University of Georgia receives major grants for peanut research and marsh restoration

The University of Georgia (UGA) has secured two significant funding awards for agricultural innovation and environmental conservation.

UGA will lead the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut, a U.S. Department of State program receiving an initial $9 million for its first year. This five-year initiative aims to improve peanut productivity, safety, and climate resilience. Researchers will utilize artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and modern genomics to develop improved peanut varieties and test them across a regional network in Africa. The project also focuses on improving production practices, mechanization, and seed markets, while training over 100 researchers and students.

Additionally, UGA has been awarded an $8 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to lead a three-year regional initiative. This project aims to restore salt marsh habitats across the South Atlantic, spanning from North Carolina to Florida. As part of the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI), the project will evaluate the use of dredged sediment to raise marsh elevation, helping to combat threats from rising sea levels, pollution, and coastal development.