- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The director of the UC Agricultural Issues Center, Dan Sumner, has become something of a regular in the news. When media call me for an ag expert, I frequently refer them to Sumner, since he is readily available and willing to supply informed comment.
Here are some examples of recent Sumner quotes:
In an AP story just this week, Sumner commented about California growers who are cashing in on China's increasing wealth and growing hunger for table grapes, almonds and other high-quality fruits and nuts that don't grow as well in the Asian nation. "There's a big enough group of people...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
It may not have quite the dramatic impact as Vitamin C on scurvy or iodine on rickets, but scientists are making another connection between a dietary deficiency and a dreaded disease. The condition is asthma and according to a research article in the most recent issue of UC's California Agriculture journal, a deficiency in dietary magnesium could be related.
California Agriculture editor Janet Byron distributed a news release today about the report that also touches on the disease's connection with obesity and offers hope to people with asthma.
"Replacing low-magnesium foods with...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
You might say UC Cooperative Extension has its very own "News of the Weird." UCCE farm advisor Michelle LeStrange wrote about corn smut in a recent column for the Visalia Times-Delta. Unlike most stories about controlling what is viewed a "pest," she writes that the ugly bluish galls that may be found on home-grown corn can actually be considered a delicacy.
The condition is common corn smut.
"In Central and South America there has long been a tradition of eating corn smut (huitlacoche or cuitlacoche); farmers there receive a premium price for their infected...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
North Texas e-News ran a press release this week about the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources vice president for administration's new position at Southern Methodist University. Beginning Sept. 1, Christine Casey will be the vice president for business and finance at SMU.
"SMU is a perfect fit for me with my background and experience,” Casey is quoted in the release. “I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with Dr. (Gerald) Turner (SMU president) and the students, faculty and staff at SMU.”
The story reported that, since 2005, Casey has had oversight and management of ANR administrative functions....
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
We couldn't have said it better ourselves. An article posted yesterday on the AgAlert Web site, titled "Farmers and UC researchers make a great team," outlines the working relationships that UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors have forged with the state's farmers.
Writer Ching Lee, the assistant editor at AgAlert, begins the story with the Mellano farm family in San Diego County. Michael Mellano and his wife Valerie are both UC Riverside-educated plant pathologists. Valerie Mellano is an environmental issues advisor for the UCCE in San Diego County.
"The impact that the...