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 Hispanic farmer in greenhouse. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Making a Difference
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Growing its Reach to Spanish Speaking Residents
More than 22% of Florida’s population—about 4.8 million people—speak Spanish at home. As a Land-grant University, the University of Florida (UF) has a mission to provide research-based information to all of the state’s residents so that they can enhance their farming and business operations as well as improve the lives of themselves and their families. But UF faced a challenge of how to reach an ever-growing Spanish-speaking audience.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recognized that a lack of news and materials available in Spanish created a substantial barrier to reaching this large portion of the state’s population. To tackle that problem, UF/IFAS launched Spanish Media Outreach Initiative in 2022. Its goal was straightforward—expand outreach efforts and improve access to UF/IFAS science-based information to Spanish-speaking communities. Read more about the Initiative, how it works and the success it is having.
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Developing a Meat and Poultry Processing Workforce Training Center in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's agriculture sector currently faces immense challenges. The island's financial crisis, natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic have severely impacted its economy. Agriculture, now representing less than 1% of Puerto Rico's Gross Domestic Product, is in critical condition.
With the island producing less than 15% of the food it consumes, food security is at high risk. This situation is particularly dire for families in rural areas, who have been disproportionately affected by these challenges.
In response, the Inter American University of Puerto Rico (Barranquitas and Guayama Campuses) are spearheading a groundbreaking initiative – the establishment of a Meat and Poultry Processing Workforce Training Center. Funded by a $950,000 Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grant in 2023 from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, this four-year project aims to revitalize Puerto Rico's agriculture sector by developing a skilled workforce in meat and poultry production and processing. Read more about the project.
Project CoPi, María Berríos, Professor Luis De Jesús,Carlos Cándido, owner of EMPROSUR,
a Puerto Rican meat production and processing company,
and Yesenia Rivera Rivera, project director.
Photo courtesy of EMPROSUR.
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Nielsen to Deliver Morrill Lecture at National APLU Meeting
Dr. Larry Nielsen, Professor Emeritus of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University, will deliver the Justin Smith Morrill Memorial Lecture Nov. 10 at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) national meeting in Orlando.
NIFA Morrill Lecture graphic.
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USDA Invests $15 Million in Hispanic-serving Institution Education Grants
for Projects funded through the HSI Education Grants Program are designed to attract and support students from underrepresented groups and prepare them for careers related to food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences. Other projects aim to enhance postsecondary instruction within these disciplines, provide opportunities and access to food and agricultural careers in the public, nonprofit and private sectors, and align the efforts of HSIs and other nonprofit organizations to support academic development and career attainment of underrepresented groups.
Additional Award Announcements
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Yeshiva University Study on Science Behind Freezing Could Lead to Better Food Preservation, Security
Yeshiva University research on the science behind freezing food could lead to more effective food preservation techniques and a profound impact on the economy and food security. The research examined the role of ice nucleation and ice growth during freezing. Ice nucleation refers to the initial formation of ice crystals, while ice growth involves the expansion of these crystals as more water freezes. These two processes directly impact the quality of frozen food, affecting both its texture and longevity.
Supported by USDA NIFA funding, researchers used a state-of-the-art micro-thermography system to measure ice nucleation and ice growth rates in common food items, such as beef, zucchini, broccoli and potatoes. Surprisingly, the study found that beef and zucchini had significantly higher ice nucleation rates compared to broccoli and potatoes; however, the latter showed faster ice growth once freezing began. For instance, ice grows five times faster in potatoes compared to beef, but ice nucleation rates in potatoes are around 100 times slower compared to beef. Read more about the study which was published recently in Food Biophysics.
Shriya Jitendra Kalburge, left, and Yining Zhang, right, Yeshiva University (YU) students,
teamed with Dr. Ran Drori, associate professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at YU,
on the study. Image courtesy of YU.
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USDA Announces New Cadre of Tribal College Liaisons and Applications for Summer 2025 Tribal Policy Interns
USDA has announced a first-ever regional cadre of USDA Tribal College Liaisons. Three new liaisons serve regions where Tribal colleges are located (Central Plains, Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions). The liaisons share information on USDA programs and services with Tribal college students, Tribal Nations, Native American farmers, and local communities. In addition, applications are now open for Summer 2025 USDA Tribal Food and Agriculture Policy Internships. Learn more about both programs which managed by USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations Tribal College Program.
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Subject matter experts who are U.S. citizens can apply for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Public-Private Analytic Exchange Program. This program facilitates partnerships between the private sector and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to form teams on topics, ranging from dangers of unmanned aircraft systems to evolving domestic threats to data center infrastructure.
Sponsored by the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the six-month hybrid program provides government analysts and private sector partners with a better understanding of select national and homeland security issues as well as deeper expertise and new insights and perspectives. Applications are due Nov. 1. Visit the DHS website for more information.
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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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