Assistant Leader Neguse Announces $1.2 Million in Federal Funding for Innovative Agricultural Research at Colorado State University

Lafayette, CO — Today, House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse announced $1,210,323 in federal funding for food and agricultural science related research and innovation taking place at Colorado State University (CSU). This funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and has been granted to one research project relating to sustainable agroecosystems, more specifically enhancing drought monitoring, prediction, and impact; and three Predoctoral Fellowships programs wherein which new scientists are conducting breakthrough research on sustainable agricultural intensification and climate adaptation and food and nutrition translation. 

CSU is among America’s leading research universities, boasting significant impacts on the state of Colorado as a whole. The school is also paving the way for global research into agricultural lands, making pivotal strides in soil carbon research and climate change solutions. This surge of funding will further advance the critical role CSU plays in workforce development across Colorado, helping to foster the next generation of innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. 

“The brilliant researchers and faculty members at Colorado State University are making great strides in food and agricultural sciences, working to create solutions that mitigate the impacts of climate variability and address water availability issues in communities across the West. I’m excited to see an influx of federal support to assist the University advance and continue it’s groundbreaking research,” said House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse. 

“We are grateful for Congressman Neguse’s advocacy and for his understanding of the critical role sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation will play in the future of our state.” said Colorado State University President Amy Parsons. “This NIFA funding will accelerate research and innovative solutions, as well as enhancing CSU’s capacity to develop future leaders in agriculture.”

Please find additional information on the projects below: 

• $737,332 for enhancing drought monitoring, prediction, and impact assessment to inform rangeland management in the Western Great Plains through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Agroecosystems program. 

• Other projects in this program focus on the improvement of ecosystem health and output of ecosystem services in managed production systems — like croplands, forests, and rangelands — that are currently under stress or at risk from climate change, pests, pathogens, invasive plants and increased environmental pressures. 

• $179,116 for deciphering the role of the circadian clock in the aphid pest and rhopalosiphum padi: and implications for sustainable agriculture through AFRI Predoctoral Fellowships. 

• Other announcements for this program will help develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and/or extension fields within the food and agricultural sciences within the private sector, government, or academia. The aim of these fellowships is to cultivate future leaders who can solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st century. 

• $177,083 for investigating the role of model cyanobacterial biofilm constituents in abiotic stress resilience; and 

• $116,812 for assessing herbivory and predation on herbivorous arthropods on Crops after the loss of birds. 

More specifics can be found HERE and HERE. 

NIFA awards AFRI research, education, and extension grants to improve rural economies, increase food production, stimulate the bioeconomy, mitigate impacts of climate variability, address water availability issues, ensure food safety and security, enhance human nutrition, and train the next generation of the agricultural workforce. AFRI was established by Congress in the 2008 Farm Bill and re-authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill.