Farm Credit Services of America’s Post

Did you know that not everything can and should scale? and that not everyone can and should scale? and that scale does not at all automatically leads to sustainability and systems change ? Join us to discuss this and more... 🔥🔥🔥

COMMENCEMENT Ceremonies for #graduating #students have their origins from the first Universities in #Europe in the 12th century during the #MiddleAges. “#Commencement,” a translation of the Latin word “Inceptio” – or “#beginning”, is the name given to the initiation ceremony for #scholars in #medieval Europe. Today commencement ceremonies honor and celebrate the culmination of the sustained endeavors of #undergraduate and #graduate students -- which is the formal awarding of their academic degrees. It is thus a joyful time for graduates to revel and bask in their well-earned accomplishments – which also marks the beginning of the #nextchapter of their professional lives. And for us #Professors and members of the #University #Faculty, we also rejoice and bask in our graduates’ successes. I was joined in the photo by my University of Arizona colleague Ricardo Valerdi, who also served in the graduate committee for my Ph.D. advisee Dr. Kamil Khalaf. Prof. Dr. Donald Slack and Prof. Dr. Bashar H. A. completed the graduate committee. Biosystems Engineering, University of Arizona, University of Arizona College of Engineering, University of Arizona - College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences Association for Vertical Farming, VertiFarm, Messe Dortmund GmbH, #indoorfarming #verticalfarming #freshproduce #sustainability #resiliency #energy #retail #certification #local #automation #horticulture #innovation #technology #urbanagriculture #CEA #circulareconomy #alternativemeat #alternativeprotein #cellbasedmeat #cellularagriculture #foodtech #foodstartup #sustainablefood #foodinnovation #unitedfreshproduceassociation #foodsystems #supplychaindisruption #agriculture #greenrecovery #rethink #CEAportfolio #stemeducation #foodsecurity

My last post was on collaboration and ideas. Listening to the Chair Agricultural Committee National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Kanyuithia Mbugua, at the launch of the Strathmore Agri-Food innovation center (SAFIC), our ideas are often in papers or thesis, we need to move to technology, which is applying scientific knowledge for practical purposes. After we can move to innovation, through learning from the technology application process. What we need is data and evidence to fuel this, what Mercy Corps AgriFin, we believe in, and it’s the aim of  #safic

As my university studies draw to a close in the coming days, I reflect on the experience that my education has provided me. I am excited to enter the professional industry and Agri-Tech sector. Below is an extract from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science Graduate Handbook 2024, of the Agricultural Systems Technology graduates.

Working in the Finance or Food & Agriculture industries? Check out our upcoming webinar featuring our faculty leaders giving their insights on our Industry Immersions and how it can advance your career!

Reflecting on 2023, I4NATURE has dedicated itself to sowing the seeds of a sustainable future. Much of this effort occurs behind the scenes, akin to tending to soil in the creation of a seedbed—an often overlooked process. However, when the fruits of this labor flourish, the significance of proper soil treatment becomes unmistakable. At the World Food Forum, the results of our endeavors became strikingly apparent. Collaborating with IAAS (International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences), Wageningen University & Research, and the World Food Forum, we nurtured a seed into a flourishing program that empowers youth globally with impactful ideas. CEO Xander Beks played a crucial role in the initial stages, contributing to the primary seedings and development of this consortium and concept. Our pride swells as we witness the program's growth, with a substantial number of young minds actively contributing to the global mission of providing healthy and sustainable food for all. I4NATURE remains steadfast in its commitment to cultivating a world where the value of effective soil treatment is not just observable but cherished. https://lnkd.in/eN5dRAnx

🌾 Today's next session, led by Jorieke Potters from Wageningen University & Research was a reflective exercise on our field visits, a cornerstone for our #ClimateSmartAdvisor Network’s growth. We delved into the insights and encounters from the fields, bringing them into the fold of our Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (ME&L) process. 🎯 Objective: To crystallize the observations and learning from the field visits and enhance our consortium's understanding and application of ME&L methodologies. Highlights of the Session: ✅We harvested a wealth of knowledge from our field experiences, exchanging lessons and pinpointing areas for improvement. ✅Jorieke unveiled the ME&L building blocks, elucidated key learning questions, and introduced the Dynamic Learning Agenda (DLA) to enrich our toolkit for continuous improvement. ✅We received a succinct outline of the ME&L approach planned for the upcoming year, ensuring our path forward is both measured and meaningful. As we tread the path of innovation in agriculture, these reflections are our seeds of progress, promising a future harvest that's both bountiful and enlightened.🔄🌍✨ #ReflectLearnGrow #AgriculturalInnovation #CSANetwork #ME&L #SustainableFarming

In an increasing number of domains, game-based learning is gaining traction. Could a more active and enjoyable approach to discussing a topic also enhance focus groups in sensory and consumer research? Catherine Leclercq and Fiorella Sinesio from the ESN member Centre for Food and Nutrition, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-AN), Italy, decided to put this idea to the test. The study, funded by an ESN grant, has just been published in Applied Environmental Education & Communication. Congrats to Catherine Leclercq, Fiorella Sinesio Fiorella, and their research team! Exploring the use of game-based experiential workshops to complement focus group discussions toward more sustainable food systems. Catherine Leclercq, Anna Saba, Elisabetta Moneta, Nicoletta Nardo, Fausta Natella, Marina Peparaio, Eleonora Saggia Civitelli, Elisabetta Toti & Fiorella Sinesio (2023) Applied Environmental Education & Communication, DOI: 10.1080/1533015X.2023.2270490 #gamebasedlearning #sustainability #focusgroups #sensoryscience #consumerresearch #consumerinsights #sustainableagriculture

🌟 As the General Assembly 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a final day which started with insightful parallel sessions, each designed to harness our collective expertise and drive our mission forward. 🔹 "The Community of Practice for Climate Smart Coaches" Facilitated by Laure Triste - ILVO (Instituut voor Landbouw, Visserij- en Voedingsonderzoek), this session was a dynamic exchange of experiences among CSCs. It strengthened connections and fostered a robust network, pivotal for advancing sustainable agricultural practices worldwide. 🔹 "Input for the Upcoming “Network of Research Stations” Led by Luís Mira da Silva - CONSULAI and primarily attended by Thematic Leaders, this session gathered critical input to shape a collaborative network that will significantly enhance our research capabilities, ensuring that our work remains cutting-edge and globally relevant. 🔹 "Interested in Designing a CoDIE?" With Cynthia Giagnocavo - Universidad de Almería at the helm, this workshop invited participants to contribute to the design of CoDIES, setting the groundwork for improved information sharing and innovation dissemination. Each session today not only reflected the depth of knowledge within our community but also reinforced our commitment to a sustainable future. As we conclude this year's assembly, we look forward to the incredible strides we will make together in the coming year. #GeneralAssembly2024 #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateSmartFarming #InnovationInAgriculture #ProfessionalNetworking

Very interesting program for young talent to discuss how to enter into cellular agriculture