USDA/NIFA - National Needs Fellowship Program
University of Florida - IFAS
Plant Medicine Program, Certificate in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management, IPM Florida
USDA/NIFA - National Needs Fellows (Now Available):
University of Florida-IFAS Plant Medicine Program is seeking applicants for a 4-year United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Needs Fellowship. The program of study emphasizes broad multidisciplinary training in crop consulting and food safety.
2010-2014 USDA, NIFA, NNF information
USDA/NIFA - National Needs Fellows 2008-2011:
From left to right: Kenneth Johnson, Kirk Martin and Rafael Vega
Fellowship Training Objectives:
This project addresses the targeted expertise shortage area of the sciences for agricultural biosecurity. The project’s objective is to enhance national and international plant (natural resources) and crop biosecurity through 
multidisciplinary and specialized graduate training on the doctoral level in plant health management. Fellows are being broadly instructed in the prevention, diagnosis and management of plant health problems and are receiving specialized training in plant pest risk assessment and management and Integrated Pest Management. This project addresses the national need for practitioners able to protect the US food supply and natural resources in a globally oriented and technologically advanced world economy. The project also promotes cooperation and information exchange by contributing to the global network of well-trained plant health professionals. The specific USDA/CSREES Strategic Goals and 
Objectives, 2007-2012, relevant to the project include: (1.) Enhance International Competitiveness of American Agriculture; (4.) Enhance Protection and Safety of the Nation’s Agriculture and Food Supply; (6.) Protect and Enhance the Nation’s Natural Resource Base and Environment. The training is being accomplished through the multidisciplinary Plant Medicine Program, the Certificate in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management and IPM Florida at the University of 
Florida, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF, CALS, IFAS) in cooperation with the USDA, APHIS-PPQ and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry and similar state agencies in the US. Recruitment of the fellows included underrepresented minorities to increase the multicultural diversity of the nation’s professional expertise.
USDA/CSREES-National Needs Fellows 2005-2007:
Dr. Denise Thomas
Doctor of Plant Medicine, 2008
Certificate in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management, 2008
Current position:
Applied Biologist: Horticulture/Vegetation
Management Specialist.
US Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Norfolk, VA
Dr. Brian Jackson
Doctor of Plant Medicine, 2008
Certificate in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management, 2008
Current position:
Conservation Agronomist
USDA-National Resources and Conservation Service
Euphrata, WA
More information: USDA/NIFA - National Needs Fellowship Program
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