Next Generation Crops

Our Next Generation Crops Challenge Area research produces nutritious, affordable food on thriving farms through efficient crops that increase yields with fewer inputs.
Our Next Generation Crops Challenge Area research produces nutritious, affordable food on thriving farms through efficient crops that increase yields with fewer inputs.

Program Contact

Dr. Kathy Munkvold
kmunkvold@foundationfar.org

Development Contact

Lauren Hershey
lhershey@foundationfar.org

Open Opportunity

Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research

Accepting Applications

Why is FFAR Tackling Next Generation Crops?

In the U.S., we grow large quantities of corn and soy. With significant acreage devoted to same crop, pests, pathogens and environmental changes – including heat, drought, frost and freeze – can cause dramatic crop losses. Furthermore, climate change allows for harmful pests and pathogens to thrive.

Yet, growing a variety of crops can mitigate these risks, as some crops are less susceptible to pests, pathogens and environmental changes.

Crop diversity creates greater economic security for farmers, offers environmental benefits and can increase food security. Farmers growing a range of crops can sell to multiple markets and supply chains. Some crops can improve soil, filter water and reduce climate emissions. While much of the corn and soy crops are used for energy, animal feed, or exported abroad, crop diversity can increase food crops and food security.

The Next Generation Crops research provides farmers with novel, nutritious and profitable crop options. The research advances breeding technologies and management practices that create new economic opportunities. Ultimately, this research improves crops’ resilience to climate change.

We Pioneer Next Generation Crops Research

Congress established FFAR to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement USDA’s research agenda. Our public-private partnerships match federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment.

Our Next-Generation Crops research uses this funding to develop technologies that benefit consumers, producers and the environment.

Learn more about our Next Generation Crops grants, programs and consortium.

Next Generation Crops Awarded Grants

An International Collaboration for Combating Fusarium Wilt in Cotton

Year Awarded  2023

FFAR award amount   $750,000

Total award amount   $1,922,439

Location   Clemson, SC

Matching Funders   Clemson University, Cotton, Inc., Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Grantee Institution   Clemson University

Field trial of rice gene-edited rice for drought tolerance

Year Awarded  2023

FFAR award amount   $25,000

Total award amount   $50,000

Location   Berkeley, CA

Matching Funders   Good Ventures Foundation

Grantee Institution   University of California Berkely

Elucidating the genetic basis for sub-tropical flowering in hemp

Year Awarded  2023

Total award amount   $840,000

Location   Ithaca, NY

Grantee Institution   Cornell University

See all Next Generation Crops Awarded Grants

Next Generation Crops Grant Programs

Scientific Workforce Development Programs

Next Generation Crops Consortium

Crops of the Future Collaborative

Crops of the Future, a public-private collaborative, expands our knowledge of the traits that give rise to characteristics crops need to adapt to a changing future.

Hemp Research Consortium

The Hemp Research Consortium fosters a deeper understanding of the relationship between genes, physiology and the environment to optimize industrial hemp production.

International Weed Genomics Consortium

The International Weed Genomics Consortium (IWGC) provides a platform for private and public collaboration to develop genomic tools and resources and to stimulate global research in weed biology and management.

 
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The Latest

Insights

Our Insights highlight unique perspectives from across the food and agriculture community.

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Indigenous Farmers are Leading a “New Green Revolution” Focused on Hemp

James DeDecker, Director, Michigan State University – Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center Mary Donner, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians – Ziibimijwang Farm Executive Director and Tribal Citizen

Going Nuts: Nut Crops as Climate Resilient Protein Alternatives for the Future

Matt Davis

University of California, Davis

Building Tools for Plant Genome Editing

FFAR Fellow, Simon Sretenovic

University of Maryland, College Park

Tackling Malnutrition with Biofortification

Aichatou Djibo Waziri

Washington State University

Wheat: already delicious and now nutritious

Addison Carroll

FFAR Fellow

Dusting the Soil for Fungus-Prints: Spinach Seed Production and One of its Greatest Threats

Alex Batson

Washington State University

A day on the Battlefield: Searching for Perennial defenses in wild places

Kelsey Peterson

2019-2022 FFAR Fellow

Gene Editing is a Real Solution for Climate Change

Nicholas Karavolias

FFAR Fellow 2020-2023

Heavy Metal and Chocolate: Not the Best Pairing  

Zachary Dashner

2018-2021 FFAR Fellow

Combating Herbicide Resistance

Abby Barker

2018-2021 FFAR Fellow

Food for the Future: How Artificial Intelligence Can Improve Drought Resistance

Kevin Xie

2018-2021 FFAR Fellow

News

The latest news and updates from FFAR.

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Developing Smart Breeding Methods to Increase Crop Resilience

Scientists Unite to Combat Fusarium Wilt in Cotton

Increasing Drought Tolerance in Rice

Improving Yields & Traits in U.S. Hemp Crops

New Falling Number Test Prevents Wheat Contamination, Saves Farmers Millions

Domesticating Saltwater Crops for Future Food Needs

RIPE researchers determine chloroplast size unlikely option for improving photosynthetic efficiency

Unveiling the secrets of green pods: The role of soybean pods and seeds in photosynthesis

Grant Trains African Scientists to Improve Regionally Important Crops

Fortifying Wheat Against Heat and Drought

FFAR Grant Improves Plant-based Protein’s Production and Nutritional Content

Promoting Mung Bean Crop Opportunities

Hemp Research Consortium Awards Initial Grants

FFAR Grant Promotes Sorghum Health Benefits

FFAR Grant Identifies Genes Promoting Climate Resiliency in Wheat

FFAR Grants Develop Heat Tolerance in Crops

FFAR Supports Boosting Climate-Resilient Wheat

FFAR Grant Accelerates Climate Resilient Crop Breeding

FFAR Grant Speeds Domestication of Sustainable Crops

FFAR Grant Protects Coffee From Leaf Rust Disease

Breakthroughs

Tools, technologies and strategies from the research we fund.

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Accelerating Crop Development with Improved Haploid Fertility

Breakthrough for Accelerated Development of Crops of the Future

Getting to the Root of the Problem: Fastidious Pathogens

Breakthrough for A Novel Bioassay for Culturing and Characterizing Fastidious Phytopathogens

Want to do more to support our pioneering research?