Search the NIFA website for your inquiry.
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StrikeForce
USDA's StrikeForce delivers promising, sustainable results by building partnerships with community organizations, businesses, foundations, universities, faith-based and other groups to help challenged communities shape a future based…
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Nematology
Nematodes are a diverse group of worm-like animals. They are found in virtually every environment that can support life, and are found in fresh water, in salt water, in all kinds of soil, and as internal parasites of humans and animals…
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Agricultural Systems
Agricultural enterprises—crop or livestock—deal with such concepts as labor supply, marketing, finances, natural resources, genetic stock, nutrition, equipment, and hazards. While it is possible to effectively manipulate each mechanism…
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Nutrition and Food Systems
Improving the health of everyone in this country, across all life stages will require a better understanding of the complex causes and corresponding solutions of diet-related diseases and disparities. The most effective solutions will…
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Food Loss and Waste
Importance of Addressing Food Loss and WasteFood, lost or wasted, occurs when it is rotting in fields, being incinerated, and/or ending up in landfills. The cost of FLW to U.S. farmers, manufacturers, households, and others is…
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Local and Regional Food Systems
Importance of Promoting Local and Regional Food SystemsAccording to the National Strategy for Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, improving the health of everyone in this country—across all life stages—will require a better…
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Advanced Food Manufacturing
NIFA programs invest in and advance food manufacturing technologies supporting the Administration’s R&D priorities to implement advanced manufacturing in support of the bioeconomy and address USDA’s strategic goals in tackling food and…
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Nutrition Education
For more than a half century, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – “the People’s Department” – has funded nutrition education designed to improve safe food handling and preparation as well as the nutritional health…
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Advanced Technologies
Scientists are developing advanced technologies to meet the complex agricultural challenges faced by the United States and throughout the world. NIFA programs support cutting-edge research to help farmers produce higher quantities of…
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Bioenergy
One means of addressing global economic, social, and environmental challenges lies in creating a thriving bioeconomy, a marketplace based on renewable biomass, bioenergy, and sustainable agricultural crops. Bioenergy encompasses all…
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Biotechnology
Agricultural biotechnology uses biological processes to develop technologies and products that address farming challenges. In the face of a rising world population, the agricultural industry is seeking solutions for how to produce…
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Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology entails the exploration and engineering of matter at the atomic and molecular level. At one-billionth of a meter, one nanometer is about how long a fingernail grows each second. A typical germ is about 1,000 nanometers…
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Animals
Raising livestock and producing animal products is a multi-billion-dollar-per-year industry and a significant segment of U.S. agriculture. Research, education, and extension activities are continually changing to address new challenges…
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Business and Economics
Market forces impact the agricultural sector of the economy and require producers to stay on the cutting edge of technology to remain viable. NIFA programs foster innovation and support research that helps farmers and…
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Markets and Trade
Moving agricultural commodities from “farm to fork” encompasses all phases of how farm products are produced, processed, distributed, marketed, and consumed. Global use of the internet and other technological advances has generated…
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Natural Resource Economics
The long-term viability of the food supply depends upon the sustainable use of natural resources. Unlike most agricultural inputs, such as fertilizer or animal feed, most natural resources do not have prices determined in the market…
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Small Business
Small businesses often bring an innovative approach to challenges the agriculture industry faces. Defined as being staffed by 500 or fewer employees, small businesses are a key component of a strong economy. Their size allows them…
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Education
To address the complex challenges of the 21st Century, resources are needed to improve scientific and agricultural literacy; and to recruit and train a skilled workforce to implement the scientific practices and advance technologies…
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Minority Serving Institutions
Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) were established in response to historical racial and ethnic inequality in access to higher education. With their long history of educating and investing in underrepresented students, MSIs are…
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Workforce Development
A competitive workforce is vital to establishing a sustainable agricultural future. As innovation continues to impact agriculture, current and future farmers, workers and scientists must learn to use more advanced technologies and draw…
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Learning and Engagement
NIFA programs targeting the Learning and Engagement goal allow the development of innovative curriculum, recruitment/retention programs, experiential learning opportunities, teacher training opportunities, and procure new…
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Environment
America’s prosperity is inseparably linked to the health of our environment. A healthy environment is an essential component of the quality of life of humans and all living organisms. It is vital to maintaining thriving,…
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Climate Change
Ongoing climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the planet. Climate change refers to a trend of significant fluctuations in major weather patterns and conditions brought about by increased greenhouse gases. The trend…
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Ecosystems
A dynamic balance between plants, animals, and the surrounding environment comprises an ecosystem. The impact of humans, as an integral part of most ecosystems, must be taken into account when managing the system’s health. For healthy…
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Invasive Pests and Diseases
Invasive species constitute one of the most serious economic, social, and environmental threats of the 21st century. Nearly every terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystem in the United States has been invaded by non-native species,…