Project Grant 201051110210802

This Project Grant award of $799,997.00 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program, CFDA 10.310, aims to develop improved laboratory tests for detecting infectious viruses on produce like raspberries and lettuce. The key objectives are: 1) Improving a currently used commercial test by adding a biological step to distinguish infectious from non-infectious virus; 2) Testing whether a commercial machine can destroy viruses on produce...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded a $649,950 Project Grant under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program to the University of Massachusetts (UMass) to develop and evaluate magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DES) for the rapid concentration of foodborne viruses from food and environmental samples. This 3-year project aims to create portable, cost-effective methods for detecting low...

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) was awarded a $623,645 project grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative competitive grants program. The four-year project aims to develop new thermal sensing and analysis techniques to reliably predict the reduction of human pathogens like Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes in low water...

The Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) received a $682,889 Project Grant award from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to conduct research on the effects of salinity levels and salt types in alternative irrigation water sources on foodborne pathogens and fecal indicator bacteria. The grant was awarded under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative competitive grants program (CFDA #10.310), which provides...

The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) received a $300,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) competitive grants program. Through this three-year award beginning May 1, 2023, UMass will conduct research and develop training tools to improve food safety practices and raise awareness of norovirus risks in food service environments. Specific activities...

Through a $550,000 Project Grant from the Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Food Safety Outreach Program (CFDA 10.328), TX A & M University Commerce, doing business as Texas A&M University, will develop produce safety educational materials tailored to underrepresented beginning farmers. The 3-year project will focus on: (1) creating produce safety virtual farm tours and associated activities, (2) developing avenues to host the educational content, and...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded a $305,630 Project Grant to the University of Vermont & State Agricultural College under the Food Safety Outreach Program (CFDA 10.328). This 3-year grant builds on a successful, multi-state produce safety education and outreach program to help small and mid-size farms in the Northeast adopt practices consistent with the Food Safety Modernization Act. The key products and services to be delivered under...

This $3,500,000 Project Grant award from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) Integrated Programs (CFDA 10.303) aims to develop and implement organic-compliant coatings with organic essential oils (EOs) to enhance the postharvest quality and safety of organic fresh produce. The primary goals are to: 1) formulate organic coatings with EOs to inhibit foodborne pathogens and fungi, 2) evaluate the efficacy of these coatings on organic blueberries, apricots, peppers,...

The University of Vermont will receive $400,000 under a three-year Project Grant from the US Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Food Safety Outreach Program to form a nationwide working group focused on produce safety in hydroponic and aquaponic operations. The University will convene representatives from these growing sectors and produce safety experts to identify key educational needs. It will then develop and deliver educational programs and resources on...

The University of Arizona, through a $400,068 Cooperative Agreement from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, will work to prevent pathogen contamination in the lettuce production continuum. Key activities include engaging stakeholders through updated information on best management practices for agricultural water and providing education materials and certification courses in water sanitation. This funding supports the Agricultural Research Service's Agricultural...