Growing Together: Conversation with Saharah Moon Chapotin, Executive Director, Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin is the executive director of the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR). She leads the Foundation in support of its mission, building public-private partnerships to support bold research that aims to provide every person access to affordable, nutritious food grown on thriving farms. Chapotin is passionate about the role of research in solving today’s agricultural challenges and is committed to building partnerships that support U.S. agriculture.

Before joining FFAR, Chapotin held roles across the government, including at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Botanic Garden and U.S. Agency for International Development.

Chapotin has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanford University and a doctorate in plant physiology from Harvard University. Earlier in her career, she completed fellowships at Iowa State University, the National Academies, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, working on issues of scientific communication, national security and agricultural biotechnology.

What is the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR)?

FFAR (pronounced “far”) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. FFAR’s public-private partnership model amplifies federal research investments — on average, securing an additional $1.40 on every $1 invested into research — by leveraging support from industry, academia, nonprofits and other non-federal stakeholders.

FFAR catalyzes collaboration among food and agriculture stakeholders to identify farmers’ needs and research gaps before establishing a research program to maximize the potential for impact. Our convening capabilities and the depth of our industry relationships foster collaboration that is unique within the food and agriculture community.

How do FFAR’s key priorities align with or benefit from land-grant universities’ (LGU) research, education and Cooperative Extension programs? 

In 2023, FFAR launched an inclusive process to create a Research Strategy that meets evolving needs across the food and agriculture sector. We solicited input from numerous stakeholders, including representatives from academia, industry, nonprofits, scientific societies, federal agencies and APLU. Through this engagement, stakeholders confirmed FFAR is investing in areas of critical importance and also emphasized the need for greater integration across disciplines. In response, FFAR’s Research Strategy organizes its work around four broad Priority Areas to foster stronger collaboration that delivers greater impact throughout the food and agriculture system. FFAR’s Priority Areas include Cultivating Thriving Production Systems, Sustaining Vibrant Agroecosystems, Bolstering Healthy Food Systems and Strengthening the Scientific Workforce.  

These priorities support FFAR’s vision of a world in which pioneering, collaborative science yields affordable, nutritious food grown on thriving farms, and align seamlessly with LGU’s mission to advance accessible, practical agricultural research and education for the public good. By continuing to work together, FFAR and LGUs can address urgent challenges, translate scientific discoveries into real-world solutions, accelerate the adoption of innovations and strengthen the agricultural workforce, delivering lasting benefits for producers, consumers and communities nationwide.

How has FFAR positively impacted LGU research and education programs?

FFAR has awarded over 400 grants across 46 states to support U.S. food and agriculture research. These awards, matched by around 550 funding partners, have generated nearly $800 million in research funding. More than 70% of this funding went to universities whose researchers often leveraged FFAR awards to secure additional competitive research funding.

In addition to funding bold food and agriculture research, a cornerstone of FFAR’s mission is to support the development of the next generation of food and agriculture scientists. As new challenges threaten U.S. agriculture, it is imperative that the United States has a well-trained workforce to develop innovative solutions that benefit farmers. Through six scientific workforce development programs, FFAR has supported approximately 300 fellows over the past decade. These fellows, comprised of both university students and early to mid-career faculty, gain unparalleled experience that prepares them to excel in the workforce by strengthening research skills, receiving industry mentorship and refining essential soft skills.

Research & Education: How have LGU colleges of agriculture and FFAR collaborated to support the agriculture industry and put farmers first?

America’s public and land-grant universities frequently partner with FFAR to tackle the most pressing challenges facing farmers today. By combining the deep scientific expertise of university researchers with FFAR’s ability to catalyze funding and industry partnerships, these collaborations are delivering practical solutions that strengthen the agriculture industry and keep farmers at the center of innovation. From advancing new technologies to addressing on-the-ground production challenges, this joint work is ensuring that agricultural research truly serves those who feed the nation. 

For example, FFAR’s Rapid Outcomes for Agricultural Research (ROAR) program, which provides urgent funding to address emerging threats, recently announced a call for proposals to combat New World screwworm, and separately, funded research with Purdue University to develop the first bird flu (H5N1) vaccine for dairy cows.  

Additionally, Auburn University researchers funded by FFAR are making real-world impact by creating functional ice, now in commercial testing, that keeps food colder, releases antibacterial agents, extends shelf life by up to two days, reduces spoilage and could be a game-changer for cutting food waste, boosting food safety and expanding markets for farmers. FFAR-funded UC Davis researchers tested a “shake and catch” almond harvester that saves water, reduces dust, improves soil health and cuts costs, strengthening resilience for California’s $19.6 billion almond industry. And through another FFAR grant, researchers at the University of Maryland are helping safeguard the $16 billion Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina wine industry by reducing fungicide use and resistance risk and delivering $7 million in grower savings over four seasons with projected benefits exceeding $44 million by 2035.

Research & Education: What are opportunities for increased collaboration between FFAR and public and land-grant university partners? 

A great place to start is to sign up for FFAR news at foundationfar.org to stay updated on our open funding opportunities. We also welcome new peer reviewers, experts who help assess research proposals for scientific merit and feasibility. Students and faculty can also explore FFAR’s fellowships, which open throughout the year. Recent improvements have made the application process more user-friendly, with enhanced online tools and a responsive, accessible Grants Team. Additionally, for those interested and based near Washington, D.C., FFAR is hosting an annual meeting on October 28, 2025, where you can hear from the FFAR Board of Directors, ask questions, and explore even more opportunities to work with us. 

Lastly, we will continue to ensure that university scientists are included on FFAR’s advisory councils to advise staff and board members on initiatives advancing the organization’s mission. And they will also continue to play a prominent role in our convenings and project advisory committees, helping to launch new research programs. 

Education: What kinds of student experiences (e.g., academics, internships, projects) are important to prepare students for the agricultural workforce?

Tackling the unprecedented challenges in U.S. food and agriculture requires a highly skilled, versatile scientific workforce. Today’s students need a strong foundation in core sciences, paired with critical thinking, problem-solving, practical experience and excellent collaboration and communication skills to drive innovation and advance research that puts farmers first. Hands-on experiences like internships, research projects and fieldwork reinforce classroom learning and prepare students for real-world challenges. Yet these opportunities aren’t always easy to access. That’s why FFAR supports unique fellowship and award programs available to early and mid-career scientists through our Scientific Workforce Priority Area, helping them gain the experiences needed to succeed and strengthen the U.S. agriculture industry.

Education: What advice would you give to today’s college students?

My advice is targeted to students who haven’t yet considered a career in agriculture. Each year, U.S. agriculture and taxpayers lose billions battling pests and diseases. We need large animal veterinarians to keep food animals healthy and farmers productive. We also need biotechnology, environmental and genetic engineers, food and soil scientists, data analysts, researchers and more to help crops, livestock and poultry thrive. Agriculture is a highly technical, dynamic field with countless career opportunities, and it needs creative thinkers, innovators and problem-solvers. Explore the field, take internships, talk to professionals and keep an open mind — you might be surprised how your skills and passions can shape the future of what ends up on our country’s dinner plates.

How do you see the role of private-sector investment in complementing public funding for agricultural research at land-grant universities?

Private-sector investment plays a critical role in complementing public funding for agricultural research at public and land-grant universities. While public funds tend to support basic and applied research that benefits society, private investment can accelerate innovation, scale promising technologies and connect research directly to industry needs. FFAR bridges these resources, creating partnerships that match and often exceed federal investment and translate research outputs into results.

These partnerships not only increase the impact of funding but also foster collaboration across the agriculture industry, bringing together stakeholders who might not otherwise work together. This approach enables research to address pressing challenges, produce results more closely aligned with real-world applications and make breakthroughs accessible to farmers and the entire agricultural sector. Together, public and private investment, facilitated by organizations like FFAR, accelerates innovation, strengthens U.S. agriculture and delivers practical solutions.

“Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs” showcases Presidents and CEOs of national agricultural associations, commodity groups, and other organizations and explores their powerful synergies with land-grant universities. Through conversations with leaders, this new interview series examines how organizations strengthened their impact in partnerships with Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ research, education, and Cooperative Extension. These interviews also highlight emerging opportunities to leverage collaboration, drive innovation, and serve all Americans.