On Oct 1, 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's agency formerly known as the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) has become the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). All current authorities administered by CSREES has been transferred to the new institute, which is led by Dr. Roger N. Beachy. NIFA's mission is to stimulate and fund the research and technological innovations that will enhance and make U.S. agriculture more productive and environmentally sustainable while ensuring the economic viability of agriculture and production. NIFA was created under the 2008 Farm Bill to strengthen agriculture research (including aquaculture) and to attract additional highly competitive research scientists to related fields. A growing program in competitive research grants will be a hallmark of the new agency.
