Registration for the joint NEDA/agInnovation conference is now open! The conference will take place in St. Louis, MO from late afternoon September 15 and will conclude on September 18 with Northeastern and Western regional meetings. Please see the general agenda and room reservation information at the registration site.
We are looking forward to seeing you in St. Louis!
NIFA Publishes RFA for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Program (AFRI)
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program Request for Application (RFA) is now available on the NIFA website.
The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. The priority areas are Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition and Health; Bioenergy, Natural Resources and Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. Each program area priority has its own deadline. Find the deadlines for specific priority program areas here.
Research-only, Extension-only, and integrated research, education and/or Extension projects are solicited in this RFA. See Foundational and Applied Science RFA for specific details.
USDA Opens Public Comment Period on Department Reorganization Plan
A 30-day public comment period has opened so stakeholders may provide feedback on USDA’s reorganization plan, as outlined in Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins’ memorandum issued July 24. All stakeholders, including USDA employees, members of Congress and agricultural and nutrition partners, are encouraged to provide feedback by emailing reorganization@usda.gov. The comment period closes Aug. 26.
Lawmakers ‘in the very early stage’ of Skinny Farm Bill Discussions
In a Ryan Hanrahan article, published by the University of Illinois’ Farm Policy News: “House Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson (R-Pa.) hopes to release some legislative text in September — though it depends on staff work this month, according to a committee aide,” Handler reported. “…It’s an aggressive timeline to get a farm bill together so quickly in the fall. While these leftover provisions aren’t as challenging as a full-scale farm bill, Congress still has so much more on its plate. Government funding will take up all the oxygen on Capitol Hill when lawmakers return in September.” The article goes on to say that some legislators are less optimistic about a farm bill getting passed before 2026. This article is based partially on a Punchbowl News article by Samantha Handler.
Hanrahan’s article also appears in Successful Farming.