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Overview

Treating agricultural operations as a whole system includes greater management options with environmentally and economically sustainable practices that create safer and healthier conditions. Our projects help agricultural producers and ranchers use scientific discoveries, next generation engineering systems, climate-smart agricultural practices, and other tools to develop sustainable agricultural operations for United States and global agriculture and food systems. Further, our projects support research on economic and behavioral impacts of consumption related to food access, consumption, and nutrition. 

GOALS

  • Provide leadership to Land-grant university partners and other grantees to conduct research, education, and extension activities in programs related to agricultural systems.
  • Support beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved farmers or ranchers, and small- and medium-sized farms or ranches to promote rural economic development and sustainability.
  • Support climate-smart agricultural technologies and precision crop and water management practices  to create positive economic, environmental, and social impact and to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions.
  • Develop robotics and mechanization of labor, including tools for small- or medium-sized farms and disabled farmers.
  • Incorporate AI, modeling, and adaptive learning to solve problems in both animal and plant systems.
  • Fund technologies that convert biomass and waste products into value-added chemicals and materials
  • Support research on consumer behavior related to agriculture including food and nutrition choices as well as food and nutrition security.
  • Support efforts to grow the resiliency and viability of the local and regional food system from the perspective of the producer and consumer thereby expanding market opportunities within this system.

Agricultural Systems Capacity Grant Programs 

Agricultural Systems Competitive Grant Programs

Resources

Page last updated: June 13, 2025

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