At cornell university, FCF are administered strategically to address a wide range of issues in new york state (NYS) and beyond and foster the integration of applied research and extension programming

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Cornell University $9.124 million under the Hatch Act formula grant program on October 1, 2025, to conduct agricultural research addressing food systems, environmental sustainability, and community development across New York State and beyond.

Cornell's Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) integrates applied research and extension programming through three colleges advancing food and agriculture systems, applied economics, and community and individual development. The award funds research projects aligned with NIFA priority areas in agriculture and food systems, environmental systems, and related domains, administered jointly by Cornell AES, Cornell AgriTech, and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Projects support a robust New York food and agriculture industry producing safe, reliable, and healthy food supplies; strengthen production systems and environmental management; and address pressing societal concerns including childhood obesity, invasive species, and extreme weather events. The work links Cornell's research facilities with the state's comprehensive cooperative extension system to serve New York citizens and improve the human condition through scholarship connecting research, non-formal teaching, and extension programming to real-life challenges.

The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. Place of performance is New York. Under the Hatch Act formula structure, funds may be carried over for up to one year after fiscal year end with no prior approval required, and at least 25 percent of funds support multistate research projects.

Cornell AES is an integral part of three colleges that advance research on food and agriculture systems, applied economics, and community and individual development. By engaging across this spectrum, cornell AES improves people's lives and contributes towards cornell's land grant mission of discovery, engagement, and advancement of learning. Cornell AES links cornell's world-class research facilities with one of the nation's most comprehensive statewide cooperative extension systems (cornell cooperative extension, CCE). Through this engaged, interactive system, we address pressing issues that directly affect the health and welfare of the state and beyond. Many of today's most urgent societal concerns - from childhood obesity to invasive species to global extreme weather events - are not limited by state or national boundaries. Every aspect O F our operation from staff development to forest management to field practices is viewed through the lens of sustainability and economic impact. Cornell AES, cornell agritech, and CCE work collaboratively to determine planned programs that align with nifa priority areas and direct funds to individual research and extension projects as well as projects that integrate these two domains. The appr oach used to integrate the work of the two experiment stations and CCE is designed to serve the citizens of NYS and improve the human condition through excellence in scholarship linking research, non-formal teaching, and extension to 'real life' challenges and OPP ortunities. Critical issues include: agriculture & food systems: projects support a NYS food & agriculture industry that is robust, and profitable, and that produces a safe, reliable, and healthy food supply. Environment systems: projects focus on stre ngthening production systems, and advancing rural prosperity through sciencebased research, education, and outreach. Initiatives prioritize practical, cost-effective strategies that enhance efficiency while safeguarding NYS's natural resources and communities. Nutrition, food safety and security, and obesity prevention: projects support research, education, and extension to improve individual and community health through guidance on diet and physical activity and by developing effective educational and environmental strategies. Projects promote childhood obesity prevention, enhance youth, family, and community nutrition, and advance food security and safety. 4-H youth development/children, youth, & families: projects focus on life skill development, stem education, food systems, and agriculture workforce opportunities for youth. This issue area also includes human development topics, including improving the quality of home and work environments. Community & economic vitality: projects foster vibrant, thriving communities by advancing entrepreneurship, adult workforce readiness, and resilient food systems. Focus areas include agritourism, health and wellbeing, disaster education, land use, and support for veterans, families, and volunteers - strengthening economic opportunity and quality of life across NYS communities.