USDA Reorganization and Restructuring of Research, Education, and Economics Mission Areas Moves Ahead

As part of this effort, Research, Education, and Economics (REE) agencies will relocate certain positions currently based in the National Capital Region (NCR) to locations across the country, bringing research closer to our stakeholders. The Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) employees will be relocating some positions from the NCR to their offices in Kansas City. In addition, ERS and NIFA positions that were moved to Kansas City in 2019 and have since sprawled across the country will be relocated to Kansas City, as originally intended.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be relocating some positions located in the NCR, as well as some positions outside the NCR, to St. Louis or other NASS offices. NASS will also be maintaining a field presence to continue to collect information and provide vital statistical services to American farmers and ranchers.

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will begin decommissioning the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) and relocating research programs to facilities across the country better aligned with regional agricultural needs. BARC currently includes more than 400 buildings, many of which are outdated or underutilized, and requires significant deferred maintenance and ongoing investment. Transitioning these programs will allow USDA to modernize its research footprint, improve safety, and better connect researchers with the producers they serve. ARS has evaluated its nationwide footprint to identify locations best suited to absorb ongoing research, ensuring continuity while increasing opportunities for collaboration with farmers and industry partners.

Click here to view the full press release. 

Congressional Updates for FY 2027 and the Farm Bill

The House released its bill for the FY27 Agriculture appropriations process last week. The bill includes "critical investments in agriculture research, rural development loan programs, and animal and plant health programs." It also provides "funding for land-grant universities to conduct agriculture research to ensure American producers are better equipped to compete with China." 

The appropriations committee released a detailed funding summary page which highlights the following funding points: 

• “Provides $22.5 billion for the Department of Agriculture, which is $675 million below the FY26 enacted level.”
• “$1.642 billion for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which is $34.3 million below the FY26 enacted level. Includes level funding for competitive research and capacity programs that support our nation’s land-grant universities and reduces or eliminates funding for several low priority research programs.”
• “$1.795 billion for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), which is $2.8 million above the FY26 enacted program level. Includes increases for high-priority initiatives, addresses emerging pests and diseases, and eliminates funding for climate hubs.”

Full funding level details will not be released until 24 hours before the Full Committee markup. However, preliminary topline numbers are as follows: 

• NIFA Research & Education: $1,046,500,000 ($11.5M less than the FY 26 House mark of $1.058B and $30.3M less than the FY 26 minibus)
• NIFA Extension Activities: $557,100,000 ($1.1M more than the FY 26 House mark and $3.9M less than the FY 26 minibus)
• NIFA Integrated Activities: $39,100,000 ($1M less than both the FY 26 House mark and FY 26 minibus)
• Native American Institutions Endowment Fund: $11,880,000 (Flat)

The full bill text is located here. 

The House Agriculture Committee is moving forward with the Farm Bill. As of April 27, there were over 300 amendments submitted to the Rules Committee. However, just because an amendment was submitted does not necessarily mean it will be considered. Lewis Burke will monitor amendments of interest throughout the process. Amendments can be monitored here. 

Finally, Secretary Rollins recently testified before both House and Senate Committees on FY27 budget requests. 

All of this information is publicly available and APLU will distribute a full detailed analysis within the next few days. 

Nominations for Individual and Team Excellence in Extension Awards Due

Please be alert for a contact from your Regional Executive Director or Administrator regarding your region’s nomination process for the Excellence in Extension Individual and Team Awards. Individual and Team nominations are due May 1. The National Extension Award for Innovative Programming that Addresses New Audiences nominations are due June 1. Please see the awards website for more details. 

NIFA & APLU Seek Nominations for Knapp Lecture

This year, NIFA and APLU are seeking nominations for the prestigious Knapp Lecture. The lecture commemorates the efforts of Seaman A. Knapp, considered by many to be the founder of the Cooperative Extension System. He pioneered a demonstration system for teaching farmers about modern, research-based agricultural techniques, laying the groundwork for Extension as we know it today.  

We are seeking an insightful topic and a dynamic speaker who can provoke discussion among meeting participants and prepare a formal lecture to be presented prior to the APLU Annual Meeting. While we seek recommendations from those within the Land-grant University system, we also encourage you to share this information with colleagues outside of the research, education, and Extension system, including stakeholders, foundations, or public interest groups. Nominations are encouraged from all sources. 

Recommendations should include the name of the nominee, title, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and topic that could be discussed. Please submit your potential topic and/or presenter on or before June 5, 2026. Recommendations should be submitted electronically using this form. A committee will review submissions and select a lecturer.

Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs

APLU’s Board of Agriculture’s interview series “Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs” showcases Presidents and CEOs of national agricultural associations, commodity groups, and other organizations and explores their powerful synergies with land-grant universities.

Colin Woodall, Chief Executive Officer, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Colin Woodall is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and leads the country’s oldest and largest national trade association for cattle producers in being the trusted voice and definitive leader of the beef industry.

"Land‑grant universities are leading important work on the future of cattle and beef production...[to] help producers do more with less in a resource‑constrained world. Right now, however, the most urgent challenge is finding new ways to combat the New World Screwworm. Land‑grant researchers are essential partners in developing innovative control methods, and Cooperative Extension plays a critical role in educating producers about prevention and detection." - Colin Woodall

Read the full interview.

  

ECOP First Friday Update Available

On April 3^rd, ECOP held an informative First Friday Update.

• Lisa Townson discussed the progress of the Nutrition and Health Tiger Team
• Gregg Hadley provided an update from the Professional Development Committee, which included information on expanded recognition of Extension awardees at the September NEDA Meeting
• Tom Dobbins shared information about future Program Committee investments in the Program Action Teams
• Justin Rhinehart gave an update on the newly formed Artificial Intelligence Program Action Team
• APLU’s Doug Steele and Lewis Burke’s Dominique Foster provided a briefing on recent happenings in Washington, DC.

Webinar: A Comprehensive Overview of "A Study of Land-grant University Federal Capacity Funding"

Thursday, April 9 | 4:00-5:15 pm ET

This webinar is designed for individuals who have not yet had the opportunity to hear Wendy Fink’s presentation on the Tripp Umbach, Phase 1 report on federal capacity funding and would like to learn more about the Board on Agriculture Assembly's Federal Capacity Funding Initiative. The analysis and key findings are based upon survey results from 94 capacity-eligible institutions. The webinar will cover:

• What are USDA Capacity Funding Grant Programs?
• What does Capacity Funding Enable?
• BAA’s Capacity Initiative’s Three Phases​
• Phase One: Key Takeaways​
• What Can You Do to Help with This Effort?

Welcome:
Christopher Daubert, Chair, BAA’s Administrative Heads Section
Vice Chancellor and Dean
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
University of Missouri 

James Pritchett, Chair, BAA’s Communications and Marketing Committee
Vice President for Engagement and Extension
Colorado State University

Presenters:
Wendy Fink
Executive Director - Academic Programs Section, BAA and
Associate Vice President, Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources 
APLU

Marcus Glassman
Executive Director, Council on Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET)
Director, Governmental Affairs
APLU

Register here.

USDA NIFA Releases 2027 President’s Budget

USDA NIFA released the 2027 President’s Budget Request. The line by line is available here (see pages 21-42, 21-43, and 21-44). A full analysis is currently being conducted by Lewis Burke and will be available later this week. 

USDA General Terms & Conditions Update, NIFA GT&Cs Webinar Scheduled for April 15

NIFA will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m. CDT to introduce the newly established USDA General Terms and Conditions and discuss updates to NIFA’s agency‑specific Terms and Conditions. 

Register here: USDA’s New General Terms and Conditions and NIFA’s Updated Requirements: A Comprehensive Overview

Land-grant Universities and Cooperative Extension Prominently Featured in NSF AI Solicitation

A National Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Solicitation, released on March 25, prominently mentioned the Land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension. AI-Ready America is a national-scale initiative to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness and adoption across the U.S. by strengthening coordination, leveraging partnerships and resources, filling gaps, and scaling what works — so local and state priorities can lead in shaping an AI-driven economy that benefits all Americans. Unlike initiatives centered around K – 16 education, AI-Ready America additionally reaches businesses, public-serving organizations, and individuals, among others, expanding access to AI knowledge, tools, and resources. The program also emphasizes practical implementation through hands-on assistance and workforce up-skilling, including experiential learning such as internships, project-based work, and apprenticeships, to ensure stakeholders can effectively apply and innovate with AI. The solicitation calls for each state and territory to receive $3 Million to fund a coordination hub. The Cooperative Extension System is a prominently mentioned potential cooperator, along with American Job Centers, Small Business Development Centers and Veteran Business Outreach Centers. A webinar on this program is scheduled for 1:00 on April 14. 

NIFA Launches New Rapid Response Grant Opportunity to Combat Emerging Agricultural Threats

NIFA has launched a new competitive grant opportunity designed to rapidly address emerging and re-emerging pest and disease threats across the nation’s food and agricultural systems. The program, Rapid Response to Emerging and Re-emerging Pest and Disease Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems, aims to deliver timely, science-based solutions that protect agricultural productivity, ecosystem health and food security.

With awards of up to $500,000 and project durations of 12 to 24 months, this opportunity supports research, Extension and integrated projects. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis within 180 days of a qualifying pest or disease event, ensuring that resources can be mobilized quickly when new threats arise. Read more about this new funding opportunity.

USDA Implements SciENcv Requirement for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support Forms

USDA has fully implemented the use of SciENcv for preparing the USDA Biographical Sketch and USDA Current and Pending (Other) Support common forms, in alignment with the new U.S. Department of Agriculture General Terms and Conditions for Federal Awards and the government‑wide research security efforts under NSPM‑33. Applicants should now prepare these documents using SciENcv.

For proposals currently in development, applicants may submit the biographical sketch and current and pending support documents they have already collected. However, if selected for funding, all senior personnel are required to provide SciENcv-certified versions of both forms prior to award issuance.

NIFA encourages applicants and collaborators to begin using SciENcv as early as possible. The system is rapidly becoming the federal standard, and early adoption will streamline future submissions and reduce administrative burden.

For more information and detailed instructions, please refer to the NIFA Application Guide or email policyguide@usda.gov.

NIFA will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 15 at 1p.m. CDT to introduce the newly established USDA General Terms and Conditions and discuss updates to NIFA’s agency‑specific Terms and Conditions. The session will also provide guidance on using SciENcv and is designed to help applicants, awardees and research administrators prepare for these changes.

Register here: USDA’s New General Terms and Conditions and NIFA’s Updated Requirements: A Comprehensive Overview