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Announcement
NIFA Invests $600K in Response to Extreme Weather Events Across the U.S. (AFRI A1712)
NIFA has funded a UNC at Chapel Hill project related to drought and a Louisiana State University Agricultural Center project related to winter storms.
Impact
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Scientists Develop Tool to Rapidly Detect Devastating Swine Disease
Endemic animal health threats such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) result in large losses of revenue to U.S. producers every year and pose ongoing challenges to the biosecurity and biocontainment…
Blog
Master Gardeners Help Provide Solutions for Gardeners
April is recognized as National Garden Month, which brings together experienced green thumbs, novice growers and gardening groups together to share tips, tricks and support this growing season.
Announcement
NIFA Invests $180K in Response to Extreme Weather Events Across the U.S. (AFRI A1712)
NIFA has funded an Inquiring Systems, Inc. project related to flooding incidents.
Impact
Emerging Technologies Aid Conservation and Management
Climate change and biodiversity losses pose extraordinary challenges for the sustainability of natural ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.
Blog
Protecting Our Water
Water continues to be one of the most critical challenges facing agriculture and communities.
Announcement
Number of AFRI FY 2024 Commodity Board Co-Funding Topics Breaks Record; Expands Focus on Nutrition
Ten commodity boards have submitted 21 topics for proposed research accepting applications through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), NIFA’s flagship competitive grants program.
Impact
Tropical Birds Could Tolerate Warming Better Than Expected
How climate change will impact wildlife species including birds is a research question that scientists are trying to answer.
Impact
Cultivating the Future: Agricultural Innovations for Climate Resilience
As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, extreme temperatures and tragic weather events tend to dominate the news. But a slower moving, less conspicuous threat looms in our future: the challenge of maintaining a…
Blog
NIFA Publishes Report on Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program
Since 2010, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) has served the needs of food animal veterinarians and stakeholders in animal agriculture across the nation by…
Blog
Helpful Hints to Understanding NIFA’s Funding Opportunities
New to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) funding opportunities? Or maybe you’ve been a NIFA grant recipient before. Either way, NIFA has online resources available for potential applicants to our programs. …
Blog
The Year of the Periodical Cicadas
Depending on where you live, this spring you might hear a constant buzzing chorus from a particular insect—the periodical cicadas are emerging.
Blog
Exploring Ag Biotech Careers with University of Connecticut 4-H
Developing professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields is critical to ensuring a continuing pipeline to support the agricultural, food, and renewable natural resources sectors of the U.S. economy…
Blog
Breeding Food Crops for The Future
Plant diseases, insects and a changing climate pose ongoing challenges to food crop producers.
Blog
Research, Education and Extension Efforts Improve Livestock Health
Animal agriculture comprises a large portion of U.S. agriculture. Livestock, including poultry, comprise about 48 percent of all U.S. agricultural value according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. In 2022, livestock value totaled $262…
Impact
Nevada Researcher Aims to Improve Sorghum Hybrids for Dairy Cattle Feed
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recognizes the need for the continuing development of new plant cultivars to meet the growing challenges posed by climate change and the growing global population.
Blog
U.S. - Ireland R&D Partnership Aims to Solve Critical Agricultural Issues
In 2006, the United States, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland launched a research and development partnership to accelerate economic development and cooperation across borders by encouraging trilateral research collaboration. In…
Blog
Fort Valley State University Project Is Building Reproductive Technology Capacities
Both goats and sheep which are small ruminants have potential for meat and milk production to help feed a growing world population.
Impact
Grupo De Mujeres Provides Education, Community for Spanish-Speaking Women
In partnership with the Land-Grant University and Cooperative Extension System, USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture supports efforts that promote learning and development for individuals and families. Formal and non…
Blog
Students Growing from Learning to Leading
Recently, students from 17 academic institutions traveled from more than 10 states and Insular Areas to Washington, D.C. to participate in a three-day program as part of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s from Learning…
Blog
USDA's Complete Guide to Home Canning
As gardening season begins, people may already be wondering how to manage their garden's bounty. Don’t know what to do with all your tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, apples, pears, plums and grapes from your garden and fruit trees? Have…
Blog
Leading A USDA Agency With Passion and Purpose
As we conclude Black History Month and recognize the beginning of historic contributions of women’s accomplishments across the nation, we highlight the first Black female associate directors at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s…
Blog
Continuing Battle Against Invasive Species
What do feral hogs, leafy spurge, brown marmorated stink bugs and sea lamprey all have in common? They are all invasives species.
Impact
1890 Land-grant Institutions Strengthening Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability of Small-Scale Farms
Producers working on small-scale farms often face different challenges than their counterparts farming larger acreages. With support from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a number of 1890 Land-grant Institutions…
Blog
NIFA Celebrates Climate Hubs for 10 Years of Helping Farmers, Ranchers and Forest Landowners Enhance Climate Resilience
In honor of the 10th anniversary of the USDA Climate Hubs, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is celebrating accomplishments from the first decade of this pioneering network.