Communications Toolkit
OCTOBER 2026
This toolkit shares Hatch Multistate projects related to timely themes, priority topics, and national initiatives. It includes links to prepared documents and graphics and sample social media posts.
We encourage you to share our projects and materials on your platforms.
OCTOBER INFOGRAPHICS
These infographics feature Hatch Multistate research related to timely topics. Click on the thumbnails below to view/download a PDF of the infographic to use on your on your platforms.
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EXCELLENCE IN MULTISTATE RESEARCH AWARDS
Each year, agInnovation selects four Hatch Multistate projects as regional winners of the Excellence in Multistate Research Award. One of those projects is then selected as the national winner. The awards recognize outstanding collaboration, innovation, and impact. The winning projects are provided with a financial award from the Hatch Multistate Research Fund to support ongoing objectives.
National Winner: Improving Reproductive Performance in Cattle and Sheep (W4112)
Over its 56-year legacy, a team of researchers from 23 land-grant universities has reshaped beef, dairy, and sheep industry practices, delivering gains in productivity and resilience worth at least $1 billion annually to U.S. producers. The team is the national winner of agInnovation's 2026 Excellence in Multistate Research Award, which recognizes their outstanding collaboration and impact. Learn more: https://bit.ly/cattle-sheep-reproduction #agInnovation
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS:
University of Arizona, University of California, Davis, Colorado State University, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Idaho, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, Mississippi State University, University of Missouri, Montana State University, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, New Mexico State University, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, South Dakota State University, Texas A&M University, Utah State University, Washington State University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Wyoming.
Northeast Region Winner: Developing Potato Varieties for Farmers in the Eastern US (NE2231)
Scientists at land-grant universities are working together to develop potato varieties with improved productivity and quality for growers and markets in the eastern U.S. This project's research strengthens potato supply and value chains, improves profitability and resiliency for potato farmers, and enhances food security. This project was the agInnovation Northeast recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Multistate Research Award. Learn more: https://bit.ly/potato-varieties
#agInnovation
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS & PARTNERS:
Cornell University, University of Florida, University of Maine, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Virginia Tech. Collaborators include: USDA ARS, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Maine Potato Board, Medius Ag, McCain Produce, New Brunswick Dept. Agriculture, and Fisheries, North Carolina Potato Association, Pennsylvania Cooperative Growers, Potatoes USA. Industry partners include: AIS, Black Gold Farms, Cape Cod, Cavendish Farms, Herrs, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, McCain Foods, La Patate, Lamb Weston, Masser Farms, Utz. Past and ongoing iterations of this project include other participants and partners.
North Central Region Winner: Optimizing Land & Forage Use for Beef Production (NC1181)
A team of researchers and Extension professionals at land-grant universities has worked to improve land and forage use for beef production in the North Central U.S. This work has enabled beef producers in the region to retain or expand herds and improved their profitability and resilience. Ensuring efficient, thriving beef systems also helps meet consumer demand for safe, affordable, high-quality beef. This project was the agInnovation North Central recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Multistate Research Award. Learn more: https://bit.ly/beef-forage #agInnovation
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS & PARTNERS:
University of Arkansas, University of Illinois, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, North Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University, South Dakota State University. Past and ongoing iterations of this project may include additional participants.
Southern Region Winner: Understanding & Supporting the Green Industry (S1087)
Land-grant institutions across the U.S. are working together on research and outreach that support the green industry, which includes nursery and greenhouse producers, landscapers, retailers, and various allied professionals. Research has led to more cost-effective use of water, energy, and other inputs for growers; increased sales and profits for retailers; enhanced economic stability for the industry; and more desirable, high-quality plants that provide beauty, shade, wellbeing, and ecosystem services for consumers. This project was the agInnovation South recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Multistate Research Award. Learn more: https://bit.ly/supporting-green-industry #agInnovation
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS & PARTNERS:
University of Florida, University of Georgia, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, University of Maine, Maryland Cooperative Extension, Michigan State University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Purdue University, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Past and ongoing iterations of this project may include additional participants.
NATIONAL APPLE MONTH
The U.S. is a top producer of apples. About 11.6 billion pounds of apples are produced annually, but producers face many challenges, including environmental conditions, pests and diseases, and labor shortages. The industry is also trying to find ways to improve the storage and shelf life of apples. As part of multistate projects, researchers at land-grant universities are making discoveries and developing technology that improves apple production, harvest, yield, and quality.
Protecting Fresh Fruit Shelf Life (NE1336)
A multistate team of researchers is finding ways to enhance fruit shelf life & quality. Growers are using recommended treatments & conditioning protocols to store apple crops worth tens of millions of dollars. Learn more: http://bit.ly/MRF-ShelfLife #NationalAppleMonth
Part of a broader multistate project on fruit shelf life, @CornellCALS studies showed that dynamic controlled atmosphere storage significantly delays stem end flesh browning in Gala apples. Learn more: http://bit.ly/MRF-ShelfLife #NationalAppleMonth
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS & PARTNERS:
Auburn University, University of California-Davis, Cornell University, University of Florida, University of Hawaii, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, , Rutgers University, Washington State University, as well as Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the USDA ARS. Past and ongoing iterations of this project may include additional participants.
Automation for Specialty Crops (W3009)
As part of a multistate team developing automated machines for farms, @agsciences designed a mechanized device for apple harvest that eliminated ladder falls and increased the number of apples harvested per second by 50%. bit.ly/MRF-Automation #NationalAppleMonth
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS & PARTNERS:
University of Arizona, Auburn University, University of California-Davis, Colorado State University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Hawaii, Iowa State University, University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, Mississippi State University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Washington State University, Washington Cooperative Extension, and West Virginia University. Past and ongoing iterations of this project may include additional participants.
Improving Fruit Tree Rootstocks (NC140)
Past work by a multistate project improving fruit tree rootstocks led to a 20% increase in apple yields and enhanced apple size 10%, providing estimated economic gains of $200 million. Research & Extension also helped apple growers transition from large apple trees spaced far apart to compact rows of high-yielding, small trees, making orchard maintenance & harvest easier and increasing profitability. Learn more: http://bit.ly/MRF-fruittrees #NationalAppleMonth
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS & PARTNERS:
Auburn University, University of Arkansas, University of California, Davis, California Cooperative Extension, Clemson University, Colorado State University, Cornell University, University of Georgia, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, University of Idaho, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, University of Kentucky, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, New Mexico State University, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, Utah State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Washington State University, University of Wisconsin, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, British Columbia, Canada, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, New Brunswick, Canada, Atlantic Food and Agric-Food, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada, Center for Advanced Studies in Fruit Production, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agricolas y Pecuarias (National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research), Mexico, USDA-ARS, USDA-ARS Plant Genetic Resources Unit. Past and ongoing iterations of this project may include additional participants.
Improving Animal Muscle Growth for Efficient Meat Production (NC1184)
Researchers at land-grant universities are working together to improve animal productivity and the overall quality of meat through breeding, diet, and other strategies. In particular, researchers developed and patented nicotinamide riboside, a vitamin B3 analogue, which improves pig resistance to fatigue and stabilizes the color of pork cuts. Recently, a company licensed the patent for commercialization. See other project impacts: https://bit.ly/MRF-ImprovingMeat #porktober #NationalPorkMonth
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS & PARTNERS:
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. Ongoing versions of this project may include additional participants.
Improving Swine Management & Welfare (NCERA219)
Research helped swine producers understand how to appropriately and efficiently use the co-products of ethanol production as feed ingredients while making sure the resulting pork products are acceptable to consumers. See more project impacts: https://bit.ly/swinewelfare #porktober #NationalPorkMonth
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS & PARTNERS:
University of Illinois, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, North Dakota State University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, South Dakota State University, and Southern Illinois University. Ongoing versions of this project may include additional participants.
Mitigating Stress in Farm Animals (W3173)
As part of a multistate team working to reduce animal stress, researchers found that replacing dietary antibiotics with a natural amino acid helps pigs cope with stress, improves well-being & productivity & reduces feed costs for producers by 18%. See more project impacts: https://bit.ly/ animal-stress #porktober #NationalPorkMonth
PARTICIPATING LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS & PARTNERS:
University of Arizona, Auburn University, University of California, Davis, Colorado State University, Cornell University, University of Delaware, University of Florida, University of Georgia, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, University of Illinois, Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, University of Missouri, Montana State University, University of Nebraska, North Carolina State University, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Puerto Rico, South Dakota State University, University of Tennessee, Texas AgriLife Research, Utah State University, Virginia Tech, Washington State University, University of Wisconsin, University of Queensland, New Zealand - Ruakura Research Centre, USDA-ARS. Ongoing versions of this project may include additional participants.
NATIONAL SEAFOOD MONTH
It’s #NationalSeafoodMonth! Researchers at land-grant universities are improving management, trade, and marketing strategies for aquaculture and capture fisheries: https://bit.ly/MRF-fisheries
FEATURED LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS:
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Auburn University, Clemson University, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Guam, University of Idaho, Iowa State University, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, Purdue University, University of Rhode Island, Virginia Tech. Previous and ongoing cycles of this project may include additional participants.
OCTOBER 16
WORLD FOOD DAY
It’s #WorldFoodDay! Researchers at land-grant universities across the U.S. are working together to innovate how food is produced, stored, transported and marketed. This work helps ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to sufficient, diverse, safe, and nutritious foods. @USDA_NIFA @USDAScience @FAO @AgIsAmerica