NIFA Update--Jan. 22, 2024

Brent Elrod

In the vital role of Acting Chief of Staff, Brent Elrod will work closely with NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra to synchronize and facilitate a wide range of activities that ensure the smooth operation of the agency. As the central point of coordination for both internal and external requests for information, Brent will play a pivotal role in aligning efforts and supporting the agency's mission.

The Acting Chief of Staff position is critical to NIFA's operations. Serving as a Special Assistant to the Director, this role involves managing and prioritizing requests, ensuring timely and accurate responses, and streamlining communication across teams and with external stakeholders. With his expertise and leadership, NIFA is confident that the position will enhance the agency's efficiency and responsiveness.

Elrod also serves as the Science Programs Analysis Officer for NIFA. In this capacity, he has worked closely with NIFA’s senior leaders to implement the broad policies, plans, and objectives of the agency’s research, education and Extension mission. 

He collaborates and coordinates with officials in other USDA and federal agencies. Additionally, he meets with representatives of cooperating institutions, Congressional staff, representatives of farm or industry organizations, and others in determining immediate and long-term research, teaching and outreach interests to meet the nation’s food and agricultural needs.

Elrod has been with the agency since 2008, serving in multiple roles that include program specialist, national program leader, national science liaison, acting division director, acting associate director of programs, science programs analysis officer, and concurrently, the agency’s scientific integrity officer. As Acting Chief of Staff, he will build on that earned knowledge and experience to promote seamless coordination of the agency's activities, strengthening NIFA's ability to deliver on its commitments and goals. His leadership will facilitate NIFA’s responsiveness, accountability and mission alignment.

Dr. Kevin Kephart

Kevin Kephart, who currently serves as NIFA’s Deputy Director of the Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment, joined the agency in 2020. Prior to his role as deputy director, he was the division director for NIFA's Agricultural Systems Division.  

Kephart has provided leadership for research, education, and Extension programs on precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, data sciences, agricultural economics, biofuels and biobased products, climate adaptation and resilience, and natural resources. In the new role of Acting Associate Director for Programs, he will provide national leadership and direction for all NIFA’s science and federal grants programs. He will work closely with university partners and other cooperators and clients to advance the mission of research, education and Extension programs in the food and agricultural sciences. 

He succeeds Dr. Dionne Toombs, who has accepted a position with USDA Agricultural Research Service. 

Kephart brings a strong background in federal- and state-supported public research, technology transfer, and industry research and development (R&D) to this role. From 2017 to 2019, he led strategic university collaborations and scientific communications at Indigo Ag, Inc. From 2005 to 2016 he was vice president for research and economic development at South Dakota State University (SDSU), where he served in a variety of leadership roles, fostering strong organizational growth through the expansion of strategic partnerships in fields such as crop breeding and genetics, biotechnology, human nutrition and the microbiome, pharmaceutical sciences and precision agriculture. He also led SDSU’s intellectual property portfolio and the university’s well-recognized work in wheat R&D through new partnerships with agricultural technology companies, conservation groups and grower organizations. 

Prior to his term as vice president at SDSU, Kephart served as director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.

“I would like to thank Dionne for her service to NIFA, and I am very grateful to Kevin and Brent for their willingness to step into these critical roles for the agency,” Dr. Misra said. “I look forward to the strong leadership and clear vision they will bring to NIFA.” 

How the Freezer Factors into Lowering Food Waste

Putting extra holiday cookies and leftovers in the freezer will not only extend their shelf life – it could also put a dent in the U.S. household tendency to throw away edible food, a new Ohio State study suggests.

The national survey found that discarded frozen items make up about 6% of wasted household food in the United States. Based on frozen food’s relatively small contribution to food waste and other findings in the study, researchers say urging consumers to stock their freezers might be one way to prevent premature disposal of food.  Read more about this NIFA-supported study.

Hands placing food in freezer. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.