Awarded Grants
Below is a listing of our awarded grants that tackle big food and agriculture challenges.

FFAR Grant Addresses Emerging Pine Needle Diseases

Loblolly pine is a highly valuable tree for pulp, paper and lumber products and the tree provides a habitat for numerous wildlife species. This important pine is currently plagued by needle diseases, about which still too little is known. Current reports from industry and government forest managers indicate a recent increase in the prevalence of needle disease in the southeastern U.S., raising concern about the stability of this important commodity in the region. Led by Dr. Caterina Villari, University of Georgia researchers are developing diagnostics that detect and identify loblolly pine needle fungal pathogens.

FFAR Grant Develops Mitigation Tactics for Cocoa Frosty Pod Rot

Cocoa is the central ingredient in chocolate and used in numerous products. A devastating pathogen, frosty pod rot, is compromising the cocoa industry in continental America, having recently reached the Caribbean. If not managed properly, the pathogen can cause yield losses of up to 80%, compromising farmer profits and jeopardizing an important U.S. import. Led by Dr. Mariela Leandro, Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) researchers are identifying disease control tactics.

FFAR Grant Protects Wheat Yields from Wheat Stem Sawfly

Wheat stem sawflies are non-stinging wasp-like insects that cause wheat yield losses across the U.S. Sawflies previously targeted spring wheat crops; however, these pests have recently emerged in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska, suggesting that it is evolving to feed on winter wheat crops as well. Led by Dr. Punya Nachappa, Colorado State University researchers are identifying resistance genes in wheat and developing predictive models that determine the likelihood of wheat stem sawfly infestation.

Identifying Proteins Required for Immunity to ASFV

African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious, fatal disease in pigs that spreads rapidly and there is no commercially available vaccine to mitigate the spread of ASFV. Led by Dr. Douglas Gladue, USDA researchers are pinpointing the viral proteins involved in immunity and infection to develop a vector-based subunit vaccine, a vaccine that include a component of the virus to stimulate an immune response, for ASFV.

Analyzing the Efficacy of Live-vectored Prototype ASFV Subunit Vaccines

African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious, fatal disease in pigs that spreads rapidly and there is no commercially available vaccine to mitigate the spread of ASFV. Led by Dr. Waithaka Mwangi, Kansas State University researchers are using an adenovirus vector vaccine, which is a tool used to deliver target antigens to the host, and a paper-based diagnostic test that distinguishes vaccinated from infected animals.

FFAR Grant Combats Disease in Lettuce Crops

Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) is a highly contagious plant virus that causes crop losses worldwide. INSV is transmitted by tiny insects that feed on plants and can spread the virus as they move from plant to plant. While the virus affects a wide range of crops, it is currently threatening lettuce production. Led by Dr. Richard Michelmore, UC Davis researchers are identifying and deploying multiple genes for resistance to increase durability and slow the evolution and spread of resistance-breaking strains of INSV.

Genvax Technologies is Developing an African Swine Fever Vaccine

Genvax Technologies is developing a non-living vaccine composed of self-amplifying messenger RNA, or saRNA. saRNA vaccines are genetically engineered molecules that trigger the immune system to make antibodies that can successfully attack and destroy an invading virus. Researchers will test the vaccine at USDA-ARS’s Plum Island Animal Disease Center to determine if the vaccine will protect swine when exposed to a virulent, or severe, strain of the virus.

Protecting Coffee from Leaf Rust Disease

Biological Control of Cattle Fever Ticks in South Texas

In addition to market volatility threats from COVID-19, Texas cattle ranchers are also battling the southern cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus), a tick carried pathogen that causes deadly cattle fever for which there is no vaccine or treatment. USDA researchers are developing biological control technologies to prevent and contain this parasite.

Age Susceptibility and Lateral Transmission of Turkey Arthritis Reovirus

Turkey Arthritis Reovirus (TARV), a poultry virus that infects up to 70 percent of US turkey flocks, causes lameness in turkeys and economic losses for producers. University of Minnesota researchers are tracking how the virus is spread and when to best administer a preventative vaccine.