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.

The rise of wastewater-based epidemiology, from the University of Arizona’s efforts to bring students safely back to campus to a widely adopted public health tool to stem the
outbreaks of the future, is the focus of Landmark Stories' new documentary film. #YCEDA collaborative efforts in bringing this tool to Yuma County are featured starting at 4:25.

Quantitative Assessments of Water & Salt Balance for Cropping Systems in Lower Colorado River Irrigation Districts, an ongoing collaborative research project coordinated by the University of Arizona’s Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA), is measuring the precise amount of water today’s crops use and studying the impacts of irrigation, crop rotation and fallowing on soil salinity. Members of the project team presented a research update at the 2022 #SWAG. Paul Brierley, YCEDA Executive Director, begins the presentation with an overview of the project. Dr.

It takes all of us to develop Desert Ag Solutions! Our sincere gratitude for your partnership and support. Warmest wishes to you and your family this holiday season.