The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has won nearly $1.5 million in federal grants to explore issues in organic agriculture.

The money in the two grants is part of more than $19 million in grants awarded to universities across the country. The grants were announced Friday.

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan says the grants are an important part of the USDA's new Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, which will help develop local and regional food systems.