** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** EXTREME AND PROLONGED DROUGHTS IN THE MRB EXACERBATE THE PROBLEMS OF CONGESTION AND DELAYS WITHIN THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK, REDUCE CROP YIELDS, HAMPER AGRICULTURAL TRADE, AND THREATEN FOOD SECURITY. SPECIFICALLY, THEY HAVE AN IMMINENT EFFECT ON FARM INCOME, RURAL PROSPERITY, AND THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF COMMUNITIES BOTH WITHIN AND BEYOND THE FARM GATES IN THE U.S. HEARTLAND. THE PROJECT SEEKS TO ASSESS THE RESILIENCE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN SYSTEMS OF CORN AND SOYBEANS, THE DROUGHT-INDUCED IMPEDIMENTS IN THE NETWORK UNDER UNCERTAINTY, AND THE RESULTING IMPACTS ON TRADE, FOOD SECURITY, AND FARM INCOME. WE WILL ASSESS THE IMPLICATIONS OF DROUGHTS ON (1) PRODUCTION IN THE MRB, (2) TRANSPORTATION FROM THE MIDWEST TO THE GULF COAST AND PACIFIC NORTHWEST, (3) GLOBAL TRADE, WELFARE, AND FOOD SECURITY, AND (4) THE VARIATIONS IN SOYBEAN AND CORN BASIS VALUES AND FARM EARNINGS. THE RESEARCH WILL SHED LIGHT ON THE DROUGHT RESILIENCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER SYSTEM, FOCUSING ON AGRICULTURAL SHIPMENTS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE. OUR FINDINGS WILL INFORM FEDERAL POLICIES THAT PREPARE THE NATION'S FOOD AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS FOR THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DROUGHT SHOCKS. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS RESEARCH PROJECT WILL PROVIDE ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE ON THE FUNCTIONING OF FARMING AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS UNDER TRADE UNCERTAINTY AND ENHANCE MARKET EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE.