Science Policy Report

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22 July 2020

In This Issue:

Policy News

Science and Society News

International Corner

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

Policy News

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that Dr. Parag Chitnis will serve as Acting Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) upon the departure of Dr. Scott Angle. “Dr. Chitnis brings more than 31 years of scientific research and experience to the Director’s office. He has been instrumental in providing steady leadership and support to NIFA during its transition to Kansas City last fall, in addition to playing a lead role on NIFA’s Project CAFÉ (Collaboratively Achieving Functional Excellence) initiative which aims to help NIFA maximize business operations to better serve its customers,” said Secretary Perdue. “We thank Dr. Angle for his many contributions to NIFA and service to USDA and U.S. Agriculture.” Read the full article. 

The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America joined more than 90 other societies to tell the White House, Department of Homeland Security and Department of State that the proposed modifications to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) would prohibit non-immigrant students from remaining in the United States if all classes are online and could cause potentially vast numbers of students to be deported. After an outpouring of opposition, the Trump administration rescinded the proposed policy that would have stripped visas from international students whose courses move exclusively online amid the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full letter. 

Confronted with a deadly virus, many American colleges and universities are choosing to protect their communities by teaching fall classes largely or entirely online. Last week, the federal government deliberately disrupted those plans by proposing a new rule that would have prevented potentially hundreds of thousands of foreign students from studying in the United States this fall if their classes were taught remotely. Harvard’s president, Larry Bacow, termed this move “cruel and reckless,” a ploy to force institutions to open classes as if the pandemic had vanished. On Tuesday, responding to a joint lawsuit led by Harvard and my institution, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as pressure from many other quarters, the government revoked the policy. Read the full article.

The Trump administration’s course reversal on allowing international students to stay in the U.S. and take classes online was a victory for universities and advocacy groups that had condemned the initial policy proposal. But a week of chaos following the policy announcement has put a spotlight on larger problems surrounding a declining international student body, with experts warning the trend has both immediate and long-term consequences for the U.S. Read the full article.

Under President Trump’s leadership, our nation’s vast research enterprise is fully engaged to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimate victory depends on our scientific preeminence rooted in the longstanding and often unspoken principles of integrity, transparency, cooperation, openness, impartiality, respect, freedom of inquiry, reciprocity and accountability to the American people. Read the full article.

Science and Society News

75 years ago, the White House made public Vannevar Bush’s vision for American prosperity that was based in government support for fundamental research. Today our director, Sethuraman Panchanathan, shares his vision for keeping Bush's legacy alive at NSF. Read the full story. 

Support for policies to combat climate change jumped by more than 20 percent among rural, Midwestern voters when those initiatives involved financial incentives for ag producers to adopt climate-friendly farm practices and technology, according to a new report by Duke University. Read the report.

Discover, disseminate, and collaborate at the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting! This year's International Annual Meeting, "Translating Visionary Science to Practice," previously to be held on November 8-11, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona, will now be offered virtually. In response, the Societies have reopened abstract submissions until July 31. Our headquarters staff is working out details of the virtual meeting, including dates and registration information, and will post information on our website as it is developed and confirmed. Read the full story. 

With this notice, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) seeks public comment on the proposed themes and framework of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) as indicated by the draft prospectus presented here. Based on input received from this notice, USGCRP will develop an annotated outline, which will be released for public comment at a later date. A call for author nominations and technical inputs will also be posted in one or more subsequent Federal Register Notices. In addition to the proposed themes and framework, this Federal Register Notice requests public comment on ways to make the assessment information accessible and useful to multiple audiences; specific types of detailed information on regional scales that would be most useful to stakeholders; how to best describe risks and impacts, as well as potential opportunities to reduce those risks and impacts on sectors of the economy and natural and social systems; new approaches to topics addressed in previous assessments; overarching themes that NCA5 should consider addressing; and other relevant topics. Read the full announcement.

The New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint is centered around four core elements: Tech-enabled Traceability; Smarter Tools and Approaches for Prevention and Outbreak Response; New Business Models and Retail Modernization; Food Safety Culture. These are the foundational pillars of the New Era of Smarter Food Safety, covering the range of technologies, analytics, business models, modernization and values that are its building blocks. These elements, working together, will help create a safer and more digital, traceable food system. Read the full report. 

The Sustainable Agronomy Conference will provide Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) and Agri-Sale Professionals with the opportunity to better understand and implement sustainable agronomy in the field. Learn the drivers, economics, agronomics, environmental benefits, and implementation techniques of sustainable crop production. Economic, environmental, and social aspects of sustainable agronomy will be considered. This virtual conference will be action-oriented, practical, interactive, and applied with a focus on decision support and execution. Speakers, moderators, and panel participants will have a deep understanding of “why” and “how” to implement sustainable agronomy. Read the full story.

This soil health focused webinar series integrates economics, measurement tools, measurement assessment, and modeling to educate, motivate, and equip Certified Crop Advisers, consultants, and agricultural retailers to engage in soil health management systems. A Soil Science Society of America webinar series produced in partnership with The Soil Health Institute and sponsored by The Walton Family Foundation. FREE to all registrants. Register here.

History is pounding at agriculture’s door. One of the greatest farming enigmas to afflict growers in the last 100 years has been solved, yet the answer sits idle. At its core, the cotton riddle is simple: How to remove a naturally occurring pest deterrent from seeds, yet preserve the toxin within plants? The long-sought solution means cotton can make a massive leap from fabric to consumption—and provide 10.8 trillion grams of precious protein for the animal feed industry and human intake. Bottom line: After 7,000 years of cultivation, cotton is at the cusp of helping feed the planet. Read the full article. 

International Corner

Unless there is an unexpected change in European and French policy on GMOs, the February 7 judgment by the Council of State mandates that French farmers can no longer legally grow crop varieties derived from a breeding technique known as mutagenesis that has been used since the 1930s. Consumers will now only have access to varieties using this technique if they are authorized for import and marketing. Read the full article.

A Ghanaian chief, Nana Adjie Panin II, has called for the country’s commercialization of genetically modified (GM) seeds. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) would be a panacea to the existing negative agricultural practices around the globe, according to the chief, who lives in Deduako, a farming community in the Ashanti region of Ghana. His assertions are based on his observations that chemical usage associated with agriculture is having a grave toll on the environment, human health and soil nutrients, and GM crops could reduce that impact. Read the full article.

Scientists on the African continent are making frantic efforts to find home-grown solutions to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Their work has progressed despite infrastructure limitations, including the lack of proper laboratories and equipment for research. One country that has demonstrated the ability to rise to the challenge is Senegal, which has developed some of the world’s most affordable coronavirus testing kits and 3D-printed ventilators. A Senegal laboratory developed the $1 test kit and $60 ventilator using its experience in dealing with HIV-AIDS and Ebola outbreaks. Read the full article. 

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

Lancaster and York County farmers in Pennsylvania are invited to apply for up to $250,000 in Conservation Excellence Grants. The $2.5 million program, created by the 2019 PA Farm Bill, funds on-farm measures that reduce erosion and run-off, improving soil and water quality to ultimately sustain agriculture and improve the region's quality of life. Some examples of eligible measures include fencing to keep livestock out of streams, streambank restoration, cover crops, planted streamside buffers to filter nutrients out of streams, manure storage, and comprehensive plans to manage nutrients, control erosion, and conserve soil and water. Funding will support technical assistance and the installation of these and other high-impact Best Management Practices. Funds may be made available to farms in other counties if available. Deadline: Applications evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis. Read the full announcement.

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Research for Novel Approaches in Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program funds “proof of concept” projects intended to confirm the benefit and/or feasibility of new practices and approaches that have high potential for adoption by farmers. These practices and approaches may be related to production, marketing, business management, human resource management, farm family and other social issues, or other topics related to sustainable agriculture. Research for Novel Approaches Grants are open to personnel at colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, agricultural and community nonprofit organizations, municipalities, state departments of agriculture and federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, for-profit entities, and others who work with farmers and in food systems. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Deadline: July 23. Read the full announcement.

FPAC is announcing the availability of cooperative agreement funding to collect, analyze, and use soil health and grassland stand data from CRP-enrolled fields to estimate the relationship between soil health and the quality of the cover. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions are eligible to apply for the $500,000 of available funding. Deadline: July 28. Read the full announcement.

The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. The six priority areas are: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. Research-only, extension-only, and integrated research, education and/or extension projects are solicited in this Request for Applications (RFA). Read the full announcement. 

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is requesting proposals to restore, protect and enhance aquatic and riparian species of conservation concern and their habitats in the headwaters of the Rio Grande and Gila River watersheds. Up to $535,000 in funding is expected to be available through support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and private foundations. Deadline: July 30. Read the full announcement. 

The Dream Tags Charitable Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, encourages nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies throughout Nevada to engage state residents in wildlife conservation. The Fund provides grants to support the preservation, protection, management, or restoration of wildlife and its habitat. The focus is on restoring resilience in at-risk Nevada habitats with strategic collaborative projects for sustained impact. Applicants must provide a minimum 25 percent match for funds requested. Deadline: July 31. Read the full announcement.

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Environment Program is proud to launch a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Capacity Building Program to support DEI organizational change in U.S. conservation organizations. Now, more than ever, it is critical for the conservation field to sustain and accelerate the progress made on DEI over the last several years and to take action against systemic racism. Grants of up to $60,000 over two years will be awarded to approximately 11-12 organizations who have already demonstrated commitment to and action on DEI organizational change. We seek to support a diverse cohort of grantees – ranging from white-led to Black, Indigenous and people of color-led, small to large, and community based to nationally focused – to demonstrate that DEI learning and growth is important for all types of organizations. A total of $700,000 will be awarded, and grantees will also have the opportunity to engage in peer learning with the other organizations in this cohort. Deadline: July 31.  Read the full announcement.

Since 1996, Farm Credit East has awarded grants through the Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program to help organizations promote awareness of and strengthen agriculture, commercial fishing, and forestry in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and Vermont. Grants of up to $10,000 are awarded to programs, projects, and activities that assist in the development of young and beginning farmers; encourage leadership development with the aim of strengthening agriculture and the food and fiber industries (including programs and projects that encourage youth involvement in agricultural activities); generate a greater understanding and appreciation of agriculture and the food and fiber industries in the region; recognize the accomplishments of leaders of the agriculture and food and fiber industries; advance the economic viability of agriculture and the food and fiber industries in the Northeast; and/or promote interest in agriculture. Deadline: August 1. Read the full announcement.

Organic Valley is launching its Farmers Advocating for Organic program. The largest farmer-fund grant program in the U.S. and one of the few focused solely on organic, the program seeks to address the long-term needs of the organic marketplace and the future of organic agriculture by supporting the development of long-term solutions. Grants ranging between $5,000 and $50,000 will be awarded in support of research, education, and advocacy projects designed to protect and promote the organic industry and the livelihood of organic farmers. The program currently prioritizes projects that benefit family farmers who produce organic dairy, eggs, meat, produce, and grain/forage; projects that focus on organic soil health and biology; and projects that strengthen CROPP Cooperative (internal). Deadline: August 1. Read the full announcement.

South Carolina NRCS is seeking proposals from partners to develop watershed assessment plans to support the National Water Quality Initiative through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). NRCS has $250,000 available for an 18-month agreement with an entity with expertise in watershed assessment plans, specifically using the assessment template found in this funding opportunity. There are 5 watershed assessments to be completed across the state. These assessments will be based on HUC12 delineations identified at time of selection. Deadline: August 1. Read the full announcement. 

The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment is inviting applications for its Northern California Environmental Grassroots Fund. The fund supports small grassroots groups in Northern California that are tackling tough environmental problems, including toxic pollution, urban sprawl, sustainable agriculture, climate change, and environmental degradation of rivers and wild places, and/or working to improve communities and health through an environmental lens. Through the program, grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded. Project impact must be focused on Northern California (including the entire Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Bay Area, Central Valley, Central Coast, and North Coast) and on issues such as environmental health and justice, land management and urban sprawl, habitat and wilderness protection, sustainable forestry, water resources, agriculture, sustainability, and pollution. To be eligible, applicants must have annual revenue or expenses of $100,000 or less. Applicants may be a nonprofit, be fiscally sponsored by another nonprofit, or ask for fiscal sponsorship from the fund. Deadline: August 1. Read the full announcement. 

Applicants will be responsible for assisting NRCS and landowners by providing technical assistance necessary to design and implement ACEP-WRE and WRP restoration plans, while at the same time improving and protecting habitats for environmental benefits. Performance may include any part or all operations necessary to design, construct, inspect, manage, and monitor various restoration, enhancement, and creation practices. Performance may also include other restoration-related conservation practices that meet NRCS standards and specifications. In addition to technical assistance applicants will also be responsible for coordination with landowners to provide NRCS with monitoring efforts of existing easements. Deadline: August 3. Read the full announcement. 

The Chesapeake Bay Trust Outreach and Restoration Grant Program aims to engage a diverse range of organizations working to facilitate projects that strengthen communities, engage residents, and improve natural resource stewardship in the state of Maryland. To that end, the trust welcomes applications from new and experienced organizations for restoration or behavior change projects in Maryland. Deadline: August 4. Read the full announcement. 

The Chesapeake Bay Trust has issued an RFP for the Anne Arundel County Forestry and Forested Land Protection grant program. Through the program, and in partnership with the county government, grants will be awarded in support of forestry projects and land protection in the county. Three types of projects will be supported through the program: reforestation/afforestation of lands already protected, protection of lands already forested, and reforestation/afforestation and protection of lands that are currently uneased and unforested. While all tree planting projects will be considered, priority will be given to reforestation projects in the targeted watershed areas. Deadline: August 6. Read the full announcement. 

The Rural Renewal Initiative inspires, empowers, and coordinates rural renewal research at Oklahoma State University and beyond. The Rural Renewal Initiative supports interdisciplinary research by funding seed grant projects seeking to improve the lives of people in rural communities and providing them with trained student research scholars to lead community-engaged and participative research. Deadline: August 18. Read the full announcement.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the nation’s programs for youth development, education, and workforce development, including those in the food and agricultural sciences. Formal and non-formal education activities are in high demand as Americans continue social distancing to keep COVID-19 infection rates under control. The need for these programs is particularly prevalent in rural areas. Interested applicants are invited to register for an informational webinar on July 28, 2020 at 12:00 pm Eastern Time. Deadline: August 20. Read the full announcement.

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) encourages the submission of proposals for planning grants for Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) that transform the results of cutting-edge, use-inspired/purpose-driven, fundamental research on the dynamics of Earth processes into concepts and research products of collective interest to entities in the private sector, utilities, state and local governments, federal agencies and national labs, regulators, nonprofits, and other interested parties. The NSF IUCRC Program is a nationally recognized vehicle that increases funding to institutions of higher education, their faculty, and students. Deadline: September 16, 2020 and March 10, 2021. Read the full announcement.

The multi-agency Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases program supports research on the ecological, evolutionary, and social drivers that influence the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. The central theme of submitted projects must be the quantitative or computational understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics. The intent is discovery of principles of infectious disease transmission and testing mathematical or computational models that elucidate infectious disease systems. Deadline: November 18. Read the full announcement.

Sources: USDA; FDA; New York Times; The Hill; Fox News; Duke Nicholas Institute; Federal Register; AgWeb; Genetic Literacy Project; Cornell Alliance for Science

Vision: The Societies Washington, DC Science Policy Office (SPO) will advocate the importance and value of the agronomic, crop and soil sciences in developing national science policy and ensuring the necessary public-sector investment in the continued health of the environment for the well being of humanity. The SPO will assimilate, interpret, and disseminate in a timely manner to Society members information about relevant agricultural, natural resources and environmental legislation, rules and regulations under consideration by Congress and the Administration.

This page of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA web site will highlight current news items relevant to Science Policy. It is not an endorsement of any position.