Vaes is committed to developing and implementing research that addresses agricultural and community needs, and future pressures and opportunities

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University $8.719 million on October 1, 2025, under the Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act (CFDA 10.203), a formula grant with performance through September 30, 2027.

The award funds research across four critical issue areas. The Agricultural Viability, Profitability, and Productivity focus develops low-input and profitable indoor agricultural production systems, improves sustainability and profitability of small ruminant production, and assesses labor and economic efficiencies associated with advanced technological and scientific innovations. The Biotechnology, Biomaterials, and Agricultural Applications effort identifies novel genes to improve crop tolerances to environmental stresses including drought, heat, and metal toxicity; uses genetic and genome approaches for breeding crops adapted to changing agricultural conditions; designs value-added alternatives for agricultural, food, and material waste; and creates cellular-based alternatives that expand agricultural production and food resources. The Food, Nutrition and Health initiative develops innovative approaches and processes for maintaining and improving quality, nutritional value, and shelf-life of food, and identifies, develops, and evaluates novel biological and chemical resources for enhancing health and wellness for plants, animals, and humans. The Natural Resources and Agricultural Resilience effort develops farming systems that address environmental challenges.

Work is performed in Blacksburg, Virginia. Hatch Act formula funds are expected to be fully expended in the fiscal year of appropriation, though up to 100 percent may carry over for up to one year after appropriation without prior approval.

Vaes is focused on creating knowledge, integrating advanced technological and scientific innovations to create efficiencies and economic growth, and translating knowledge into practice to enhance agricultural and food systems, including agriculture and food, natural resources, and life sciences. Research encompasses near- and long-term issues and opportunities pertaining to invasive pests and organisms, infectious disease, health and wellness, quality, social interactions, and economics in animal, plant, human, natural resources, advanced technology and computer-human interactions. The agricultural viability, profitability, and productivity critical issue will develop low input and profitable indoor agricultural production systems; improve the sustainability and profitability of small ruminant production; assess labor and economic efficiencies associated with advanced technological and scientific innovations. The biotechnology, biomaterials, and agricultural applications critical issue will identify novel genes that can be used to improve crop tolerances to environmental stresses, especially drought, heat and metal toxicity; use genetic and genome appr oaches for breeding new crops to adapted to changing agricultural conditions; design value-added alternatives for agricultural, food, and material waste; and create cellular-based alternatives that expand agricultural production, and expanding food resources. The food, nutrition and health critical issue will develop and design innovative approaches and processes for maintaining and improving quality, nutritional value, and shelf-life of food; and identify, develop, and evaluate novel biological and chemical resources for enhancing health and wellness for plants, animals, and humans. The natural resources, and agricultural resilience critical issue will develop farming systems that adapt to changing agricultural conditions; evaluate soil and water management practices; and assess carbon and methane impacts related to natural resources, agricultural practices, and food processing, with emphasis on strengthening productivity and rural economic benefit.