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Celebrating National 4-H Week: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leadership
Each year in October, National 4-H Week shines a spotlight on the positive impact 4-H youth development programs have across the country.
USDA To Hold Listening Sessions on Rural and Federal Veterinary Workforces
Register now for upcoming listening sessions on developing the veterinary workforce.
Calculating Best Management Practices
Farmers walk a fine line when battling crop diseases, having to choose when it is most economically favorable to tackle a disease with costly inputs such as fungicides.
New OSU Study Shows Persistent Airborne Spread of Carrot Disease
Farmers in Central Oregon produce some of the world’s most valuable hybrid carrot seed, including about 75% to 85% of U.S. hybrid carrot seed supply.
Cooperative Extension—Key Partner in Disaster Preparedness
Disasters and emergencies will happen. It is not a question of if, but when.
NIFA Seeks Applications for Co-funded Research on Topics Identified by Commodity Boards
Twelve commodity boards have submitted 18 topics for proposed research being solicited through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), NIFA’s flagship competitive grants program.
Research Reveals Rice’s Potential for American Brewers
Traditional beer ingredients include water, hops, barley malt and yeast.
USDA Expands Efforts to Strengthen Rural Food Animal Veterinary Workforce and Protect America’s Food Supply
USDA today announced a commitment to new actions to increase the number of rural food animal veterinarians across the Nation and recruit new veterinarians to help protect American ranchers, animals, and our food supply.
Rutgers Scientists Uncover New Spray that Finally Beats Back Bed Bug Resistance
Rutgers University researchers have identified a new pesticide that killed every bed bug it touched — including those that thwarted today’s leading products — and stayed lethal for at least a month.
Dr. Nancy Cox to Deliver 2025 William Henry Hatch Memorial Lecture
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Director Dr. Jaye Hamby has announced that Dr. Nancy Cox, retired vice president for Land-grant engagement at the University of Kentucky, will deliver the 2025 William Henry…
NIFA Invests Over $10.6M in Commodity Board Research Topics (A1811)
Announcement for NIFA Invests Over $10.6M in Commodity Board Research Topics (A1811)
WVSU Healthy Grandfamilies ‘a Godsend’ for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Judy Wilson’s great-grandchildren, Tyler and Taylor, were stunned to learn she was not their mother.
Grants Modernization Update: NIFA Programs Moving to New Management System
NIFA is piloting nine programs in the eRA grants management system in Quarter 1 of Fiscal Year 2026. This work is part of the ongoing Grants Modernization Initiative (GMI)
Cooperative Extension Serving Up Food Safety
The market value of American grown produce continues to rise, and that’s good news for American famers. But foodborne illness outbreaks related to fresh produce pose a threat to farm operations.
Move to Pork Production Allowing More Farmers to Bring Home the Bacon
Moving from one operation to another is a leap of faith for farmers.
NIFA Meets Workforce Needs through AI Education
Technology advances are a key to success in addressing 21st century challenges. NIFA programs support youth to build understanding and skills in STEM, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), preparing them to meet workforce needs. …
Cover Crops for Southern Farmers & Ranchers
Cover crops can benefit soil health, reduce erosion and protect primary crops from weeds, pests and pathogens. Some cover crops can be used as livestock forage or can provide an additional revenue stream for farmers. The southern U.S…
Scientists Uncover Genetic Mystery Behind Blackberry Thorns
University of Arkansas scientists have uncovered the genetic mystery that dictates whether a blackberry cane bristles with thorns. The discovery enabled the team to develop rapid DNA tests that predict thornlessness in seedlings long…
Survey Conducted Across Three U.S. Regions Shed Light on Household and Community Well-Being
Supported by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) are a trusted source of economic and community development data.
EFNEP: Taking Charge of Health, One Lesson, One Meal, and One Family at a Time
Every day in the United States, families face tough food choices such as how to stretch a food budget, how to make healthy meals their children will actually eat, and how to safely store and prepare food. For more than 50 years, the…
Notice: Gain of Function Research Reporting for USDA
The purpose of this notice is to inform the agricultural research community of the following actions USDA is taking in response to the May 5, 2025 Executive Order (E.O.) 14292 on Improving the Safety and Security of Biological…
NIFA Invests Nearly $1.2M in Response to Hurricane Helene
Announcement for "NIFA Invests Nearly $1.2M in Response to Hurricane Helene"
‘Buzz me in:’ Bees Wearing Itty Bitty QR Codes Reveal Hive Secrets
Several hundred bees in rural Pennsylvania and rural New York are sporting tiny QR codes on their backs. More than the latest in apiarian fashion, the little tags serve a scientific purpose: tracking when bees go in and out of their…
NIFA Invests Additional $570K in Response to Hurricane Helene Flooding
Announcement - NIFA Invests Additional $570K in Response to Hurricane Helene Flooding
Finding Solutions to Plastic Pollution
Plastic is used to produce many packaging materials. While plastics are found in all major municipal solid waste categories, the containers and packaging category had the most plastic at over 14.5 million tons in 2018, according to…
