What We Do
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.
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 support pioneering science to provide everyone access to affordable, nutritious food grown on thriving farms.
We released a
Research Strategy in 2023 to ensure our work continues to meet stakeholders’ needs. In accordance with this strategy, we consolidated our
Challenge Areas into four interrelated, strategic research priorities. These Priority Areas recognize that food and agriculture systems are complex,
issues require multidisciplinary approaches.
Collectively, our Priority Areas aim to drive systemic change by taking a broad view of U.S. agriculture, considering its social, environmental and economic benefits and impacts.
Cultivating Thriving Production Systems
Our Production Systems research supports animal and crop systems by increasing productivity, combating pests and diseases, supporting animal welfare and safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods.
The Production Systems Priority Area encompasses research formerly categorized under the Advanced Animal Systems and Next Generation Crops Challenge Areas.
Sustaining Vibrant Agroecosystems
Our Agroecosystems research deepens our understanding of how agriculture systems interact with the surrounding environment.
The Agroecosystems Priority Area encompasses research formerly categorized under the Soil Health and Sustainable Water Management Challenge Areas as well as AgMission™.
Bolstering Healthy Food Systems
Our Food Systems research promotes the availability of nutritious foods, improves human health, develops novel food processes and products and advances the U.S. food system’s functionality.
The Food Systems Priority Area encompasses research formerly categorized under the Health-Agriculture Nexus and Urban Food Systems Challenge Areas.
Strengthening the Scientific Workforce
Our Scientific Workforce programs continue our longstanding commitment to address critical shortages in research and scientific workforce training.
As part of its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The SDG are a vital pathway that will lead to greener, more inclusive, stronger and more resilient economies. FFAR’s Priority Areas support research that align with specific SDGs.
How We Work
Science and collaboration are at the heart of our work.
We convene stakeholders to identify urgent challenges and the research needed to develop solutions. With our unique connections to the private and public sectors and our dedication to innovation, we only fund research that meets our rigorous scientific-review standards. Our publicly available results are shared with the scientific and agriculture communities who can employ these solutions.