OUR TEAM
Sara Delheimer,
Program Coordinator
MRF Impacts is led by Sara Delheimer. As the Program Coordinator, Sara develops program strategy; coordinates with partner organizations; writes, designs, and distributes impact statements; manages @MRFImpacts social media accounts; and facilitates Impact Writing Workshops.
Sara is a member of the APLU Board on Agriculture Assembly's Communication and Marketing Committee and co-chairs the Communications Team for the National Land-grant Impact Database. She is a long-time member of the Association of Communications Excellence.
Sara previously worked as a science writer for the National Park Service and has a B.A. in Sociology and Environmental Science.
Based in Nashville, TN, Sara enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and writing.
Management Committee
MRF Impacts is part of National Research Support Project-1 (NRSP-1), which also supports the NIMSS web portal for managing the Hatch Multistate Research Fund portfolio and project participation. MRF Impacts is overseen by the NRSP-1 Management Committee, which includes agInnovation directors, NIFA liaisons, NIMSS users, and others. - Sara Delheimer, MRF Impacts Program Coordinator - Christina Hamilton, agInnovation North Central, NRSP-1 Chair - Jeanette Thurston, agInnovation North Central - Richard Rhodes, agInnovation Northeast - David Leibovitz, agInnovation Northeast - Gary Thompson, agInnovation South - Cindy Morley, agInnovation South - Bret Hess, agInnovation-West - Jennifer Horton, agInnovation-West - Alton Thompson, ARD - Faith Peppers, NIFA Liaison - Tara Warner, NIFA Liaison - Julie Estrada, NIMSS User - Robin Williams, NIMSS User
OUR ECOSYSTEM
Hatch Multistate Research Fund
Each year, at least 25% of the total federal Hatch funding is allotted to projects led by researchers at agricultural experiment stations in two or more states. These projects are commonly referred to as “Hatch Multistate projects” or “multistate research projects.” MRF Impacts communicates the importance and impacts of these projects. Established in 1998 as an amendment to the Hatch Act of 1887, the MRF is administered by the USDA NIFA.
agInnovation
The scientists who lead Hatch Multistate projects are part of agInnovation, a nationwide system of agricultural experiment stations associated with land-grant universities in each state. The Hatch Act of 1887 and Evans-Allen Act of 1977 established these stations to investigate improvements to food production and agribusiness. Federal and state governments cooperate in funding stations, with additional income coming from grants, contracts, and the sale of products. Today, agInnovation stations employ about 13,000 scientists.
Land-grant universities
Hatch Multistate projects are led by researchers affiliated with land-grant universities. Originally designated by the Morrill Act of 1862, land-grant universities were established to provide higher education to the working class and have traditionally pursued a threefold mission of education, research, and extension in practical fields like agriculture and engineering. Many historically Black colleges and tribal colleges were added to the land-grant system by acts in 1890 and 1994, respectively. Today, there is at least one land-grant university in every state and territory.
Cooperative Extension
Many participants of Hatch Multistate projects have roles in Extension. This nationwide network extends land-grant university and agricultural experiment station research to farmers and communities. In each state, professional educators, trained volunteers, and local offices provide education and training and share findings, tools, and recommendations. This work is supported by federal, state, and county partnerships established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Created by the 2008 Farm Bill, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is a federal agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides leadership and administers federal funding for programs, including the Hatch Multistate Research Fund, that advance agricultural sciences.
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a membership organization that works to advance the mission of public and land-grant universities. Within the APLU, the Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA) advances agricultural research, education, and Extension at member institutions. The BAA is made up of sections, including agInnovation, which oversees MRF Impacts.