USDA Awards UConn $500,000 Research Grant

STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut is getting a share of an $11.5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture "research investment" designed to "help ensure America's small and medium-sized farms become more profitable and improve the quality of life in American farm communities."

"Few groups are as resilient and as determined as American farm families," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. "Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is committed to creating a fairer, more equitable system for farms of all sizes to compete and remain profitable. This investment in innovative research will give these family farms the tools they need to be more sustainable, profitable and productive as they face agricultural and economic challenges. When American farmers have a chance to compete, they have a greater chance at succeeding."

Under the program, the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded 24 grants to 20 universities and organizations through its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

The research efforts focus on alternative crop enterprises, marketing, and scaling up fruit and vegetable production to overcome marketing constraints.

By focusing on these key elements, small and medium-sized farm operators can increase their competitiveness in local markets and can provide greater access to food for their communities. This is extremely critical as we build back a stronger, more equitable food and farming system.

UConn's grant is for $500,000 and will help fund, "a comprehensive probiotic-based approach to promote layer performance, layer health and egg safety for small and mid-size farms."