fresno-state
Going Global at the World Ag Expo
February 27, 2013
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: ARI, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, center for irrigation technology, CIT, CSU Bakersfield, Fresno State, WRPI
Every February, 100,000 visitors from more than 70 countries flock to a small town in California’s Central Valley for the largest farm equipment and technology show in the world. Though its location may seem remote, the World Ag Expo takes place in one of our nation’s most important agricultural regions.
The CSU students and researchers that headed to the International Agri-Center in Tulare for this year’s expo Feb. 12-14 showcased some of what they do to help California maintain its status as an agricultural powerhouse.
A Research Update from the Grapevine
September 10, 2012
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: agriculture, ARI, Fresno State, wine
At Fresno State’s recent “Grape Day,” leaders in wine research discussed the fruits of their labor and kept local grape growers and winemakers up to date with some practical research. The campus also showcased its fabulous viticulture educational programs, which play a major role in the economy of the Central Valley, as well as the state.
California is America’s top wine producer and the world’s fourth leading producer after France, Italy and Spain. The Wine Institute reports that the industry generates a $61.5 billion annual economic impact to California.
Since winemaking is not an easy task, enologists (those who study the science of wine and wine-making) at Fresno State and other CSUs are developing practical research and fostering innovation to ensure that California continues to make the world’s finest wines. Here are a few of the projects featured at Grape Day that have the potential to make a major impact on California’s wine industry:
Learning by Teaching
July 6, 2012
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: chemistry, Fresno State, science education
Fresno State students teach science as they learn. Funded by an Engaged Department Implementation Grant, the undergraduates prepare demonstration experiments as part of the general education Chemistry and Society course, first-year general chemistry laboratories, and upper-division analytical chemistry course. In partnership with the local non-profit Discovery Science Center, the Fresno State Chemistry Department conducts one-hour labs throughout the academic year for kindergarten through 6th grade students. These events allow children the opportunity to learn from both CSU undergraduates and faculty.
Living for Science
January 12, 2012
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: biology, Biotechnology, CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge, CSUPERB, engineering, Fresno State, health, Humboldt State, Sacramento State, San Jose State, science education, stem cells, student research, workforce
The Twenty-Fourth Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium continued a proud tradition of bringing the CSU’s greatest minds in life science research, engineering and technological innovation. With more than 600 researchers, mentors, students and faculty from across the system, the yearly program provided an opportunity to build bridges on collaborative research, share educational practices and celebrate the achievements of CSU students and faculty.
No time went to waste during the symposium. Lunch featured faculty hosted topic tables, where a salad might be served with a side of bioengineering. Read more »
Shedding some light on watersheds
September 7, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: Fresno State, research, student research, Water, WRPI
It’s not a piece of farming equipment or something you might see in a neighbor’s backyard. A watershed actually refers to an area of land that collects and contains surface water and drains (or sheds) it off into the same place. Essentially, every bit of land is part of a watershed. So, you’re in a watershed right now.
For example, in California, a watershed could start with melting mountain snow that forms small streams, which eventually flow to a river. However, each watershed system is unique. The United States Geological Survey reports that there are nearly 200 watersheds in California alone.
Hook, Line and Sinkered into a Sea of Garbage
August 5, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: CSU East Bay, CSU Monterey Bay, CSU Stanislaus, fishes, Fresno State, marine, marine mammal center, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, ocean, predators, San Francisco State, San Jose State, Scaramento State
From ocean pollution to overfishing, human impacts have caused dramatic changes in coastal and marine ecosystems worldwide.
The toxic chemicals from oil spills or sewage disposal, slowly decomposing garbage and fishing gear left in the ocean are often the causes of sickness, injury and death to marine animals. Most of the waste humans produce on land eventually reaches the oceans, either through deliberate dumping or from run-off through rivers and drains. In fact, over 80 percent of marine pollution comes from land-based activities.
Since its establishment in 1966, the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) has executed in-depth marine science research and given students pursuing their Masters of Science degrees the hands-on education needed to excel in marine topics such as marine life decline.
Read more »
Duh-rrrripp. Duh-rrrripp. Grow. Grow.
June 28, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: agriculture, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Chico, Fresno State, irrigation, sustainability, Water, WRPI
Irrigation innovations conserve water, but need infrastructure, delivery systems to evolve
Stuart Styles knows drips better than just about anyone. He heads the Irrigation Training and Research
Center at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he is a professor of agricultural engineering.
In this podcast, Professor Styles, a member of the CSU’s Water Resources and Policy Initiatives, talks about drip irrigation and what transformations are needed to broaden its use – and conserve more water.
Styles, with more than 25 years’ of field experience in irrigation as a consultant and engineer, was honored in 2004 as the Irrigation Association’s Person of the Year.
(Podcast transcript follows at bottom of article.)
Read more »
Illustrating an eon – or a frog
April 29, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: Cal State L.A., community, CSU Chico, CSU East Bay, CSU Monterey Bay, CSU San Bernardino, Fresno State, Humboldt State, science education
Natural-history exhibits showcase CSU’s museum-quality talents
Expect to spot naturalists sketching on napkins – and fine art on the walls – at the opening reception for “Illustrating Nature” Friday, May 6.
The annual exhibit of work by students in the CSU Monterey Bay Science Illustration Program, it will be on display at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History through June 4. (The public is invited to an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at the museum, 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove.)
One of several current connections between CSU campuses and science museums, “Illustrating Nature” will display 63 artworks and sketchbooks depicting Costa Rican poison dart frogs, a gravel ghost wildflower, Neanderthal jewelry production and other phenomena and organisms. 
The detailed pieces are derived from pen and ink, scratchboard, colored pencil, watercolor, gouache, acrylic and digital media. Each piece is paired with a specimen from the museum’s collection.
From battlefields to farmers’ fields
April 27, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: agriculture, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Chico, Fresno State, Humboldt State, international
CSU helps USMC prepare soil, plant seeds for a safer Afghanistan;
pre-deployment ‘basic training’ in agriculture helps to counter insurgency
When the firefight abates amid the war zone in Afghanistan, some U.S. Marine Corps officers head off to nearby farms – armed with a basic training in agriculture provided by the California State University Consortium for International Development.
Along with improving quality of life and fostering good local governance, improving agricultural sustainability is a key goal of counter-insurgency efforts in embattled regions, said Bill Erysian, CID executive director.
“Agriculture is the number-one non-security issue facing Afghan peace and stability,” he said.
To help U.S. forces address it, CID developed a week-long training course called “Rapid Assessment of Farming Systems in Non-Secured Areas.” Presented last June at Fresno State, the course’s first graduates were 15 officers with the 11th Marine Regiment Civil Affairs Detachment, stationed at Camp Pendleton. They then deployed to Helmand Province; and they debriefed Erysian and his colleagues when they returned to the U.S. Read more »
Where Research Waters Flow
March 9, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: agriculture, CSU San Bernardino, Fresno State, research, Water, WRPI
From floods to droughts, from ag to urban,
WRPI links CSU expertise to hydro issues
By Sean Kearns, CSU Public Affairs
Ask David Zoldoske, “What’s the biggest misconception Californians have about water?”
Before taking half a breath, he’ll tell you: “That we have enough of it. Absolutely. That’s it.”
Zoldoske is executive director of the California State University’s Water Resources Policy Inititatives, a systemwide multidisciplinary network that brings CSU expertise and resources to bear upon key issues of water management, policy and quality. Read more »
