USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

As part of a NIFA-supported multistate project to reduce injury, illness, and death on farms, researchers guided new safety standards for personal protective equipment, grain bins, tractors, and other farm facilities and machinery and trained tens of thousands of farmers on safer practices. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gXMH9KBB

Peppers are grown widely in CA, NM, and on small farms in VA—but most varieties aren’t suited for controlled environment agriculture. Virginia Tech’s Dr. Bingyu Zhao is using breeding and genomics to develop compact, fast-growing peppers for modern production. Read about the NIFA-funded project: https://lnkd.in/gwG3FJVx

NIFA has awarded $5M to support 24 projects through the Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-grant Colleges of Agriculture program—helping institutions strengthen education, research, and Extension in agriculture and renewable resources. Read about the projects: https://lnkd.in/dC-UicN2

Don’t miss the Oct. 15 deadline for NIFA’s National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Program, supporting advanced training for students pursuing agriculture-related degrees. More info: https://lnkd.in/gehBESME

NIFA awarded $5 million to support 24 new Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA). These investments will help strengthen education, research, outreach and integrated activities in agriculture and renewable resources. https://lnkd.in/dC-UicN2

Graduate students from across the U.S. explored farms and research stations in Alabama and Mississippi this summer as part of the 2026 Graduate Student Crops Tours. Participants gained firsthand insight into regional farming practices and the diverse crops grown throughout the area. https://lnkd.in/dgS6wpPH

The deadline to apply for the Higher Education Challenge (HEC) grant is quickly approaching! Applications are due Oct. 15. Details below ⬇️

NIFA staff will host a technical assistance webinar on Sept. 23 for the Tribal Colleges Extension Program – Special Emphasis. This is a great opportunity for interested applicants to get guidance and ask questions. Register today: https://lnkd.in/djSsqT5v

Interested in applying for the Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA)? Don’t forget to join NIFA’s technical assistance webinar on Sept. 22. Event details: https://lnkd.in/dFb7Nv-m

It’s #NationalPotatoMonth! 🥔 Through Hatch Multistate projects, Land-grant University researchers are teaming up to boost potato production and quality. They’re developing better tools to detect diseases and breeding new potato varieties that stand up to pests, harsh conditions, and meet specific needs — from fries and chips to frozen products. https://lnkd.in/dSGbfGnt