UArizona Commission Releases Report on the Future of Food
On Wednesday, August 30, the University of Arizona Presidential Advisory Commission on the Future of Agriculture and Food Production in a Drying Climate released a report outlining recommendations for actions the university can take to address threats to agriculture and food production in Arizona and semi-arid regions throughout the world. After six months of consultation with experts and stakeholders, the Commission produced recommendations that aim to build university infrastructure and strengthen engagement to realize solutions. "By developing solutions in Arizona, we can provide a lot of good resources and information for the rest of the world," said Laura Condon, report co-author and commission co-chair. "The university specifically stands out in arid landscapes for having this great history of agricultural production and research that goes across technical solutions, water resources and policy. Our goal is to bring people together around the strengths we already have." The report outlines five recommended actions: 1. Create an Institute for Sustainable Food, Water and Agriculture Systems; 2. Create a Center for Soil Health; 3. Create technology and innovation hubs at the Maricopa, Yuma, and Campus Agricultural Centers, and Biosphere 2; 4. Expand partnerships with Tribal agriculture; 5. Establish new and strengthen existing collaborations with institutions in arid regions around the world.