Parlier, Calif., (January 15, 2018) – California farmers Fong Tchieng and Vang C. Thao have a lot in common. They both have farming operations in the Central Valley. They both belong to the state’s vibrant – and growing – Hmong farming community. And most importantly, they have both partnered with state agencies to save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Funded through California’s Cap-and-Trade Program and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, or SWEEP, has helped both these growers conserve water and reduce emissions by installing water and energy saving technologies.
Both Mr. Tchieng and Mr. Thao have used SWEEP dollars to invest in technologies like energy efficient pumps, drip irrigation systems and flow meters. According to the growers, these investments have helped them save water and reduce energy costs.
“This is a big upgrade compared to what we had,” said Kong Thao, who helps his father run their 34-acre farm in Fresno, Calif. “With the water system that we have now, we’re finally at a point where we can relax a little and be able to do this for many years to come.”
Like other growers, California Hmong farmers have also struggled with the prolonged effects of the State’s historic drought. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), 52 separate operations said the drought had affected their farm. The survey also found that 22 percent of growers said their wells had dried up, and 51 percent reported a decreased water flow.
But unlike larger growers, many Hmong farmers do not always have the resources or necessary information to get help. To help bridge this gap, CDFA has partnered with UCCE to assist farmers in the SWEEP application process.
“California’s Hmong community plays an integral role in this state’s agricultural bounty,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “We need to continue working with our partners to make sure that SWEEP dollars are available for all those who qualify, regardless of their size or resources.”
Since its inception in 2014, SWEEP has extended funding to 587 projects, totaling more than $62 million. To learn more about SWEEP, please visit: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/. You can also click here to see more videos on additional SWEEP awardees.
Sacramento, Calif., (January 15, 2018) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing two vacancies on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board. The board makes regulatory and enforcement recommendations to the department to help ensure that commercial feed inspections contribute to a clean and wholesome supply of milk, meat, and eggs.
The vacancies are for two commercial feed industry representatives, and applicants must hold a current California Commercial Feed License. The term of office is three years. Members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Personnel Administration.
Individuals interested in serving on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board must submit a short resume along with a completed Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire by March 2, 2018
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Service Branch
Attention: Brittnie Sabalbro
1220 N Street
Sacramento, California 95814
For further information on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board and vacancies, you may contact Brittnie Sabalbro at (916) 900-5022 or Brittnie.Sabalbro@cdfa.ca.gov.
Sacramento, Calif., (January 12, 2018) – Governor Brown’s proposed budget of $488 million for the California Department of Food and Agriculture for 2018-2019 reflects his emphasis on steady growth while maintaining a sufficient rainy day fund. Some key CDFA proposals are as follows:
Use of Antimicrobial Drugs on Livestock– The budget proposes $2.668 million to address the full implementation of SB-27, which introduces limits on antibiotic use in livestock and stewardship practices to reduce antimicrobial resistance; and it provides antimicrobial availability through licensed retail stores and/or new regulations.
Citrus Pest Disease and Prevention– The budget would provide $5 million ($2.5 million General Fund and $2.5 million Ag Fund) to enhance Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing suppression activities.
Bee Safe Program– $1.853 million is proposed to develop a program to promote and protect a safe and healthy food supply through the protection of bees, providing funds for local enforcement of existing laws that promote and protect California’s beekeeping industry.
Safe and Affordable Drinking Water – CDFA would establish and collect a dairy and livestock safe drinking water fee and a fertilizer safe drinking water fee and transfer the funds collected to the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. The proposed amount for those activities at CDFA is $1.41 million, which would be advanced from the Fund to support the initial startup costs.
Development of Pesticide Alternatives – The budget proposes $529,000 for CDFA’s Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis to support the scientific development and testing of alternatives for pesticides being considered for restriction in California. This includes biocontrol efforts.
Pet Lover’s Specialized License Plates – This proposal would provide $440,000 (special fund) to implement the provisions of SB 673, to utilize funding from specialized license plates to award grants to qualifying spay and neuter facilities that offer low-cost or no-cost animal sterilization services.
State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and Healthy Soils Program – Bond funding (SB 5) would provide $27.4 million for two of CDFA’s climate smart agriculture programs – $17.8 million for ongoing SWEEP grants and $8.6 million in grants from the Healthy Soils Program.
The budget notes that $1.25 billion in Cap and Trade funding (which has been the funding source for CDFA’s climate smart agriculture programs) will be available for appropriation in 2018-19. The plan for these funds will be announced later in January as part of the Governor’s annual State of the State Address.
Visalia, Calif., (January 12, 2018) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Winter forage crops, such as wheat, barley, other cereal grains and forage mixes, continue to be planted. This week’s rain will reduce the need for irrigation. As always more rain is needed in the weeks to follow. Shipments of corn seed are being received in preparation for spring planting.
The last of the stored table grapes continue to be exported to China, Japan, Mexico, and Thailand. Persimmon harvest was hampered by this week’s rain, with export demand primarily to Mexico. Kiwifruit exports slowed drastically, with some periodic shipments to Mexico and Taiwan. Pistachio nuts are being exported to Austria, Hong Kong, India, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Turkey, and Vietnam. Almonds are being shipped to Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Walnuts are being exported to China. Pruning continues in vineyards, and the brush is being shredded. Dormant sprays are being applied as the weather allows. Some field activities in fruit and nut orchards have been put on hold as rain makes accessibility difficult.
Citrus harvest was slowed due to the rain and damp weather. Navel oranges continue to be exported to Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, and Peru. Mandarins are still be exported. Pomelos are being harvested and sold domestically, as well as exported to China and Japan. Melogold hybrid grapefruit continue being exported to Japan. Lemons are primarily going to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, and New Zealand. Finger limes are still in high demand, with exports going to France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Olive growers continue to prune groves.
Fields are being prepared and planted with winter vegetable crops. Lettuce benefitted from the recent rain and growth looks ideal. Strawberries are growing well at roadside stands.
This week’s rainfall will be beneficial for rangeland forage, but conditions remain poor until more growth is seen. More rain is needed to help with germination and growth of rangeland forage. Supplemental feeding has been required. The fed cattle market price is holding at $120.00 per hundred weight this week.
Bare-root roses are being received and processed for reshipment out-of-state, mostly to Texas. Bare-root berries are being received at wholesale nurseries Nursery shipments have slowed due to the winter weather conditions.
Sacramento, Calif., (January 12, 2018) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing nine vacancies on the Standardization Advisory Committee. This committee makes recommendations to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary on all matters pertaining to the Standardization Program.
The Standardization Program, through legislation, enforces laws and regulations governing minimum standards for maturity, quality, size, standard container and pack, and container markings. County agricultural commissioners and their staff enforce standards at the local level. Inspections take place in fields and packinghouses, at wholesale markets and retail distribution centers, and retail outlets.
The Standardization Advisory Committee vacancies are for individuals who have a financial interest in a commodity represented. The term of office is up to two years. Members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.
Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should complete a Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire, and attain a letter of recommendation from industry. Nominations will be accepted until the positions are filled. Applications should be sent to Thomas Osborn, CDFA Inspection and Compliance Branch, 1220 ‘N’ Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or via e-mail to thomas.osborn@cdfa.ca.gov.
For further information on the Standardization Advisory Committee and vacancies, please contact Stacey Hughes at (559) 977-5416 or Stacey.hughes@cdfa.ca.gov.
Modesto, Calif., (January 11, 2018) – Tony Campos, Campos Brothers Farms, accepted the 2017 Almond Achievement Award winner at the Almond Conference in Sacramento. Tony has been involved with Almond Board of California (ABC) for almost three decades, serving on multiple committees, including eight years as an ABC Board Member.
From left: Kent Stenderup (vice chair, ABC), Tony Campos (award recipient), Mike Mason (chairman, ABC) and Richard Waycott (president and CEO, ABC)
“Tony is someone in our industry that has dedicated his life to promoting, processing and developing markets for almonds,” said Lori Coburn, Hughson Nut, Inc., who nominated Campos. “He has been involved in the industry in different capacities for decades as a grower and processor.”
Campos began growing almonds in 1971 with his brothers, Esteban and Fermin. In 1981, the brothers built the first Campos Brothers Farms almond huller, promising premium-quality processing.
Campos has served volunteer positions with organizations such as ABC, Raisin Bargaining Association, Raisin Administrative Committee, National Farmers Organization, California Bean Advisory Board and Fresno County Farm Bureau.
Tony and his family also support philanthropic organizations such as Valley Children’s Hospital, Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno, Basque Cultural Center and Caruthers High School.
Throughout Campos’ nearly 30 years serving the almond industry, he has participated in the following committees:
International Committee, ten years
ABC Board of Directors, eight years
Administration and Finance Committee, seven years
Public Relations and Advertising Committee, two years
Strategic Planning Committee, two years
In addition to his service to the almond community, Campos has been involved in advancing the industry’s technologies and innovations. He has worked on plant engineering research and processing design research that utilizes the newest technology to improve capacities and qualities in processing.
“The Campos Brothers have shared industry processing information back and forth openly over the years,” said Coburn. “He is a leader in the industry and it is great to see him being recognized for his contributions.”
Since 2011, the Almond Achievement Award has been awarded to an industry or allied-industry member who has been an integral part of the California Almond industry through long-term service, contributions or innovations.
Past Almond Achievement Award recipients include Dave Phippen, Ned Ryan, Martin Pohl, Joe McIlvaine, Dave Baker and Jim Jasper. Nominations are accepted between August and October each year.
Yuba City, Calif., (January 11, 2018) – Make sure to not miss the free event happening on Wednesday January 17th at the Yuba-Sutter County Fairgrounds. 3.05 CE hours pending: 1.3 Laws & Regs; 1.75 other & 4 CE hours for CCA. To register for this free event call Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau at 530-673-6550.
Here is the agenda:
8:30 AM – Registration – Coffee & Donuts
ENGLISH
9:00 AM – Matt Bozzo, Spray Safe Committee Chair “Welcome”
9:10 AM – Brian Leahy, Department of Pesticide Regulation Director – “Pesticide Safety and Safety Around Schools”
9:40 AM – Hillary Miller, Butte-Yuba-Sutter Water Quality Coalition – “Update from Butte-Yuba-Sutter Water Quality Coalition”
9:50 AM – Franz Niederholzer and Sarah Light, UCCE Farm Advisors – “Water Quality Protection through orchard floor management and Orchard Spray Drift Management”
10:20 AM – Imelda Muzio, Manager, MVP Safety Professionals LLC – “OSHA Requirements for a Hazard Communication Program – Written Program, Safety Data Sheets, Labeling and Training”
DEMONSTRATION ROTATIONS – (TRANSLATION INCLUDED FOR SPANISH GROUP)
30 minutes – Station #1: John Shalowitz, Sutter County Fire Chief, Sutter County Emergency Medical Services – “Pesticide Incident Triage”
20 minutes – Station #2: Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Orchard Systems Farm Advisor – “Saving Money & Time While Reducing Spray Drift”
20 minutes – Station #3: Sean Nelson, Sutter Co. Ag Biologist & Molly Mathews, Yuba Co. Ag Weights & Measurers – “Employee Safety from the Ag Department Perspective”
20 minutes – Station #4: Imelda Muzio, MVP Consolidated, LLC – “New Fieldworker Requirements & Personal Protective Equipment”
20 minutes – Station #5: Lyunn Wunderlich, UCCE – “Calibration Basics”
1:00 PM – LUNCH – Sponsored by Beach Hut Deli, Yuba City
SPANISH – Fidel Perez, CDPR Environmental Scientist and Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Orchard Systems Farm Advisor – “Worker Safety and Heat Illness Protection & Orchard Spray Drift Management and Water Quality Protection
Hope to see you there.
Contacts: Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau ¨ 475 N. Palora Avenue, Suite A, Yuba City, CA 95991 ¨ (530) 673-6550 ¨ Fax (530) 671-5836 Email: ysfb@ysfarmbureau.com ¨ Website: www.ysfarmbureau.com
Sacramento, Calif., (January 11, 2018) – As an artist, Chieko Delgado’s eye gravitates to the beauty of nature. Her brush has captured some of the most iconic imagery of California: vibrant poppies, the winegrape harvest and snowfall on a Yosemite landscape.
So each spring, when nature erupts into a riotous display of beauty right in her own backyard, there’s no keeping the award-winning, Fresno-area painter out of the orchards. Delgado becomes an invited guest at local farms, and you’ll often find her with her easel among the rows of almond, apricot, peach, plum and nectarine trees that are decked out in an explosion of white and pink blossoms.
And she’s not alone. Starting in mid-February and lasting only a few weeks, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the Fresno County Blossom Trail, a self-guided tour of participating county orchards in full bloom. Between 20,000 and 30,000 people travel the route each year, admiring orchards adorned as far as the eye can see with rose-shaded peach and nectarine blossoms, pink bouquets of apricot petals, and snow-white plum and almond petals.
Few places can match the scale of the springtime splendor in Fresno County, which is nestled in the world’s most productive agricultural region. Some consider the spectacle on par with the famed cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., or the fall colors in New England.
“Since I moved to Sanger (in eastern Fresno County) in 1999, I just fell in love with the Blossom Trail,” Delgado said. “I also love to paint local scenes, which involve many agricultural scenes.”
Working in watercolor, oil or hand-painting on silk, she’s painted views of the orchards from different perspectives and in varied lighting, as well as lushly colored portraits of individual blossoms. Her evocative “Blossom Trail – Reflection,” which depicts rows of trees laden with pink flowers alongside their reflection in a nearby pool of water, with brooding storm clouds overhead, was selected for the California State Senate’s 2015-16 Contemporary Art Collection and displayed at the Capitol. Her artwork also graced Blossom Trail promotional posters in 2011, 2014 and 2017, after she won the Fresno County Blossom Trail Poster Contest at the Big Fresno Fair.
Photographers are also drawn to the beauty of the trail. Elizabeth Bedard, an amateur photographer from Clovis and member of the Fresno Camera Club, takes part in the club’s annual field trip to the Blossom Trail, which is followed by a friendly photography competition.
“I love taking pictures of the flower petals on the ground. I like weird things, like branches that are bent funny and patterns in nature,” Bedard said. “I like to get something that is a little different. You get to see how other people interpret the same thing.”
Kristi Johnson, tourism manager for the Fresno County Office of Tourism, said the visually stunning Blossom Trail is also a crowd-pleaser for motorists and cyclists, “giving people a chance to explore and do a little sightseeing,” as well as an opportunity for education.
“It is a preservation of our heritage, but also preservation of California agriculture by showing people how beautiful it is and the impact that it makes on the state, starting with the blooms to the eventual produce,” Johnson said.
The vast stretches of blossoms on more than 60 farms along the 84-mile route are just a precursor of the bounty to come later in the season. Fresno County is the nation’s leading producer of nectarines, peaches and plums, and ranks third for growing almonds and apricots.
Simonian Farms near Fresno is a great place to see the county’s abundance on display and a good starting point for trail-goers. Established more than a century ago, it is the oldest farm stand in the county. Today, Simonian Farms grows more than 185 varieties of fruits and vegetables, and sells them alongside dried fruit, nuts and gourmet items. The farm maintains its Western charm and offers visitors a chance to step back in time, with a free museum of vintage farm equipment and antiques, including pedal cars, gas pumps and bicycles. Wine tasting, an animated shooting gallery and Old West replica facades provide entertainment inside the farm’s big red barn.
The Blossom Trail draws visitors to the farm and helps them develop an appreciation for agriculture, said Stacey Grote, assistant at Simonian Farms.
“Not only do you get to look at the beauty, but you are able to teach your children or yourselves, or whoever is with you, that this is a peach tree,” Grote said. “First there is a blossom and in the middle of that blossom is where fruit will grow.”
The Blossom Trail also leads visitors of all ages to Hillcrest Tree Farm & Shops, just north of Reedley, where visitors can ride a miniature steam train on narrow-gauge tracks past almond and peach orchards.
Johnny Ramirez of Fresno said the 15-minute trip is the nicest train ride he and his 2-year-old son, George, have been on.
“He loves the train. It is awesome,” Ramirez said. “His eyes get really big when we go through the tunnels and he waves at everybody.”
Melissa Bautista of Hillcrest Tree Farm & Shops, which seasonally sells Christmas trees and pumpkins, said the train ride and picnic grounds make Hillcrest a popular stop along the trail.
“We enjoy Blossom Trail time because it gives us an opportunity to slow down and talk to our customers,” she said.
Hillcrest is open to trail visitors the first three weekends in March. On the final weekend, the farm hosts the Reedley Railfest, inviting enthusiasts to bring their own narrow-gauge locomotives, as well as large outdoor model trains, and run them on the farm’s rails.
“Train nuts come from all over the state and country,” Bautista said, adding that it’s not uncommon to see 10 locomotives of various types running on the same track at once.
In addition to delivering opportunities for fun and breathtaking views, the Blossom Trail gives local farmers a chance to showcase the role they play in growing healthy food, according to Frederic McNairy, a CPA and Sanger rancher. He has been a volunteer member of the Fresno County Blossom Trail Committee since 2001 and serves as its current president.
“The San Joaquin Valley is the most productive agricultural region in the world,” McNairy said. “It is something that we are proud of and we like to showcase it as a means of promoting our area. We like to invite people to come visit. It is a beautiful way to spend a day or weekend, seeing California.”
Davis, Calif., (January 10, 2018) – UC Davis student and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Edgar Garcia brushed the hair along a horse’s neck, back and sides. Here, grooming was more than preparation for riding — it was an age-old ritual bonding human and horse in trust and care.
UC Davis student Edgar Garcia spends time with Chance after participating in an earlier trial run for a new program that pairs military veterans with horses at the campus Equestrian Center. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)
Garcia is one of the early participants in a new program that pairs student veterans with horses to help them get involved in campus life and enjoy much needed relaxation.
“Horses make you forget about everything,” said the senior majoring in evolutionary anthropology. “I was so relaxed.”
Enjoying companionship: UC Davis is introducing the Hooves for Heroes program this month following a brief trial last fall. After attending four weekly lessons on horse handling to begin this Thursday (Jan. 11), a veteran will be able to spend time independently with a horse. The animal gets extra grooming and can graze on a lead outside the paddocks. Each enjoys the other’s companionship.
Participants in the trial run for Hooves for Heroes receive instruction in handling horses. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)
“It’s good for people to get to spend time with animals and horses,” she said. “It’s not just physical wellness — it’s whole-being wellness.”
The new program will be held at the 25-acre campus Equestrian Center, which offers horse boarding, riding lessons and equestrian team activities. Students experienced in horsemanship will do the teaching, and the veterans’ partners will be good-natured lesson horses, some on loan from a summer riding camp.
Challenges for veteran students: Garcia offered insights about the challenges veteran students face. He drew on his own experience as a veteran who was an aviation mechanic in the Marine Corps for eight years and his roles as president of the Davis Student Veteran Organization and as a student adviser at the veterans center.
The 31-year-old — who worked as a security executive and earned two associate degrees before transferring to UC Davis — said veterans might have trouble transitioning to academic life, or feel out of place among mostly younger classmates and those who have different perspectives about the military. Veterans might also be coping with other issues such as brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder.
One of about 200 veterans enrolled at UC Davis, J. Alota is studying for a master’s degree in health informatics after 22 years and five deployments with the Air Force left him unable to meet the strenuous physical demands of his former nursing career.
UC Davis veteran students J. Alota, with his back to the camera, and Edgar Garcia groom Shinto in the trial run for the Hooves for Heroes program. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)
He also copes with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury, he said, and enjoyed brushing and talking to the horses in the fall trial.
“It feels like there is nothing else going on in the world but me and the horse.” he said. “It’s a peace.”
Hooves for Heroes is akin to the equestrian facility’s long-established Guardian Angels program that trains campus and community volunteers to spend time with horses.
Sacramento, Calif., (January 10, 2018) – As we settle into 2018, it’s natural to wonder what the New Year may bring. There have been dozens of “trend pieces” discussing what’s in store. In this wrap, we consider possible 2018 trends in water, the GM debate, science communication, and food and nutrition.
Water: After one of the driest Decembers on record, many Californians continue to worry about water supply. I turned to UC ANR water expert Faith Kearns. Faith is a scientist and communicator at the California Institute for Water Resources, a UC ANR-based “think-tank” that integrates California’s research, extension, and education programs to develop research-based solutions to water resource challenges. Faith writes about water issues for a number of publications, including UC’s Confluence blog. She was recently quoted in a Rolling Stone article about California’s “climate emergency,” penned by meteorologist/writer Eric Holthaus.
Faith told me this: “Water quantity and human use tend to be the dominant lenses that we use to talk about water in California, but they’re not the only thing we need to be paying attention to. For example, water quality issues loom equally as large, and are of course related. But, even beyond that, there are also many non-use oriented ways that water impacts our lives – through recreation, aesthetics, and culture, just to name a few. A trend that I hope to see in 2018 is a broadening of the conversation on water, and an expansion of the kinds of knowledge that are brought to bear on water issues.”
Editor’s note: The quality of American drinking water continues to be a point of local and national concern; it will undoubtedly be an important topic in the 2018 midterm elections in certain congressional districts. Learn more about this vital public health and social justice issue by visiting the National Drinking Water Alliance website (NDWA). NDWA is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and coordinated by UC ANR’s Nutrition Policy Institute.
The debate over genetically modified food: Entering a new era?
UC Davis associate professor and plant pathologist Neil McRoberts – who was recently named co-leader of UC ANR’s Strategic Initiative in Sustainable Food Systems – shared his ideas about where we might be headed in terms of framing the GM discussion.
“…The GM debate is entering a new era with the growing use of gene editing – CRSPR-Cas9 – technology. Interestingly, this time around the ethics and socio-economics debate seems to be keeping pace with the science, as witnessed by the latest issue of the Journal of Responsible Innovation, which focuses on gene drive technologies and their uses. The special issue grew out of a workshop hosted at NCSU last year. The use of CRSPR has re-opened debates about how genetic modification should be regulated and labeled.”
Editor’s note: You can learn more about Neil’s work here. He recently wrote a guest blog post for UC Food Observer about the importance of cash crops to smallholder farmers in Uganda and Malaysia. For more about the GM debate, read the text of Mark Lynas’ speech to the Oxford Farming Conference, in which he tries to “map out the contours of a potential peace treaty” between GM proponents and the technology’s opponents. h/t Nathanael Johnson.
Will 2018 usher in an era of more civil communication around science-based topics?
*It depends on us.
Across the board, our public discourse took a dive in 2017 … and that’s a shame. Here’s to a New Year … and resolving to do a better job at communicating with clarity, integrity and with less judgment. The advancement of science (and perhaps the preservation of our sanity) depend upon it.
I loved this piece by Tamar Haspel, which recently appeared in the Washington Post and specifically addresses science communication and agriculture/food issues. Shorter: If we want to persuade people, we have to be respectful. She writes:
“Rudeness can increase polarization and entrench disagreements even further. Nasty begets nasty; it’s regression toward the mean …”
As both a scientist and a communicator, UC ANR’s Faith Kearns also informed my thinking on where the communications trend line ought to go for 2018, telling me that:
“One of the bigger challenges, and opportunities, facing the science communication community is how to really push ourselves to better incorporate more perspectives from the social sciences and humanities. This is particularly true on issues like food, agriculture, and the environment where so much of what is truly challenging is related to human behavior, decision-making, and psychology. It’s not just a matter of using research on science communication to inform practice, but also of responsibly integrating different forms of knowledge into communication efforts.”
Food and nutrition trends
There are an overwhelming number of food trend pieces out right now. The Hartman Group is a good account to follow to stay apprised of food trends throughout the year. Their Year in Review blog post is definitely worth a read. It identifies some trends from last year that will likely carry forward, including consumer demands for transparency, “conscious” consumerism, customized health and wellness, and the ways in which snacking is disrupting food culture. Bonus: you can access some of Hartman’s industry reports via links included in the blog post.
For a largely culinary perspective of 2018 trends, check out the BBC’s Good Food piece. Nationally-known dietitian Christy Brissette has written an interesting piece about nutrition trends (think algae, Stevia, chicory root fiber and eating for “Diabetes 3” – aka Alzheimer’s).
And if you’re having trouble keeping that New Year’s resolution to exercise more, consider reading this piece, which reports on a study indicating that exercise alters our microbiome – which could improve our health and metabolism. Gretchen Reynolds for the New York Times.
Sacramento, Calif., (January 10, 2018) – As we settle into 2018, it’s natural to wonder what the New Year may bring. There have been dozens of “trend pieces” discussing what’s in store. In this wrap, we consider possible 2018 trends in water, the GM debate, science communication, and food and nutrition.