Alabama agricultural and mechanical university (AAMU) conducts research projects that meet the needs of the citizens of alabama and the nation

To fulfill our obligations under USDA-nifa evans allen act of 1890 (section 1445) for the fiscal year 2025, there are several projects being submitted for approval. Research areas of interest are: food systems and food safety; global food security and hunger; natural resources and environmental sustainability; human nutrition, well-being, health and obesity; and community and regional planning. All these are aligned with the USDA strategic plan FY 2022-2026 goals and USDA science and research strategy (2023-2026) priorities. Food systems and food safety: research and extension-integrated activities enhance food systems, food safety and agricultural biosecurity. The goal of this critical issue is to develop technology and methods to protect and enhance the safety of agriculture and food, reduce epidemics of food-borne illnesses, and to develop the knowledge and methodologies for rapid detection of threat agents, including existing and emerging diseases of plants and animals, risk assessment, and facility and personnel security. Global food security and hunger: the goal is to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of food and agricultural industries in alabama through the development and implementation of best practices or technologies. This critical issue addresses two broadly defined priority areas; I) plant health and production and plant products, including improved cropping systems, plant breeding/genomics, integrated pest management, precision agriculture, and alternative specialty crops; and II) animal health and production, including improved food-animal systems and stocks. Of particular interest are programs and projects that include artificial intelligence and emerging technologies that present innovative synergies of disciplines and perspectives. Human nutrition, well-being, health and obesity: obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and vascular issues are mostly caused by the lack of nutrients, the lack of exercise, poor lifestyle choices, and stress of the involved individuals. As a result of the growing health concerns for alabama citizens, there has been a combined effort to educate and motivate citizens throughout the state to make better health decisions. The objective is to improve the health of alabamians, targeting limited-resource families, through chronic disease awareness, physical activity, nutrition education, health literacy, and access to and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Natural resources and environmental sustainability: this program plan will generate knowledge to manage agricultural and natural systems in the face of climate change and the need to sustain natural resources. Specific areas include: climate-smart sustainable agricultural systems, energy conservation and utilization of renewable energy resources; understanding the land-water interface; consequences and solutions of global climate change; water quality and quantity, carbon sequestration, natural systems restoration, surface and groundwater conservation; management of agricultural waste residue; sustainable soil health enhancement; sustainable ecoand agri-tourism; rural-urban interface environmental issues; remote sensing and precision agriculture. Community and regional planning: this area is designed to maintain the integrity of agricultural lands through rural and urban planning programs. Appropriated funds will be used for expenses in research which will include faculty and staff salaries, student support, dissemination of research results, administrative planning and direction, equipment purchase and maintenance, and supplies purchase (among other approved spending).