Erysian to speak at World Ag Expo global food security forum

(February 8, 2016) – Dr. Bill Erysian, Jordan College manager of grants and international projects, will take part in a global food security forum at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10 in the Heritage Complex banquet hall at the World Ag Expo in Tulare.

Erysian and select policymakers will speak to the local and global farm community about the important role U.S. agriculture plays in ensuring that the world produces enough food to feed an ever-growing population.

Besides coordinating Fresno State international education programs, Erysian has worked with the USDA’s ADAPT Foreign Agricultural Services program to train U.S. marines and government officials to promote agricultural self-sufficiency and food security in Afghanistan.

"Education is central to global food security," said Erysian, "including agriculture education for our own armed forces working around the globe side by side with local producers. Discussions like this are vital to getting the word out."

The presentation also includes U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden; California Cattle producer Jesse Larios of Foster Feed Yard; Gary Van Sickle, California Specialty Crop Council executive director; Dr. Stephanie Mercier, Farm Journal Foundation; and Mr. Tomas Oliva, Senior Field Representative for Rep. Juan Vargas.

"I've met many inspirational farmers from around the world, and while the languages we speak, the crops we grow, and the production methods we use may differ, one thing rings true in every conversation: we share the same passions and the same challenges in feeding a growing world population," said Krysta Harden, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.

The Farm Journal Foundation, the event sponsor, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining agriculture's ability to serve the vital needs of a growing world population with education and empowerment. Click here for more global food security forum and organization information.

At the three-day expo, Jordan College students and staff will also host the university’s information expo booth for prospective students, visitors and alumni from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday in the Hilvers Building.

Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro and Jordan College Interim Dean Sandra Witte will tour the expo Thursday and will host an “Ice Cream With the Dean”  at 10 a.m. at the Fresno State booth. Castro will also be interviewed live on the Ray Appleton Show from 11-11:30 a.m. Thursday at the KMJ News Talk Radio booth.

Among the 51 seminars offered at the event, Fresno State’s Center for Irrigation will host 10 seminars from 10 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. on Thursday. Each presentation will last 20 minutes and will feature information on innovative methods and products to increase area irrigation efficiency. A link to the entire seminar schedule is available here, and an irrigation seminar schedule is included below.

Bill Green, Fresno State Center for Irrigation Technology education specialist, will also host its mobile education unit exhibit in the PG&E Pavilion.

The world’s largest agricultural exposition expects to welcome 100,000 visitors from 50 counties to see the latest in farm equipment, chemicals, communications and technology from 1,500 exhibitors on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. More event information is available at www.WorldAgExpo.com .