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Making a Difference
Best Radicchio Varieties for New England Farmers
Producing a diverse set of high-quality crops is a keystone component to the success and sustainability of many small and medium-sized New Hampshire farms. Another component is informed decision-making for capturing new marketing opportunities, such as the gaining popularity of radicchio—a colorful and bitter leafy vegetable popular in Italian cuisine—among restaurants and retailers in New England. With a potential for spring and late-fall production, average sales prices of $3–$6 per head and high levels of vitamin K sought out by consumers to support heart and brain health, Granite State farmers may be deciding whether to add radicchio to their crop mix.
With funding support from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), University of New Hampshire scientists are aiding this decision through their research examining which radicchio varieties perform best in northern New England's varied climate and how planting date impacts performance of this increasingly popular and valuable crop. Read more about their work.
At the UNH Woodman Horticultural Research Farm, 32 different varieties of radicchio were grown and studied in 2022 and 2023 to determine ideal cultivars that can be grown by New England farmers. Image courtesy of UNH.
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Prohibited Use of Generative AI Technology in NIFA Peer Review Process
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a broad field that has been maturing over the past few decades. The field of “Generative AI” has rapidly evolved with the creation of various tools such as ChatGPT, Dall-E, Google Bard, Bing AI, Apple Intelligence, and others that are able to produce text, images, and audio. While NIFA recognizes the potential of generative AI systems to promote both scientific advancement and the enhancement of Agency processes through streamlining and increased productivity, the agency must also consider the potential risks posed by its use. To safeguard the integrity of NIFA’s extensive peer review process, NIFA prohibits the use of generative AI tools during the proposal evaluation process.
USDA issued interim guidance to all its agencies’ staff and contractors prohibiting the use of public third-party Generative AI tools until further governance can be put in place. NIFA is abiding by that guidance to maintain security and confidentiality which is crucial for safeguarding personal and scientific information that is exchanged with NIFA. Read more about this policy.
Virginia Tech Students Visit NIFA
NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra hosted graduate students and faculty from Virginia Tech recently at USDA’s Whitten Building in Washington, D.C. Dr. Tracy Rutherford, who is the head of Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education, organized the visit.
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NIFA Invests $17.6 Million to Protect the Health and Welfare of Agricultural Animals
USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $17.6 million to 37 projects to protect the health and welfare of agricultural animals. These projects include high-priority research on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and African swine fever (ASF).
The awards include $12.7 million for 27 projects funded through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Diseases of Agricultural Animals program and $4.8 million for 10 projects funded through AFRI’s Welfare of Agricultural Animals program.
NIFA Invests $5.3 Million in Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research
USDA NIFA has announced an investment of $5.3 million to 11 projects as part of the Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) program. The BRAG program supports the development of new information that will assist Federal regulatory agencies in making evidence-based decisions about the effects of genetically engineered organisms on the environment. This program supports investigations of managed and natural environments across a wide breadth of organisms.
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Sept. 9, 1 p.m. EDT: Leveraging Extension and University Engagement: Developing and Implementing Novel Projects Using Transdisciplinary Approaches
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Sept. 18, 3 p.m. EDT: Live FAQ Session: Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems
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Sept. 24, 1:30 p.m. EDT: Food /Nutrition Security: Rapid Response During Extreme Weather Events
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Sept. 27, 2 p.m. EDT: Technical Assistance: Food & Agricultural Non-Formal Education RFA
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Oct. 2, 12 p.m. EDT: USDA Actions on Reducing Food Loss and Waste
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Oct. 3, 12 p.m. EDT: Post-Award Management for Competitive Grants
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Oct. 3, 5 p.m. EDT: Children, Youth and Families At Risk (CYFAR) Listening Session #1
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Oct. 4, 3 p.m. EDT: Children, Youth and Families At Risk (CYFAR) Listening Session #2
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Texas A&M Research Suggests Nilgai Antelope Are Not Carriers of Bovine Babesiosis
Nilgai, a non-native antelope species that freely ranges Southern Texas and Northeastern Mexico, do not appear to be susceptible to infection following experimental exposure to Babesia bovis, according to recent findings by Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists.
Bovine babesiosis is a virulent tick-borne disease, with up to a 90% mortality rate in cattle without prior exposure to the parasite. The Babesia bovis strain is one of two species of parasitic protozoa responsible for the disease known as cattle fever or bovine babesiosis. Nilgai are a particular wildlife species of concern because of their capacity to spread ticks over a large range.
Supported in part by NIFA, the work done by Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists represents a significant contribution to nationwide efforts to better understand the role of wildlife in the epidemiology of bovine babesiosis. Read more about their work.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research findings indicate non-native nilgai antelope do not appear to be susceptible to infection following exposure to Babesia bovis, a parasitic protozoa responsible for cattle fever or bovine babesiosis. Image courtesy of Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife.
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NRCS Funding Opportunity: Apply to Lead Study Supporting USDA’s Greenhouse Gas Quantification Efforts
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking applications for a $1.9 million, four-year cooperative agreement to support the coordination, implementation, and management of model intercomparison studies in agricultural systems.
The purpose of the research is to assess and advance the state of science for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission modeling for agriculture. The awardee will work with up to eight independent modeling groups to implement the study.
Eligibility is limited to institutions in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit network. Applications are due Oct. 4.
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Environmental Justice Listening Session Recording Now Available
USDA NIFA recently held a listening session to receive stakeholder input on potential agency actions related to environmental justice. A video recording of the session is now available to view. NIFA will accept written comments submitted to at EJ.NIFA@usda.gov until 5 p.m. CDT, Sept. 6.
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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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