Special report: CSU researchers examine the future of agriculture
Contact for reporters:
Jennifer Dimas
(970) 988-4265
jennifer.dimas@colostate.edu
CSU is leading the way in agricultural research and innovation
Colorado State University has been connected to agriculture from the very beginning. It was right there in the school’s original name in 1870: Colorado Agricultural College. But recognizing the importance of agriculture technology, research and education is not a thing of the past at CSU; the University’s deep Aggie roots and land-grant mission are as important today as ever — integral to navigating complex problems as a changing climate affects our ability to sustainably produce high-quality, nutritious food.
An estimated 600 million people will be chronically undernourished by 2030, according to a recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. What’s more, with a growing population expected to near 10 billion by 2050, the challenge of feeding the world isn’t getting easier. And yet, researchers across every college at CSU are engaged in finding solutions of all shapes and sizes — combating declining crop yields, improving the health of poor soils, overcoming insufficient investments in agricultural research and mitigating the far-reaching impacts of a warmer, drier climate.
This special report from SOURCE explores the breadth of multidisciplinary, agricultural work happening at CSU — a place where researchers, students and food producers can all gather around a kind of university-wide table to acknowledge the vital importance of ag in Colorado and beyond.
This interactive package features videos, a podcast, expert interviews and in-depth stories that examine the opportunities and challenges facing the agricultural industry. “The Future of Ag is Now” is part of an ongoing monthly enterprise reporting initiative by CSU’s Division of Marketing and Communications. Past packages have focused on wildfires and artificial intelligence.
Agriculture experts: CSU researchers able to discuss issues surrounding modern ag, soil carbon storage, food systems and more
Continuing to feed the world’s growing population will be one of society’s biggest challenges, and Colorado State University scientists are paving the way in engineering innovative solutions in the field of modern agriculture. From regenerative agriculture to agrivoltaics to nitrogen cycling to food justice, CSU experts can offer a variety of perspectives on a wide range of issues. read more
NSF-backed research seeks to provide new, precise irrigation tools to producers
An interdisciplinary team of researchers at CSU are working with farmers to proactively schedule and better monitor irrigation use in their fields using sensors, satellite imagery and deep learning technology. read more
Cattle and climate change: A conversation about the importance of measuring cattle methane emissions
A wicked problem. That’s how Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, director of CSU’s AgNext program, describes the challenge of meeting the nutritional needs of a growing population and ensuring food production is resilient, even with limited resources. read more
CSU’s The Audit Podcast: If the wells run dry
John Tracy, director of the Colorado Water Center, and Jordan Suter, a professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, spoke with The Audit about the study and the complicated history of the compact. read more
Not so sweet: Extension entomologist seeks solutions for corn calamity
Colorado State University Extension researchers Melissa Schreiner and Melissa Franklin have been working with growers to understand the corn earworm and how to stop it before it threatens the future of sweet corn in Colorado. read more
Managing manure: How a CSU student’s invention could improve the No. 2 problem in stockyards for humans, animals and the planet
During her first year at Colorado State University, Valeria Quintero-Segura went on a tour of CSU’s Agricultural Research and Development Center and noticed a particular problem: poop. read more
Soil health movement takes root in Colorado
Researchers in CSU’s Department of Soil and Crop Sciences are partnering with the new Saving Tomorrow’s Agricultural Resources program to help Colorado farmers and ranchers improve their land for future generations. read more
What is the biggest challenge facing the future of agriculture?
Given CSU’s breadth of expertise in all-things agriculture — from the College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering and the Office of Extension and Engagement — we asked faculty to consider this important question. read more
Who is the future of agriculture?
SOURCE asked six students why they were attracted to pursuing careers in this field, what impact they hope to have and what makes them optimistic about the future of agriculture. read more