Dr. Sadhana Ravishankar gives an overview of a project that YCEDA collaborated on with researchers at the University of Arizona School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences (UA-ACBS) and Texas A&M University to address critically important melon issues. Goals included developing melon varieties that appeal to consumers while minimizing food safety risks.

Our 2022 Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) Workshop was held on August 17, 2022. The Ag industry came together to learn more about detection and management of INSV.

Timestamps of the agenda are provided below:

Epidemiology of Impatiens necrotic spot orthotospovirus - Dr. Bindu Poudel-Ward: 00:16

Grower Perspective on INSV in CA - Tony Alameda: 00:25:37

2022 Update on Thrips and INSV in the Salinas Valley - Dr. Daniel Hasegawa: 00:43:30

Impact and Management of Western Flower Thrips and INSV in Desert Lettuce - Dr. John Palumbo: 1:06:31

YCEDA collaborated with scientists at the University of Arizona School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences (UA-ACBS) and Texas A&M University on a 4-year USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative project to address critically important melon issues. “Table to Farm: A Sustainable Systems-based Approach for a Safer and Healthier Melon Supply Chain in the U.S.” was led by a team of specialized melon researchers and breeders and food safety experts. A hybrid workshop was held at the University of Arizona on 7/21/22 to share key learnings and project outcomes.

Arizona Town Hall

Moderator: Paul Brierley, Executive Director, Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture PANELISTS * Randy Bache, Chief Operations Officer, JV Smith Companies/El Toro Agricola * Jaime Chamberlain, President, Chamberlain Distributing, Inc.; Secretary, Arizona-Mexico Commission * Wade Noble, Attorney, Noble Law Office; Member, Colorado River Citizens Forum, International Boundary and Water Commission * John Boelts, 1st Vice President, Arizona Farm Bureau

Paul Brierley, executive director of the UArizona's Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, presented about the wastewater surveillance program in Yuma that was established during the COVID pandemic.

Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) was detected on lettuce in the desert in the spring of 2021. In response, projects were developed to better understand the dynamics of INSV in the desert and to provide management strategies to lettuce growers. In this video, you’ll find a summary of our past projects and continuing work with our collaborators. Our next INSV workshop will be on August 17, 2022.