As family and friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, many of us reflect upon all that we are grateful for in our lives and communities. APLU’s Office of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources (FANR) team expresses our deep appreciation to the dedicated professionals, administrators, and staff at our member universities. Their vision, expertise, and determination ensure that families across the nation and world have access to a safe and stable food supply.
Each public and land-grant university has its own powerful stories about the individuals and teams who tackle complex challenges locally, regionally, nationally, and globally with a shared commitment to feed people and improve lives.
- Research: Agricultural scientists who pioneer innovative solutions that help farmers and ranchers produce abundant, nourishing, and affordable food.
- Education: Educators who inspire and prepare students for productive professional lives that protect and enhance our future.
- Cooperative Extension: Extension professionals who deliver practical knowledge that empowers farmers, ranchers, and communities.
NATIONAL LAND-GRANT IMPACTS DATABASE (NIDB) EXAMPLES
Multistate project studies solutions to bacterial spot in tomatoes, peppers
Tomatoes and peppers are significant crops for Florida farmers, contributing approximately $500 million annually. A multistate research project led by land-grant universities is investigating solutions to bacterial spot, a disease that affects these crops. The research aims to develop effective management strategies to reduce crop losses and improve yield quality.
Project funded by USDA Capacity – Research.
Land-grant university research, outreach support beef production
The United States is the world’s top producer of beef, contributing to about 20% of the world’s production. In 2023, the U.S. beef industry had an estimated value of $102 billion. Land-grant universities are supporting the beef industry through research, Extension and education, ensuring producers remain economically viable and are able to safely meet changing market demands.
Projects funded by Hatch, Smith-Lever, USDA Competitive.
Supporting entrepreneurs, building stronger economies and fortifying food systems
The Land-grant University System empowers entrepreneurs, strengthens local economies and fortifies food systems in communities across the United States. Through their research, education and Extension initiatives, these institutions spark advancements that accelerate economic development and advance food security, ensuring resilient and strong communities.
Projects funded by Smith-Lever, USDA Competitive.
Advancing sustainable food production in soilless environments
Land-grant universities across the nation are working to make the food supply more secure by exploring the best ways to produce crops without soil. Hydroponic and aquaponic systems have many benefits, including reducing the inputs and space needed to produce food. Researchers are studying how to make the foods grown in these controlled environments safer and better. Extension personnel are taking the message to the public, helping them learn to implement these soilless systems.
Projects funded by Hatch, USDA Capacity – Extension, USDA Competitive.
Specialty crop growers benefit from land-grant university research
Scientists at land-grant universities are responding to local grower needs to strengthen specialty crop quality and economics.
Projects funded by Hatch, USDA Capacity, USDA Competitive.
Developing new farmers, new products and new markets to boost agriculture sector
Many communities across the United States are seeing a decline in the agricultural workforce as experienced farmers retire. This issue has been exacerbated by national declines in new and beginning farmers. Land-grant universities are working to recruit and train new farmers, address their challenges and find ways to help them to thrive, including new crops and new marketing opportunities. This work protects farmers’ bottom lines, helps strengthen economies and meet the growing demand for fresh, locally sourced foods.
Projects funded by Hatch, Smith-Lever, USDA Capacity – Extension.
Advancing food security through sustainable livestock and crop innovations
Research at 1890 land-grant universities addresses critical challenges in animal and plant production. Collectively, these projects support sustainable food systems and food security by improving livestock and crop health, reducing reliance on agrochemicals and increasing production efficiency.
Projects funded by Evans-Alan, USDA Capacity-Extension, USDA Capacity-Research.
Digital agriculture enhances production, monitoring capabilities
Data modeling, automated machinery and drones are just a few of the technologies that are powering improved efficiencies in livestock and crop production. Land-grant universities are at the forefront of researching and applying these technologies, paving the way for increased productivity, better disease management and optimized harvest timing.
Projects funded by Hatch, McIntire-Stennis, Smith-Lever, USDA Capacity, USDA Competitive.
Land-grant universities help farmers manage pests in food crops
The challenges of managing pests and pesticide resistance requires ongoing, vigilant attention. Researchers and Extension specialists, in cooperation with farmers and industry across the United States, are helping farmers identify pests and determine whether and how to manage them. Effective pest management can help prevent crop failure, related economic losses and higher consumer prices.
Projects funded by Smith-Lever and USDA Competitive.
The FANR team is continually inspired by the extraordinary commitment of public and land-grant universities to serve society through agricultural research, education, and Extension. Your efforts fortify our food system and enhance the well-being of people across the nation and throughout the world. The FANR team is deeply thankful for your collaboration and partnership. We wish you and your loved ones a healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!
SOCIAL MEDIA
SAMPLE POSTS
ONE HEALTH DAY
#LandGrantUniversities are advancing #OneHealth through research that connects food, agriculture, and human well-being. Learn how [@school]’s [project] is making an impact: [link]
VETERANS DAY
#LandGrantUniversities are committed to empowering veterans through education, training, and support. Through programs like [program] at [@school], veterans learn the skills needed for careers in [agriculture/natural resources/other]. #VeteransDay
GIVING THANKS
*Use the language in the toolkit introduction to highlight individuals or programs in your college:
This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for Extension agent, [name], who works with producers in the [county/state] community to improve local food security through [program].
FOOD SAFETY
Protect your family this Thanksgiving with food safety tips from [@school]: [link]
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 2024 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 |
|
USDA |
@USDA |
|
USDA National Institute of Food & Ag |
@USDA_NIFA |
|
APLU |
@APLU_News |
CALENDAR
NOVEMBER HOLIDAYS
MONTHS
National Native American Heritage Month, #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
National Pepper Month, #PepperMonth
National Pomegranate Month, #PomegranateMonth
Sweet Potato Awareness Month, #SweetPotatoMonth
World Vegan Month, #WorldVeganMonth
DAYS
November 1: National Cinnamon Day, #CinnamonDay
November 3: One Health Day, #OneHealthDay
November 4: National Candy Day, #NationalCandyDay
November 8: National STEM/STEAM Day, #NationalSTEMDay
November 11: Veterans Day, #VeteransDay
November 14: National Pickle Day, #PickleDay
November 20: National Rural Health Day, #NationalRuralHealthDay, #PowerOfRural | Toolkit
November 23: National Cashew Day, #CashewDay
November 27: Thanksgiving Day, #Thanksgiving
November 28: National Native American Heritage Day, #NativeAmericanHeritageDay
November 28: Maize Day, #MaizeDay
Source: November - National Day Calendar
