Chavonda Jacobs-Young | Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled a $21.6 million investment in scientific research to help small businesses develop new innovations for agriculture.
USDA Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young noted businesses are drivers of innovation, according to a Nov. 16 USDA news release.
“Small businesses, particularly rural and agricultural enterprises, play a vital role in the American economy,” she said in the release. “They embody the entrepreneurial spirit that America was built upon.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled a $21.6 million investment in scientific research to help small businesses develop new innovations for agriculture.
| Markus Spiske/Unsplash
Jacobs-Young, who also serves as the USDA’s under secretary for research, education and economics, pointed out the funding will help fund small business scientific research to support the search for paradigm-shifting solutions for agriculture, the release reported.
“This latest investment strengthens federal research and development support for small businesses, including women- and minority-owned businesses, and enhances USDA’s efforts to rapidly scale innovation across the food supply chain,” she said in the release.
Acting NIFA Director Dr. Dionne Toombs pointed out the relevance of the projects, according to the release.
“The projects we’re supporting demonstrate scientific originality, technical feasibility and strong commercial potential” Toombs said in the USDA release. “With this research, our small business partners are helping solve some of our most vexing agricultural problems.”
