The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established funding programs to support innovative practices for more resilient food ecosystems and reducing farming’s carbon footprint in response to climate-related threats. These programs include USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, Sustainable Agricultural Systems Program, and NIFA’s 1890 Land-grant Institutions Programs, specifically supporting researchers at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
NIFA has provided at least $21 million between 2021 and 2024 for climate change projects led by 1890 Land-grant University partners. Researchers like Sakthi Kumaran at Central State University are studying climate-smart farming techniques to increase soil health and carbon sequestration. Meanwhile, Peter Ampim at Prairie View A&M University is researching nitrogen efficiency traits in sorghum to minimize nitrogen loss in cropping systems.
Nineteen HBCUs are participating in the Climate Resiliency Initiative, focusing on smart agriculture practices, sustainable growth techniques, and supporting marginalized farming communities. Alcorn State University researchers are working on climate-related projects like improving plant stress tolerance, researching altered growing seasons’ impact on food production, and developing high-protein, stress-tolerant sweet potatoes.
Jonathan Cumming at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is leading a research team testing switchgrass as a cover crop and biofuel ingredient. The project aims to measure switchgrass’s carbon capture ability, resistance to drought, and its use in turning chicken litter into biofuel. This work could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly energy production while also providing a sustainable fertilizer. Ultimately, these projects aim to address the challenges posed by climate change and support sustainable agriculture practices for the future.
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