USDA Announces New SARS-COV-2 Research Funding Opportunity Through the American Rescue Plan Act

Jun 23, 2022

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced it will commit up to $24 million for research grants through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID) program. These grants will support research that directly aligns with APHIS' American Rescue Plan strategic framework and will support APHIS and its One Health partners' efforts to identify risks and plan effective interventions to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the human-animal interface and to prevent impacts to the food supply.

These funds will make grants available to eligible state and federal agencies, academia, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. The three AFRI program area priorities for this research solicitation are Diseases of Agricultural Animals; Agricultural Biosecurity; and Inter-Disciplinary Engagement in Animal Sciences (IDEAS). The NSF EEID program's central theme is quantitative or computational understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics, and supports research on the ecological, evolutionary, organismal, and social drivers that influence the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases.

Click here to see more...

Video: Sorting Ewes & Rams | Breeding Time On The Farm!

In this episode, we’re sorting ewes into their breeding groups and introducing them to unrelated rams. Moving rams between barns always comes with challenges, but once the boys meet their ewes, everyone was eager to settle in!

We also welcome back a returning customer who purchased a Suffolk ram from us last year. This season, she chose a Dorset cross ram, now named Benny, to strengthen her flock’s genetics. It’s always rewarding to see repeat customers who value the quality of our breeding stock.

Arnie then tours the crop fields as harvest season approaches. Despite drought conditions this summer, the crops are looking surprisingly good. We close the day with evening feedings and one last look at the rams with their new breeding groups.

?? Join us daily for life on a working sheep farm, from flock management and breeding strategies to crops, chores, and the everyday rhythm of farm life.