SCIENCE
NIFA Honors Outstanding Grantees with Partnership Awards
“NIFA’s Partnership Awards showcase the outstanding work of our grantees and highlight important role our partners play in advancing agricultural science, education and extension,” said Roger Beachy, NIFA director. “I am very pleased to honor these four project teams today for their contributions in helping NIFA achieve its goals.”
There are four categories of Partnership Awards: mission integration, multistate efforts, innovative program models and effective and efficient use of resources. The 2010 Partnership Awards were presented to the lead institution for each project:
- Mission Integration: University of Nevada-Reno, Family Storyteller Team. This team has made measurable differences for Nevada families by helping parents play a vital role in improving the literacy development of their children.
- Multistate Efforts: University of Illinois, National Food MarketMaker Project. This online marketing resource gives farmers greater access to regional markets by linking them with processors, retailers, consumers and other food supply chain participants.
- Innovative Program Models: University of California-Davis, National Plant Diagnostic Network. This national network developed preparedness programs and interagency partnerships that have enhanced the security of crop agriculture in the United States.
- Effective and Efficient Use of Resources: University of Vermont, eXtension HorseQuest Leadership Team. This eXtension Community of Practice was the first to launch its contents online in 2006 and has set the standards for creative development, management, cooperation, collaboration and delivery of peer-reviewed, science-based information on the Internet.
In addition to the lead institution cited above, most projects involved teams of institutions across the country. Click here for a full listing of awardees.
Through funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.