USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) National Program Leader

 The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has one job opening for a National Program Leader, Agricultural Economics (Social Science Specialist; GS 13/14 with full promotion potential to GS15). This position is in the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, Division of Agricultural Systems. This is a remote job/position, and the selectee is not required to report to a government office; however, the option to work in one of the NIFA offices may be available.

National Program Leaders provide scientific and technical leadership for competitive and capacity grant
programs. Examples of some duties performed by National Program Leaders include (but are not limited
to):

• Administers research, education, and extension programs in food and agricultural sciences related to applied and agricultural economics with a focus on natural resources and the environment, including economics of climate change and/or economics of natural resources conservation.
• Initiate, network, and collaborate with partners and stakeholders to identify mission-relevant problems, opportunities and issues requiring Federal attention.
• Conceive, formulate, and execute competitive grant programs and activities to respond to existing or emerging problems, opportunities, priorities, and issues for development.
• Apply science-based knowledge to evaluate policy and develop and implement programs in collaboration with universities and other partners.
• Evaluate and assess the quality, outcomes, and impacts of competitive and capacity grant programs.
• Promotes the research, education, and extension portfolio to advance the strategic goals and management objectives of NIFA and the administration.

Applications will be accepted until November 23, 2022, or until 150 applications are received. More
information and a link to apply for this National Program Leader position is available at:
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/688138100.

FREE Webinar on USDA Research Relocation and Reorganization

USDA Research Relocation and Reorganization: Perspectives from Former USDA Chief Scientists and Administrators Thursday, September 20, 2018 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. EDT A FREE webinar featuring: Catherine Woteki Former USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics Susan Offutt Former USDA Economic Research Service Administrator   Gale Buchanan Former USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics Scott Swinton (moderator) Professor, Michigan State University Past President, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association On August 9, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue surprised Congress and USDA stakeholders with an announcement that he plans to relocate the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) outside the Washington, DC, area by the end of 2019. He also will transfer ERS from the USDA research arm to a policy arm. The announcement has raised the following questions of process: Was the partner and stakeholder community consulted prior to the announcement, and if so, how and when? Will there be a chance for the USDA partner community to comment on the announcement and the effects of its realization? What is Congress’s oversight and appropriation role in this reorganization? Many substantive concerns have also been raised, including the following: What policy and research problems are being addressed by the relocations and ERS’ transfer to a USDA policy arm? How will the research quality and relevance of NIFA and ERS be improved by moving their headquarters away from key audiences and policymakers? How would NIFA’s role in federal research partnerships be affected with a move away from sister federal agencies (National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy)? How would NIFA’s day-to-day operations be affected with leadership in DC and the rest of the agency in another location? If most of NIFA is relocated to a partner university, what protections would be necessary to avoid preferential treatment of that university over the dozens of other universities that host NIFA-funded research? Will ERS retain its capacity to be a leading world agricultural economics research institution if many staff elect not to relocate? After reorganization, will the ERS have the resources to continue to serve as an independent, trustworthy source of statistical information? What do these changes mean for the future of the USDA mission area of Research, Education, and Economics? The panelists will address the many questions and concerns raised about Perdue’s announcement; address viewer questions; and suggest actions for Congress, USDA, and viewers. To view the webinar, please register here. A recording of the webinar will also be posted here afterward. Follow the discussion on Twitter by using #NIFA-ERS-Webinar. Further Reading Congressional letters/calls: Senate Agriculture Committee; Minority Whip Hoyer; House Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee Minority; Congresswoman Norton Stakeholder Letters: AAEA; Friends of Agricultural Statistics and Analysis; ASA; NIFA Select op-eds: Des Moines Register, The Hill

USDA-NIFA Livestream Event

Livestream of Oct. 10 Summit on Data in Agricultural Science NIFA Summit on Big Data The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is convening a summit to identify the frontiers and future of data in agriculture and build on existing U.S. government-wide efforts and investments in Big Data.Save the date for an opportunityto help shape the agenda driving innovation in our agricultural enterprise. Join us via livestream as leaders in agriculture and data science fields converge to synthesize the future of data-driven agriculture. ThisOct.10 event will include an address from NIFA Director Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, a set of visionary talks from leaders in the fields of data science and agriculture, and discussion. This eventwill be streamed live in tandem with the Oct.10-12, National Science Foundation's Midwest Big Data Hub All-Hands Meeting. Event Details Monday, October 10, 2016 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Add to Calendar iCalendar Outlook Google Yahoo Be part of the conversation with @USDA_NIFA#NifaAgData Stay tuned for more webinar details and information. More information will be available on the event web page.

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

AFRI Foundational Program Webinar

AFRI Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities (AERC) Foundational Program Area webinar sponsored by NIFA.

DATE: Wednesday, January 22 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET
*Date has changed to Thursday, January 23 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET.

Highlights of the AERC program area, eligibility requirements, and other aspects of the following five programs will be discussed along with questions and answers.

• Economics, Markets and Trade
• Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
• Entrepreneurship, Technology and Innovation
• Rural Communities and Regional Development
• Small and Medium Sized Farms 

Moderator and Presenter: Fen Hunt (Moderator), Robbin Shoemaker, Jill Auburn, Denis Ebodaghe
To Participate: Join the webinar at the following link a few minutes before the starting time (number of lines are limited; first come first serve)
Weblink: Use the audio connection via your computer speakers/microphone or via telephone: 888-844-9904 access code 6824450#  http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/afri-aerc/ 
Important Dates/Links:
Letters of intent are required for these programs (a new requirement of AERC in 2014), due on February 19. The application deadline for full proposals is April 28, 2014. You cannot submit a proposal if you do not first submit a letter of intent.

The 2014 AFRI Foundational Request for Applications can be found at:
http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/14_afri_foundation_mod.pdf
For Grant-Writing Tips and Other AFRI Information see:
http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/afri/afri.html
For more information on  AERC including a link to abstracts of projects funded in the past (2011) see: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/agricultureeconomicsandruralcommunitiesafri.cfm
For additional information, please contact Robin Shoemaker at 202-720-5468 or rshoemaker@nifa.usda.gov

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USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture Requesting Applications for AFRI Program

The United States of Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today released the request for applications (RFA) for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program. In fiscal year 2014, NIFA plans to award approximately $82 million to support the AFRI Foundational Program.

The AFRI Foundational Program addresses six priority areas to continue building a foundation of knowledge in fundamental and applied food and agricultural sciences that are critical for solving current and future societal challenges. The six priority areas include: plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition and health; renewable energy, natural resources and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities.

The fiscal year 2014 RFA will feature two new programs intended to address critical and emerging issues. The Exploratory Research Program (ERP) addresses new challenges that in food security, climate change, environmental quality and natural resources, nutrition, obesity, food safety, strong families and vibrant communities, and thriving youth. The program seeks to find innovative ideas that will position U.S. agriculture at the global forefront. ERP grants will be funded up to $100,000 for one year. The Critical Agriculture Research and Extension (CARE) program seeks to address critical problems that continue to impede the efficient production and protection of plants and animals. Funded projects will quickly yield solutions or practices that can be rapidly implemented by producers. CARE will fund projects up to $150,000 for three years.

AFRI is NIFA's flagship competitive grants program and was established under the 2008 Farm Bill. NIFA anticipates the amount available for AFRI Program in fiscal year 2014 will be approximately $275 million. This amount is based on the temporary appropriations, which provide funds through January 15, 2014. Adjustments will be made to program allocations once the fiscal year 2014 appropriations are finalized. AFRI will make awards in four challenge areas: food safety, food security, childhood obesity prevention, and a new challenge area, water for agriculture. The AFRI challenge areas will continue to support societal challenge areas where research, education, and Extension can achieve significant and measurable outcomes. The NIFA Fellowships Grants program will also be offered again to provide opportunities for training and workforce development through pre and postdoctoral fellowships in the agricultural sciences.

All AFRI program information, including the RFAs, is available online. Visit www.nifa.usda.gov/afri for more information.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. More information is available at: www.nifa.usda.gov.

NIFA Schedules Listening Session for New AFRI Challenge Area

As part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) strategy to successfully implement the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), NIFA intends to initiate a new challenge area within AFRI in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 to address water issues. NIFA is particularly interested in input on how best to achieve the most impact, within budget constraints, in the early years of this new challenge area.

NIFA will hold a web-based listening session on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), in order to solicit stakeholder input on this new challenge area. The web-based listening session will be hosted using Adobe Connect. On July 16th, please access the following website, http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/afri-water/. In addition, audio conference call capabilities can be accessed at 1-888-858-2144, participant code 1512861#.

Persons wishing to present oral comments during the web-based listening session are requested to pre-register by contacting Ms. Terri Joya at (202) 401-1282, by fax at (202) 401-1782 or by e-mail to tjoya@nifa.usda.gov. Participants may reserve one 5-minute comment period. All other participants may provide comments during the web-based listening session if time permits, or submit written comments.

Instructions for submitting written comments by various means are in the federal register notice published Monday, July 8, 2013, vol. 78, No. 130, p. 40689, at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-07-08/html/2013-16204.htm All comments must be received by close of business on July 30, 2013, to be considered in the initial drafting of the FY 2014 AFRI Water program RFA.

NIFA-AFRI Host Ag Econ and Rural Communities Program Webinars

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities Program is excited to host a three-part webinar series on January 22, January 30, and February 7, 2013. The series will showcase recent research supported by the Markets and Trade and Environment Program Areas. Please see the agenda for a list of topics to be covered.

The series will be run in a webinar format and will be accessible by conference call (audio) and internet (visual only). All are invited to listen in and join the discussion on these interesting NIFA-funded research projects. Please follow the links below to participate. Instructions on how to use Adobe Connect can be accessed here. No prior registration is required; however, please contact Robbin Shoemaker at rshoemaker@nifa.usda.gov at least one week prior to the session should you require closed captioning.

Session 1: January 22, 2013
Time: 12:00-2:00pm (EST)
Audio: 1-888-858-2144 (Participant Code: 7343873)
Web/Visual: http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/afrimtesession1/.

Session 2: January 30, 2013
Time: 1:00-3:00pm (EST)
Audio: 1-888-858-2144 (Participant Code: 7343873)
Web/Visual: http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/afrimtesession2/.

Session 3: February 7, 2013
Time: 2:00-4:00pm (EST)
Audio: 1-888-858-2144 (Participant Code: 7343873)
Web/Visual: http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/afrimtesession3/.

Any updates or changes will be posted at the following website:

http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/economics/in_focus/market_env_webinar.html

NIFA Releases Requests for Applications for AFRI Foundational Program

The United States of Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released the request for applications (RFA) for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program. This funding opportunity supports research, education and Extension in fundamental and applied food and agricultural sciences. In Fiscal Year 2013, NIFA plans to award $136 million to support the AFRI Foundational Program.

National Grantsmanship Workshop: A Focus on Partnerships

NIFA national program leaders, in partnership with the University of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro NC, are offering the fourth in a series of 1-day national workshops covering the preparation and management of competitively awarded grants on December 11, 2012.

Call for Papers: Broadband Access, Adoption and Application: Policy Challenges and Options

The new National Agricultural and Rural Development Policy (NARDeP) Center, funded by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture and jointly managed by the four Regional Rural Development Centers, has released a call for proposals for a white paper focusing on "Broadband Access, Adoption and Application: Policy Challenges and Options." The application deadline is August 17, 2012.

The NARDeP Center's purpose includes providing timely and unbiased information on agriculture and rural development issues to policy makers. In light of the significant national interest and investment being made in broadband expansion into rural America, NARDeP feels it is essential to examine policy and program options that can spur the growth of broadband access and use by rural people, farm/nonfarm enterprises, and places.

USDA-NIFA to Hold Stakeholder Listening Session for Agriculture and Food Research

In an effort to improve the quality of its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program, USDA-NIFA is again holding a public meeting and soliciting public comments for consideration in the development of future AFRI program solicitations. The AFRI Stakeholder Listening Session will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 8:00 am–5:00 pm at USDA–NIFA, Waterfront Centre, 800 9th Street, SW, Room 1410, Washington, DC 20024. To learn more about and/or register for the session, please visit the NIFA website.

NIFA Accepting Proposals for Its $262 Million in Funding

USDA-NIFA has released its first request for applications (RFA) for those looking to receive funding for their research. This RFA, the first of seven, is for the AFRI Foundational Program, which is designed to continue building a foundation of knowledge in fundamental and applied food and agricultural sciences.

NIFA Hosts Webinar Thursday on Rural Entrepreneurship

A new webinar on rural entrepeneurship is being hosted by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program of the USDA-NIFA. The webinar is free and you don't need to register ahead of time to attend. However, space is limited, so be sure to login early. You can read the full announcement, including presenters and login instructions after the jump.