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…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Iowa State University $3.922 million under the Hatch Act Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations program (CFDA 10.203) on October 1, 2025.

Iowa State University researchers conduct agricultural research across five strategic areas. Food-animal health and production work develops genomic selection tools for production and disease resistance, and technology for data-driven optimization of animal growth efficiency and environmental impact reduction. Crop management and disease mitigation research addresses seed quality, grain industry efficiency, soil composition, nutrient and water movement, and soil health. Environment and natural resource management projects integrate agronomic practices with environmental restoration, monitor vector-borne disease among wildlife and bee and tick populations, and focus on reducing and recycling food and agriculture waste streams. Human health and well-being research includes nutrition, food access, and early-childhood learning initiatives.

The award period runs through September 30, 2027, with performance at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The Hatch Act program assists State Agricultural Experiment Stations in conducting research across all aspects of agriculture. Funds are allocated to eligible state institutions under the statutory formula; at least 25 percent must support multistate research projects addressing regional or national problems. Hatch funding is expected to be fully expended in the fiscal year of appropriation, though up to 100 percent may carry over for up to one additional year without prior approval.

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 to quantify their impacts on nutrient and water movement to ensure healthy soils. Environment and natural 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 mosquito, 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 application 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 evaluate interventions that improve health and well-being in aging adults in urban and rural regions. 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 difficult 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 U.S. Citizens.