The Farm Bill

The 2018 Farm Bill authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) food and agricultural programs through September 30, 2023, and grants The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) the authority to continue NIFA's flagship competitive grants program, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) and advance science in AFRI's six priority areas:

• Agriculture economics and rural communities
• Agriculture systems and technology
• Animal health and production and products
• Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment
• Food safety, nutrition, and health
• Plant health and production and plant products

In addition to providing the NIFA the authority to run its grant programs, the Farm Bill restored funding to existing, and created new, mandatory programs.

NIFA's Current Administrative Actions

NIFA staff ensure that legislative and regulatory measures mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill are applied in direct compliance with requirements. To address stakeholder questions and feedback, NIFA developed additional resources (FAQs) regarding the 2018 Farm Bill matching and indirect cost requirements.

• Request for Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture Designation
• Matching Requirements
  • Related frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• Indirect Cost Recovery Changes
  • FAQs related to maximum indirect cost cap of 30% of total federal funds awarded

New 1994 Institution

The latest farm bill identifies new 1994 (Native American tribal institutions) land-grant institution (LGU).

• Red Lake Nation College, Red Lake, MN.