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

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Alabama A & M University $8,243,642 on October 1, 2025, under the Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University program (CFDA 10.205), a Formula Grant supporting agricultural research at 1890 Land-grant institutions.

The award funds research and extension-integrated activities across five priority areas: 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. Under food systems and food safety, Alabama A & M will develop technology and methods to protect agricultural and food safety, reduce food-borne illness epidemics, and establish rapid detection methodologies for threat agents, including existing and emerging diseases of plants and animals. Global food security work emphasizes enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of Alabama's food and agricultural industries through best practices and technologies in plant health, production, and animal health systems, with particular focus on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The human nutrition priority addresses obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and related vascular issues through dietary interventions and community nutrition education.

Performance occurs in Normal and Huntsville, Alabama over the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. Section 1445 funds may be carried over up to one year beyond fiscal year 2026 with no prior approval required, provided Alabama A & M submits an approved Plan of Work and complies with Five-Year Plan of Work Update and Annual Report of Accomplishments and Results reporting requirements.

To fulfill our obligations under the usdanifa evans allen act of 1890 (section 1445) for the fiscal year 2026, 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 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 ways that support energy independence, resource efficiency, and rural economic growth. Specific areas include: sustainable agricultural systems, energy utilization strategies (including agricultural waste-to-energy conversion); water resource management, soil health enhancement, and precision agriculture. Remote sensing and technology-driven approaches will be prioritized to improve productivity, reduce costs, and ensure long-term resource security. Environmental initiatives will be framed around supporting economic opportunity, rural-urban interface solutions, and community resilience. 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).