On June 10, 2013, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack toured the USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory. Secretary Vilsack visited with ARS Scientists, Drs. Corby Kistler, Les Szabo, Matt Rouse, Yue Jin, Jim Kolmer and Research Leader Shahryar Kianian. The Secretary visited the molecular biology labs, and also the headhouse and greenhouse facilities. The Secretary examined plants with Fusarium head blight and wheat seedlings infected with rust. The Secretary expressed great interest and appreciation of the research efforts at the USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory.

Dr. Shahryar Kianian, Research Leader, and Secretary Vilsack discussing the greenhouse addition under construction at the CDL.

Dr. Corby Kistler discusses Fusarium head blight with Secretary Vilsack.

Dr. Les Szabo and Secretary Vilsack discuss current molecular research on rust pathogens.

Drs. Matt Rouse, Yue Jin and Jim Kolmer discuss cereal rusts with Secretary Vilsack.