USDA Announces $34 Million to Support Research on Sustainable Water Use
WASHINGTON, D.C. March 24, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $34 million in available funding for projects that promote sustainable water use for food production, processing, and other competing uses. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The long term goal of the AFRI Water for Food Production Systems Challenge Area (WFPS) is to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and availability of safe and nutritious food while significantly reducing water use and preserving water quality. For Fiscal Year 2017, NIFA’s WFPS RFA invites applications that employ systems approaches, which may lead to solutions for water challenges in U.S. agricultural production. These solutions must be feasible and reflect a broad range of considerations: agricultural producers, other competing industries, consumers and the communities where they live, and other stakeholders. Potential impacts may include changes in economic, environmental, behavioral, social, and policy approaches that lead to reduced water use, and increased water use efficiency for the next several decades and beyond. Applications may be submitted by entities eligible to submit integrated projects for two specific grant types: Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs) and Strengthening (Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement or FASE) CAPs. Letters of intent are due May 17. The deadline for applications is August 2, 2017.
WAVES™ STEM PROGRAM
WAVES™ [Water and Volatile Environmental Solutions]
Mission
Our mission is to assist in bringing about a world with sustainable clean, safe and healthy drinking water in which everyone understands how it impacts their life and takes action to preserve it.
WAVES™ believe that early childhood education and protection efforts should be recognized, shared, plus replicated within all communities. The K-4 and 5-8 Waves™ and OSEP™ educates both children and adults. It motivates action to ensure sustainable clean healthy water for today and our future.
Everyone benefits from a sustainable supply of clean water. Whether it is the source of a community’s drinking water or the water used to produce the food on our table, water is vital to life. As such, every person must play a role in protecting and conserving our water for future generations. Collectively we will educate the next generation to understand the water crisis that is faced today and how we can rectify the problem with proper long term solutions. WAVES™ belief is by acting with honesty, respect, and high ethical standards, trust is inspired in all that we do.
WAVES™ strive for innovated growth of environmental education when promoting clean safe drinking water.
As stated previously, “We believe water education is a powerful motivator for change”. Factually informed youths and adults who understand the value and vulnerability of our planets water will act responsibly on its behalf.
In closing, it is our belief that by including everyone in the community we will make a positive difference towards the sustainability of our water. Partnerships and collaboration are paramount to effective delivery of healthy water information and education. WAVES™ is dedicated to help equip, inspire, and empower the youth of our community to become stewards of safe clean sustainable water now and for future generations.
