NIFA Update, Jan. 26

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Jan. 26, 2017

Success Story

buckhorn bush

Valuable Eastern White Pine Thrives When Glossy Buckthorn Removed

Researchers with the New Hamphshire Agricultural Experiment Station have found that the economically-valuable eastern white pine thrives when the invasive glossy buckthorn shrub is actively managed in New Hampshire forests.

The University of New Hampshire research was conducted by Tom Lee, associate professor of forest ecology, Steve Eisenhaure, land use coordinator with the UNH Office of Woodlands and Natural Areas, and Ian Gaudreau, former UNH graduate student in environmental engineering. The research is presented in “Pre-logging Treatment of Invasive Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus Mill.) Promotes Regeneration of Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.)” in the journal Forests. This material is based upon work supported by the NH Agricultural Experiment Station, through joint funding of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture McIntire-Stennis Projects 69 and 82.

(Photo credit: University of New Hampshire. Glossy buckthorn outcompetes with native plants, including the economically important eastern white pine.)

News from NIFA

Sonny Ramaswamy

Where in the World is Sonny?

"Christmas Eve, while going down the stairs to the basement in our Kansas City home in the dark, I missed the last three steps, landed really hard, and pivoted my right knee. I injured my knee seriously, to the extent that I fractured my patella, tore the ACL, quadriceps, patella tendon, and meniscus.

"On Jan. 19, I had open-knee surgery to repair the the torn quadriceps, tendon, retinacular, and meniscus, It ended up taking two hours, I'm told. Surgery went well and I'm home recovering. Still recovering from the anesthetic.

"As you know, it's a long process of several weeks for complete recovery. For at least 10 days, my right leg is completely locked straight with braces. Also I've got a continuous ice flow system to reduce the pain and swelling.

"I'm in Kansas City for a few weeks. I'll head back to Washington, DC, mid-February. Good thing is I've got Gita, Megha, Andrew, Siddhartha, and Misu to pamper me."

To contact Sonny: sonny@nifa.usda.gov  

  

success

Best Practices for NIFA Funding Success:  A 20 Year Perspective 

Dr. Lee-Ann Jaykus, North Carolina State University, will present “Best Practices for NIFA Funding Success:  A 20 Year Perspective” from 3-4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Feb. 23. 

The seminar can be viewed via Adobe Connect. You will understand how to interpret Agency RFAs; produce an award-winning grant application, including planning, writing, and budgeting; put together an effective team; and, good grant management practices, including scientific, financial, and reporting aspects.

This Webinar is part of the Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition (IFSN) Seminar Series. These monthly seminars aim to disseminate new knowledge; engage with partners and stakeholders; and inspire the next generation of food safety and nutrition experts. For full information on the series, visit the seminar webpage 

Feb. 23-24: USDA's 93rd Ag Outlook Forum

Ag Forum


Registration is now open for the 93rd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, Feb. 23-24, in Arlington, Virginia. This year's theme is "A New Horizon: The Future of Agriculture." Early registration closes today. Learn more about the Ag Outlook Forum presentations and speakers online.

 

sustainable ag


Visioning of U.S. Agriculture Systems for Sustainable Production Listening Session

USDA announced a Visioning of U.S. Agriculture Systems for Sustainable Production Listening Session, March 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This stakeholder listening session is for those interested in the long-term healthy and viability of U.S. agriculture and for concurrently improving the economic, environmental, security, and health benefits to the United States through agriculture over the next fifty years. The announcement appeared in the Jan. 24, Federal Register

Registration to attend the stakeholder session in person must be submitted by Feb. 27, and written comments must be submitted by March 9. All questions about the listening session should go to the point of contact listed in the USDA announcement.

RFAs Published Jan. 18

  • Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Education Grants Program  This competitive grants program promotes and strengthens the ability of HSIs to carry out higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences. Programs aim to attract outstanding students and produce graduates capable of enhancing the nation's food and agricultural scientific and professional work force.
  • Potato Breeding Research This grant program supports potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) research programs that focus on varietal development and testing and potato varieties for commercial production. As used herein, varietal development and testing is research using conventional breeding and/or biotechnological genetics to develop improved potato varieties. Aspects of evaluation, screening, and testing must support variety development.
  • 1890 Facilities Grants Program (FGP) The 1890 Facilities Grants Program (1890 FGP) provides funds for the acquisition and improvement of agricultural and food sciences facilities and equipment, including libraries.This is so that the eligible 1890 land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, and Central State University (per Section 7129 of Pub. L. 113-79), may participate fully in the development of human capital in the food, agricultural, and human sciences.  



NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and seeks to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges.

The NIFA Update is a weekly compendium of news and information that may be of interest to Land-Grant and non-Land-Grant Universities, NIFA stakeholders, and other subscribers. 

Editor: Judy Rude