FFAR Fellows Program: Future Leaders for Food & Agriculture

Meet Laura Schulz, a member of the 2024-2027 FFAR Fellow cohort! From Lake Elmo, Minnesota, Laura's early love for gardening and plants led her to a career in agriculture. After a pivotal soil science lecture at the University of Minnesota, she dove into research with a focus on sustainable agriculture. Sponsored by the Rockey FFAR Fellows Fund, Laura is now developing production guidelines for sweet potatoes in western Washington. Her research includes field trials and collaborations with over 30 local growers to enhance crop diversity and farm resilience. Join us in welcoming Laura and follow her journey as part of our new FFAR Fellows cohort! Read More >> https://lnkd.in/gDK3QGyv Rockey FFAR Fellows Fund >> https://lnkd.in/dZNf84Ss

Introducing Joseph DeTemple, a new member of the 2024-2027 FFAR Fellows cohort! Hailing from Burley, Idaho, Joseph developed a passion for plant genetics research during his undergraduate studies, where he gained hands-on experience working with botanists and learning molecular lab techniques. Now at Iowa State University, he’s advancing his research with a focus on maize, specifically investigating the genes that control flowering time. Sponsored by PepsiCo Agriculture, Joseph’s research aims to bridge basic genetics with practical applications. By analyzing gene expression data from diverse maize genotypes and integrating this information into crop growth models, he seeks to enhance predictions of maize performance under extreme climate conditions. His work is geared toward improving maize adaptability and performance in the face of future climate challenges. Read More >> https://lnkd.in/gKGCx3hk

Our new cohort of FFAR Fellows recently had the incredible opportunity to engage with industry leaders and broaden their professional networks during site visits to Syngenta and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech). At Syngenta, fellows connected with top scientists, toured cutting-edge labs, and heard valuable insights from early-career scientists during a career panel. The day continued at the NC Biotechnology Center, where fellows participated in a networking lunch and heard from a panel of industry experts from various ag tech companies located in the Raleigh-Durham area. These experiences provide invaluable exposure to industry careers and foster connections that will shape their futures as leaders in food and agriculture. Thank you to everyone at Syngenta and to our host and panelists at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center: At Syngenta, our hosts Stuart Harrison and Erik Legg; our tour guides PoHao Wang, Ph.D., MBA, Timothy Kelliher, Stephen Rigoulot, and Jason Nichols ; and panel of early career scientists Emily Dittmar, Joseph Cammarata, Cas Willborn, Lorraine Rodriguez Bonilla, PhD, and Douglas Lawton, Ph.D.. At the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, our host Paul Ulanch and our panelists Dale Karlson (Terrana Biosciences), Kathryn Polkoff, PhD (Hoofprint Biome), Laura Potter (Corteva Agriscience), Nandini Mendu (NC Biotech Center), and  Marianela Rodriguez-Carres and Elizabeth Lipscomb (BASF).

Hailing from the mountainous region of Swat, Pakistan, Hamid Habib Syed grew up surrounded by agriculture. His early experiences tending to his own gardens and observing the hard work of local farmers fueled his passion for innovative solutions in farming. He is particularly interested in integrating artificial intelligence and robotics into traditional farming practices to ease the physical burdens on farmers and enhance productivity. Now, as a FFAR Fellow sponsored by the Rockey FFAR Fellows Fund, Hamid is developing a smart inventory system for autonomous plant counting and quality assessment in nurseries. His research aims to use robotics and AI to automate repetitive tasks, allowing nursery workers to focus on more strategic activities, ultimately promoting efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. Join us in welcoming Hamid and stay tuned as we continue this series, exploring the journeys and research of our new FFAR Fellows! Read more >> https://lnkd.in/gHFmMv_Z Rockey FFAR Fellows Fund >> https://lnkd.in/dZNf84Ss

Our new cohort met in person for the first time from August 4-10th, participating in insightful sessions on Interpersonal Communications; Crucial Conversations, Emotional Intelligence, Identifying & Working with Mentors, and more. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible presenters, panelists, and executive coaches: Dr. Rebecca Dunning, PhD, Dr. LaKisha Odom, Dr. John Dole, Dr. Katherine McKee, Sherry Rogowski, Kim Jokisch, Kathy Weaver, Jane Sommers-Kelly, Richard J. Pro, DBA, MBA, MS, FAHM, and Vahbiz Shroff, PhD, PCC. Your guidance and expertise made this experience truly impactful!

Meet Tayin Wang, a member of the new 2024-2027 FFAR Fellow cohort! Raised in Taiwan, Tayin’s passion for food and curiosity about its origins began in his grandma’s kitchen and the vibrant local markets. After moving to the US, food became his compass, connecting him to home and diverse cultures. Now, Tayin is dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture through his graduate research on soil organic carbon (SOC) formation. Sponsored by Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., he aims to develop innovative methods to enhance soil health, benefiting both farmers and the environment. Join us in welcoming Tayin and stay tuned as we kick off this new series, diving into the journeys and research of our new FFAR Fellows! Read more >> https://lnkd.in/gYUW-7b5

Explore the fascinating world of peanut agriculture with Samuele Lamon, FFAR Fellow from The University of Georgia. In his latest blog post, Samuele delves into the critical role that peanuts play in global food security and sustainable farming, particularly in the southeastern United States, which produces nearly half of the country’s peanuts. Samuele's research focuses on the genetic diversity and instability of peanut crops, aiming to develop new, resilient varieties that meet current agricultural needs while reducing environmental impact. His work is pivotal in enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Read More >> https://lnkd.in/gJNbS64R

We’re thrilled to announce the 30 exceptional individuals selected as our 2024-2027 FFAR Fellows! Representing 21 universities, this cohort brings diverse perspectives and innovative ideas to address critical challenges in food and agriculture. Join us in congratulating our newest Fellows: Joseph DeTemple, Iowa State University, Agronomy Melissa Vergara, Oregon State University, Botany and Plant Pathology Vipul Kumar, Iowa State University, Horticulture Alexander Fast, University of Florida, Plant Pathology Rogan Tokach, Auburn University, Entomology and Plant Pathology Harrison Smith, University of Arkansas, Environmental Dynamics Program Beatrice Robson, University of Georgia, Agricultural and Applied Economics Danielle Hopkins, Saint Louis University, Biology Tayin Wang, Colorado State University, Ecology Megan Mills Singletary, Texas Tech University, Plant and Soil Science Haylee Reisinger, Michigan State University, Animal Science Laura Schulz, Washington State University, Horticulture Sakshi Paudel, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Taynara Possebom, North Carolina State University, Entomology and Plant Pathology Olufunke (Ayegbidun) Robinson-Nweye, Washington State University, Crop and Soil Science Jesse Landesman, University of California, Santa Barbara, Geography Debarshi Dasgupta, North Dakota State University, Microbiological Sciences Chidimma Ifeh, Montana State University, Individual Interdisciplinary Program Hema Lingireddy, Purdue University, Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication Laissa Cavallini, North Carolina State University, Entomology and Plant Pathology Joy Amajioyi, Colorado State University, Agricultural Biology Sarah Brickman, UC Davis, Land, Air and Water Resources Selvin Carrillo, University of Georgia, Horticulture Paiton McDonald, Michigan State University, Animal Science Ryan Hamberg, Texas A&M University, Soil and Crop Science Maria Rottersman, University of California, Davis, Plant Sciences Hamid Habib Syed, Auburn University, Biosystems Engineering Letícia Santos, North Carolina State University, Agricultural and Biological Engineering SHALINI ETUKURI, Clemson University, Plant and Environmental Sciences Jessica Mehre, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Environment & Resources

We're thrilled to reveal the standout presentations from our 3-minute Lightning Talks! These talks were packed with compelling insights and innovative ideas. Congratulations to our winners! 🥇First Place: Samuele Lamon - "The Super Warrior Peanut: Solving Genetic Instability in Cultivated Peanut" 🥈Second Place: Riley Reed - "Honey Bee Feeds and High Quality Seeds" 🥉Third Place: Madeline Desjardins - "Super Poop: Closing the Loop for Soil Health" All top 10 talks selected from the many incredible submissions by our fellows can be viewed on our website. Thank you to everyone who participated and voted! Let's continue to drive innovation in food and agriculture together. https://lnkd.in/gFAu9d2r

"Keeping bees close to their fields is key to preventing unwanted hybridization," says FFAR Fellow Riley Reed from Washington State University. Riley's pioneering research focuses on enhancing honey bee nutrition during vegetable seed pollination. By using pollinator-friendly flowers and artificial feed supplements, he aims to boost crop yields and develop pollination practices. Discover more about Riley's groundbreaking work in his latest blog. https://lnkd.in/gYPc3Qkk