Land-grant universities address long-term challenges that impact domestic and international food security and national security issues.

Global food security is a critical U.S. national security concern because regional conflicts arise when people do not have access or cannot afford food and other essential staples. Conflicts displace farmers, destroy agricultural assets, disrupt markets, increase prices, and damage livelihoods. In this vicious circle, lack of food can too often lead to violence.

“Global Food Security is National Security,” (Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences report, 2023) notes that the world is on the edge of a global hunger and malnutrition crisis with as many as 828 million people, or one in every 10 people, affected by hunger. This poses significant threats to U.S. national security.

Universities are key partners with the U.S. government’s efforts to increase food security at home and around the world. Examples include Feed the Future, the Global Food Security Research Strategy, and the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture programs.

“Boots on the Ground,” a 2022 report by The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, highlights land-grant universities’ critical role in safeguarding the United States against diverse biological threats to food, livestock, crops, and wildlife. Land-grant universities have “boots on the ground” in their communities to effectively and collaboratively address serious threats to agriculture and the environment. These universities conduct vital research on emerging infectious diseases, public health, animal health, plant health, and related disciplines important for biodefense.

USDA and USAID announced the Global Food Security Research Strategy to fight hunger and build resilient food systems in October 2022. The strategy underpins the United States Government Global Food Security Strategy (2022-2026). When developing the strategy, USDA and USAID consulted with universities to identify where science and research data can best advance a broader food-security strategy. The research strategy focuses on three essential areas: (1) climate-smart agricultural innovations (2) improved nutrition through high-quality, affordable diets and (3) genetic improvement of resilient crops and livestock.

RESEARCH
From emerging diseases to an increase in extreme weather events, it's more important than ever to invest in food and nutrition research. Scientists like [NAME] help build a more resilient food system through [PROJECT].

EDUCATION
Land-grant universities are empowering the next generation of change-makers in the field of global food security. In the [MAJOR] program, students gain hands-on, practical experience through [courses, labs, undergrad research, internships, etc.]. [LINK]

EXTENSION
The impacts of rising food costs and disruptions in the supply chain can hit close to home. Cooperative Extension programs like EFNEP reduce food and nutrition insecurity for low-income populations in [STATE]: [LINK]

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