State leaders in discuss plan for the future of Agriculture
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Local, state, and university agriculture leaders discussed problems, solutions, and hot topics in the industry.
From water, to climate, to artificial intelligence, Monday’s meeting served as a think tank for the state’s agriculture industry.
Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona all shared some of the work they are undergoing.
The Arizona Board of Regents has started this “Future of Arizona” series to tackle some hard-pressing industry issues.
“We don’t just have research projects from this professor at this university, and this one at that university, but how do we leverage the sort of the special abilities at each university,” said Paul Brierly, the director for the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
Arizona Senator Tim Dunn was also in attendance, and he shared some of the major talking points discussed amongst the group.
“What is the intensive farming that we’re doing, which we do with everything really good here in Yuma now, but what are we looking into the future. What is that going to have as we’re using less water for soil health, that’s one of the things, just health for employees is another potential, so we’re just collaborating with the universities, getting ideas together today,” Sen. Dunn says.
Fred DuVal, a member on the board of regents, shares how this meeting could lead to a grant that provides more funding for research in agriculture.
“This is really a pioneering grant in order to make an investment in agricultural sustainability that we hope will proliferate and grow into state wide support,” DuVal said.
This summer there will be a similar collaboration to address challenges facing forestry.