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 Making a Difference
Eastern White Pine Research Focuses on Health Issues
Eastern white pines have experienced unprecedented damage in recent years due to pests, pathogens and more. Stressors vary from region to region, and many stressors have received little or no attention. Symptoms can be difficult to recognize and quantify because they often emerge slowly and can have multiple causes.
Collaboration is needed to tackle the complexity and extent of eastern white pine health issues. A team of scientists from Land-grant Universities (LGUs) and the U.S. Forest Service is working to recognize and quantify eastern white pine health issues, and test and recommend treatments and preventative practices now and for the future. This work helps sustain eastern white pine forests—and the services and products they provide. Read more about the work being done by a multi-state team of LGUs.
Stand of eastern white pine. Image courtesy of Joseph O’Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.
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NIFA Director Speaks at JCEP PILD Conference
NIFA Director Dr. Jaye Hamby spoke recently at the Joint Council of Extension Professionals Public Issues Leadership Development Conference (JCEP PILD) held recently in Arlington, VA. The remarks were Dr. Hamby’s first to a large group of stakeholders since his appointment as NIFA Director in March.
JCEP is made up of the elected leaders of the Cooperative Extension professional associations at Land-grant Universities including Ag and Natural Resources, County Ag Agents, Community Development Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H, Program and Staff Development and Epsilon Sigma Phi – the Extension professional fraternity.
The PILD Conference is an important professional development opportunity for Extension professionals.
Above right: NIFA Director Dr. Jaye Hamby is pictured with Daphne Richards, Chair, JCEP PILD Conference Planning Committee. Richards is a county Extension agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. NIFA image.
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 Dr. Hamby speaks to 2025 PILD Conference participants. NIFA image.
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Michigan State Supporting Honey Bees and Farmers
Supported by multiple NIFA grants, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is documenting losses of honey bee colonies in the state. While it is not known if or how the large losses of colonies will affect pollination and honey production in Michigan this spring and summer, MSU Extension is providing farmers and growers with resources to support bee populations by increasing honey bee forage and reducing pesticide exposure. Visit to read more about their work.
Bee hives in an orchard. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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 USDA to Host Data Users’ Meeting on Statistical Programs
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting at noon EDT, April 29. This virtual meeting is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required.
The Data Users’ Meeting is held to share updates to USDA data and statistical products with the public and to solicit input on agency programs important to agriculture. NASS is organizing the meeting in cooperation with USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board, Farm Service Agency, Economic Research Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, Foreign Agricultural Service and the U.S. Census Bureau.
The agenda includes agency updates and an open question forum for attendees. A detailed agenda and registration information are on the NASS website. The link to attend the meeting will be emailed to participants after registration.
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 Stronger Ties Through National 4-H Conference
Hear from NIFA Director Dr. Jaye Hamby on the importance of the National 4-H Conference. The annual event is held in Washington and features a visit to the Whitten Building, USDA’s national headquarters.
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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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