 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2009 |
| Preceding agency |
|
| Headquarters | Jamie L. Whitten Building,Washington, D.C. |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | nifa |
TheNational Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is aU.S. federal government body whose creation was mandated in theFood, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Its purpose is to consolidate all federally fundedagricultural research, and it is subordinate to theDepartment of Agriculture. It replaced theCooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service in 2009.[1] Dr. Jaye L. Hamby was appointed NIFA Director on March 20, 2025.[2]
NIFA supports more than 70 statutory grant programs.[3] These programs fulfill statutory requirements and provide research, education, Extension services and hands-on applications to farmers, ranchers, foresters, communities, and 4-H members.[4] This cooperative partnership between NIFA, state, and local governments leverages university expertise for research and education and provides local Extension offices in U.S. counties/county equivalents that directly serve the people.[5]
The transformation from CSREES to NIFA began with a task force chaired byWilliam Henry Danforth and appointed by thenSecretary of AgricultureAnn Veneman. The Danforth Task Force recommended thatCongress authorize the creation of NIFA as a way to strengthen agriculture research and to attract additional highly competitive research scientists to this field of endeavor. A growing program in competitive research grants will be a hallmark of the new agency.[6] The creation of NIFA strengthened USDA's competitive research portfolio by replacing the National Research Initiative with the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.[7] NIFA awards research funding through a combination of competitive grants and funds allocated to states under statutory formulas.[8]
In 2019, NIFA relocated 294 out of 315 staff members fromWashington DC toKansas City. The move was part of a larger uprooting including theEconomic Research Service. The USDA cited the move was an effort to attract talent and lower costs by establishing an operational headquarters.[9] TheGovernment Accountability Office reported the agency violated theAntideficiency Act.[10] Between 40-60% of employees left the agency after receiving the ultimatum to move or leave the agency.[11] Black employees previously holding 47% of roles dropped to 19% post relocation.[10] After the move NIFA employees voted to unionize under theAmerican Federation of Government Employees.[12] Due to Congressional concern, the Conducting Oversight to Secure Transparency (COST) of Relocations Act was proposed, but did not become law.[13]
During the Biden administration, NIFA headquarters moved back to Washington, DC, while the Kansas City office was retained.[14]
| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment | ||
| Under Secretary for Rural Development | ||
| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services | ||
| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety | ||
| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics | ||
| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs | ||
| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation |
| |
| Office of the Chief Financial Officer | ||
*Reports directly to the secretary of agriculture | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
