NIFA Update--Jan. 7, 2026

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture sent this bulletin at 01/07/2026 04:30 PM EST

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Maggie Lawrence, Editor

Jan. 7, 2026

Lincoln University Extension professionals share research-based information at workshops and field days. Image courtesy of Lincoln University.

Making a Difference

1890 Extension Efforts Transforming Urban Agriculture

Extension programs at 1890 Land-grant Universities (LGUs) are enhancing food security and community resilience by bringing agriculture into the heart of cities and suburbs. The work at 1890 LGUs connects people to fresh, locally grown food and promotes healthy eating.

Learn more about how these programs support innovation and collaboration, foster partnerships, create green infrastructure, support local agriculture and revitalize urban spaces.

Lincoln University Extension professionals share research-based information at workshops and field days. Image courtesy of Lincoln University.

Recording Available of 2026 National 4-H Conference Information Session

A recording of the recent National 4-H Conference Information Session is now available here. NIFA will host the 2026 National 4-H Conference April 10-15 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA. The video provides a preliminary look at the agenda, registration process, costs and more. Learn more about National 4-H Conference here.

Information about the program area priority—including program contacts, types of projects allowed, and more— will be found in Part I, C of the AFRI Foundational and Applied Science RFA. Letters of Intent (if applicable) and applications must be received at NIFA by 5 p.m. EST on the deadlines below.

Accepted on a Continuous Basis

Rapid Response to Emerging and Re-emerging Pest and Disease Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems
Rapid Response to Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems

Flexible drainage pipe in field. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Illinois Scientists Reveal How Tile Drainage Transforms Agroecosystems

Research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shows how tile drainage increases yields by improving soil oxygen. Although tile drainage has been widely studied as part of agricultural infrastructures, work done by University of Illinois researchers shows that the benefits of tile drainage extend far beyond simply removing excess water from fields. Key findings include soil oxygen as the key controlling factor; stronger root development and accelerated nutrient cycling. Read more about this NIFA-supported work here.

Flexible drainage pipe in field. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

USDA Announces New Priorities for Research and Development in 2026

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins recently signed a Secretary’s Memorandum outlining new priorities for future research and development activities funded by USDA to strengthen national security, protect U.S. agriculture, and support American farmers and consumers.

USDA priorities focus on five broad research areas.

Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers
Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products
Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species
Promoting Soil Health to Regenerate Long-Term Productivity of Land
Improving Human Health through Precision Nutrition and Food Quality

Read the full memorandum here.

Deadline for Commodity Board Topics Is Jan. 20

The deadline for federal- and state-level commodity boards to submit proposed topics for the FY27 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Foundational and Applied Science Notice of Funding Opportunity is 5 p.m. EST Tuesday, Jan. 20. Read more here.

Farms.com: SHIC, DHS S&T Partnership Strengthens U.S. Swine Feed Biosecurity
Feedlot: Beef × Dairy Crossbred Management to Enhance Profitability, Resource Efficiency and Sustainability in Beef Systems
Nebraska Ag Connection: Online Program Boosts Farm Finances
Tri-Cities Journal of Business: O Christmas Tree, Thy Smell Is So...Citrusy? Piney?
Futurity: Turkey Offspring Gender May Depend On Hunters

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 Gabriel de Zayas, Equal Opportunity Specialist, at Gabriel.DeZayasrodriguez@usda.gov or (202) 655-7842 no later than 10 days prior to the event.

USDA NIFA invests in and advances high-impact agricultural research, education, and Extension to solve the Nation’s pressing challenges, grow U.S. agricultural innovation and competitiveness, fuel rural prosperity, and develop the future agricultural workforce. 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.

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