SU Ag Center to Hold Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium, Nov. 8-9

Scientists and professionals who are working on the frontlines of Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity research will gather for a Symposium at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge on November 8-9 to uncover potential threats to our nation’s natural resources and agriculture.


“This symposium features presentations and demonstrations from researchers at universities and federal and state agencies who are monitoring high consequence plant pathogens, insect pests, and invasive weeds that threaten our nation’s food security and renewable natural resources,” said Daniel Collins, professor of plant pathology and symposium organizer.

Workshop topics include: Graduate Student Poster Session on Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity; Global Challenges of Invasive Species to our Forest Ecosystems; Strategies for Safeguarding American Plant Resources; Global Food Security and Food Safety; Special Session on Contributions of Dr. George Washington Carver to Global Food Security; History of African Americans in Plant Pathology; Educational and Career Opportunities in Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity; Hands-on Demonstrations for K-12 Students, Parents, and Teachers in Global Food Security; Mollusk Detection using Canine Demonstration: USDA National Detector Dog Training Center.

A special session will discuss the contributions of Dr. George Washington Carver to Global Food Security, highlighting the historical and scientific significance of Dr. Carver’s Fungal Specimens he collected as a Collaborator for the Mycology and Plant Disease Survey, USDA Bureau of Plant Industry 1935-43. A display will feature a variety of archival data such as the correspondence between Dr. Carver and the USDA mycologists concerning the survey, digital copies of the fungal specimens, and publications.

The symposium is free and open to the public and media. Registration form, locations and schedules are posted online at http://www.urbanforestry.subr.edu/biosecurity.htm

The Global Food Security and Plant Biosecurity Symposium is sponsored by a grant awarded to Collins by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture 1890 Teaching Capacity Building Grants Program for Graduate Education and Training in Global Food Security and Agricultural Bio-Security.

For more information, contact Collins at (225) 771-0218 or Daniel_Collins@subr.edu

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-University-Ag-Center/67357504781

Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714
bridget_udoh@suagcenter.com