USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

In May 2022, NIFA outlined an ambitious action agenda for how the agency would address the climate crisis. Published earlier this month, the NIFA Climate Change Priority Team: Accomplishments and Action Agenda Report highlights the agency’s progress over the last two years on the 44 unique actions outlined in the NIFA Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ekZ4Egwt

As you come together with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, it's worth acknowledging the invaluable contribution of our nation's Land-grant universities and colleges in ensuring a delectable spread. Read how NIFA-funded research may have influenced the dishes featured at your Thanksgiving table. ?? https://lnkd.in/eiHg2i-V

The application deadline for NIFA's Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program closes Dec. 31. This program was designed to assist 1994 Land-grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges) in building institutional research capacity through applied projects that address student educational needs and meet community, reservation or regional challenges. Grant details: https://lnkd.in/efrFvP_h

Tribal Colleges and Universities are an important part of the Land-grant System. Currently, more than 30 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) across 13 states are designated as 1994 Land-grant Institutions.? Supported by NIFA, TCUs are providing much-needed higher education, research and Extension services to Tribal communities in the areas of natural resources, agriculture, health and wellness, and community development. Check out a few NIFA supported Tribal College and University projects: ?? https://lnkd.in/gVivNAVk

NIFA recently announced a $14 million investment to support food safety research, outreach and workforce training. The investment will fund research and efforts to strengthen the safety of our nation’s food supply. Read the announcement: https://lnkd.in/ef24BRNJ “Ensuring that all Americans have consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being is a cornerstone priority of the USDA,” said USDA NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra. “From research to education and training, the projects funded through these initiatives will work to reduce the risk of food contamination, develop food processing technologies, better equip small farmers for success, and much more.”

University of Idaho Fort Hall Extension is enhancing beef cattle quality and decreasing calving difficulties for Fort Hall Reservation beef cattle herds with support from NIFA’s Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program. “FRTEP is a competitive grant program that fosters projects tailored to the needs of a Tribal community,” said Janyce Woodard, FRTEP national program leader. “The University of Idaho Fort Hall Extension educator recognized a very specific need of cattle producers on the Fort Hall Reservation and developed a program to meet their needs.” Read about the program: https://lnkd.in/e2gAHeHd

This week is World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. In agriculture, antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics are used to treat diseases and maintain animal health. To reduce potential negative impacts from the use of antibiotics and identify alternative strategies for mitigating AMR in the food chain, NIFA funds research that investigates AMR using a systems approach that transcends disciplines in the food and agricultural sciences. ?? https://lnkd.in/gqZsCBXT

On Nov. 10-12, Dr. Dionne Toombs, NIFA associate director for programs, attended the Association for Public Land-grant Universities Conference. The association’s membership consists of more than 250 public research universities, Land-grant institutions, state university systems and affiliated organizations spanning across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico. Dr. Toombs also provided opening remarks during the Academic Programs Committee on Organization and Policy (ACOP) meeting. The ACOP meeting brought together administrators of academic programs in colleges of agriculture from across the U.S.

It’s #WorldFisheriesDay! See how researchers at land-grant universities are improving management, trade, and marketing strategies for aquaculture and capture fisheries: https://lnkd.in/gMw_5Znz

Rural areas face many challenges, but they also have many strengths. Learn more about the multistate research team that’s finding ways to support the resilience of rural families in our interview with Dr. Lori Yancura of College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at UH-Manoa: https://lnkd.in/g75yetrc #NationalRuralHealthDay