UC Davis and Universidad de La Salle students collaborated on a cacao project, fostering agricultural innovation and cultural exchange. A second project will focus on climate-smart cacao production and agroecology to strengthen Colombia’s food systems.
Marie Klein, a Ph.D. student in plant sciences at UC Davis, was named a 2023 Borlaug Scholar for her work in poplar genetics and renewable jet fuel. The award offers career mentoring and supports her global research goals.
A $2M USDA grant will fund research on grazing sheep in organic orchards to boost soil health, cut costs, and control pests. The UC Davis-led team will also create safety guidelines to address contamination concerns.
The Western IPM Center (Integrated Pest Management) received $1M in USDA funding to support sustainable pest control across 14 western states and U.S. territories. It connects researchers and stakeholders to tackle pests, improve food security, and share solutions.
UC Davis’ SCOPE program received a $2M USDA grant to expand student-led organic plant breeding. New crops, new partners, and collaboration with UC Santa Cruz aim to share the model and support organic agriculture across climates.
Graduate Student Research funding gave Mark Lundy the flexibility to pursue applied, industry-relevant agronomy. Now a UCCE associate professor, he leads efficient farming research and trains future agronomists at UC Davis.
UC Davis’ Taylor Lab received new DOE funding to grow poplar trees for sustainable jet fuel, helping reduce aviation emissions. Researchers study drought resilience, tree regrowth, and genes to support climate goals and farmer profits.
UC Davis researchers developed a crop rotation calculator to help California rice farmers manage drought and water scarcity. The tool offers projections on the economic impacts of rotating to less water-intensive crops, aiding growers in making informed decisions.
Travis Parker, UC Davis postdoctoral researcher, received a $20,000 grant to develop drought-resistant, high-quality organic legumes. His work aims to improve protein-rich crops for arid regions, enhancing both culinary appeal and food security.
UC Davis researchers Grey Monroe and Daniela Quiroz have received a $50,000 STAIR grant to develop a tool for studying DNA repair processes. Their research aims to create faster, more efficient ways to decode histone signals, potentially advancing health and agriculture.
