DIVISION OF RESEARCH * OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOOTE-HILYER ADMINISTRATION CENTER, SUITE 410 WWW.FAMU.EDU (CLICK ON CURRENT RESEARCH) OR CALL 850.412.5102 RESEARCH REVELATIONS™ February (Black History Month) 2016 RESEARCH REVELATIONS™ is designed to highlight the research community at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). Please submit your information to: [email protected]. RESEARCH SNAPSHOT The role of informal trade in the modern agri-food chain system. The goal of income. This study was funded by the production efficiency of small scale this study was to analyze technical efficiency Chilean Ministry of Agriculture. raspberry producers in Chile (TE) levels for small-scale raspberry farmers Provided by Cynthia M. Lamb Portalatín in the Maule region of Chile, the main Coordinator Research Programs/Services production area for this crop in the country. College of Agriculture and Food Sciences “One focus of this study was to evaluate the Agribusiness Program association between TE -understood as an Leader and assistant indicator of managerial performance and professor Daniel farmers’ decisions to sell their production Solís, Ph.D., recently directly to the agri-industry or indirectly collaborated with an through an informal middleman,” said Solis economist from the who is part of the faculty at Florida A&M University of University’s College of Agriculture and Food Connecticut and the Sciences. “Using a stochastic production University of Talca in Chile to study the role of frontier model, the researchers found that the informal trade in the efficiency of small-scale commercialization decision plays an raspberry producers in Central Chile. important role in the productivity and revenue of small-scale raspberry producers.” Raspberry production has become a significant cash crop that supports the The analysis also revealed a positive Daniel Solis, Ph.D., Agribusiness Program livelihood of many small-scale growers in relationship between TE levels and income Leader and Assistant Professor for Central Chile. Almost 100 percent of among experienced and trained farmers. The Agribusiness in the College of Agriculture and raspberry production is exported, and the study also analyzed the role of implementing Food Sciences cultivation of this crop has put pressure on food quality and safety standards on farm smallholder farmers to integrate into the FAMU’s aggressive research strategy FAMU can compete against other larger Climate Change in Paris, France recently. As prompts big prize universities with double the faculty and an FCI representative, Mbuya was able to continue to produce cutting million edge showcase climate change milestones research at ever increasing levels.” confirming the commitment to address issues Posted by: Carma Henry In: Local News | related to climate at national and global levels. While FAMU scientist participates in historic In the late ‘90’s there was an effort to restrict Paris Climate Change Conference FAMU’s academic focus to undergraduate studies only. Then President Frederick Mbuya, program leader of Agronomy, Soil Humphries successfully stopped that effort and Water Sciences at the College of and kept the university on the re-search path. Agriculture and Food Sciences and faculty “Our current position is directly linked to the director of the Sustainability Institute met with efforts of previous leaders and faculty former Vice President Al Gore and US scholars. We can stand on their shoulders Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell. He gave and move this university forward and solve them the FCI statement commitment to some of the nation’s most vexing scientific climate change. Excerpts of the statement are problems,” Moore said. as follows; Meanwhile, Moore attributes the new status “We recognize the urgent need to act now to to the dramatic increase in research awards. avoid irreversible costs to our global com- FAMU research began the new fiscal year munity’s economic prosperity and public Above: Professor Mbuya (c) and Vice with a marked increase in research awards of health and are optimistic that world leaders President Al Gore (r). $27.9 million in the first quarter of the fiscal will reach an agreement to secure a transition year 2015 – 2016 more than doubling awards to a low carbon future. Today our school Florida A&M University was awarded from the same period in the previous pledges to accelerate the transition to low- advanced research status earlier this year. year. The total research awards in fiscal year carbon energy while enhancing sustainable The university is now a Carnegie Level II High 2014-2015 were $47 million. and resilient practices across our campus.” Activity Research University. The designation places FAMU among the nation’s larger Florida A&M University Professor Odemari Mbuya also met with high ranking officials predominantly white institutions and that Mbuya, Ph.D., was the FAMU representative from the Government of India. India is willing distinction is significant, according to FAMU for the Florida Climate Change Institute at the to establish a recruitment center for FAMU for Vice President for Research Timothy Moore, United Nations Framework Convention on students interested in advanced degrees. Ph.D., “Our faculty are demonstrating that Page 2 FAMU Promotes Climate Action Conference of the Parties 21st (COP21) she pledged that FAMU will develop a Initiatives convening, where he gave a presentation. Climate Action Plan by May 2016, make carbon neutrality and climate resilience a part As part of the Historically Black Colleges and By Domonique Davis Community Feature, of the curriculum, expand research in climate Universities (HBCU) Climate Change News, Research, STEM, Students science, and establish community Initiative, political science professor John partnerships to implement strategies for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Warford, Ph.D., accompanied FAMU reducing carbon dependency on campus and (FAMU) President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., environmental and political science students in the surrounding community. recently sent a letter to U.S. President Barack who traveled to Paris to participate in COP21. Obama pledging to solidify FAMU as a In addition to encouraging University leading university in climate action. participation in climate action on a global scale, Mangum is also dedicated to making all FAMU campuses more environmentally conscious. Her efforts include signing the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in January 2014; FAMU’s participation in the Better Buildings Challenge, committing to ensure all buildings on campus are 20 percent more energy efficient within 10 years; and the establishment of the FAMU Sustainability Institute (FAMU-SI), which is tasked with coordinating the implementation of broad Odemari Mbuya, Ph.D. and Simone English, social, environmental, and economic doctoral student sustainability programs. “Although we are In her letter, Mangum applauded President optimistic that world leaders will reach an Obama for the progress made to promote agreement to secure a transition to a low- Political science professor John Warford, clean energy and climate action before the carbon future, we recognize the urgent need Ph.D., (center) accompanied FAMU United Nations Climate Negotiations that took to act now to avoid irreversible costs to our environmental and political science students place in Paris in November. To ensure global community’s economic prosperity and who traveled to Paris to participate in COP21. FAMU’s active participation in climate change public health,” Mangum said in the letter. discourse, FAMU Sustainability Institute Mangum is among 600 college and university (FAMU-SI) Faculty Director Odemari Mbuya presidents and chancellors who have travelled to Paris to attend the United Nations committed their institutions to take bold and Framework Climate Change Convention catalytic climate actions. As part of Mangum’s climate leadership commitment, Page 3 the application packet and determine Other Important if this program is right for you. If any questions come up, please email Dates to Remember Executive Director Ron Miller. February 16, 2016: TechGrant Download the 2016 Innovation Park Application Orientation, 4 p.m., TechGrant Application Packet Knight Administrative Centre, 1736 W. Paul Dirac Drive TechGrant A March 14, 2016: Applications due (Note: Only complete Visit Our Website applications will be considered. Application must include: Application Form, Company 850.575.0343 | [email protected] | Profile, signed Applicant www.lcrda.org Agreement, Business and Commercialization Plan and, if appropriate, Prior Grant Application Orientation Recipient Form.) Scheduled for February STAY CONNECTED: April 11, 2016: Finalists announced 16 Mark your calendars! The application May 19, 2016: Elevator Pitch orientation session is scheduled for Night event, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., February 16 at 4 p.m. at the Knight Goodwood Museum & Administrative Centre, 1736 W. Paul Gardens' Carriage House Dirac Drive. During this session, you can expect to meet Innovation Park staff and other potential applicants, review the competition timeline, and ask questions about the competition. We highly recommend first-time Apply for the 2016 applicants attend. Innovation Park TechGrant Anyone in Leon County who has an original idea for technology commercialization is encouraged to apply for the 2016 TechGrant program. Take a moment to review Page 4 The Art of Making Science Howard University, and