The Plant-Biotic Interactions program aims to provide a deeper understanding of complex relationships between plants, microbes, and other organisms. Research funded through this program may lead to novel cropping systems that help plants thrive in extreme environments.
Dr. Tim Cross, UTIA chancellor, receives the Southern Extension Service Award for Excellence in Leadership from ASRED for his exemplary service to the national land-grant university system. His work has made a significant impact in areas such as farm management and policy development.
Agricultural production improves hive health by providing adequate food resources and nectar yields, outweighing pesticide risks. Bees in agricultural areas had better colony thermoregulation and higher brood production than those in non-agricultural environments.
Researchers tracked the impact of Brazil's Soy Moratorium on deforestation and soy production in Mato Grosso. The study found a significant reduction in deforestation after the moratorium took effect, with a shift towards more efficient agricultural practices.
A national survey by Michigan State University found that less than half of Americans can recognize anxiety, and nearly 8 in 10 do not recognize prescription drug abuse as a treatable problem. The survey aims to educate health officials and policymakers on where to target prevention efforts for major societal issues.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $1 million in funding to strengthen food and agricultural science education in insular areas. This program aims to increase the number of students pursuing food and agriculture careers by strengthening institutional capacities in instruction and curriculum.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $800,000 to enhance distance education in the agricultural sciences for students in remote geographic regions. This funding will support higher education institutions in US insular areas to develop online courses and programs in food and agricultural sciences.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $18 million in funding to support the next generation of agricultural science professionals. The program aims to strengthen pathways for students and researchers in agriculture-related fields, from primary school STEM education to fellowships for new scientists.
The UTIA Dairy Products Evaluation Team won first place at the Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation contest, ahead of 13 other teams. Students including Michael Luethke and Katie Magee took top honors in their respective categories.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced funding opportunities to develop new biobased products and biomaterials from renewable sources. The program aims to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign energy and create economic opportunities in rural communities.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced $6.3 million in available funding for projects supporting resilient agriculture and forestry production systems. These investments will help producers, land managers, and decision-makers develop valuable tools to address climate-related challenges.
Ants cultivated and maintained vast subterranean farms producing fungi, dating back to 30 million years ago. These ancient agricultural ants have evolved complex societies, with crops dependent on ant farmers for survival.
The US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $400,000 to increase women and minority representation in the agricultural science workforce. Eligible applicants can apply for funding through NIFA's Women and Minorities in Science program.
The USDA has allocated $150.2 million through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) to support projects addressing key agricultural, food, and natural resource problems. The funding aims to develop innovative technologies and sustainable management strategies for livestock, crops, and critical underlying resources.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced a $462,000 grant program to support disaster preparedness and response in agricultural communities. The program aims to educate farmers, rural youth, and communities on emergency preparedness and response through targeted projects.
The USDA has announced $21.8 million in funding to address the outbreak of citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), which poses an imminent threat to US citrus production. Innovative solutions and research are being developed to combat this devastating disease.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $4.2 million to repay veterinary school loans for eligible veterinarians who serve in areas with a shortage of veterinary resources. This assistance aims to retain veterinarians in rural America, where they can provide essential services to farmers and ranchers.
The USDA is providing $18 million in funding to support 19 historically black land-grant colleges and universities, aiming to enhance their research, teaching, and extension programs. This investment will benefit students, professors, and institutions, with a focus on addressing nutritional security challenges and fostering a strong ag...
The USDA has allocated $1.2 million to support aquaculture research in genetics, disease, production systems, and economics. The funding aims to develop an environmentally and economically sustainable U.S. aquaculture industry.
The USDA has allocated $6.3 million to support projects combating childhood obesity, which affects over 12 million children in the US. Funding is aimed at promoting nutrition and healthy living, particularly among low-income communities.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is providing $2.4 million in funding to support veterinary services and alleviate shortages in rural areas. The grant program will help veterinarians, veterinary students, and other health professionals gain specialized skills and provide practices with additional resources.
Researchers from the University of Delaware found that tree trunks in upland forests emit methane, while soils and coarse woody debris act as methane sinks. The study used state-of-the-art technology to measure fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide, revealing a previously unaccounted source of this potent greenhouse gas.
International research effort has advanced agriculture in space and led to Earth-based advances, including LED lighting and new seed potato propagation techniques. Plants will be a major component of proposed regenerative life-support systems for human space exploration, providing food, oxygen, and aiding water recycling.
The USDA has announced $300,000 in funding for initiatives offering farm safety education and certification to youth in agricultural production. The program aims to provide industry-recognized credentials and ensure vocational curricula align with current regulations.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded over $5 million in grants to support research and extension experiences for undergraduate students in agriculture. These fellowships aim to prepare students for careers in the agricultural sciences, focusing on food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
A new project led by UTIA faculty will recruit 14 undergraduate Research and Extension Fellows to explore agro-ecological farming in western Belize. The team will work with local partners to empower forest and wildlife stewardship while increasing the students' skills to become leaders in agricultural and conservation efforts globally.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced $11 million in funding to support the development of safe and effective pest management solutions for specialty crops. This investment aims to improve practices and profits for producers, addressing key challenges such as childhood obesity and rural economic growth.
The USDA has allocated $11 million for projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, a significant public health concern affecting over 2 million people annually. The funding supports extramural research and education activities aimed at understanding and mitigating AMR along the food chain.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture's 'On My Own' financial literacy program has received a $75,000 grant from the SunTrust Foundation to expand its reach in Tennessee. The program aims to provide middle school and high school students with essential skills such as creating a budget, reading a paycheck, and understandi...
A new study suggests that investing in agriculture can improve food production and regional productivity, but also risks expanding agricultural land into natural forests. The region's future development will have profound implications for millions of people.
Researchers have developed a mathematical model to determine the optimal time for transporting strawberry crops, reducing spoilage and increasing market value. The findings suggest that precision agriculture techniques can be applied to high-value fresh produce, motivating growers to explore new opportunities.
The USDA is providing funding for research on new, environmentally friendly pesticides to replace the ozone-depleting chemical methyl bromide. The goal is to develop practical and safe alternatives for pest management in various industries.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding $320,000 to develop and deliver educational programs for at-risk youth. These programs aim to equip young people with skills necessary for leading productive and contributing lives, addressing early childhood needs and promoting holistic family well-being.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced funding for fundamental and applied research on canola to increase productivity and profitability in various growing environments. This $766,000 grant program aims to develop new commercial products from canola and improve production systems.
New research suggests agriculture's food demand will likely increase by 25-70%, challenging the widely accepted doubling of global crop and animal production. To meet growing food demands while protecting the environment, researchers propose quantitative targets for both food production and environmental impacts.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded grants totaling $4,790,100 to non-land-grant universities for agricultural science programs. These grants will support education, research, and outreach activities in agriculture, renewable resources, and related disciplines.
A new USDA grant aims to determine if stream-bank legacy sediments are significant sources of nutrients to surface waters. The study will focus on understanding the fate of legacy sediments, their microbial community composition and nutrient transformation processes in aquatic ecosystems.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is awarding $1.7 million to support research capacity building at land-grant tribal colleges and universities. The funding will focus on enhancing research projects of tribal, state, or national importance.
Researchers from UT Institute of Agriculture won the Outstanding Paper Award in Weed Technology for their study on cover crops and herbicides. The study found that combinations of grass and legume cover crops provided effective control over glyphosate-resistant Palmer Amaranth, with cereal rye and wheat showing the best results.
The UTIA project used aerial acoustic recordings to track at-risk avian species on DoD facilities, improving compliance with environmental regulations. The project was recognized as the DoD's Project of the Year for 2016 for resource conservation and resiliency.
Dr. Chris Boyer has been selected as an Emerging Scholar by the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA) for his research on farm and environmental management. He will receive the award for his demonstrated publication activity and work with UT Extension educators to serve agricultural producers in Tennessee.
Researchers found that tropical forests provided a stable source of subsistence for human hunter-gatherers in New Guinea. Stable isotope analysis revealed prehistoric diets and lifestyles, indicating that foraging continued alongside agricultural experimentation.
The USDA-NIFA has awarded $3 million in grants for plant and animal phenomics research. The projects focus on developing high-throughput technologies to analyze microbiomes and their interactions with plants and animals, with potential applications in improving human health and food production.
Researchers examine how native grass management can enhance soil health and agricultural productivity in the eastern US. They focus on optimizing fertility and cover crop strategies for nutrient-efficient species like switchgrass and big bluestem, which produce extensive root systems that support micro-invertebrate communities.
The USDA has invested $13.6 million in four new grants to combat citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing, which is affecting the US citrus industry. Researchers will use CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and nanotechnology approaches to develop resistant varieties and bactericides.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is investing $1.85 million in regional potato breeding research to create new, high-value varieties. The project aims to develop potatoes with improved yield, storability, consumer quality, and water efficiency, as well as high-throughput methods for rapid trait selection.
The USDA is providing funding to 19 eligible 1890 land-grant colleges to enhance their agricultural and food sciences facilities and equipment. This investment aims to educate the future workforce in these critical job sectors.
The new data from the SMAP satellite is providing significant surprises that will help in the modeling of climate, forecasting of weather, and monitoring of agriculture around the world. The topsoil's 'memory' for weather anomalies persists for a matter of days, contrary to expectations.
The USDA is providing $3 million in funding to support Alaska Native- and Native Hawaiian-Serving colleges and universities. The grant program aims to enhance educational equity and develop the local workforce, resulting in increased employment, new business launches, and improved agricultural production.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing funding to improve science education in the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences. The program aims to increase diversity and retention of students pursuing college degrees in FANH sciences.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is providing $540,000 in funding for State and regional projects that offer education, assistive technology, and other support to farmers and ranchers with disabilities. These projects aim to improve accessibility and inclusivity in agriculture.
The USDA has allocated $2.9 million for research into integrated biorefineries, which aim to create biofuels and bioproducts from renewable energy sources. This funding will support projects that address the challenges of scaling up and operating these facilities, with the goal of enhancing US energy security and economic growth.
A new grant program aims to encourage students to pursue food, agriculture, natural resource, and human science careers through experiential instruction. The University of Tennessee will develop a curriculum and professional development products to teach soilless vegetable growing systems in controlled environments.
The USDA is providing up to $5 million in funding for research on cyber-physical systems to improve efficiency and sustainability in the agricultural industry. This initiative aims to develop data-driven analytical tools throughout the food supply chain to promote smarter decision-making and reduce waste and increase safety.
The USDA has awarded $3.4 million to seven research projects aimed at developing new wheat varieties with improved yield and adaptability to different regions. These grants will support international collaboration on wheat research and help meet growing demand for wheat worldwide.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced $4 million in funding for biotechnology risk assessment research. This funding will support the development of science-based evaluations for genetically engineered organisms, including plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms.
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture has allocated $3.8 million for research, education, and extension to support organic farming and promote the growth of the organic sector. The grants aim to improve technologies, methods, and cultural practices in organic farming systems.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced $3 million in funding for robotics research, application, and education in agriculture. This funding will support research on collaborative human-robot interactions, including the development of customizable robots and infrastructure to lower barriers to entry.
Researchers discovered evidence of cereal domestication at Tell Qarassa North archaeological site, revealing advanced farming communities and varying domestication rates across regions. The study provides crucial insights into the origins of agriculture and its impact on human societies.
A University of Houston team has developed a behavior-based educational toolkit system to improve safe food handling practices for restaurant and grocery store employees. The augmented reality technology streamlines food cleanliness practices for smaller operations, with the goal of enhancing food safety behavior.