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Feb. 15, 2017

Success Story

Water Sensor Moves from Basic Research to Promising Business

A water sensor technology that began as basic research at Cornell is blooming into a business that fills a vital need for grape, nut, apple, and other growers. While current water sensing tools are expensive, inaccurate or labor intensive, the new sensor tells growers when their plants need irrigation with accurate, real-time readings at a reasonable cost. Much like a blood pressure gauge for humans, the sensor reads the water pressure inside the plant. When plants are thirsty, their water pressure is low, sometimes even negative. The sensor reads this pressure inside the plant to help growers ensure plant health and optimize water use in drought-stricken agricultural areas. Applying water at the right time can also greatly improve the quality of fruits, nuts and especially grapes for red wines. Basic research was supported by the NIFA, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Air Force. In November 2016, the group became one of four university teams to win the first national Innovations in Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (I-FAST) prize competition. The NIFA prize provided $50,000 to attend an intensive NSF program, Innovation Corps (I-Corps), that supports and guides university scientists to translate their tech innovations into the marketplace. Read the full release in the Cornell Chronicle. Photo credit: Lindsay France/University Photography

NIFA News

New NIFA Grant for STEM-related Teacher Professional Development

NIFA recently announced $2 million in grants to train high-school educators to improve student outcomes in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human (FANH) sciences. These awards are made through NIFA’s Professional Development Opportunities for Secondary School Teachers (PD-STEP) program, the newest grant offering under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative program.

With PD-STEP grants of up to $150,000, colleges and universities will offer secondary school educators immersive learning experiences in non-formal educational programs, such as, a field trip to a forest to learn about watershed mapping, water quality, and habitat analysis. Educators then take these hands-on experiences and collaborative approaches, develop lesson plans, and replicate them in their own classrooms with their own students. Project participants may include a wide range of educators, including teachers, counselors, principals, school farm managers, librarians or other educators who can help students build students’ knowledge, skills or career awareness in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related fields. More information is available on the NIFA website.

RFA Announcements

USDA Announces $1.7 Million to Support Research at Tribal Colleges and Universities

NIFA announced $1.7 million in funding to build research capacity at land-grant tribal colleges and universities. capacity at land-grant tribal colleges and universities. Funding is made through NIFA’s Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP). Eligible applicants include tribal colleges or universities designated as 1994 institutions under the Equity Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994. The deadline for applications is March 21. See the request for applications for details.   

Events

13th Annual Grain Growers Conference "Changing Crops for a Changing World"

The Conference is March 23 at Essex Resort and Spa in Essex, Vermont. The conference will feature five sessions on industrial hemp including talks by Vermont and Canadian growers who will share their insights and experiences with growing this crop.The conference is sponsored by the Northern Grain Growers Association (NGGA) and the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program. 

Keynote speaker Chris Wooding, is owner of Ironwood Organics, a diverse certified organic farm in eastern Ontario that grows grains, cereals, dried beans, hops, and other crops. He will lead a discussion on building economic capital on the farm through regenerative agricultural practices.  

The featured sessions on industrial hemp will focus on hemp chemistry, seed production, processing, research updates and growers' experiences with hemp. Other conference sessions will cover organic no-till, dry bean production, buckwheat cultivation, getting started growing grains and growing barley for malt quality and the basics of malt chemistry.

Registration is $75, and $50 for NGGA members, which includes lunch. Live broadcast of only the hemp sessions is $35. Registration is open through March 17. To request disability-related accommodation, contact Susan Brouillette at 802- 524-6501, ext. 432, or 800-639-2130 (toll-free in Vermont) by March 2. 

The ABC's of Pest Control: Allergens, Baits, and Cockroaches

Cockroach infestations can get out of hand quickly in multifamily housing. Best practices and treatments can turn things around to help maintain control. Join StopPests in Housing for a webinar on reducing asthma triggers in housing with effective cockroach control. On March 2, 2017, 2-3:30 p.m. EST, you will hear from Dr. Coby Schal, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University. He will speak about his research on effective baiting techniques and ineffective controls, like total release foggers (bug bombs). Cockroach allergens have been linked to the development and increase in symptoms of allergies and asthma in cockroach-sensitive individuals. You will learn how allergen levels can be significantly reduced with cockroach control alone, the most effective approach being gel bait treatments. You will get the information you need to advocate for and implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to cockroach control. This webinar is for all housing professionals and partner agencies who want to make housing safer and healthier for those who live and work there. Register for this webinar and you will then receive instructions via email on how to join us March 2 for The ABC's of Pest Control: Allergens, Baits, and Crockroaches  Here is a direct link to the StopPests web page. 

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