University of Minnesota

The Impact of Research on International Agriculture

"What a day? Wonderful symposium! Graduate students of plant pathology, U of M did a wonderful job! Congratulations!..."
Dr. Sung Soo Kim, Visiting Professor of Agricultural Education, Seoul National University

Overview

Judging from comments given by a diverse audience, the 1999 Graduate Student Symposium entitled "Impacts of Research on International Agriculture" was a great success. Introduced by Dr. Steven Clarke, Director of International Agricultural Programs, the symposium consisted of ten internationally recognized speakers discussing four main topics: Benefits of International Collaborations; International Agricultural Programs at the University of Minnesota; Resources Available for International Agriculture; and The Future of International Agriculture. Three of the speakers were brought in special for the symposium. These were: Dr. Greg Forbes, Senior Scientist for the International Potato Program (Ecuador); Dr. Malcom Iles, Executive Secretary of IPM Europe (United Kingdom); and Dr. Emmy Simmons, Foreign Affairs Officer for USAID (Washington D.C.).

Schedule

Benefits of International Collaboration

Motivations, Purposes and Benefits of International Agriculture
Dr. Benjamin Senauer, Professor of Agricultural Economics

Support for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a component of Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. Malcom Iles, Economist and Executive Secretary for IPM Europe

International Programs at the University of Minnesota

The Bean/Cowpea CRSP (Collaborative Research Support Program) in Ecuador
Dr. Peter Graham, Professor of Soil Sciences
Consuelo Estevez de Jensen, Principle Investigator (Host Country)

International Collaboration in Plant Disease Diagnosis: a Two-way Street
Dr. Benham Lockhart, Professor of Plant Pathology
The Uruguay- University of Minnesota Project
Dr. Deon Stuthman, Professor of Agronomy

Resources Available for International Agriculture

The Role of USAID and the Resources for International Agriculture
Dr Emmy Simmons, Foreign Affairs Officer for US-AID

Tapping the Funding Networks
Dr. John Vreyens, Training Coordinator for Intn'l Agric. Programs (U of M)

Future of International Agriculture

Managing Late Blight of in the Next Century
Dr. Greg Forbes, Senior Scientist for International Potato Program (Ecuador)

The Transition to Agricultural Sustainability: Is There Time?

Dr. Vernon W. Ruttan, Regents Professor of Economics and Agricultural Economics

Countless hours were required to pull off the symposium as at least 24 volunteers from our department pulled together to execute the program. Activities included raising over $5000.00 for expenses, providing snacks and beverages for the two breaks and one social, setting up the rooms and audiovisual equipment, making travel arrangements for three guest speakers and so much more. (For future reference, a book was established detailing the activities involved in setting up the symposium.) Every speaker and volunteer deserves praise for this year's symposium.

Committee members: Alan Dyer, Consuelo Estevez de Jensen, Gacheri Muriuki, and Silvia Pereyra

Sponsors by

Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA)
Department of Plant Pathology
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Saint Paul Board of Colleges
Office of International Programs
Initiative of the University of Minnesota in Partnership with Coca-Cola