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WSSA NIFA Fellow

Dr. James Kells, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
Plant and Soil Sciences Building

Michigan State University
1066 Bogue Street, Room A286
East Lansing, MI 48824
Ph: 517-930-9281
E-mail: [email protected]

Important Information

USDA-NIFA has developed a Weed Science Funding page to archive all relevant funding opportunities within USDA for Weed Science researchers. Scroll down to RELATED CONTENT section at the bottom of the page for relevant opportunities. The EXTERNAL RESOURCES section at the bottom lists previously funded projects. A list of FY 2017 USDA grant and partnership programs that can address invasive species research, technical assistance, prevention and control is available here.

For any questions on USDA grants, contact Dr. Vijay Nandula ([email protected]).

WSSA-USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Fellow

The WSSA Board of Directors created the position of WSSA-NIFA Fellow in 2013. This liaison position is a partnership between WSSA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Division of Plant Systems-Protection. Dr. Donn Shilling, University of Georgia was selected as the first USDA-NIFA Fellow in late 2014 and his work in this role began in 2015. He was then followed by Dr. James Kells of Michigan State University in 2019.

The purpose of the WSSA-NIFA Fellow is to serve as a weed science resource and subject matter expert within USDA-NIFA and to act as a liaison between WSSA members and USDA-NIFA employees. The WSSA-NIFA Fellow provides input on a wide range of topics such as current weed management practices, herbicide resistance management, weed biology and ecology, invasive plants, and the role of weed control in land management. The WSSA-NIFA Fellow learns about USDA-NIFA policies and procedures, becomes familiar with the USDA-NIFA staff and their roles in the agency, and develops a basic understanding of how USDA-NIFA funding priorities are established and grants awarded. The overall vision and goal for the WSSA-NIFA Fellow is to help enhance NIFA’s understanding of Weed Science and vice-versa that results in a positive impact for both Weed Science and Agriculture.

Funding Opportunities

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture sent this bulletin at 12/18/2023 04:42 PM EST

The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and Extension activities. OREI funds projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high-quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical and social sciences, including economics. Deadline for applications is February 15, 2024. For more information, read the OREI funding opportunity.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture sent this bulletin at 12/18/2023 05:45 PM EST

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) – Foundational and Applied Science (FAS) Program provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and Extension. supports grants in six AFRI priority areas:

  • 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
  • Agriculture economics and rural communities
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AFRI-FAS invests in agricultural production research, education, and Extension projects for a more sustainable, productive, and economically viable plant and animal production system. Applications that address climate change, nutrition security, expanding markets for producers, indigenous traditional ecological knowledge, and equity for underserved producers are encouraged. Application deadline is December 31, 2024. For more information, read the full AFRI-FAS funding opportunity.

The Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) program addresses high-priority issues related to pests and their management using integrated pest management (IPM) approaches at the state, regional, and national levels. CPPM supports projects that ensure food security and respond effectively to other major societal pest management challenges with comprehensive IPM approaches. Projects must be economically viable, ecologically prudent and safe for human health. CPPM also addresses IPM challenges for emerging issues and existing priority pest concerns that can be addressed more effectively with new and emerging technologies. Application deadline is February 15, 2024For more information, read the CPPM funding announcement.

NIFA Fellow Reports to the WSSA Board

Includes:
  • Major Activities Since 2023 Annual Meeting
  • Future Priorities

Other Reports