The University of California, Riverside, has been awarded $1.5 million in grants from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to lead three interconnected projects aimed at transforming California’s specialty crop farming. The initiatives focus on youth engagement, sustainable waste management, and advanced agricultural technologies.
“These multidisciplinary projects are designed to address complex food system challenges by integrating diverse perspectives,” said Deborah Pagliaccia, a professional researcher in the UCR Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and co-principal investigator of the grants. “They aim to foster a learning environment where students and stakeholders contribute to a cohesive curriculum that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.”
Each of the three projects has received about $498,000 in funding and will integrate education, research, and practical application to help shape a sustainable future for global food systems…