Message from Steven Waller, Dean of the UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Global food scarcity is not just about food production, it’s about education. It’s also about the socio-economic factors that make food accessible and affordable to everyone; it’s about health, poverty, and political stability – all serving to reinforce the complexities of the solutions and the importance of a university education at a Research One institution like the University of Nebraska.
Approximately one-third of the world’s population has had no formal classroom experience. Two-thirds of the world’s population has less than a sixth-grade education. Only 6.7% of the world’s population holds a bachelor’s degree (Harvard and the Asian Development Bank, 2010). And yet, we must double food production on a global basis to meet the population growth projected for 2050. That increased food production must occur without any new base resources, land or water – 70 percent of that increase in food production must come from innovations and technology efficiencies created through science.
Education is the key; it drives our science.
Nebraska’s citizens can be very proud of their investment in the University of Nebraska land-grant system and particularly the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) undergraduate education programs administered through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Seventy-three schools competed nationally for recognition as innovators in undergraduate education. Only 16 were selected. UNL is one of the 16 – the only land-grant institution. In fact, UNL is one of only five major research universities to be named ‘first tier’ for our innovative programs for undergraduate students. The other universities are:
- Duke University
- University of Michigan (non-land grant)
- University of Southern California
- State University of New York at Stony Brook
Our UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) scientists are among the most-cited agricultural scientists in the world.
Science Watch evaluated universities and research organizations based on the Essential Science Indicators (frequency research articles are cited by other authors) from 1998-2008. IANR ranked 17th in the world among all research organizations, 9th among American universities and 3rd in the Big Ten (Wisconsin, Penn State and UNL).
The state’s investment in Nebraska Innovation Campus and the promise that it holds to address life science issues will ensure UNL’s continued leadership in agricultural and natural resources research.
The power of a Research One institution that cares for and invests in its undergraduate education and fully integrates its research into the classroom is a synchronous education. UNL provides an education informed by its research. UNL engages its undergraduate students in the research and scholarship that will become the answers for tomorrow’s challenges. The scientists discovering the new knowledge are the same faculty members who teach, advise and mentor our undergraduate students, engage students in undergraduate research, advise student organizations and lead study-abroad tours.
New discovery and knowledge are always happening at UNL. And no graduates will be better prepared to embrace the challenges of food scarcity and other global problems than those graduating from CASNR.
The people that will solve the problems of food scarcity in 2050 are in colleges and high schools today. There is no reason why the next Norman Borlaug or Henry Beachell can’t be sitting in a classroom in a Nebraska high school or at UNL today; in fact there is every reason to expect that.
There truly is “No Place Like Nebraska”!
Articles
A Message From:
Facing the Global Food Challenge
A Place Without Limits: NU’s Leading Role in Ag Innovation – J.B. Milliken
“Ag is Sexy Again” as Global Need for Food Increases – Ronnie Green
Today’s Students – Learning to Solve the Challenge of Feeding the World – Steven Waller
Ag Researchers’ New Knowledge Benefits Nebraska, the World – Ron Yoder
“Failure is Not an Option” in Addressing Global Food Scarcity – Archie Clutter
Nebraska Innovation Campus Will Address Global Food Issues – Dan Duncan
Lenton the Founding Director of Daugherty Water for Food Institute – Roberto Lenton
Growing More Food with Less Water, Improving Global Water Condition – Marc Andreini
Dickey Reflects on Years as Dean of Extension – Elbert Dickey
Food Scarcity Information Dissemination Complex, Vital – Karen Cannon
Technology and Food
Driving Toward the Future of Biofuels, Molecular Nutrition – Paul Black
Nebraska – the Food Capital of the World? – Rolando Flores
Is a Fully-Sustainable World Within Reach? – Mark Burbach
Agricultural Efficiency Sustains Resources, Produces More – Roch Gaussoin
Technology, Teamwork and Stewardship Vital in Meeting 2050 Global Food Need – P. Stephen Baenziger
UNL Research, Extension Help Ag Producers Manage a Changing Climate – Suat Irmak
Protein Production Essential in Feeding the World – Matt Spangler
Nebraska’s Irrigation Research Goes Global – William Kranz
The Plight of the Honey Bee – Marion Ellis
Global Goal: Reducing Hunger, Ensuring Food Safety and Nutrition – Tim Carr
Society’s Health Reflects Changing Food Culture – Georgia Jones and Marilynn Schnepf
Steps to Building a Healthier World – Jean Ann Fischer
Economics of Food
Ag Economists – Working to Assure Abundant, Safe Food – Larry Van Tassell
Global Food Scarcity, Distribution, Roadblocks – Dennis Conley
Global Economics Research Explains Food Scarcity Challenges – Lilyan Fulginiti
World Food Supply Adequate, but Poverty is the Problem – Wes Peterson
Ag Land Reflects Value of Growing Food for the Future – Bruce Johnson
Strengthening World Economies, Increased Production Key to Food Challenges – Eric Thompson
There is No Place Like Nebraska for Meeting Food Challenges – Greg Ibach
A Land of Plenty – Exporting to the World Stan Garbacz – Stan Garbacz