Challenge Areas from 2019 – 2023

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), pronounced /fɑr/, builds public-private partnerships to support bold science. Our research, co-created with the agriculture community, fills critical research gaps. We also invest in the future scientific workforce.

FFAR’s Challenge Areas

From 2016 until 2023, FFAR funded research through Challenge Areas that outlined our strategic research framework. In 2023, FFAR evaluated research priorities and stakeholder needs, and following a year-long consultative process, FFAR developed a research strategy and restructured the Challenge Areas to Priority Areas.

Challenge Areas (2018-2023)

FFAR’s initial Challenge Areas were established in 2016 and restructured in 2018. From 2018 to 2023, FFAR funded research in six Challenge Areas that are listed below. Research funded through FFAR’s Challenge Areas ties into our current four Priority Areas, which were developed to ensure FFAR-funded research is collaborative and cross-disciplinary.

Soil Health

Our Soil Health Challenge Area develops sustainable on-farm practices from the ground-up by creating innovative solutions to improve soil health from measurement to adoption.

Sustainable Water Management

The Sustainable Water Management Challenge Area supports research that enhances and protects natural waters to sustain agricultural production and environmental health.

Next Generation Crops

The Next Generation Crop Challenge Area funds research on new and conventional crops to increase crop diversity and farm profitability.

Advanced Animal Systems

The Advanced Animal Systems Challenge Area supports research that improves animal health and welfare and pioneers practices that sustain our food system.

Urban Food Systems

The Urban Food Systems Challenge Area helps scientists, farmers and policymakers design equitable urban food systems that promote wellness and urban resilience.

Health-Agriculture Nexus

The Health-Agriculture Nexus Challenge Area supports research to reduce food and nutrition insecurity, decrease food waste and loss and improve human health.

Learn more about What We Do