Federal award purpose - the purpose of this program is to conduct agricultural research programs at state agricultural experiment stations in the 50 states, the district of columbia, and the insular…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Connecticut $1,651,926 under the Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act (CFDA 10.203) on October 1, 2025.

The Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station, through the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, uses the funds to support research projects addressing problems of local, state, regional, or national concern that align with NIFA and USDA priorities. Research activities encompass soil and water conservation and use; plant and animal production, protection, and health; processing, distribution, safety, marketing, and utilization of food and agricultural products; forestry including range management and urban forestry; aquaculture; human nutrition; rural and community development as it relates to agriculture; sustainable agriculture; and molecular biology and biotechnology contributing to agricultural advancements. Projects advance the 2022–2026 USDA Strategic Plan priorities: strengthening America's working lands and natural resources through climate adaptation; supporting an equitable, resilient, and prosperous agricultural system; promoting a competitive marketplace for agricultural producers; ensuring safe and nutritious food for all Americans; and expanding economic development opportunities.

The award carries a period of performance from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027, with performance at the Storrs, Connecticut campus. This is a formula grant under the Hatch Act, allocated according to statutory formula to eligible state agricultural experiment stations. Up to one hundred percent of funds may be carried over for up to one year after the fiscal year of appropriation without prior approval.

Federal award purpose - the purpose of this program is to conduct agricultural research programs at state agricultural experiment stations in the 50 states, the district of columbia, and the insular areas. Hatch act activities are broad and include research on all aspects of agriculture, including soil and water conservation and use; plant and animal production, protection, and health; processing, distribution, safety, marketing, and utilization of food and agricultural products; forestry, including range management and range products; multiple use of forest rangelands, and urban forestry; aquaculture; home economics; human nutrition; rural and community development as IT relates to agriculture; sustainable agriculture; and molecular biology and biotechnology inasmuch when as work can contribute to agricultural advancements. Research may be conducted on issues of local, state, regional, or national concern. Activities to be performed - the university of connecticut (UCONN), college of agriculture, health, and natural resources (CAHNR), storrs agricultural experiment station (SAES) capacity grant program funds research projects on problems of local, state, regional or national concern, with priorities that align with nifa's and USDA 'S priorities, and address one or more of the priorities of 2022-2026 USDA strategic plan: strategic goal 1: strengthening america's working lands and natural resources through practical adaptation strategies combat climate change to support america's working lands, natural resources and communities; strategic goal 2: supporting a resilient and prosperous agricultural system.ensure america's agricultural system is equitable, resilient, and prosperous; strategic goal 3: promoting a competitive marketplace for agricultural producers. Foster an equitable and competitive marketplace for all agricultural producers; strategic goal 4: providinge all americans safe, nutritious food; strategic goal 5: expand opportunities for economic development and improve quality of life in rural and tribal communities; strategic goal 6: building a skilled and motivated agricultural workforce attract, inspire, and retain an engaged and motivated workforce that's proud to represent USDA. In addition, the SAES hatch projects address one or more of the strategic priorities outlined in the CAHNR strategic vision. These strategic priorities include: 1) ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food supply; 2) enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally; 3) supporting adaptation and resilience in changing agricultural conditions advancing adaptation and resilience in a changing climate, and 4) promoting responsible land management across urban-rural interfaces fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces. Deliverables and expected outcomes - hatch projects consist of basic, applied, and developmental research and facilitate training for the next generation of scientists. Outcomes from our projects include peer reviewed publications, research presentations, and mentoring and training of masters and PHD students in all aspects of agriculture, including soil and water conservation and use; plant and animal production, animal health, human nutrition and health, environment and resource economics. Intended beneficiaries - the intended beneficiaries of our projects include local, regional, and national audiences in terested in USDA priorities and state and national agricultural needs.