ARS scientists, Dr. Kluepfel and Dr. Sudarshana, hosted members of Agriculture Future of America (AFA) on July 22, 2019 to provide students with insights into specialty crop production in California. Participants had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Armstrong field station to visit greenhouse and field operations to explore opportunities in orchard production systems.  The AFA students gained insights and increased their understanding of sustainable agriculture through hands-on experience while learning fundamentals of specialty crop production.

Students visiting with USDA ARS scientist to learned about career and leadership development opportunities in the USDA, ARS.   Students also had a chance to take a behind-the-scenes look at the diversity of career options in agriculture that range from future farmers, biologists, chemists, and plant pathologists.

 

Dr. Kluepfel demonstrates the ways plant pathologists help to design disease management strategies to limit grower losses due to the major soil borne pathogens in California.