It takes more than a little hocus-pocus to make Halloween happen! From the pumpkins on your porch to the chocolate in your candy bowl, land-grant university research supports your favorite Halloween traditions. Agricultural scientists help growers improve pumpkin yields and protect crops from pests, while food researchers study ways to make chocolate more sustainable and flavorful. Through Cooperative Extension, experts share …
Researchers Studying Avian Disease Resistance and Immunity Win National Award for Outstanding Collaboration and Impact
ST LOUIS, Mo., Sept. 16. — At the Joint agInnovation and Extension Awards Ceremony, Dr. Chris Ashwell and Dr. Jason Hubbart received the 2025 Excellence in Multistate Research Award on behalf of a multistate team working to understand the genetic bases of immunity and resistance to avian diseases. Avian diseases such as avian influenza, Marek’s disease, and Newcastle disease cause …
Fighting Food Deserts with Farmers Markets
Farmers markets play a crucial role in combating food deserts by providing fresh, locally sourced produce to communities that lack access to nutritious food. By bringing healthy options to neighborhoods with limited grocery stores, farmers markets help improve diet quality, reduce food insecurity, and promote overall community health. Here are just a few examples of how land-grant universities are fighting …
Managing nutrients and water quality
Nutrients are essential for crops, but must be managed properly. Nutrients provided by fertilizer, manure, compost, cover crops, and other means are essential for the profitable, sustainable production of crops for food, fiber, and bioenergy. Nutrient management is key to maintaining or increasing plant productivity, ensuring soil health, protecting ground and surface water resources from potential harm, and using farmers’ …
Managing water resources
Managing our water resources is essential. Clean water is essential for drinking, agriculture, energy, recreation, aquatic habitats, and other uses, but America’s water resources face complex issues such as climate change, pollution, and increasing demand. Many farmers, communities, and leaders are concerned about water scarcity and quality. Research guides effective solutions. Researchers at land-grant universities and partners across the U.S. are working …
Protecting our water
Water continues to be one of the most critical challenges facing agriculture and communities. Land-grant universities are working to discover new ways to increase water efficiency, reduce water use and protect water quality. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers in Ohio are working to improve soil health and water quality through best agricultural management practices to prevent non-point-source …
Reaching diverse farms and farmers
Extension educators and researchers across the Land-grant University System reach diverse farmers and farms through programming, information and accessible tools. Their work ensures farming resources are available to all individuals. Here are a few examples of that work: Minnesota Extension launched a pilot project to bring Minnesota-grown goat meat to halal customers. The collaboration has resulted in the first halal certified …
From Hardship to Hope: University of Wisconsin-Madison WeCOPE
61% of farmers indicated increasing stress and mental health challenges in a recent Farm Bureau poll. A team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison cultivates communities that can contend with these stresses together. “Often, programs focus on telling farmers they have stress — farmers know that,” Dr. Shutske, program leader says. “WeCOPE instead focuses on high-impact, proactive skills we know measurably …
Increase in ag fatalities and injuries highlights need for training
Last year, Purdue University research revealed a 40% increase in reported cases of confined space incidents on farms. “In 2022, the summary reported 83 cases – 24 fatal and 59 non-fatal – involving agricultural confined spaces. This represents a 40.7% increase over the 59 cases reported in 2021. Not every case may be reported, and as a result, these numbers …
Keep farm employees safe around large equipment
Despite the idyllic perception of farm life, farming can be a dangerous profession. In an industry that thrives on dedication and hard work, producers can struggle to find the time for safety trainings. Dr. John Shutske, Professor and Agricultural Safety & Health Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, advocates for short, frequent training sessions between producers and their farm workers. …