Biotechnology Programs

NIFA funds research, education, and extension activities that address the benefits, utilization, and environmental risks of biotechnology.

Wildlife and Fish Programs

Wildlife and fish contribute to healthy ecosystems, provide income to landowners and businesses, and afford recreational and aesthetic benefits to society. Each year, more than 80 million Americans fish, hunt, or watch wildlife. Some wildlife can pose problems to society, causing on average $1 billion in damage to American agriculture. NIFA programs seek to achieve a balance that sustains wildlife populations while minimizing wildlife impacts on human endeavors through research, education, and extension.

Farm Financial Management

Each year, hundreds of U.S. farm businesses fail; some caused by poor financial management. Farm management involves successfully integrating the factors of production land, labor, and financial resources to realize an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially responsible farm business. NIFA provides funding opportunities and staff expertise to address these concerns, allowing producers to meet their business and financial goals successfully.

Food Science and Technology Programs

NIFA’s Food Science and Technology program funds research projects and conducts leadership activities aimed at improving the processes, safety, and quality of foods.

Animal Reproduction

NIFA provides funding for basic and applied research in animal reproduction, and supports extension and education programs that transfer new science-based knowledge to the field and classroom.

Environmental and Resource Economics Programs

Natural resources are important to produce food, fiber, timber, and bioenergy. Farm and forestlands provide carbon sequestration, clean air and water, scenic vistas, and biodiversity. To help develop a sustainable, efficient economy, NIFA programs focus on activities that apply economic theory and methods to study interactions between economic and natural systems. Climate change, bioenergy, and environmental goods and services are major topics.

Invasive Species Program

Sustainable Development Programs

NIFA aims to incorporate sustainability concepts and principles into the policies, practices, and programs of the Land-Grant University System so that everyone may benefit from sound sustainable development in the United States.

Manure and Nutrient Management Programs

Manure is a valuable source of plant nutrients but also a potential pollutant. Proper management of nutrients from commercial fertilizers and organic sources is important to protect our environment and to have economically and environmentally sustainable livestock operations. NIFA works with government agencies and commodity and public organizations that conduct research and carry out extension and education programs to manage manure and plant nutrients.

Animal & Plant Biosecurity

NIFA and its land-grant university partners play a major role in helping to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks.