USDA Awards $19.2 Million in Scholarships for Undergraduates at 1890 Land-grant Institutions

USDA NIFA has announced a $19.2 million investment in 1890 Land-grant Universities to provide undergraduate scholarships for students to stimulate interest in food and agricultural careers.

These scholarships enable outstanding 1890 Land-grant University (LGU) students to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in food and agricultural sciences and related fields. This program complements USDA’s 1890 National Scholars Program, which provides competitively selected students with full tuition, fees, books, room and board. These programs are part of a suite of opportunities USDA administers to develop a highly skilled food and agricultural systems workforce. 

Each 1890 LGU received funds to support students at their institution. Read more about this program as well as meet several 1890 Scholarship student recipients.

Chyler Hughes, recent Lincoln University graduate, received an 1890 Scholarship. Image courtesy of Lincoln University.

Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate

Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) and the United Nations Foundation led the development of the AIM for Climate Report: Cultivating Transformative Investments in Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Innovation. The report was launched by Secretary Vilsack in late September. It identifies collective action by AIM for Climate partners, encourages institutional change and enables all AIM for Climate partners—government, innovation sprint and knowledge— to persist in making critical efforts for years to come.

The report offers four recommendations:

• Enhance inclusion of climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation in nationally determined contributions' design and implementation.
• Normalize increased investments made in support of AIM for Climate as new budgetary baselines.
• Build global partnerships to overcome challenges and scale agricultural innovation.
• Scale public private partnerships.

Read more about AIM for Climate and its work.

University of California Cooperative Extension Researchers Offer Guidance on Producing High-quality Olives

The California olive oil industry needed support as it faces competition from lower priced European olive oils. “Olive Production Manual for Oil,” a new book published by University of California (UC) Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), aims to help California olive growers in the competition battle. The 273-page manual, available for purchase online, is the first of its kind in the U.S.

The need for such a manual has become more acute as oil olives replaced table olives in California orchards during the last 20 years. Book co-editors Selina Wang, a UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the UC Davis Dept. of Food Science and Technology, and Louise Ferguson, a UC fruit specialist, say they hope the book will help California producers compete more effectively in the global marketplace. Read more about the new book and California olive oil production.

Olive oil production manual, published by UC ANR, is the first of its kind in the U.S. Image courtesy of UC Regents.

Hurricane Milton: What USDA Is Doing

Hurricane Milton will make landfall today on the Florida coast as a major hurricane. USDA is responding to the storm in a variety of ways. NIFA is also rendering assistance through flexibilities in programs, leveraging support networks and technical assistance.

• NIFA has extended the deadlines for pending grant Requests for Applications for institutions within the impacted area to ensure they have equitable opportunities to compete for grant funds in all programs.
• NIFA supports the Cooperative Extension System nationwide and county extension agents in all impacted communities are helping producers assess crop, livestock and infrastructure damage and losses across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
• The national Extension Disaster Education Network, a NIFA-supported program, is distributing much needed disaster recovery information from how to document damage and loss for insurance claims to assessing food and home safety issues after power outages.
• Cooperative Extension is also elevating services and connections available through the NIFA-funded Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to help farmers, families and communities access mental health resources.

Read more about USDA’s storm response and available resources as well as what NIFA is doing.

Satellite image of Hurricane Milton. Image courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

USDA Offers Resources, Adds Flexibilities to Disaster Assistance Programs to Help Hurricane Helene-Impacted Farmers, Foresters and Communities

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, USDA has deployed staff to assist with response and recovery efforts. USDA is also putting in place contingency plans and program flexibilities to ensure farmers, and foresters and communities are able to get the support they need. Read more about resources that may be available.