Here is our most recent email newsletter. If you are not already a subscriber, we invite you to sign up to subscribe for future editions, or browse our newsletter archives for past editions. Thank you for reading!
We are proud to share with you our latest annual report, with contributions from throughout our global network in 2017: http://bit.ly/2EJJMnS
This year’s report is in a condensed format for easier skimming, and includes one-page highlights from each of the Horticulture Innovation Lab’s current research projects.
As of the end of the fiscal year in 2017, the Horticulture Innovation Lab has granted all funds for the program’s second phase to develop knowledge on key information gaps across the horticulture value chain.
During the past year, promising results have emerged from these research projects. Project teams actively engaged with more than 6,000 farmers, development practitioners, and others who benefited directly from U.S. government assistance.
Check out our key accomplishments and peruse the rest of the annual report highlights: http://bit.ly/2EJJMnS
ANNOUNCING 15 NEW TRELLIS FUND PROJECTS AND STUDENTS The Horticulture Innovation Lab has awarded new Trellis Fund grants to 15 organizations in Africa and Asia, matching these new projects to 16 graduate students who will provide agriculture expertise requested by the organizations. Nine graduate students were selected to participate from University of Florida, five from UC Davis, one from North Carolina State University and one from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Read about the selected organizations, projects and students here: http://bit.ly/2Gz8ZCb
*** IN THE NEWS ***
‘AMERICAN FRUIT GROWER’ HIGHLIGHTS APRICOT RESEARCH IN TAJIKISTAN The story behind the Horticulture Innovation Lab’s research project led by Peter Hirst of Purdue University was featured in this industry publication: http://bit.ly/2EJFMb2
D-LAB STUDENT’S WORK ON DRYCARD IN VIDEO UC Davis made a short video featuring undergraduate student Anna Gomes and her work with our partners in D-Lab, led by Kurt Kornbluth, to improve manufacturing of the DryCard dryness indicator: http://bit.ly/2EHIutC
VIDEO FROM THE FIELD: PINEAPPLE POSTHARVEST, UC DAVIS TO UGANDA Fresh from her trip to Uganda, grad student Karin Albornoz reflected on connecting with farmers during workshops she led with the Ndibwami Integrated Rescue Project as one of our final Trellis Fund projects in 2017, in this short video and blog post: http://bit.ly/2ohakqe
DRYING BEADS USED FOR TEXTILE PRESERVATION A new project in Cambodia will use drying beads and DryStore boxes from our partners at Rhino Research to preserve clothing at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: http://bit.ly/2HC9L2u
*** OF INTEREST ***
NEW TOOLS FOR MEASURING FOOD LOSS Short video tutorials are now available for how to use the new Food Loss and Waste Accounting Reporting Standard: http://bit.ly/2oo8Tpl
JOURNAL ARTICLE: ‘LOW-TECH’ PROTECTED CULTIVATION Review of limits and opportunities for African smallholder farmers using protected cultivation techniques with vegetable crops in Agronomy for Sustainable Development: http://bit.ly/2BGX6e4
JOURNAL ARTICLE: IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD NUTRITION IN TANZANIA An article in PLOS ONE examines determinants of dietary diversity and the potential role of men: http://bit.ly/2EMLEQE
PILOT: WEATHER BY SMARTPHONE IN CENTRAL AMERICA A new pilot project is starting in Central America to provide weather forecasts to smallholder farmers via smartphones: http://reut.rs/2BIyDVN
*** OPPORTUNITIES ***
WEBINAR: USING TRICHODERMA Feb. 28 is a webinar on using Trichoderma to protect crops from harmful fungal species, offered by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Integrated Pest Management: http://bit.ly/2ogGK47
JOB: ASIA REGIONAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR March 15 is the deadline to apply to work with the World Vegetable Center as its Regional Director for East and Southeast Asia, based in Bangkok, Thailand: http://bit.ly/2EU2BYV
JOB: ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTUREMarch 15 also the deadline to apply to University of Florida’s Environmental Horticulture department for a position as an Assistant Professor in Plant Biochemistry or Physiology: http://bit.ly/2HCU1fo
MENTORING: WOMEN IN SCIENCE IN AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST March 16 is the application deadline for female science faculty members in Africa and the Middle East to apply to participate in a new, one-year Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Women in Science Mentoring Program: http://bit.ly/2EXqUVC
EVENT: GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. March 21-22 will be the Global Food Security Symposium 2018, with the theme, “Youth for Growth,” presented by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs: http://bit.ly/2EYZzm7
FELLOWSHIP: FUTURE LEADERS FORUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C.March 30 is the deadline for students from U.S. universities to apply for the Future Leaders fellowship with the Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD) annual conference: http://bit.ly/2ofuQaS
*** AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR READING! Stay tuned for useful updates from our global network in the next edition. Until then, you can connect with us on Twitter @HortInnovLab, by email at horticulture@ucdavis.edu or on our blog: https://blog.horticulture.ucdavis.edu/.