http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impacts.htmlOur National Impacts highlight CSREES-funded projects or activities.Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:37:57 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/04031_fresh_food.htmlCommunities across the nation are fighting the increased incidence of childhood obesity and Type II diabetes. With funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), a group in Illinois is promoting environmental sustainability and healthy eating habits in the youngest Americans.{839b68e2-5542-f53d-79e8-9e954466999e}Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:37:57 GMThttp://web-dev.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/04011_fragmented_forests.htmlAs city dwellers seek a different way of life, the exodus from the urban environment to rural settings is increasing fragmentation of central hardwood forests. With funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), researchers in Missouri, Indiana and Tennessee are using Geographic Information System-based landscape simulation models to aid landowners when making use and management decisions. The models will also help predict forest reaction to harvest events in order to gain valuable insight for wildlife and habitat conservation.{30088e5e-b2c1-5a31-e332-981d75be6de3}Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:59:14 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/03262_in_vitro_fertility.htmlIn vitro fertilization of livestock is an expensive venture that is complicated by the occurrence of polyspermy, a lethal condition occurring when more than one sperm cell penetrates the egg coat. With funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), a team of scientists in Missouri determined how synthetic antibodies during in vitro fertilization can significantly reduce the occurrence of polyspermy, resulting in increased normal, single-sperm fertilization.{30f6bf6a-41d7-c4a3-31ee-453f7509c2f5}Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:39:22 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/03241_sustainable_forests.htmlIn the western United States, forest management programs struggle to strike a balance between encouraging vigorous rural economies and maintaining sustainable forest environments. With funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), scientists in Idaho examined different forest management programs in order to develop a program that finds this balance.{dc8b3d38-8935-8ca0-62fb-1162aed22942}Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:04:23 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/03191_food_prices.htmlRecent studies show that the cost of high-calorie foods are less likely to be affected by inflation and, on average, cost less than low-calorie foods. With obesity plaguing the United States, this trend may hinder low-income families from adopting a low-calorie diet. Funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) enabled researchers at the University of Washington to examine the price trends of different food choices.{dfd2b55f-9fb6-c243-f920-ede6df31fda7}Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:18:51 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/03171_behave.htmlNature is dynamic and complex, and the intrusion of human society makes this complex web of interactions even more difficult to understand and manage. The BEHAVE program (Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation and Ecosystem Management) breaks down the walls between society and the environment and, in the process, allows land managers to develop more effective management plans to benefit human society and the environment.{5d7fb415-5fcd-61d7-eca6-9d3ffac2e97e}Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:35:44 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/03102_farmland_value.htmlPast attempts to place value on farmland greatly depended on who was asked. Farmers, developers and residents may have had their own views, but no concrete estimates existed. Now, with funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), a project at the University of North Carolina (UNC) is working to develop criteria that will put a fair and realistic value to this important national treasure in four counties in western North Carolina.{5155c7d5-63a6-b2c7-28ac-be9bb4172e84}Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:55:47 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/03061_wellness.htmlObesity among children and adults has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. This condition has proven difficult to treat effectively, especially in terms of sustainable weight loss. With funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), a cooperative effort from individuals in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana created a novel way to achieve healthy weight by focusing on healthy lifestyle—the Wellness IN (WIN) the Rockies program.{26b76b9c-6d85-6350-8c62-532fb26420b7}Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:23:04 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/02281_new_farmers.htmlJennifer Martin, CSREES Staff (202) 720-8188 The future of Northeast agriculture depends on the next generations of farmers. However, success is hard to achieve as the next generation is faced with unprecedented challenges. The Growing New Farmers (GNF) project established a consortium that supports new farmers in 12 Northeast states—from Maine to West Virginia. Kathyrn Ruhf and her colleagues at GNF raised awareness among service providers by creating programs, products, tools and resources, producing research, promoting supportive public policies and building professional skills. New farmers and service providers can obtain information from the project's Web site. The project's activities address major barriers faced by new farmers in the areas of land access, markets, capital and credit, and knowledge and technical assistance. The project helps prospective and developing farmers find resources targeted to their needs to help them succeed. This consortium project generated a strong sense of community. The Web site continues to serve as a "resource portal" with over 3,000 visits per month. The GNF project is the only regional initiative in the United States that provides a professional support network for new farmers. Nearly 200 organizations and agencies in the 12 Northeast states joined the GNF Consortium. Eighty-four percent of the participating organizations and agencies reported that they continue to use the GNF Web site and resources to help their new farmer clients. Resource available include a workbook for selecting market outlets, a decision-making tool for farm start-ups, a learning guide for record keeping, a policy toolkit, a study on financial resources and a CD clearinghouse of materials for new farmers. Project leaders categorized new farmers by developing a typology to reflect the wide range of diversity in this audience. Workbooks, guides, Web sites, brochures, farmer training programs, targeted lending programs and courses were developed to match each group's learning needs and preferences. In addition, GNF produced a report that highlights the factors barring new farmers from financial aid and land access. GNF also developed a policy tool kit to better translate public policy issues to develop supportive policies for new farmers. The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) funded this research project through the Initiative for Future Agricultural and Food Systems (IFAFS) program. CSREES advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov. #{fced1936-b6be-4e06-a600-415321ac1cca}Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:47:18 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/01154_radiowaves.htmll walnuts without negatively affecting walnut quality or storability. This process is technically feasible for large-scale commercial applications. RF treatments may serve as a non-chemical alternative to chemical fumigants for post-harvest pest control in similar commodities (such as almonds, pecans, pistachios, lentils, peas, and soybeans), reducing the long-term impact on the environment, human health and competitiveness of agricultural industries. The research results were published in two papers in the latest issue of Postharvest Biology and Technology and presented in the new book entitled, Heat Treatments for Postharvest Pest Control: Theory and Practice. The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) funded part of this research through the NRI Improved Food Quality and Value program and the Methyl Bromide Transitions program. CSREES advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov. #{f0493eb-3b69-b51a-33b7-9245cc1adf0f}Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:46:43 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/01153_peartree.htmlltiple varieties planted in the same area can lead to the production of a new and invasive variety. This is known as intraspecific hybridization between the widespread ‘Bradford' variety and other newer varieties. Because Callery pear varieties are so well established as landscaping trees in urban settings, there is an urgent need to monitor the impact of the newly evolved P. calleryana on the ecosystem. This study provides the first step to combat this potential problem. By understanding the factors that contribute to the evolution of invasiveness in an introduced species, scientists can provide practical suggestions for how the horticultural industry can monitor plant introductions and implement effective methods of control to prevent introduced plants from becoming invasive and spreading within the United States. The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) funded this research project through the NRI Biology of Weedy and Invasive Species in Agroecosystems program. CSREES advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov. #{3e1ba231-c9c4-ae09-6a79-2e4dc4029b5c}Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:46:00 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/01152_wildfires.htmle preventing the storms from developing. Past studies suggested that the increase in wildfire prevalence was a result of earlier thaw, warmer temperatures, increased forest litter and topography. The relative contribution of each factor was largely dependent upon forest type. Most of the forests in the northern Rockies are classified as subalpine forest and are most susceptible to changes in weather conditions. The link between wildfire activity and fluctuating climate patterns may have serious ecologic and economic consequences for Western states. Forest wildfires are costly to suppress and/or control. Projected changes during the 21st century suggest that the wildfire trends will continue, indicating the likelihood of more intense fire seasons in the northern Rockies. Understanding the influence of climate change on potential wildfire seasons is essential for USDA Forest Service, government and community planning. The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) funded this research project through the NRI Plant Biology program. CSREES advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov. #{de13bfb6-4320-6a67-8c2d-f188b1b783c}Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:45:26 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/01151_swine_birthrate.htmlFor more than 20 years, intensive genetic selection has led to an increase in both litter size and birth weight in swine. However, prenatal death and fetal growth restriction remain important factors that limit maximum reproductive performance in swine. New research, funded by USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), shows this problem may be alleviated by dietary adjustments that can enhance placental growth, thereby promoting an optimal intrauterine environment throughout pregnancy. Naturally occurring limitations in the placenta's ability to supply an adequate amount of nutrients to the fetus can result in prenatal death and fetal growth restriction. Increased death and reduced growth of fetuses are further exacerbated by the widespread practice of restricted feeding programs to prevent excessive weight gain of sows during pregnancy. Although this feeding regimen can ameliorate farrowing difficulties and appetite reduction during lactation, research from a team of scientists at Texas A&s by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov. #{77261bde-cb97-8d6f-207a-7e34d23e8f01}Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:44:52 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/01081_nematode_soybean.htmlpromised by interplay between plant hormones, called phytohormones. In addition, a decrease in the production of jasmonic acid may suppress the plant defense response, which allows the nematode to survive and thrive. The results from this study provide the most comprehensive picture of gene expression changes within developing syncytia to date. These findings may provide scientists the key to decipher which genes play essential roles in the induction, formation, and function of the syncytium for the survival and growth of cyst nematodes. Future work in this area may lead to new management techniques through the use of biotechnology to better control these important agricultural pests. Current nematode management strategies focus on reduction and control of pest population levels below the damage thresholds. Field eradication of this pest is rarely a feasible option. Crop rotation using non-host crops (e.g., corn) or planting nematode resistant soybean varieties are the most efficient management strategies to date. Chemicals, like nematicides, are available, but rarely have the necessary long-term effect on nematode populations and are not cost-effective for the grower. Cyst nematode-induced damage is difficult to diagnose, because the symptoms are nondescript and often contribute to other factors, such as compaction, nutrient deficiencies, drought stress, herbicide injury, or other plant diseases. The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) funded this research project through the NRI Functional Genomics of Arthropods and Nematodes program. CSREES advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov. #{8966eb8b-ff7e-40df-41c4-789fb160bb33}Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:44:27 GMThttp://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2007/nri/11291_algae_healthier_food.htmlCurrent studies with Chlamydomonas provide insights into how plants cope with limited nutrients and fight off the potential damaging effects of high intensity sunlight.{ad0253b5-721-afcf-4e6c-d55bda12370}Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:46:18 GMT