Iowa's agriculture sector continues to undergo significant growth and transformation, expanding beyond the innovative and continuing strong crops and livestock production to also encompass the…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Iowa State University of Science and Technology $20.408816 million under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511) on October 1, 2025, with performance extending through September 30, 2030.

The Smith-Lever Extension Funding program supports cooperative agricultural Extension activities at Land-grant Institutions to develop practical applications of research knowledge and deliver instruction and practical support. Iowa State University will conduct these joint cooperative Extension programs at its Ames, Iowa campus.

This is a formula grant, and the recipient is the ultimate recipient of the award. The assistance type reflects the program's statutory allocation mechanism to eligible 1862 Land-grant Institutions, of which Iowa State University is one.

Iowa's agriculture sector continues to undergo significant growth and transformation, expanding beyond the innovative and continuing strong crops and livestock production to also encompass the latest advancements in the bioeconomy, life sciences, food sciences, environmental sciences, and social sciences. The state's rich natural resources, talented workforce, and well-established infrastructure support a diverse range of food, feed, fiber, biofuels, manufacturing, and bioproducts initiatives. Iowa's strategic location, world-class soil, and robust transportation network make IT an ideal location for businesses, communities, and families involved in the agriculture and biotech industries to thrive. Iowa's agricultural industry continues to drive the state's economy, as evidenced by its impressive gross farm income of $43.93 billion in 2023, ranking second nationally only to california. The state's position is strengthened by its high ranking in the production of several key commodities. In the same year, iowa emerged as the top national producer of corn, pork, eggs, and ethanol, while also ranking second in soybeans, fourth in cattle/calf production, fifth in turkey production, and 12TH in dairy products. The state's farmland spans 29,978,165 acres, with cropland accounting for 86 percent of the total farm acres in 2022. Iowa's 86,911 farms have an average size of 345 acres, with the median farm size being 130 acres. Iowa had 3,241,488 residents in 2024, ranking 32ND among states in total population size. Iowa has nine metropolitan statistical areas containing 62% of its population. Iowa's nonmetropolitan percentage share of population is the 9TH highest among states. Ongoing workforce changes, technological innovations, and globalization present both opportunities and challenges in developing sustainable, socially responsible, and environmentally sound systems for food, feed, fiber, fuel, and other value-added products. To address these challenges, our research and extension programs focus on six critical areas: community and economic development, food production and agricultural systems, health nutrition and well being, human potential and youth development, natural resources and environmental stewardship, and transformative technology. Our dedicated team of researchers, educators, and extension and outreach professionals collaborate closely to develop and implement innovative solutions that have a positive impact on society, economics, and the environment. The iowa agriculture industry is supported by a robust research and extension and outreach community spanning a wide range of disciplines, from basic to applied, to address the challenges facing the production of feed, food, fiber, and fuel. Research and extension and outreach outcomes reported here are a collaborative effort involving scientists and extension and outreach professionals from many departments and colleges, resulting in advancements in capacity and food production, and providing an abundant supply of nutritious food. These projects and programs are made possible through funding from hatch and smith-lever capacity grants, which provide the crucial support necessary to leverage and match external funding sources, resulting in more applied research, greater real-world applications of research, and better integration of research and extension and outreach.