA Now Recruiting for 2025 National 4-H Conference Leaders
NIFA is accepting leadership applications submissions for the 2025 National 4-H Conference. This conference would not be possible without the Youth Leadership Team, Collegiate Facilitators, and Adult Advisors.
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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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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