Food & Agriculture

Harnessing machine learning and big data to fight hunger

A group of Cornell researchers has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development to use machine learning to rapidly analyze agricultural and food market conditions, aiming to better predict poverty and undernutrition in some of the world’s poorest regions.

Dairy, food safety expert James White dies at 101

James C. White ‘39, Ph.D. ’44, professor emeritus in the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, died Oct. 2 at his home in Ithaca.

Freshman recognized for irrigation project with Nepalese women

For her work on color-powered irrigation with Nepalese women, Cornell freshman Isabella Culotta received the 2018 Elaine Szymoniak Award at the 2018 World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa.

Faculty receive funding to study organic foods

Researchers have been granted nearly $1.4 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for research to bolster the success of organic farmers.

Cornellians use their education to serve fellow Africans

Cornellians Stephen Mugo, Ph.D. ’99, and former postdoctoral student Sylvester Oikeh came full circle recently when they returned to the university Oct. 7 to share the story of how they’ve used their education for humanitarian purposes in Africa.

Ezra

Grass genes tapped to breed better crops

Cornell researchers will tap into genetic information found in more than 700 species of related grasses to improve maize and sorghum, thanks to a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

Students tidy campus natural areas with a ‘green up’

Members of the Society for Natural Resources Conservation and other groups tidied campus at Green Up Cornell on Oct. 13.

Essentials

Data project to support smallholder farmers with goal of ending hunger

An initiative with Cornell leadership seeks to use data to fight food insecurity and map out what these solutions cost.

Business bootcamp helps vets launch startups

Veterans from around the country recently learned about topics from digital media strategy to financing at the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, hosted by the School of Hotel Administration.