IANR researchers continue to showcase their grit

Research
In the past five fiscal years, IANR has received 45 separate awards of more than $1 million to support new and continuing projects.

October 2, 2018

Lincoln, Neb. — The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln continues to see success in securing external funds for research efforts despite an increasingly competitive funding environment. In the past five fiscal years, IANR has received 45 separate awards of more than $1 million to support new and continuing projects.

“Our faculty and staff continue to lead world-class research that integrates plant, animal, human and natural resource sciences to take systems approaches to address tremendous challenges,” said Archie Clutter, dean of IANR’s Agricultural Research Division.

Since fiscal year 2009, IANR has increased funds awarded for sponsored research by 35 percent, reaching $58 million in fiscal year 2018, which ended June 30.

According to Clutter, in many cases, Nebraskans directly benefit from the ongoing research projects at IANR. For instance, the state’s producers will be interested in the results from a research project aiming to improve land use efficiency. A Husker research team, led by James MacDonald, associate professor of animal science and ruminant nutrition, is investigating how to improve land use efficiency through the integration of livestock and crop production systems. The project is funded by a $1 million grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

Other teams at IANR are involved in projects ranging from plant immunity and nighttime heat stress on crops to climate literacy and the metabolism of older men and women.

“What’s unique about IANR is that we’re able to engage in critical research efforts across a wide range of disciplines,” Clutter said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is supporting a project led by Surin Kim, a Nebraska Extension entrepreneurship specialist. The project, partnering high school students with rural business owners, creates an innovative educational intervention that engages youth in learning science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics – or STEAM – and entrepreneurial skills to help solve real local issues.

“Youth become problem solvers for local businesses, and local businesses become clients,” Kim said.

Kim is one of over 250 faculty members listed on sponsored, federal or industry awards in fiscal year 2018, representing nearly half of all IANR faculty. 

Contact:
Archie Clutter
Dean and Director
Agricultural Research Division
402-472-7084
aclutter2@unl.edu

Writer: Haley Apel - IANR

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