Grants Archive

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

Effects of Asymptomatic Listeriosis on Dairy Cattle Fecal Microbiota

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $102,366

Total award amount $207,365

Location Madison, WI

Matching Funders UW Madison Food Recovery

Grantee Institution University of Wisconsin Madison

Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful pathogen that can cause severe illness. University of Wisconsin researchers are examining the interactions of L. monocytogenes with cattle gastrointestinal tract microbiota. Although clinical listeriosis is rare, L. monocytogenes is frequently shed by dairy cattle, reflecting a high prevalence of infection.

Development of Environmental Conditioning Practices to Decrease Impacts of Climate Change on Shellfish Aquaculture

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $877,007

Total award amount $1,754,067

Location Seattle, WA

Matching Funders Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe, University of Washington, Baywater Shellfish Company, University of Rhode Island

Grantee Institution University of Washington

University of Washington researchers are improving Pacific geoduck clam production by altering environmental conditions at key stages of the life cycle and identifying genetic markers associated with optimal traits.

An Integrated Approach to Improve Whole Herd Pig Survivability

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $999,772

Total award amount $1,999,772

Location Des Moines, IA

Matching Funders National Pork Board

Grantee Institution National Pork Board

An estimated 30-35 percent of pigs die before reaching the market and mortality rates are increasing. An interdisciplinary team is studying the causes of swine mortality on commercial farms and finding methods to improve pig survivability.

Automated Computer Vision System for Tracking Individual Pig Activity and Locomotion in Nursery/Finisher Group Housing

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $49,999

Total award amount $99,998

Location Des Moines, IA

Matching Funders University of Nebraska

Grantee Institution National Pork Board

Technological advances allow livestock producers to capture unprecedented amounts of data about pigs in their care. An interdisciplinary team is developing technology that continually tracks individual pigs and logs information about their activities for future analysis and selection.

Protein-Based Thermotolerance Markers for Sustainable Legume Protein Production

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $941,689

Total award amount $1,890,189

Location Raleigh, NC

Matching Funders Benson Hill Biosystems, North Carolina Soybean Producers, Golden Leaf Foundation, United Soybean Board, VIB

Grantee Institution USDA-ARS

Extreme weather devastates soybean crop yields and nutritional content. USDA researchers are leveraging the natural genetic diversity of soybean plants to improve the sustainability, nutrition and flavor profiles of crops in response to climate change.

Harnessing Endophytes to Improve Crop Efficiency and Production

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $292,230

Total award amount $584,461

Location Athens, GA

Matching Funders University of Georgia Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Georgia Department of Crop Soil Science, University of Georgia Institute of Plant Breeding

Grantee Institution University of Georgia Research Foundation

Agricultural production is not advancing fast enough to meet projected demands for food. Meeting these needs requires agricultural innovations and beneficial microorganisms are a promising way to increase crop growth, boost stress resistance and prevent diseases. Scientists and farmers must first understand how microorganisms work. University of Georgina Research Foundation Inc. is studying how crops are affected by the microbes that live inside them and how the environment impacts this relationship.

Ecology and Evolution of Bacterial Leaf Streak of Maize

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $148,479

Total award amount $296,978

Location Fort Collins, CO

Program Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research

Matching Funders Colorado State University

Grantee Institution Colarado State University

Bacterial leaf streak, a new pathogen in the U.S., is causing yield losses for western corn belt growers. There has been little research on management strategies to limit the spread or severity of bacterial leaf streak. Colorado State University researchers are investigating bacterial leaf streak to better understand the pathogen and how to mitigate it.

Crops of the Future Initial Project: Leafy Greens

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $2,500,000

Total award amount $5,097,530

Location Davis, CA

Matching Funders BASF Vegetable Seeds, Bejo Zaden B.V., Benson Hill Biosystems, Inc., Enza Zaden Research and Development, B.V., Gautier Semences, Keygene, N.V., Progeny Advanced Genetics Inc., Ramiro Arnedo S.A., Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel B.V., Sakata Seed Corporation, Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Takii and Company Ltd., Tanimura & Antle Value Added LLC, Vilmorin S.A.

Grantee Institution University of California Davis

Downy mildew is a damaging pathogen that threatens the $3 billion lettuce industry, causing losses for farmers in the field and post-harvest and requiring expensive chemical control measures. University of California, Davis researchers are using genomics approaches help leafy green plants resist downy mildew.

Developing CRISPR-Cpf1 Genome Editing Technologies for Crop Improvement

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $282,843

Total award amount $565,686

Location College Park, MD

Matching Funders Syngenta

Grantee Institution University of Maryland College Park

Plant genome editing can increase agricultural productivity and help agriculture adapt to climate change. University of Maryland-College Park researchers are developing CRISPR-Cas12a based plant genome editing systems with broadened targeting range and improved editing activity and specificity. If successful, these tools could accelerate plant breeding for generating high-productivity crops with stress resistance to climate change.

Development of a Farmer-Focused Disease Prevention and Preparedness Tool

Year Awarded 2018

FFAR award amount $87,691

Total award amount $183,206

Location Minneapolis, MN

Program Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research

Matching Funders Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Primary Fund

Grantee Institution University of Minnesota

In 2014, a specific a strain of avian influenza, H5N2 HPAI, destroyed nearly 50 million birds, costing the industry more than $3.75 billion. University of Minnesota researchers are developing a nationwide tool to improve outbreak response and help producers mitigate foreign animal diseases on farms.

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

158 Grants found

Decreasing Pulmonary-Associated Mortality in Feedlot Cattle Using Refined Case Definitions & Predictive Analytics, Emphasizing Acute Interstitial Pneumonia & Late Day BRD

Metabolomic analysis of blood plasma to identify unique biomarkers indicative of liver abscesses

Associations between feeding & management practices of beef-on-dairy cattle from birth to harvest with liver abscesses

Promoting antimicrobial stewardship through improved understanding of how feedlot cattle are classified based on BRD risk

Antimicrobial Use Monitoring & Benchmarking in U.S. Feedyards

Investigating waterless decontamination and application potential in transportation biosecurity

What is the cost of disease for grow-finish producers?

FFAR Vet Fellows Sixth Cohort

A multiplexed chemical sensor system to automate non-invasive, in-ovo sex determination for the poultry industry

Leveraging landrace genomics to rapidly engineer thermotolerant cassava

Using novel genes from wild germplasm to boost protein content in cultivated chickpea

Genetic and microbial determinants of nitrogen fixation in a Sierra Mixe landrace of maize

High-throughput in-ovo sexing of chicken eggs using hyperspectral imaging & Raman spectroscopy

Project Ella

Modeling for genomic, blood & microbiological markers for liver abscesses in fed beef cattle

Understanding liver abscess pathogenesis & risk-factors of feedlot cattle reared in conventional beef versus dairy management systems

ICASA: Defining the contribution of acidosis to the liver abscess complex using novel challenge model to delineate impacts of diet composition and feeding management on liver abscess pathogenesis

Acoustic Monitoring to Support Mass Cattle Treatment Decisions

An International Collaboration for Combating Fusarium Wilt in Cotton

Field trial of rice gene-edited rice for drought tolerance

Elucidating the genetic basis for sub-tropical flowering in hemp

Breeding and Characterizing New Cultivars of Grain and Fiber Hemp

Integrating Genomics, Milk Spectrometry & Microbial Manipulations to Mitigate Enteric Methane Emissions from Dairy Cattle

Hydrogen Production and Hydrogen Utilization in the Rumen of Beef & Dairy Cattle: Key Rumen Microbiome Measurements to Understand Mechanisms Controlling Methanogenesis & Mitigating Enteric Methane Emissions

Using sensors & psychological profile to increase compliance of wean to market barn biosecurity

Development of an effective & practical biosecurity entrance system

Self-vaccinating pigs to save labor, improve efficacy & enhance biosecurity: Mhp, IAV, Ileitis & Erysipelas evaluations

Comparison of a rail-mounted automated power washer to a commercial manual power washing crew in terms of cleanliness, manpower & water usage efficiency

Determining the economical & epidemiological benefit of cleaning & disinfecting market haul trailers within the U.S. swine industry

Evaluation of the Efficacy, Agronomic Fit & Environmental Fate of Biopesticides for Management of Economically Important Diseases & Arthropod Pests of Hemp

A holistic approach to improving keel bone health of breeders and commercial layer hens

Using the power of functional genomics and genetics to reduce keel bone damage

Developing Tomato Lines Resistant to Broomrape, a Critical World-wide Pest

Enabling African Scientists: The African Plant Breeding Academy CRISPR Course

Development of Novel Methanogenesis Inhibitors in Ruminants

Investigating Natural Nitro-Compounds as a Viable Strategy to Reduce Enteric Methane Emission from Ruminants

Grant Investigates Naturally Occurring Compound to Reduce Enteric Methane Emissions

Grant Improves Stress Tolerance in Carrots

FFAR Vet Fellows Fifth Cohort

FFAR Vet Fellows Fourth Cohort

FFAR Vet Fellows Third Cohort

Validation of Efficacy of a Protective DIVA-Compatible Prototype African Swine Fever Virus Vaccine

Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program Round One Projects

Plant-XR: A New Generation of Breeding Tools for Extra-Resilient Crops

Identifying Proteins Required for Immunity to ASFV

Analyzing the Efficacy of Live-vectored Prototype ASFV Subunit Vaccines

Fast Tracking Climate Solutions from Global Germplasm Banks

Accelerating Genetic Gains in Maize & Wheat for Improved Livelihoods

Harnessing Translational Research Across a Global Wheat Improvement Network for Climate Resilience

Assessment of the Available Literature and Gap Analysis on the Use of Industrial Hemp as an Animal Feed

Multistate characterization of agronomic performance of hemp cultivars, including sterility of new triploid cultivars

Impact of spectra and intensity of LED supplemental lighting on morphology, growth, flower yield, and phytochemical content of Cannabis Sativa

Breeding and Genetics of Disease Resistance, Flowering Time, and Cannabinoid Content in Hemp

Analysis of Terpenes and Neutral Cannabinoids Using Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometry and Genotyping of Hemp Using the SureSelect System

FlockFocus Camera-Based Technology Advances Broiler Chicken Welfare

FFAR Grant Promotes Sorghum Health Benefits

ICASA: Antimicrobial Use Monitoring and Benchmarking in U.S. Feedyards

ICASA: Liver abscesses in feedlot cattle; further delineation of the etiology and pathogenesis

ICASA: Fecal microbiota transplant to reduce post-weaning diarrhea and antibiotic use

ICASA: Novel Strategies to Improve Understanding of Liver Abscess Formation and Mitigation in Beef Cattle

ICASA: Pathogen-host interaction during the development of liver abscesses; local and systemic immune and metabolic responses during Fusobacterium necrophorum challenges

Novel Strategies to Improve the Understanding of Liver Abscess Formation in Beef Cattle

ICASA: Improving the efficacy of vaccination against mycoplasma hyosynoviae by identifying optimal application times

Improving the Efficacy of Vaccination Against Mycoplasma Hyosynoviae by Identifying Optimal Application Times

ICASA: Risk Factors for Lameness in Finishing Pigs

ICASA: Development of a non-invasive model to induce liver abscess formation in cattle

Genomic foundation for neodomestication and breeding of a halophytic grain crop, Distichlis palmeri

Fecal Microbiota Transplant to Reduce Post Weaning Diarrhea & Antibiotic Use

Risk Factors for Lameness in Finishing Pigs

Pathogen-Host Interaction During the Development of Liver Abscesses; Local & Systemic Immune & Metabolic Responses During Fusobacterium Necrophorum Challenges

Defining the Contribution of Acidosis to the Liver Abscess Complex Using a Novel Challenge Model to Delineate Impacts of Diet Composition & Feeding Management on Liver Abscess Pathogenesis

Further Delineation of the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Liver Abscesses in Feedlot Cattle

Development of a Non-Invasive Model to Induce Liver Abscess Formation in Beef Cattle

High protein aquatic plants for controlled environment indoor farms

Mitigating antibiotic use in aquaculture through vaccination

More Beans (MB): A Next Generation Legume for Healthy Urban Food

High dimensional phenomics and automation to transform cost and timeframe of early stage domestication of wild plants

Creating Science-Based Strategies for Gene Editing Communications

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