Yuma, AZ- In Yuma, Arizona, growers, shippers and subsidiary agriculture companies have come together with the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to form the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture.
With a year under their belt, the partnership between industry and university has proven successful. The Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture was established with a three-year initial funding commitment from 27 agriculture businesses and organizations in Arizona and California. An advisory council of 8 agriculturalists plus the CALS dean, Dr. Shane Burgess, advises the YCEDA Executive Director, Paul Brierley on future trends and issues which will affect the industry. They also work to grow collaborative networks with businesses and industry. The purpose of this organization is to improve all aspects of desert crop production systems and economics.
On January 12th, 2016, Paul will present the Center's annual report which includes accomplishments, results, programs they are currently executing as well as plans for the upcoming year. A few of these highlights include (but are not limited to):
- Working with UA Cooperative Extension Service researchers to publish and distribute short papers for industry with advice on the initial focuses of plant pests and diseases (Bagrada Bug, Fusarium Wilt)
- Hosting annual issue-specific conferences to bring researchers and industry together to solve issues. In Nov., 2015, YCEDA held a successful International Symposium on Fusarium Wilt of Lettuce
- Working with the Center for Produce Safety and the California Leafy Greens Research Program to fund research by Dr. Charles Sanchez and others in CA and AZ to correlate soil levels of cadmium with tissue levels of spinach at harvest
- Matching industry needs and desires for information and decision making tools with funding opportunities available from federal agencies and others. Dr. Frank D'Agnese of Earth Knowledge will present about Big Data and Decision Tools.
- YCEDA is working with military contractors and other high tech companies as well as UA and USDA researchers to apply new and existing technology to agriculture applications
- Working to secure innovative private and public investment for new and enhanced diagnostic laboratory facilities to enable commerce and trade as well as research education.
- Working with UA CALS to educate political representatives on the issues that are critical to agriculture. This includes tours, meetings, and town halls
Click here to see the complete annual report.
To learn more about the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, please visit our website, https://yceda.cals.arizona.edu/ or our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/yceda.
Source: Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture
