Societies submit comments on the future of USDA NIFA

USDA NIFA Director Dr. Scott Angle asked the Agronomy, Crop, and Soil Science Societies for our ideas on how to improve the implementation of NIFA’s capacity and competitive programs and what could be done to increase NIFA’s transparency, effectiveness, and efficiency of its organizational structure. In January 2020, the Societies’ Science Policy Office sent out a survey on these issues to all membership. Under the direction of the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Science Policy Committees, the comments were synthesized into the final version that was submitted to Dr. Angle. The ASA, CSSA, and SSSA comments included investing in communication; supporting and empowering NIFA staff; streamlining the grantmaking process; and investing in a diverse, next generation of ag scientists. See the full comments here.