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Sorghum can improve food security

As climate change continues to impact agricultural productivity worldwide, finding resilient and adaptable crops is crucial for long-term food security. Sorghum emerges as a shining solution – a crop that’s so hardy it’s almost a victim of its own success. It takes very little water and grows well in various soils. Offering numerous benefits that make it a reliable and sustainable option for regions facing climate challenges, sorghum has the potential to transform diets, support smallholder farmers and promote sustainable farming practices worldwide.

The Sorghum United Foundation’s goal is to promote greater awareness of our grain among consumers and producers. We believe in the positive impacts of sorghum in both human and animal diets, renewable industry processes, and as a climate-smart option for farmers who value water conservation, soil health and carbon sequestration. Its adaptability and drought tolerance are two of the many reasons we believe sorghum is a wonderful tool for places facing climate challenges, where other grains have failed.

Sorghum and millets have the ability to combat malnutrition due to being extremely nutritive. We know from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations that 20.3 percent of children under the age of 5 experience stunting in both their brains and bodies. That’s almost a quarter of the world’s children. If we can combat that by inserting these grains – whether it’s in porridge, snack foods or any foods that kids find appealing – we can truly make a major difference.

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How women saved agricultural economics and other ideas for why diversity matters | Jill J. McCluskey

Video: How women saved agricultural economics and other ideas for why diversity matters | Jill J. McCluskey

Dr. Jill J. McCluskey, Regents Professor at Washington State University and Director of the School of Economic Science

Dr. McCluskey documents that women entered agricultural economics in significant numbers starting in the 1980s, and their ranks have increased over time. She argues that women have increased the relevance in the field of agricultural economics through their diverse interests, perspectives, and experiences. In their research, women have expanded the field's treatment of non-traditional topics such as food safety and nutrition and environmental and natural resource economics. In this sense, women saved the Agricultural Economics profession from a future as a specialty narrowly focused on agricultural production and markets. McCluskey will go on to discuss some of her own story and how it has shaped some of her thinking and research. She will present her research on dual-career couples in academia, promotional achievement of women in both Economics and Agricultural Economics, and work-life support programs.

The Daryl F. Kraft Lecture is arranged by the Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, with the support of the Solomon Sinclair Farm Management Institute, and in cooperation with the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.