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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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    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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    WaterSharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    Natural Resources
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          WaterFresh water is so abundant in the United States that people may sometimes take its availability for granted. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is building awareness about the fragility of this essential resource. In the face of a rapidly rising population and agriculture’s high demand, the nation is working to ensure future supplies of water are safe and abundant.

Importance of Water

Both urban and rural communities depend on a safe and reliable water supply. For the wide range of water’s uses — from irrigation, to drinking, to manufacturing processes — sustainable sources are vital to life, industry, and energy production. However, with competing demands, the nation’s water resources face issues of availability and quality.

Agriculture accounts for about 80 percent of consumptive use in the United States and relies on sustainable sources of water. Sound water and watershed management practices, such as modern conservation technologies, appropriate crop choices, and drought preparedness, can help farmers to:

Enhance water use efficiency
	Conserve water resources
	Maximize production while minimizing environmental degradationNIFA’s Impact

In order to address agricultural water quality and quantity issues, NIFA initiatives:

Improve the quality of the nation’s surface water and groundwater resources
	Investigate effectiveness of conservation practices that affect  watersheds on grazing lands
	Develop mobile tools for improved water and watershed management
	Help consumers understand the environmental impacts of water use
	Develop water management solutions that link food, water, climate, energy, and environmental issues

  Programs
    AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems
              AFRI Interagency Programs
              Equipment Grants Program (EGP)
              Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)
              Manure and Nutrient Management Programs
              Water Programs
              AFRI Water for Agriculture Challenge Area
              National Water Quality Program
              Urban, Indoor, and Emerging Agriculture
              From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen)

  Funding Opportunities
    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Agricultural Systems
              Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Water for Agriculture Challenge Area
              Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development
              Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) (Joint NSF) Competitive Grants Program
              Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Regional Host Institution
              Research Facilities Act Program Return to top
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