Yoder: IANR's broad range of work making an impact at home and abroad

August 17, 2016

Lincoln, Neb. — The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is making great strides with the abundant agricultural and natural resources available in Nebraska. From basic plant and animal research, through production systems, harvest, processing, human consumption and behavioral choices, the continuum in which IANR works is vast and sophisticated, IANR Interim Vice Chancellor Ron Yoder told faculty and staff Aug. 16.

“In the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, we do a very broad range of work within the context of a healthy environment,” Yoder told assembled guests during the IANR All Hands Meeting. The meeting is held twice per year as an opportunity to discuss current successes and goals for the future.

Many of the areas in that continuum are represented at Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC). For example, UNL has partnered with industry partners such as ConAgra Foods, Kellogg’s, Hershey’s and Cargill to launch the Alliance for Advanced Food Sanitation, based at the Food Innovation Center. The goal of the Alliance is to conceptualize, create and disseminate improved sanitation approaches and practices. Angela Anandappa was recently named the founding director of the Alliance.

The Alliance builds upon the existing strength of The Food Processing Center, which has progressed beyond providing basic support services to individual entrepreneurs and small companies, now also focuses on bigger projects in applied research. The Food Allergy Research and Resource Program takes a comprehensive approach, working with and collaborating with research institutions, governmental authorities, consumer groups and scientific societies around the globe to share knowledge to improve the safety of food products for consumers with food allergies and sensitivities.

“The goal is to establish Nebraska as a leader in food manufacturing innovation,” Yoder said.

The Biotech Connector is a partnership between UNL, NIC, Invest Nebraska, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Bio Nebraska that will develop and utilize 10,000 sq. ft. of the Food Innovation Center at NIC. The Biotech Connector will allow someone with a biotechnology idea but no lab, to come in and rent space. Biotech Connector’s research space will support the growing biotech industry in the state.

Research will play a significant role in the success of these partnerships and IANR is in a position to meet the need. IANR received 45 percent of UNL’s total sponsored research funding during the past fiscal year. This comes when UNL’s sponsored research funding has reached a record high, increasing more than 12 percent compared to the previous year to $146.9 million. The impacts of that research stretch across Nebraska and the globe.

“We are a group of very fortunate people doing meaningful work that is making a difference in the world,” Yoder said. In recent years IANR has developed strong, multidimensional institutional partnerships in diverse locations around the world.

“It’s a global economy,” Yoder said. “A significant part of the exports from the United States, approximately 30 percent, are agricultural in nature so it’s important for our students and faculty to be engaged in international work.” Nebraska agricultural exports rank fifth nationally at $7 billion. Two major educational initiatives of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at UNL are in China, and in Rwanda.

The Department of Food Science and Technology at UNL recently launched a 3+1 program with Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University in Yangling, China, in which students earn degrees from both NWAFU and UNL. Participating students will study in China for three years using the UNL curriculum, partly taught by UNL faculty, and come to UNL to study for their final year. The first group of 55 NWAFU students will arrive at UNL in 2018.

The CASNR Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Rwanda began last year with seven Rwandan students coming to UNL to study in CASNR. This year, there will be an additional 49 Rwandan students enrolled in CASNR.

“The end goal of the program is really admirable, to develop a college of agriculture in Rwanda,” said Yoder. “They’re building capacity by sending students to UNL where they will get their degree in agricultural sciences, and then return to Rwanda and be the building blocks to develop that college.”

The IANR Office of Global Engagement is also fostering opportunities for international partnerships by assisting faculty in its International Impact Award Program and in obtaining USDA grants in Rwanda, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania and Indonesia. The office is also involved in planning with the government of Argentina to develop additional irrigated land, a project initiated when UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green visited Argentina earlier this year.

While IANR is seizing international opportunities, it is still focused on what’s happening closer to home. One way IANR is reaching Nebraskans across the state is through Nebraska Extension. During the all hands meeting Yoder outlined a new structure for extension, introducing the plan for the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center. The center headquarters will be at the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead and will be composed of three extension districts; Northeast, Southeast and Metropolitan, which includes the counties of Dodge, Washington, Douglas, Sarpy, Cass and Lancaster. The restructuring will not reduce funding to any of the impacted areas, but rather use it more efficiently. The plan goes before the Board of Regents for approval in the coming month.

Along with new partnerships, research opportunities and extension updates, Yoder shared several stories about the outstanding students IANR is impacting every day. CASNR undergraduate enrollment for the 2016-17 school year is projected to increase for the 12^th consecutive year.

CASNR students will soon notice significant changes to the East Campus landscape. A 370-bed residence hall is currently being built to the east of the Nebraska East Union. The hall is scheduled to be available for the fall semester of 2017. Construction is also in progress on the Veterinary Diagnostic Center which the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will occupy next summer.

Yoder also detailed plans for the renovations to C.Y. Thompson Library, the Nebraska East Union and Food Industries Complex, which when complete, will form a new, lively space in the middle of East Campus which will be called Legacy Plaza. The space will include options for food, gathering and live events.

“We want Legacy Plaza to be the heartbeat of East Campus,” Yoder said.

IANR faculty and staff across Nebraska were able to watch the all hands meeting live online. To view a full recording of the meeting, visit http://ianr.unl.edu/all-hands-meetings.