California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Steve Wilbur Introduced as 2022 World Ag Expo® Chairman

    After a 16-month wait, the 2022 World Ag Expo® season was kicked off by Show Chairman Steve Wilbur on Saturday, September 25. The “Kickoff Dinner” was attended by volunteers, staff, and invited guests at the Social Hall on the International Agri-Center® grounds. For many, it was the first time they had seen each other since the 2020 show.

    “This is a great night,” gushed Wilbur. “It is so good to be back together and working on a farm show!”

    A local cotton farmer, Wilbur also runs a dairy with his family, grows feed and multiple row crops. He has previously served as the International Agri-Center® Board Chair, as well as being the 2014 Chairman of the California Cotton Growers Association and serving on the board of Cotton Inc.

    The 2022 show proclaims World Ag Expo® is “Back in Agtion,” a play on words with a few meanings. While COVID-19 sidelined the live show in 2021, farmers and ag professionals never stopped working during the pandemic. Volunteers and staff are ready to bring back the live show and provide a place for everyone in ag to meet, shop, and learn something new. Plus, “Agtion” is a Dad-joke style play on “Action” reminding people that farm shows are a fun place to be.

    “We’re so happy to be back,” said Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center® CEO. “The 2021 digital show was an interesting experience, but we’re ready to get our boots on the show grounds to work with our exhibitors and host our attendees.”

    The annual show is produced by the International Agri-Center®, a non-profit focused on agriculture education year-round.

    Entering its 55th year, World Ag Expo® is the largest annual outdoor ag tradeshow in the world. In 2020, the show saw 106,357 attendees from 46 states and 56 countries. With more than 1,400 exhibitors and 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, World Ag Expo® provides a platform for networking, education, and business in one of the most productive ag counties in the United States. Applications are open online for seminar submissions at https://bit.ly/WAE22SeminarApp and the Top-10 New Products Contest at https://bit.ly/WAE22Top10App.

    Tickets are on sale online now at https://bit.ly/WAE22Tickets, and attendees can plan their visit at www.worldagexpo.org. With a diverse lineup of agriculture companies and seminars covering international trade, irrigation, ag policy, hemp, and more, there is something for every ag professional at the 2022 World Ag Expo®. The 55th edition will run Tuesday, February 8 through Thursday, February 10, 2022, at the International Agri-Center® in Tulare, CA.

    For more information, visit www.worldagexpo.org.

  • New platform connects consumers, food processors with regeneratively grown products

    The non-profit Soil Health Academy (SHA) announced today that it has launched a web-based platform to connect its regenerative farming and ranching graduates with a growing base of consumers, food processors and retailers interested in purchasing regeneratively grown products.

    “The ‘Shop Regen Foods’ platform will allow consumers and others to search by location, by pasture-raised products available and by delivery and shipping options,’” said SHA President Dawn Breitkreutz. “And because an increasing number of producers are entering the regeneratively grown space, shoppers will know that the farmers and ranchers featured on our platform are producers who have attended SHA’s three-day, on-farm schools—producers who are committed to continuous soil health improvement through their regenerative ag journey.”

    Breitkreutz said that while SHA does not verify the practices used on the featured farms and ranches, the platform provides links to the websites of the participating producers so consumers can research on their own to learn what soil health principles and practices are being utilized in the production of the food they’re interested in purchasing.

    “This platform provides a way to connect consumers with regeneratively grown products and it allows consumers to learn more about the farm families growing their food,” she said. “I believe the more consumers learn about the soil health principles and practices SHA graduates are using, the more they’ll value the products they’re purchasing and appreciate the added connection with the farm families producing those products.”

    Breitkreutz said consumer interest in purchasing food grown in ways that protect the environment and enable ecosystem diversity has been steadily growing, boosted by the popularity of the Netflix documentary, “Kiss the Ground,” released earlier this year. The movie, narrated by Woody Harrelson, highlighted the many benefits of soil health-focused regenerative agriculture, including improved nutrition.

    SHA’s new “Shop Regen Foods” platform provides a way to connect consumers with regeneratively grown products and it allows consumers to learn more about the farm families growing their food.

    “We know from experience that foods grown using soil health principles are more flavorful, which is something we all value,” she said. “And increasingly, research is pointing to the health benefits of consuming pasture-raised, nutrient-dense protein products.”

    For SHA’s graduates, Breitkreutz said the platform provides another marketing venue to help regenerative family farms improve their profitability.

    “Many of our graduates are already doing a great job of marketing their regeneratively grown products to local markets,” she said. “’Shop Regen Foods’ is another ‘store front’ for our graduates to expand their direct-to-consumer sales and to potentially connect with food processors and retailers interested in sourcing regeneratively grown products.”

  • Measuring Soil Health Easily and Reliably

    Healthy soils are a precious resource. They are vital for protecting ecosystems, maintaining water quality, producing crops, and mitigating climate change.

    There are numerous indicators to measure soil health. However, these indicators don’t always provide consistent results. In a new study, researchers report evaluating a rapid and inexpensive indicator of soil health, especially for dryland farming.

    This study was recently published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal, a publication of the Soil Science Society of America.

    The researchers measured bursts of carbon dioxide gas emitted when dried soil samples are rewetted. These bursts of carbon dioxide – called carbon dioxide flush – are an indicator of soil microbial activity.

    “Measuring carbon dioxide flush is simple and inexpensive,” says Upendra Sainju, lead author of the study. “We also found that carbon dioxide flush is related to several soil properties and long-term crop yields.”

    Measurement of carbon dioxide flush in one-day incubation following rewetting of dry soil in a glass jar. The carbon dioxide flush is absorbed by an infrared analyzer attached to the cover of the jar (inset, upper left) and read in a laptop computer downloaded with the appropriate software. Credit: Upendra Sainju

    Sainju believes carbon dioxide flush can be used to measure soil health and relate crop yields reliably. Currently, this method is evaluating to estimate dryland crop yields in arid and semiarid regions.

    There are several advantages to using carbon dioxide flush as an indicator of soil health. For one, no chemicals are needed. Researchers can measure carbon dioxide flush from soil samples using devices called infrared analyzers.

    “Not needing chemicals means carbon dioxide flush can easily be used to measure soil health directly from the field,” says Sainju. “No chemicals being used also makes this process quick and economical.”

    That’s important because several existing ways to measure soil health can be expensive and take a long time to analyze. Also, “they provide mixed results when measuring soil health,” says Sainju. Having a single reliable measure of soil health will help farmers, ecologists, policy makers and various other stakeholders to evaluate the sustainability of agroecosystems for crop production, according to Sainju.

    In addition to measuring soil health, measuring carbon dioxide flush can also help farmers reduce nitrogen fertilizer use. “We can use carbon dioxide flush to estimate how much nitrogen will be available from the soil to crops during a growing season,” says Sainju. That means farmers can be strategic with fertilizer use. That can lead to lower costs of farming while enhancing environmental benefits.

    To test carbon dioxide flush as a soil health indicator, the researchers collected soil samples from two dryland study sites, both in northeastern Montana. For each soil sample, Sainju and colleagues measured carbon dioxide flush in two different ways.

    One was the traditional way – add water to air-dried soil samples and let them sit for four days. Then the researchers used chemicals to measure carbon dioxide flush.

    They also tested a faster method; one where the wetted soils sat for just one day. Then, the researchers used an infrared gas analyzer to detect the carbon dioxide flush from the samples.

    These two methods yielded slightly different carbon dioxide flush results.

    Soil sample, water, container, glass jar, and cover with the infrared analyzer used to measure the carbon dioxide flush. After wetting the soil sample, it will be placed in the mason jar for one day. A carbon dioxide detector is under the lid, and information will be fed into a computer for data collection. Credit: Upendra Sainju

    So, Sainju and colleagues tested a whole lot of soil properties – physical, chemical, and biological – and matched them with the two sets of carbon dioxide flush results. “Our results showed that the one-day results were better related to soil properties and crop yields than the four-day incubations,” says Sainju. That meant the easier and faster method of measuring carbon dioxide flush also resulted in a more reliable, inexpensive, and useful indicator of soil health.

    Sainju and colleagues plan to test this method in short-term experiments under dryland and irrigated cropping systems next. They will also expand testing the method in various soil and climatic conditions in different regions of the country.

    Testing of carbon dioxide flush as a predictor of long-term mean crop yields is especially important, according to the study authors. That’s because non-soil factors – such as droughts and floods, or pests – can affect crop production dramatically in some years. In the meantime, “measuring carbon dioxide flush provides soil health results that are accurate and reliable,” says Sainju. – Article originally published by the Soil Science Society of America

  • Initiative Encourages Families to Create Fantastic Fall Flavors with California Butter

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced today the launch of an October consumer promotion focused on Real California Butter as the foundation of the fall baking season. Featuring recipes such as Apple Brown Butter Crumble with Caramel Sauce and Poached Pears in Puff Pastry with Honey Whipped Cream, the month-long promotion will focus on creating delectable treats with classic fall flavors including pumpkin, cinnamon, apple, caramel, maple, and more all while highlighting California butter as a star baking ingredient.

    The promotion will be supported with in-store media that will be displayed at 475 California stores including Raley’s, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Lucky Supermarkets, FoodMaxx, and Save Mart. Integrated digital media will include geotargeted email communication, recipe and related site banner ads, sponsored social media posts, and food influencer partnerships.

    “Butter is a crucial ingredient in pies, crumbles, breads, and so many of the baked goods we enjoy during the cooler months,” said Katelyn Harmon, Director of Business Development, U.S. Retail for the CMAB. “We are encouraging families to use high quality, sustainably produced Real California Butter in their favorite baking recipes.”

    Thanks to milk from California’s dairy farm families, California leads the nation in butter production. As the nation’s leading milk producer, the state also is responsible for producing more ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • UnitedAg Announces the 2021 Vocational Scholarship Award Recipients

    This year, the Agribusiness Education Foundation Vocational Scholarship Program awarded two UnitedAg members a total of $1,600 to further their education and job-specific training in agriculture. The recipients were selected based on both merit and need.

    In Irvine, California, Gurpreet Ubbu an employee of UnitedAg was awarded $600 to pursue a CPA certification. Marisol Guerrero Mosqueda, of Green Rubber-Kennedy Ag based in Salinas, California, was awarded $1,000 to complete a Food Safety certification.

    “The UnitedAg Vocational Scholarship was a very straightforward process to apply to. This scholarship will help pay for my expenses for a program that will vastly increase my competence, knowledge, and skills in accounting,” said Gurpreet Ubbu.

    Since its inception, the Agribusiness Education Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarship monies to over 1,000 students seeking educational, post-secondary, and vocational certifications.

    “Your willingness to help students financially is wonderful and I hope your organization continues to do so for as long as it is within your power. Thank you for investing in my future,” said Marisol Guerrero Mosqueda.

    About UnitedAg

    Founded in 1980, UnitedAg is a member-owned agricultural trade association dedicated to providing innovative health benefits and services for a strong and healthy agricultural industry. UnitedAg represents more than 1,000 agriculture-affiliated member organizations, including agricultural companies (growers, shippers, coolers, processors, dairy and livestock producers, and supporting businesses); associates; cooperatives; and partner agricultural associations. UnitedAg helps its members meet their employee benefits needs, promotes their interest with lawmakers, and helps them achieve their academic and career goals. Based in Irvine, Calif., UnitedAg has offices and health and wellness centers in Salinas, Colusa, King City, Chico, Turlock, Visalia and Santa Maria. For more information, visit unitedag.org.

  • CA Farmland Trust Welcomes Trustee Council Member Reagan Denny, and Extern Chase Steele

    California Farmland Trust (CFT) is pleased to welcome Reagan Denny and Chase Steele to our organization. Denny will serve as the California Association, FFA representative on CFT’s Trustee Council, while Steele joins the staff under a law school externship.

    Originally from Sutter County, Denny was elected as the California FFA State Sentinel in May. During her year of service, Denny and her team will be educated in various areas of the agriculture industry and will share this knowledge with 95,000 California Association, FFA youth members.

    Charlotte Mitchell, executive director at California Farmland Trust shared that as CFT focuses on building its’ relationship with younger generations, Denny’s perspective will be insightful to help strengthen and advocate the importance of protecting our working lands to this younger demographic.

    “I could not be more thankful to be involved with CFT,” Denny said. “Their focus on education, advocacy, and helping farmers protect the best farmland in the world is truly inspiring.”

    Steele, a Galt native and third-year student at McGeorge School of Law, will work closely with CFT’s legal team and executive management on farmland protection issues and conservation projects.

    “We are looking forward to having Chase’s expertise in the area of law, and his assistance in complex legal assignments will be especially helpful as we work through matters relating to the protection of farmland throughout the state,” Mitchell said.

    Steele’s externship plans to continue through May, while Denny’s role on the Trustee Council will conclude once she retires as a state FFA officer.

    The California Farmland Trust is a California nonprofit 501(c)(3). Our mission is to help farmers protect the best farmland in the world. To date, we have protected 17,261 acres of farmland on 79 farms. To learn more visit us: www.cafarmtrust.org.

  • Don’t Miss Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in Fresno, Nov. 11

    Save the date, Friday, November 11th for the annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds.  Held by Malcolm Media Ag Publishing in cooperation with California Ag Network, Pacific Nut Producer, American Vineyard, and California Fresh Fruit Magazines, it is the ultimate postharvest industry gathering place for regional grape, nut & tree fruit growers and crop advisors.   Fresno is the number one Ag County in the state and the center of the Central Valley’s rich and diverse agricultural production. Nearly a thousand growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders attend this expo to enjoy State of the Almond, Pistachio, Walnut, Pecan, Tree Fruit, Raisin, Table & Wine Grape Industry presentations, Continuing Education Credited IPM seminars, great food & company, and an industry trade show featuring over a hundred Ag businesses.

    This event is FREE to attend and wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of local industry associations, universities and our sponsors this year: Ag Access, Advancing Eco Agriculture, Almond Alliance of California, American Pistachio Growers, Blue White Robotics, Burchell Nursery, California Fresh Fruit Association, Dave Wilson Nursery, Duarte Nursery, Enterprise, Firman Pollen, Fresno State Viticulture & Enology, Jack Rabbit, JSC Agricultural Supply, Live Earth Products, Orchard Machinery Corporation, Phoenix Renewable Services, Phytech US, Preferred Employers Insurance, Saturas, Sun-Maid Growers, Sunridge Nurseries, Synagro, Wonderful Laboratories, and Wonderful Nurseries.

    Online pre-registration for the event is now available HERE and includes the ability to preregister for any CE credits attendees would like to receive.  3 hours of PCA/PA/QAL/QAC credits have been approved for this event, with 5 hours of CCA credits pending.

    Also new to this year’s program will be three special panel discussions: one featuring options & incentives for groundwater recharge with Chase Hurley from Triangle T Water District, Dave Krietemeyer from USDA-NRCS and growers Lucas Avila & Karun Samran. In a special presentation for raisin growers this year, Matthew Fidelibus from the UC Cooperative Extension will be discussing prospects of the newest DOV varieties with growers Austin Hubbell and Steven Cardoza.  Aubrey Bettencourt from the Almond Alliance of California will also be leading a panel discussion on almond supply chain solutions and the upcoming Farm Bill impact on specialty crop agriculture. The USDA Farm Service Agency will also be conducting a brief workshop to assist growers in signing up for a new round of disaster aid, the tree & vine replant programs and other eligible programs.  See the full program below for more details.

    This event along with other Malcolm Media Ag Expos has generated nearly $150,000 in scholarship endowments for the agricultural programs at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Davis.  Interested in exhibiting/sponsoring? Visit agexpo.biz/exhibit and give us a call at 559-298-6020 to see what options are still available.

  • Don’t Miss Malcolm Media’s Tree & Vine Expo Coming to Turlock, Nov. 8

    Save the date, Tuesday, November 8th for the annual Tree & Vine Expo at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, in Turlock, California, the heart of North Valley wine grape, tree nut and fruit country.  Held by Malcolm Media Ag Publishing in cooperation with California Ag Network, Pacific Nut Producer, American Vineyard, and California Fresh Fruit Magazines, it is the ultimate postharvest industry gathering place for regional grape, nut & tree fruit growers and crop advisors.  Nearly a thousand growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders attend this expo to enjoy State of the Almond, Walnut, Pistachio & Wine Grape Industry presentations, Continuing Education Credited IPM seminars, great food & company, and an industry trade show featuring over a hundred Ag businesses.

    This event is FREE to attend and wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of local industry associations, universities and our sponsors this year: Ag Access, Air Burners, Almond Alliance of California, Blue White Robotics, Dave Wilson Nursery, Duarte Nursery, Firman Pollen, JSC Agricultural Supply, Live Earth Products, Preferred Employers Insurance, Saturas, Turlock Irrigation District, Turrentine Brokerage, Wonderful Nurseries, and Yosemite Farm Credit.

    Online pre-registration for the event is now available HERE and includes the ability to pre-register for any CE credits attendees would like to receive.  4 hours of PCA, PA, QAL and QAC credits have been approved for this event, with 4.5 hours of CCA credits pending.

    Also new to this year’s program will be a special panel discussion led by Aubrey Bettencourt from the Almond Alliance of California covering almond supply chain solutions and the upcoming Farm Bill impact on specialty crop agriculture. The USDA Farm Service Agency will also be conducting a brief workshop to assist growers in signing up for a new round of disaster aid, the tree & vine replant programs and other eligible programs. See the full program below for more details.

    This event along with other Malcolm Media Ag Expos has generated nearly $150,000 in scholarship endowments for the agricultural programs at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Davis.  Interested in exhibiting/sponsoring? Visit agexpo.biz/exhibit and give us a call at 559-298-6020 to see what options are still available.

  • California’s Wine Community Recognizes October’s Farmer and Farmworker Month

    California is the country’s top agricultural producer and in October the state’s wine and winegrape growing community honors the farmers and farmworkers who nurture and harvest more than 400 crops – ranging from fruits, vegetables and nuts to more than 100 winegrape varieties.  

    “California Farmer and Farmworker Month is an important opportunity to recognize all those who work incredibly hard to bring the Golden State’s world class wine and agricultural products into the homes and communities across the state, the nation and the world,” said Robert P. Koch, president and CEO, Wine Institute.  

    California’s wine and winegrape industries are critical economic drivers for many communities and regions throughout our state, employing 325,000 Californians, paying $17.2 billion in wages annually and generating more than $57 billion in annual economic activity for the state of California.    

    The diversity of California’s vast growing regions, skill and experience of its growers and their commitment to sustainable winegrowing will ensure that California wine will continue to be a signature agricultural industry for the state into the future.   

    “California’s winegrape growers are proud to be an integral part of California’s farmer and farmworker community, dedicated to producing and harvesting quality goods through sound environmental practices and social responsibility,” said John Aguirre, president, California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG).   

    California’s winegrowers have a long history of embracing sustainable winegrowing practices through various programs such as the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) and other regional educational and certification programs, with more than 2,200 vineyards in California that are CCSW.   

    California’s Wine and Winegrape Growing Community   

    As the nation’s top wine producer, California makes up more than 80% of U.S. wine production and is the fourth-largest wine producer in the world. California is home to 620,000 acres of winegrapes, grown by more than 5,900 winegrape growers, with winegrapes grown in 49 of the state’s 58 counties.  

    Celebrate California Farmer and Farmworker Month and support California’s agricultural community by enjoying California-grown and produced wine, which pairs well with other California-grown crops. To learn about recipe ideas and California wine pairings, visit www.DiscoverCaliforniaWine.com    

    About Wine Institute   

    Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The organization works to enhance the economic and environmental health of the state through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing and by showcasing California’s wine regions as ideal destinations for food and wine travelers to the state. 

    About the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
    The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 2003 by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers. CSWA’s mission is to encourage adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices and communicate the California wine industry’s global leadership through education, outreach, certification and partnerships.   

    About the California Association of Winegrape Growers
    CAWG provides industry leadership to advocate for public policies, research and education programs, and sustainable farming practices to enhance the business of growing California winegrapes. Learn more at cawg.org.

  • USAID Awards UC Davis $15 Million for Global Horticulture Research Program

    The U.S. Agency for International Development will provide a base $15 million investment over the next five years, with up to $34.5 million total funding possible, to support a global research program led by the University of California, Davis, that advances fruit and vegetable production, handling, and consumption.

    The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture will work with and promote local leadership in communities across the globe to advance horticultural and social innovations for nutritional and financial security. This competitive five-year program was first awarded to UC Davis in 2009 and renewed in 2014.

    “Horticulture offers big health, economic and environmental benefits,” said Elizabeth Mitcham, program director and a UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Plant Sciences. “UC Davis will be leading an outstanding global consortium that will be able to make big impacts on developing sustainable, local expertise and innovative technical and social solutions to empower horticulture producers and their communities.”

    UC Davis will be joined in a consortium with Florida A&M University, Michigan State University, Texas A&M, and World Vegetable Center, along with subject matter experts from Penn State University and Making Cents International, to help manage this program.

    The Horticulture Innovation Lab will focus their efforts in West Africa, East Africa, South/Southeast Asia and Central America. At the forefront of their research will be the development of environmentally sustainable, market-oriented production and post-harvest handling methods that provide smallholder farmers and other stakeholders in fruit and vegetable value chains more income, as well as improved access to fruits and vegetables to better nourish their families and communities.

    Locally led, globally supported

    Within the UC Davis-led consortium are partners and specialists with expertise in horticulture, agronomics, agri-sociology, agribusiness and agri-policy. The Horticulture Innovation Lab will convene these global, regional and local experts to determine research needs in each geographical area. Once these research needs are defined, the team will emphasize a holistic, locally led approach to build community resilience and to support inclusivity. 

    “We asked ourselves, ‘how do you effect change in a system now that overcomes immediate challenges and those yet to present themselves?’” said Erin McGuire, associate director of the Horticulture Innovation Lab. “We need to understand the implications of our projects and to work closely with local leaders and community members to ensure a pipeline of appropriate innovations now and in the future.”

    Building on fertile grounds

    Fruits and vegetables provide vital nutrients for healthy communities, empower women and youth, and improve overall sustainability in production systems — this was the central tenet informing all of the work that the Horticulture Innovation Lab did during its first 10 years.

    As a direct result of the Horticulture Innovation Lab’s work, more than 750 horticultural technologies are now available for transfer and scaling in communities across the globe. More than 32,000 farmers are applying or using these technologies as a result of the lab and its network’s collective work, and more than 13,000 hectares of land are under new management practices.

    The Horticulture Innovation Lab produced a number of innovative technologies, including a chimney solar dryer that more efficiently dries and preserves fruits and vegetables for long-term storage, and a simple tool called the DryCard that lets farmers know if food is safe for dry storage.

    Additionally, researchers facilitated the adoption of improved agricultural methods, such as drip irrigation in Guatemala, and conservation agriculture for vegetable production and a packinghouse in Cambodia, that led to climate and social resilience.

    The Horticulture Innovation Lab is a part of Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s initiative to combat global hunger and poverty. It brings partners together to help some of the world’s poorest countries harness the power of agriculture and entrepreneurship to jump-start their economies and create new opportunities.  — By Matt Marcure, UC Davis