Hatch?multistate capacity grant funds are used to conduct research across disciplines in agriculture to make advances in production, develop new tools and strategies to enhance efficiency and…

Hatch?multistate capacity grant funds are used to conduct research across disciplines in agriculture to make advances in production, develop new tools and strategies to enhance efficiency and quality of the food supply, and promote human, plant, and animal health. Iowa state university (ISU) researchers are engaged in projects that coalesce in five strategic areas. Food?animal health and production: ISU researchers conduct projects to improve the quality of life, production efficiencies, and economic return to the animal industry. The development of tools that enable genomic selection for production, disease resistance and genetic diversity benefit animal production. Technology is being developed using datadriven decision?making to optimize animal growth efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Crop management and disease mitigation: iowa is a major producer of grain and several projects address critical issues related to crop management and disease mitigation. Work is being done to develop understanding of how developmental and environmental mechanisms affect seed quality to improve the efficiency of the US and iowa grain industry and to capture additional value in the cereal grains, oilseeds, and CO?products supply. Research is being conducted to investigate new ways of characterizing soil composition and structure in order to quantify their impacts on nutrient and water movement to ensure healthy soils. Environment and NA tural resource management: integration of agronomic practices with restoration and protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources is a research focus for ISU scientists. Understanding vector?borne disease among wildlife and monitoring mosqu ITO, tick and BEE populations are key projects. Reducing and recycling food and agriculture waste streams is also a focus. Human health and well?being: ISU researchers are engaged in projects that include nutrition, food access, early?childhood learning, and appli cation of technology in specialized clothing. The proportion of older adults in the US has increased and work is being done to conduct a comprehensive assessment of diet, physical activity and related factors affecting aging adults and to develop, implement and EV aluate interventions that improve health and well?being in aging adults in urban and rural environments. Researchers at ISU are developing new uniforms for firefighters that will improve wildland firefighters' health and safety. Influences and structures of markets and economic parameters: ISU researchers are engaged in creating economic tools and strategies to inform producers who must make d ifficult tradeoffs, as well as policy makers that implement agronomic, health and environmental programs. Efforts are focused on improving the sustainability of animal production, mitigation of livestock odor, biosecurity, and animal waste management. Other projects address the functioning of agricultural and rural financial markets, to uncover the relationships among farm income, land values, and cash rents; predicting the long?term impact of declining incomes on farm businesses, the agricultural industry, and the state economy; and understanding the mechanisms of financial and health decisions made by individuals and families to help navigate financial and health decisions. Target audience and outcomes: the information and outcomes of the hatch?multistate projects being conducted by ISU scientists are disseminated broadly to a wide range of stakeholders. The impacts of the work are monitored and assessed to ensure efficient and effective use of the funds through peer review, publications (both professional and lay) and reports. We strive to utilize our capacity funds to make an impact in each of the focus areas, leading to a sustainable and productive agricultural system, mindful management of the environment and natural resources, and improved quality of life for US citizens.