food security: the role of research

Food Security: the Role of Research

Agribusiness Track InstituteNevada Economic Development Conference

21 September 2016

Dr. Beverly Ausmus RamseyExecutive Director, Earth & Ecosystem Sciences

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Since 1959, striving to understand earth systems complexity, describe ecosystem dynamics, solve environmental health problems and foster economic development

DRI = Science Serving Humanity

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Research Applied to Nevada Agribusiness

• Innovation --- Advanced Analytics Applications

• Growth --- Effectiveness & Efficiency Enhancements

• Opportunities --- Products & Workforce Development

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Research --- Summary Case Studies

• Monitoring, Measuring and Forecasting

• Enhancing Agribusiness Effectiveness & Efficiency

• Developing Products & Employees

• Partnering with Businesses, Agencies, Educators

No problem unsolveable, no project too small

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Monitoring, Measuring and Forecasting

Communicating, forecasting & improving response

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Monitoring, Measuring and Forecasting

capturing nitrogen

monitoring conditions

understanding processes

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Enhancing Agribusiness Effectiveness & Efficiency

LiDAR Data Analysis – Wabuska, NV

Water Transaction Mapping - Mason Valley, NV

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Enhancing Agribusiness Effectiveness & Efficiency

Agroecosystems Analysis & Optimization = Decision-Support for Farmers

using wastesTo reduce costs,Create products

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Developing Products & Workforce Development

DRI applies research to make products, solve problems, develop the next generation

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Developing Products & Workforce Readiness

design

forecast and deploy resources

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Developing Products & Workforce Development

• Testing the use of natural minerals/materials for Water Conservation

• Evaluating alternative high value drought resistant crops

• Use of biochar or refractory carbonite for soil amendation

• Development of high bio-complexity low external input urban gardens

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Developing Products & Employees

• Built team with Drone America, AviSight, and DRI• Developed payload, integrated manned/unmanned operations• Integrated DRI and DA technology; numerous test flights• DRI-NIAS Test Site Node• FAA requested to partner for Advanced Research Project

GOED Funded UAS Cloud Seeding: Year I Results

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Partnering with Bus

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Partnering with Businesses, Communities, Agencies, Educators

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Partnering with Businesses, Agencies, Educators

DRC is a DRI Foundation-owned Nevada Chapter C Corporation

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Partnering with Businesses, Agencies, Educators

STEM Education

DRI GreenPower GreenBoxes

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Nevada’s Research Engine

www.dri.edu

Beverly.Ramsey@dri.edu

may we collaborate?