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 Making a Difference
Protective Clothing for Wildland Firefighters
As wildland fires increase in frequency and intensity, firefighters are experiencing more injuries and fatalities. Wildland firefighters work long shifts and are regularly exposed to heat, smoke, high altitude and other hazards.
They rely on personal protective equipment to keep them safe from these hazards, but many have expressed issues with improper fit, reduced mobility, low durability, chafing and overheating.
Learn more how researchers at Land-grant Universities are working to help wildland firefighters perform their tasks effectively and safe.
Wildland firefighters at work. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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National 4-H Conference Celebrates the Future’s Best
Over 200 of the nation’s best and brightest young people were in Washington, D.C., recently to attend the 2025 National 4-H Conference, hosted by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. With the theme of “Stronger Ties, Deeper Roots, Empowered Leaders,” 4-H delegates represented 40 states, two U.S. territories and 56 Land-grant Universities.
Hear more about the 2025 National 4-H Conference in this USDA Radio interview with NIFA Director Dr. Jaye Hamby.
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 Top right: NIFA Director Dr. Jaye Hamby delivered remarks during the Youth Career Exploration Expo during the 2025 National 4-H Conference. USDA photo by Christophe Paul.
Above: 4-H delegates at the 2025 National 4-H Conference posed for a photo outside of the USDA Whitten Building. USDA photo by Tom Witham.
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Utah Develops a Cost-Effective Treatment for Mineral Deficiency in Cattle
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) competitive grants program, funded by USDA NIFA, supports research and education projects that bring new ideas to farms and ranches around the country.
With a Western SARE Research and Education grant, Utah State University faculty member Dr. Kara Thornton investigated how mineral supplementation practices impact deficiencies, feedlot performance and response to vaccinations. She found that targeted, feed-based mineral supplementation improved cattle health and carcass quality while being more cost effective than injectable supplements.
Learn more about how the project is allowing producers to make more informed and cost-effective decisions about mineral supplementation practices to enhance the economic sustainability and production efficiency of their production systems.
Dr. Kara Thornton collects samples and data from the steers that were on trial. Image courtesy of Bronson Teichert, Utah State University.
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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 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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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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