Tagged With "food crops"

Cooperative Extension implements community-driven impactful programming across the system. To showcase these programs, the Extension Foundation hosts a monthly series called Program Center Stage , which invites Extension teams from diverse areas to spotlight their programs and project methods, strategies, and impacts. This series serves as a platform for Extension professionals and partners to connect with these programs, gain insights and explore opportunities for collaboration or program...

Like many of the issues that impact our families and communities, food security is complex. There are multiple factors that affect the issue, including economic, social, environmental and political factors. Interrelated issues like poverty, healthcare, and climate change make food security even more complex. Complex issues can only be addressed from multiple perspectives and by a wide range of people and organizations. Obach and their collaborators write, “Building networks allows for...

For over two years, U.S. inflation rates have exceeded their long-term average of about 3%. Like all Americans, military families have experienced a loss of purchasing power as their income cannot buy as much as it did previously. Individuals cannot stop inflation but they can mitigate its impact. Below are six inflation-fighting strategies for Extension professionals to discuss with Service members: Needs Versus Wants Analysis - During inflationary times, it is more important than ever to...

One cause of food insecurity among military families is inflation. As food costs rise, the ability to make nutritionally sound food purchases and maintain consistent access to food decreases. In February 2023, food prices were 9.5% higher than a year earlier according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Another cause of concern for cash-strapped military families is “ shrinkflation ,” i.e., where food and household product (e.g., toilet paper) manufacturers keep prices the same but reduce...

In 2021, 33.8 million people living in the United States were food insecure (Weeks et al, 2023). Food security is defined by the USDA as, “Access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members” (OPA). Frequent relocations, barriers to spousal employment, and the Basic Allowance for Housing being factored into SNAP eligibility compounds the issue of food security for military families. As a result, one in four service members currently experience food...

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development today announced that it is inviting proposals to evaluate the impact of the agency’s grant and loan programs on regional food supply chains . The agency is making $750,000 available to measure how well USDA Rural Development programs are creating market opportunities for small- and mid-sized farmers and independent agricultural businesses throughout the food supply chain. In 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration and USDA...

Funding is available from the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center to support Critical Issue research and Working Group collaborative projects for 2024. Applications must focus on an aspect of integrated pest management, which may include insects, weeds or diseases. The maximum funding amount for each award is $30,000.

Explore EPA Regulations on Pesticides and Bees in this webinar. Follow a pesticide's journey from risk assessment to the marketplace, led by host Andony Melathopoulos. Gain insights into the EPA's historical and current approaches, understanding their role in safeguarding pollinators. Since 2010, the EPA has focused on assessing pesticide risks to bees. The key question: Is the EPA effectively protecting bees? This webinar delves into this topic, exploring its impact on our environment and...

Four new titles are available on the Extension Foundation’s website. The brief publications - written as magazine-style feature stories - share project work funded through the New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) program , a cooperative agreement between USDA NIFA, Oklahoma State University, and the Extension Foundation. The goal of NTAE is to incubate, accelerate, and expand promising work that will increase the impact of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in the communities it...

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension is searching for an Organic Agriculture Extension Field Specialist I. This is a 12-month, full-time, benefit-eligible position available in one of our regional extension centers located in either Aberdeen, Lemmon, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, or Winner. The position is supervised by the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leader and is affiliated with either the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant...

On some recent trips, my wife was administering health screenings at two of the factories in the largest cheese-manufacturing company in the world, Leprino Foods has 5,500 employees in 19 locations around the globe. You've probably eaten their product without even knowing. Hang on to your organizational health hats! One of the leaders in this area, Patrick Lencioni, would be proud! Back to my wife's experience... Her time at their factories was very similar despite the locations being far...

The Extension Foundation (EXF) has issued Teaching Youth Food Safety: A Game-Based Experience , a publication written by a team from the New Mexico State University Learning Games Lab. The publication details how the team is addressing food safety through game-based learning. Their ideas ties into research that indicates youth prefer to learn about food safety topics through interactive educational tools. The publication details how the team developed “Theme Park Cafe”, a food safety game...

Can you help us spread the word? USDA-ARS researchers team up with Chef Mark Mills to create three tasty and easy-to-prepare dishes featuring potatoes. While Chef Mills prepares a vegetable hash, Spanish tortilla, and potato black bean burger, ARS researchers chime in on the history of the potato, its value in U.S. agriculture, and how we are making healthier, tastier potato cultivars that last longer in storage. Click on the link to check out the potato recipes and learn more about ARS...

Research highlights the efficacy of game-based learning in educating youth. A team at New Mexico State University’s Learning Games Lab is applying that research, using their expertise in game-based learning to make food safety education exciting for the next generation of food handlers and enthusiasts. Youth prepare food for themselves and their families and may have careers in the food industry. It’s important that they learn about safe food handling, cooking, storage, and when food is...

The Learning Games Lab team at New Mexico State University recently hosted a webinar with the Extension Foundation to introduce their latest educational technology innovation: " Theme Park Kitchen ," a food safety game for youth. Using their expertise in game-based learning and engaging young learners, the team has turned food safety education into an exciting game for the upcoming generation of food handlers. "Theme Park Kitchen" is an online game aimed at both entertaining and educating...

This position is located at Extension’s Hillsborough County Office in Goffstown, N.H. The field specialist will provide technical assistance and develop educational programming in fruit and vegetable production to both new and experienced growers. Expertise in fruit or vegetable production is a priority for this position. Additional expertise in soil nutrition, integrated pest management or agricultural engineering is desirable. The candidate will work individually and as part of a team to...

The Extension Foundation reviewed 60 applications from all six regions of Cooperative Extension for Year 1 of the New Technologies for Ag Extension (NTAE) funding opportunity. Twenty-four projects representing 18 Land-grant universities were selected by an external review panel for the award. This includes funding for four levels of projects: Incubation ($10,000), Acceleration ($20,000), Expansion ($40,000), and Scaling ($100,000). A complete listing of awarded projects can be found on the...

Interest in home food preservation has surged in recent years, fueled by more time spent at home and a desire for self-sufficiency. People are rediscovering traditional methods like canning, pickling, and drying to preserve their harvests and reduce food waste. But with this increased interest comes a crucial need for science-based information. Safe food preservation practices are essential to avoid foodborne illness and economic loss from spoiled food. This is especially important for the...

The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter) is seeking a highly motivated and creative individual with an entrepreneurial spirit to provide leadership for the Louisiana Food Innovation Institute (FOODii) on the LSU AgCenter Campus in Baton Rouge, LA. More information can be found at Director - Louisiana Food Innovation Institute (FOODii) - East Baton Rouge Parish - R00088965 (lsuagcenter.com) . Join us!

We are thrilled to announce that applications to AFT’s Southeast Regional Advanced Soil Health Training (ASHT) are now open! (Please click on this link to access the application ). The Advanced Soil Health Training (ASHT) program is designed for farmers and farm advisors who share an interest in improving soil health and who will share their expertise with their clients, communities, and the next generation of farmers. We are excited to bring you the best in agricultural education through...