MAY 2026 TOOLKIT

APLU Office of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Theme: Investing in Today’s Youth and College Students Fortifies Tomorrow’s Workforce

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Emphasizing STEM in High School Ag Education (S-1071)

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A team of researchers at #LandGrantUniversities are working together on ways to incorporate #STEM into high school agricultural education so that students have the skills they need for success in the agricultural workforce, where demand for skilled workers significantly outpaces supply. https://bit.ly/STEMAgEd @AgIsAmerica @USDA_NIFA

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Land-grant universities participating in this project: Clemson University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Idaho, Kansas State University, Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, South Dakota State University, Utah State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, West Virginia University. This is an ongoing project and may include additional participants. Project and participant details in the NIMSS database.​​

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Supporting Healthy Habits Among Young Adults (NC-1193)

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Investing in today's #college students helps fortify tomorrow's workforce. A team of researchers & Extension educators at #LandGrantUniversities is improving campus environments & resources so students can make healthier eating, exercise & stress management choices that support overall wellness & academic success. https://bit.ly/HealthyYoungAdults

@AgIsAmerica @USDA_NIFA

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: Auburn University, University of Florida, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, University of Maine, Mississippi State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of New Hampshire, University of Rhode Island, Rutgers University, South Dakota State University, Syracuse University, University of Tennessee, West Virginia University. This is an ongoing project and may include additional participants. ​Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.

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​​National Barbecue Month

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It’s BBQ season! See how #LandGrantUniversities are collaborating to improve the production, quality, and food safety of your favorite meats to barbecue! https://bit.ly/MRF-bbq #barbecue #grilling #bbq @USDA_NIFA @AgIsAmerica

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National Beef Month

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See/share all of our Impact Statements about beef production and quality.

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May is #NationalBeefMonth! Researchers at land-grant universities are working together to improve profitability and competitiveness for American beef producers. Their efforts have also improved animal welfare and made beef production more sustainable. Other work has led to practices and tools that improve the food quality and safety of beef products. Learn more: https://www.mrfimpacts.org/impact-statements/categories/beef. @USDA_NIFA @AgIsAmerica

Improving Meat Production (NC-1184)

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New data on how tenderness develops can be used to enhance the quality of meat products. For example, researchers found that factors that affect the aging process also play a role in development of beef tenderness. https://bit.ly/MRF-ImprovingMeat #NationalBeefMonth

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: University of Arkansas, Auburn University, University of California, Davis, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Hawaii, University of Idaho, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, North Carolina State University, North Dakota State University, Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, Purdue University, University of Rhode Island, Rutgers University, South Dakota State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Utah State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Washington State University, University of Wisconsin. This project was renewed in 2020, and may now included additional participants. ​Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.​

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Enhancing Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle (W-3010)

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Researchers at land-grant universities have provided information, biomarkers, models, and other tools beef producers can use to improve beef cattle feed efficiency, which reduces feed use and costs while maintaining cattle health and performance. Improving feed efficiency could translate to higher farmer profits as well as more competitively priced products for consumers. In addition, optimizing feed can reduce the amount of excess nutrients released in cattle manure, which can impair soil and water quality. 

Learn more: bit.ly/beef-feed-efficiency  #NationalBeefMonth 

@USDA_NIFA @AgIsAmerica

 

As part of a multistate project on beef cattle feed efficiency, @MSUCollegeofAg researchers identified genetic and metabolic factors that regulate the late fattening period in feedlot steers, helping develop biomarkers that guide precision management for cattle with specific beef quality grades. Learn more: bit.ly/beef-feed-efficiency #NationalBeefMonth

 

Researchers at @CANRatMSU shed light on the feed use efficiency differences between beef and dairy cattle and beef x dairy crossbreeds. Results are informing better sire selection and management practices for more efficient beef production from the dairy industry. See more impacts from this multistate project: bit.ly/beef-feed-efficiency #NationalBeefMonth

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Land-grant universities participating in this project: University of California, Davis, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, University of Missouri, Missouri State University, Montana State University, University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University, South Dakota State University, University of Tennessee, Texas AgriLife Research, West Virginia University, University of Wyoming. Project members may receive additional funding from other sources. Previous and ongoing iterations of this project may include additional institutions. Past and ongoing iterations of this project may include additional participants. Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database. 

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Improving Beef Production in the South (S-1064)

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Researchers are collaborating to genetically improve #beef #cattle breeds so that they are healthy and productive in hot, humid weather, which is common in the southern U.S. https://bit.ly/beef-southern-region @SouthernAES #SouthernAgResearch #NationalBeefMonth

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: University of Arkansas, Clemson University, Clemson Cooperative Extension, University of Florida, University of Georgia, Kansas State University, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, Texas A&M University, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and the University of the Virgin Islands. This project was renewed in 2019, and may now included additional participants. ​Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.​​​

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National Egg Month

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See/share all of our Impact Statements about eggs and poultry production.

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It's #NationalEggMonth! See how researchers at land-grant universities are working together to improve poultry production to ensure and steady supply of safe, nutritious eggs: https://bit.ly/MRFpoultry @USDA_NIFA @AgIsAmerica​

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Enhancing Poultry Production with Emerging Technologies and Husbandry Practices (NE-1942)​

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Researchers are working together to improve production of cage-free eggs, which are in high demand. For example, @NCStateCALS identified varieties of laying hens best suited for cage-free egg production, and collaborative efforts by multiple states found management techniques to increase the performance efficiency of laying hens in cage-free systems. https://bit.ly/poultry-production-welfare  #NationalEggMonth 

 

As part of a multistate project, scientists at @CANRatMSU and @ClemsonCAFLS designed a robotic computer vision system that prevents cage-free hens from laying eggs on the floor where they are more susceptible to damage, feces, and debris and are harder to collect. https://bit.ly/poultry-production-welfare #NationalEggMonth

 

​Land-grant universities and other partners participating in this project: Auburn University, University of Arkansas, University of California, Davis, Clemson University, University of Connecticut, University of Delaware, University of Georgia, University of Hawaii, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, University of Kentucky, University of Maryland, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, University of Nebraska, North Carolina State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and Virginia Tech. Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database. 

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The Genetics of Immunity and Resistance to Avian Diseases (NE-2334)

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Avian diseases pose a major challenge to the production of eggs. Scientists at land-grant universities have shed light on #poultry genetics & identified breeding strategies, vaccines, feed amendments & other ways to improve poultry immunity & resistance to diseases: bit.ly/MRF-poultry-genetics @USDA_NIFA @AgIsAmerica​ #NationalEggMonth

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: University of Arkansas, Auburn University, University of California, Davis, University of Delaware, University of Georgia, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, University of Maryland, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University, West Virginia University, Western University of Health Sciences. This is an ongoing project and may include additional participants. ​Find participant names and contact info in the NIMSS database here.​​

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Improving Poultry Genetics and Production (NC-1170)

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Researchers are using advanced technologies to improve #poultry genetics, breeding & production. These efforts are key to a strong, sustainable poultry industry that produces a steady supply of safe, nutritious eggs. https://bit.ly/poultry-genetics @USDA_NIFA @AgIsAmerica​ #NationalEggMonth

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: University of Arizona, University of Arkansas, University of California, Davis, California State University, Fresno, Cornell University, University of Delaware, University of Florida, University of Georgia, Iowa State University, University of Maryland, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Tennessee, Texas AgriLife Research, Virginia Tech, West Virginia University, University of Wisconsin, USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, USDA-ARS/Missouri, USDA-ARS-Avian Disease & Oncology Laboratory, Western University of Health Sciences, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, The Royal Veterinary College. Project participants may receive additional funding from other sources. This project was renewed in 2023, and may included additional participants. Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.​

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National Strawberry Month

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See/share our series of graphics about multistate research on strawberries.

 

Learn how #landgrantuniversities collaborate to improve #strawberry production and food safety: https://bit.ly/MRF-Strawberries These projects are supported in part by @USDA_NIFA @AgIsAmerica

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National Wildfire Awareness Month​

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Protective Clothing for Wildland Firefighters (W-3192)

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Wildland firefighters work long, physically demanding shifts in hazardous conditions. Often, the personal protective equipment they rely on causes discomfort & other issues. See how a multistate project is helping wildland firefighters perform their tasks effectively & safely: https://bit.ly/wildland-firefighter-PPE @USDA_NIFA @AgIsAmerica #wildfire

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To help wildland #firefighters perform their tasks effectively & safely, researchers at @uidaho @wsucahnrs @LSUAgCenter @FloridaState @NCStateCALS @iastate_cals @UKAgriculture & others are working together to improve personal protective equipment. https://bit.ly/wildland-firefighter-PPE #wildfire

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Land-grant universities and other partners involved in this project: Florida State University, Georgia Southern University, University of Idaho, Iowa State University, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, North Carolina State University, Washington State University. Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.

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Climate Data and Monitoring (WERA-102)

 

Land-grant universities work with government agencies and other institutions to coordinate & share data & models that help inform fire danger outlooks & real-time operations, helping communities prepare for #wildfires in the western US. https://bit.ly/climate-data-monitoring 

#WildfireAwarenessMonth

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: : University of Arizona, Arizona State University, University of California, California Department of Water Resources, Colorado State University, Desert Research Institute, University of Kentucky, Montana State University, New Mexico State University, Oregon State University, Tuskegee University, Utah State University, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, USDA Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources. Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.​​​

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National Lyme Disease Awareness Month

 

Managing Ticks & Mosquitoes (NE-1443)

 

Multistate research has led to safe, effective, inexpensive, easy ways to control ticks, which can transmit #Lyme disease. For example, studies found that bait boxes with a certain fungus reduce blacklegged tick nymphs by 78-95%. https://bit.ly/ticks-mosquitoes #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth
 

It’s #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth. Mapping & predicting tick range is key to knowing when & where certain control measures are needed. Multistate research is helping model tick range and test control measures: https://bit.ly/ticks-mosquitoes #LymeDisease 

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: Auburn University, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, University of Idaho, Illinois Cooperative Extension, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, University of Nebraska, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Rhode Island, Rutgers University, Texas AgriLife Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University of Wisconsin, and the USDA-ARS. This project is ongoing and may now include additional participants. Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.​​

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​​​​​​May 20 | World Bee Day

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Sustainable Solutions to Bee Health (NC-1173)

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As part of a multistate project to protect bee healthy, researchers at land-grant universities across the U.S. are raising awareness about the importance of bees, identifying factors associated with population declines, and developing tools and practices that help beekeepers, farmers, landowners, scientists, and the general public protect bees and their habitats. bit.ly/sustaining-bees #WorldBeeDay #savethebees

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Healthy queen bees are key to colony survival. To support queen bees, members of a multistate project taught beekeepers queen breeding and production skills; improved plastic cups used to rear queens, helped mitigate premature queen failure and replacement; and developed technologies to track queens. bit.ly/sustaining-bees

@CentralState87 @agsciences @PurdueAg @aglifesciences​ @MSU_AG​ @NCStateCALS @CANRatMSU #WorldBeeDay #savethebees

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As part of a multistate project on honey bee health, @PurdueAg and @CFANS coordinated breeding programs focused on resistance to devastating Varroa mites. These colonies have survived without chemical treatments. See other ways this project is sustaining these important pollinators: bit.ly/sustaining-bees #WorldBeeDay #savethebees

As part of a multistate research project, researchers at ​@agsciences 

@ucdavisCAES @CFAES_OSU @UNL_CASNR @UF_IFAS UGA_CollegeofAg

@CANRatMSU @aglifesciences & other land-grant universities studied how environmental conditions (like weather & pesticide exposure) and landscape features (like the amount of native plants) affect bee health. They also developed decision-support tools like Beescape & BeeWinterWise. Learn more: bit.ly/sustaining-bees #WorldBeeDay #savethebees 

 

Researchers at land-grant universities are working together to protect bee health. Project members at @agsciences @wsucahnrs & @OSUAgSci showed how poor nutrition impairs bee health, identified plants that attract bees, and created pollen libraries and databases of the nutrition content of various pollen types. See more impacts: bit.ly/sustaining-bees 

#WorldBeeDay #savethebees 

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: Auburn University, University of Arkansas, University of California, Davis, University of California, Riverside, Central State University, Cornell University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Purdue University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, Montana State University, University of Nebraska, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, Texas A&M University, Washington State University. Past and ongoing iterations of this project may include additional participants. Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.

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Controlling Pests While Protecting Pollinators (NE-1501)

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Scientists at land-grant universities are finding new ways to protect bees. For example, @CAFE_UMass found that exposure to pollen from sunflowers can reduce pathogen infection in bumblebees. https://bit.ly/chemical-ecology #WorldBeeDay #savethebees

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A multistate team of scientists is studying how chemical signals from plants and pests impact #bees. @UCDavisCAES identified floral chemistry traits & microbial communities that affect the patterns & preferences of bees: https://bit.ly/chemical-ecology #WorldBeeDay #savethebees

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: University of California, Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Delaware Cooperative Extension, University of Illinois, Louisiana State University, University of Massachusetts, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, University of Nebraska, University of New Hampshire, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, University of Vermont, and Virginia Tech. This project was renewed in 2020, and may include additional participants. ​Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.
 

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May 22 | International Day for Biological Diversity

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See/share all of our Impact Statements on biodiversity.

 

Land-grant universities are collaborating to protect biodiversity by conserving plant material in genebanks, ensuring pesticides don’t harm non-target species, protecting beneficial soil microbes, & more: https://www.mrfimpacts.org/impact-statements/categories/biodiversity #BiodiversityDay​

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May 25 | National Wine Day

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Improving Wine Grapes for American Growers (NE-1720)

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It's #NationalWineDay! Land-grant universities are working together to improve the production and quality of American wines by identifying &  breeding grape varieties that are better suited to American growing conditions & common pests/diseases. Learn more: https://bit.ly/Winegrapes #wine

 

Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: Colorado State University, Cornell University, Highland Community College (Kansas), Iowa State University, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, University of Massachusetts, University of Minnesota, Montana State University, University of Nebraska, North Dakota State University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, South Dakota State University, University of Vermont. This project was renewed in 2022, and may now include additional participants. ​Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.​

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May 28 | National Hamburger Day

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See/share all of our Impact Statements about beef production and quality.

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This #NationalHamburgerDay, see how collaborative research by land-grant universities is beefing up burgers! https://bit.ly/beefing-up-burgers. @USDA_NIFA @AgIsAmerica

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May 29 | Composting Day

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Understanding & Mitigating the Impacts of Agrochemicals (W-4045)

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As part of a team of researchers studying agrochemicals, scientists at @CFAES_OSU are looking at herbicide persistence in composts and developing low-cost amendments that can remediate contaminated #compost. https://bit.ly/MRF-Agrochemicals #CompostingDay #NIFAimpacts

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Land-grant universities and partners participating in this project: University of California-Davis, University of California-Riverside, University of Connecticut, Cornell University, University of Florida, University of Hawaii, University of Illinois, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, Montana State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nevada, Reno, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, South Dakota State University, Texas AgriLife Research, Virginia Tech, Washington State University, University of Wisconsin, and the USDA-ARS. ​Find project and participant details in the NIMSS database.