DECEMBER 2024 TOOLKIT

CONNECTING AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH:

Colleges of Agriculture and Colleges of Health and Human Sciences are Vital to Improve Public Health

Public and land-grant universities focus on the critical intersections of agriculture, food, nutrition, and health to build resilient, sustainable food systems that improve community health and well-being. By integrating these areas, land-grants create greater opportunities and lead on issues vital to local economies and public health.¹

For example, these universities are on the cutting-edge of precision nutrition, which moves from a “one-size-fits-all” to a personalized approach for dietary and lifestyle recommendations to improve health outcomes. Key components of precision nutrition include:

Genetic information that analyzes an individual's genetic makeup to understand how their genes may influence responses to different nutrients and dietary patterns.
Microbiome analysis that considers the composition of an individual's gut microbiome to tailor recommendations that support a healthy gut environment, nutrient metabolism, and overall health.
Lifestyle habits that consider factors such as physical activity, sleep patterns, and stress levels that significantly impact how the body processes and utilizes nutrients.

^{1. Adapted from November 2024 FANR Focus.}

APLU’s Board on Health and Human Sciences: The Future of The Health and Human Sciences as an Interdisciplinary Partner

The Health and Human Sciences bring together knowledge from across disciplines to advance the frontier of global health and wellness at the individual-, community-, and societal-level. Human Sciences professionals take an interdisciplinary approach to address and solve important complex individual, family, community, and societal challenges. Human Sciences provide evidence-based solutions to improving human health and addressing illness through a focus on healthy food and nutrition, fitness, interpersonal relationships and systems that support children, youth, and families.

Health and Human Sciences cultivate interdisciplinary and translational research agendas from the lab and extending into health professions, industry, educational, household, and community settings. Notable opportunities include:

Extending health care innovations into the household to prevent and treat disease and improve health.
Enhancing understanding of how humans develop across the lifespan, with innovations in the earlier and later phases of life in areas such as nutrition and physical activity.
Addressing health disparities and enhancing health through changes to daily human behavior and interactions occurring at all levels.²

^{2. Adapted from The Intersection of Health and Human Sciences.}

Research, education, and Extension professionals at land-grant universities create and deliver solutions that improve Americans’ health and lives. Scientists discover cutting-edge advancements; educators prepare the next generation; and Extension agents provide results to their communities. Their vision, expertise, and leadership shape a stronger and more resilient food system to nourish our nation.

USDA and Universities Partner to Expand Local and Regional Food Systems

In a significant move to support local food systems and enhance the availability of nutritious food across the nation, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service recently announced over $33.5 million in grant awards to support 113 projects in 43 states and territories. These grants aim to strengthen local and regional food markets, empower small and mid-sized producers, and increase the accessibility of locally grown products, ultimately building stronger connections between producers and consumers. The grants play a vital role in promoting sustainable agriculture, expanding access to nutritious foods, and strengthening the resilience of local communities.³Recipients include:

University of Connecticut: Grown ConNECTed - Increasing Customers and Expanding Access to Local Food in Northeast Connecticut

Cornell University: Marketing Success: Transforming Farmers Markets in New York and Pennsylvania Through Smart Data and Inclusive Strategies

Oklahoma State University: Sustaining Eastside Fresh Market by Expanding Producer Capacity and Local Food Marketing to Increase Healthy Food Access to Central Oklahoma

University of Wisconsin System: Providing Finance-Forward Training, Technical Assistance and Peer Circles to Increase Sales and the Profitable Expansion of Farmer Market Opportunities

^{3. Adapted from November 2024 FANR Focus.}

EXAMPLES FROM LAND-GRANT IMPACTS

Understanding how natural chemicals in food affect health
The foods and drinks we consume contain natural chemicals like vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, toxicants and hormones that can positively or negatively impact human health. Since 1971, a multistate project has brought together researchers at 22 land-grant universities to research the effects of these dietary bioactive chemicals. Studies shed light on mechanisms involved in bioactivity and determined how agricultural practices and processing affect bioactivity.

Improving gut health advances healthful outcomes
Probiotic bacteria have sparked considerable interest in both the food industry and among consumers, thanks to their potential to contribute to disease interventions and enhance human health. These microorganisms must navigate the challenging terrain of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to exert their beneficial effects. Land-grant universities are discovering and sharing ways to improve probiotic absorption and gut health to advance health outcomes.

Diabetes education helps individuals, families manage chronic disease
Type 2 Diabetes is increasing at an epidemic rate in the U.S. This chronic disease requires daily management to control blood sugar levels and prevent life-changing complications. Many individuals and families struggle with diet modifications that would help manage health and also have limited access to nutrition and diabetes professionals. The Land-grant University System helps fill that gap, providing training and resources that can lead to substantial improvements in blood glucose levels and reduce medication costs.

Supporting families with community nutrition programs
Youths and adults face a variety of health issues, from food insecurity to cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. Cooperative Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) serve low-income residents nationwide and help address these issues by helping participants eat healthy, shop on a budget and stay active.

Training the next generation of culinary professionals
The food industry can be a path to economic stability. But to ensure public health, workers must know about foodborne illness, how to prevent it and how to train other employees. Trained individuals can also explore nontraditional culinary paths, which can have benefits for the home and family.

Holistic programs address community health
Obesity is on the rise in the United States, and this increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension and poor overall quality of life. Moreover, health disparities among low-income populations are well documented because food insecurity issues mean they lack nutritionally adequate and safe food. The Land-grant University System uses holistic programs to address community health.

EXAMPLES FROM MULTISTATE FUND RESEARCH IMPACTS

Nutrient Bioavailability
Researchers at land-grant universities across the country are collaborating to advance our understanding of bioactive food components and translate findings to public health practice. This research has provided evidence for general health recommendations as well as personalized, targeted dietary strategies to help consumers prevent, manage, and treat diseases. Findings have also helped breeders and farmers produce plants and animals that are higher in target nutrients and guided the food industry’s development of novel products, which offer new ways for farmers, manufacturers, and retailers to be successful.

Supporting Healthy Habits Among Young Adults
Supporting healthy behaviors in young adults can have long-lasting effects on physical and mental wellness. Reducing the risk of chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes can lessen the burden on the healthcare system.

SOCIAL MEDIA

SAMPLE POSTS

RESEARCH
From responsive agriculture to precision nutrition, land-grant university researchers are leading the charge to build a science-based healthier and more sustainable world. [PROJECT EXAMPLE] #AgIsAmerica

EDUCATION
Students in our [PROGRAM] major are equipped with the skills they need to become the next generation of [nutritionists/food scientists/public health professionals/other] to help build a healthier future. [MAJOR PAGE LINK] #AgIsAmerica

EXTENSION
Cooperative Extension makes healthy communities. [@SCHOOL] Extension agents like [NAME] interpret the latest science in agriculture, nutrition, and health, and bring this information directly to the [STATE/COUNTY] public. [PROJECT LINK] #AgIsAmerica

Looking for pre-made stories to feature? Check out:

Land-grant Impacts
Scroll down to "View by Institution" and click your university's name. Only institutions who submitted impacts to the National Impacts Database in 2023 are listed. This page features research and Extension impacts.
Multistate Research Funds Impacts
Scroll down to "Filter by Institution" on the sidebar and click your university's name. This page features research impacts.

Feel free to reach out to us with specific posts that you would like @AgIsAmerica to share. Please email your request to Kim Scotto at agcomms@aplu.org or use #AgIsAmerica.

HASHTAGS AND HANDLES

HASHTAGS
#LandGrantUniversities
#AgIsAmerica

HANDLES

Ag is America	@AgIsAmerica
APLU Ag	@APLU_Ag
Sec. Vilsack (Secretary of Agriculture)	@SecVilsack
USDA	@USDA
USDA National Institute of Food & Ag	@USDA_NIFA
APLU	@APLU_News

CALENDAR

DECEMBER HOLIDAYS

MONTHS

National Pear Month, #NationalPearMonth
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month, #WorldwideFoodServiceSafetyMonth, #WFSSM

DAYS

December 1: National Pie Day, #NationalPieDay
December 4: Wildlife Conservation Day, #WildlifeConservationDay
December 5: World Soil Day, #WorldSoilDay, #WSD
December 7: World Pear Day, #WorldPearDay
December 12: National Poinsettia Day, #NationalPoinsettiaDay
December 17: National Maple Syrup Day, #MapleSyrupDay
December 21: First Day of Winter, #WinterSolstice
December 31: New Year’s Eve, #NewYearsEve

^{Source: December - National Day Calendar}

USDA EVENTS & DEADLINES

December 5 – Application Deadline: AFRI Education and Workforce Development
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development (EWD) focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development program areas.

December 11 – Webinar: Reviewing and Evaluating Transdisciplinary and Engaged Research Projects: Perspectives from Funding Programs
Join us for a webinar series highlighting opportunities and challenges of transdisciplinary approaches within agricultural research. Presented by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the National Agricultural Library, the seminar series will examine strategies for implementing transdisciplinary approaches, team-building and overcoming challenges to encourage the adoption of and training in transdisciplinary systems.

December 11 – Webinar: NIFA's Contributions to Integrating Nutrition and Health
This webinar will provide an overview of NIFA’s contributions to accelerating progress on the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health Pillar 2 Integrate Nutrition and Health and use a structured panel discussion to reflect on efforts to date and shape work ahead.

December 16 – Technical Assistance Webinar: Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grant Program FY25 RFA
Join NIFA staff on December 16, 2024, at 1 p.m. Central (2 p.m. Eastern) for a FY 2025 RFA technical assistance Q&A session for the Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program. In this virtual event, NIFA staff will briefly highlight the program and spend the remainder of time answering participant questions about the FY 2025 Request for Applications.

December 31 – Application Deadline: AFRI - Foundational and Applied Science Program
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).

December 31 – Application Deadline: Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program
This program was designed to assist 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges) in building institutional research capacity through applied projects that address student educational needs and meet community, reservation or regional challenges. Awards are to be made on the basis of a competitive review process. Collaboration with 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), a Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture (NLGCA), or at least one forestry school funded under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program is a requirement. Eligible institutions may propose projects in any discipline of the food, agricultural or natural resource sciences.

_{Source: Upcoming Events | National Institute of Food and Agriculture (usda.gov)}