FFAR Fellows Program 2019 Cohort 

A unique three-year fellowship that prepares up to 48 graduate students to be the next generation of food and agriculture scientists by using an interdisciplinary approach to career readiness. Fellows work with university and industry representatives, as well as their peers, to conduct urgent research and engage in professional development.

Kirchner Food Fellowship 2019-20 Cohort 

The Kirchner Food Fellowship, an initiative of the Kirchner Impact Foundation, is a program supporting young agriculture financiers. This cohort represents the second year of successful collaboration between the Kirchner Impact Foundation, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and North Carolina State University to prepare the fellows to make critical agriculture business investment decisions.

FFAR Grant Provides Technical Training to Enhance Soil Health 

Cover crops are essential to preserving nutrient-rich soils for cultivating health foods and improving overall soil health. Although there are various training programs for farmers on how to use cover crops, there is a dire need for technical training for industry agronomists and other farm advisors who influence farmers’ management decisions.

FFAR Grant Develops Tools to Predict Consumer Demand, Reduce Food Waste 

FFAR Grant Improves Soil Health Through Phosphorus Management 

Phosphorus, a nutrient commonly found in manure and commercial fertilizers, is beneficial to plant growth. Despite phosphorus’ beneficial properties, there are only few studies on the effects of soil health practices on phosphorus. Kansas State University researchers are examining how cover crops and phosphorous management strategies interact to influence soil health.

Metagenomic Probes for the Rapid Identification of the Microbiome Community in A Wheat Rhizospheremodel System 

Plant pathogens can harm plants, reduce water quality and cause soil erosion. Oklahoma State University researchers are using high-throughput sequencing to determine what affects plant health.

A Systematic Approach to Improve Heifer Selection and the Sustainability of Beef Production. 

Cattle infertility causes significant loss for cattle producers. Auburn University researchers are improving the efficiency of cattle production by identifying molecular markers that indicate reproductive potential. This research can help producers select cattle with the best reproductive capabilities.