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NIFA supports research, educational, and extension efforts in a wide range of scientific fields related to agricultural and behavioral sciences.

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        Access Data GatewayThe Data Gateway enables users to find funding data, metrics, and information about research, education, and extension projects that have received grant awards from NIFA.
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    Second Annual Virtual Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
    Check out this five-day workshop in March 2024 workshop, designed to help you learn about NIFA grants and resources for grants development and management.

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The National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.

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    Environmental and Resource Economics ProgramsSharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    Environmental and Resource Economics Programs
                            Extension Risk Management Education Program
                              New Technologies for Ag ExtensionNatural resources are important to produce food, fiber, timber, and bioenergy. Farm and forestlands provide carbon sequestration, clean air and water, scenic vistas, and biodiversity. To help develop a sustainable, efficient economy, NIFA programs focus on activities that apply economic theory and methods to study interactions between economic and natural systems. Climate change, bioenergy, and environmental goods and services are major topics.

  As the global population increases, so does the demand for agricultural products. Agriculture, however, is no longer the largest element in the economic base of most rural communities. The demand for environmental benefits has grown higher as incomes increase and people pursue a better quality of life. The environment with its diversity of natural resources has a significant impact on the economic viability of communities and human well-being.Natural resources and related income opportunities have increased the importance of best management practices to enhance agricultural production while avoiding the degradation of natural resources and the environment. Agricultural best management practices help lead to the sustainable use of natural resources and the environment. Resource economists address how choices are made by farmers, ranchers, and policymakers; how policy incentives might motivate better choices; and the potential consequences and distribution effects of these choices.The long-term sustainability of natural resources and the environment is directly linked to many recognized environmental benefits from agriculture, such as carbon sequestration, open space and scenic vistas, ground water recharge, flood protection, wildlife habitats, community buffers or greenways, historical or cultural significance, and outdoor recreation opportunities.NIFA programs encompass broad topical areas, including bioenergy, climate change, watersheds and terrestrial systems, water quality and supply, invasive species management, conservation policy, the valuation of non-market environmental goods and services, land use conservation and resource management, and nature-based recreation. To address these challenges, NIFA supports a systems approach at multiple scales that leads to the development of a sustainable and efficient economy. Resource economists collaborate with other biological and physical scientists to explore alternative natural resource management strategies that support long-term sustainability goals. An interdisciplinary systems approach combining research, education, and extension yields a broader understanding of the environment, ecology, natural resources, human behaviors, history, culture, demography, and their interactions and interrelationships.

  Partnerships
    The National Agricultural Law Center
              USDA Farm Service Agency
              US Army Corp of Engineers
              Farm Foundation
              The Council on Food, Agricultural & Resource Economics

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    Science Emphasis Areas Portfolios

  Funding Opportunities
    Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
              Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Water for Agriculture Challenge Area
              Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program
              Renewable Resources Extension Act - National Focus Fund Projects
              New Technologies for Ag Extension

  External Resources
    AirCompare, EPA
              Agricultural & Applied Economics Association
              Association of Environmental and Resource Economists
              Federal Highway Administration, Recreational Trails Program
              National Center for Environmental Economics
              National Extension Tourism, Texas A&M AgriLife
              Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association
              Online Access to Research in the Environment, UNEP
              The Council on Food, Agricultural & Resource Economics
              Resources for the Future
              Sonoran Institute
              Southern Agricultural Economics Association
              Tourism Center, University of Minnesota
              U.S. Global Change Research Program
              Ecosystem Services, USDA
              Visit Iowa Farms
              Western Agricultural Economics Association
              Where Can I Find Professional and Academic Research on Recreation?, Recreation.gov
              USDA NRCS Conservation Programs

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    Natural Resources
              Business and Economics
              Biotechnology
              Bioenergy Return to top
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