Enabling climate smart decisions for agriculture and forestry in the united states caribbean

This federal Project Grant award of $287,358.00 was provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service under the Forestry Research program (CFDA 10.652). The grant, awarded on July 15, 2024, supports fundamental research activities related to forests, forest ecosystems, and renewable forest resources in the United States Caribbean region, with a target completion date of December 30, 2026.

The primary awardee, the Agricultural Extension Service, is a U.S. government entity and land-grant institution that serves as the primary provider of agricultural extension and education services in Puerto Rico. Through this grant, the Agricultural Extension Service will deliver a wide range of programs focused on improving agricultural practices, nutrition education, youth development, and community resilience across Puerto Rico. Key initiatives include outreach on sustainable agriculture practices, nutrition education for low-income families, youth development programs like 4-H, urban agriculture and community garden support, training on grant readiness for socially disadvantaged farmers, and implementation of integrated pest management strategies. The Agricultural Extension Service also plans to partner with other institutions and collaborate with federal agencies to conduct research, collect agricultural data, and promote climate-smart forestry decisions in the region.