WORK
Plant breeding
My breeding program involves genetics and genomics, physiology, disease resistance, biochemistry, and most aspects of biological science. However, it goes beyond the natural sciences—we look at social issues, economics, and cultural significance. Once we have a variety ready to release, we work with seed companies to make a new variety work for them.
Research projects
- OREI – Building tools and technology to harness modern genomics in a way that’s usefulto plant breeding and is organic compliant.
- Sweet CAP – a coordinated ag project.
- Rural partners initiative – Focusing on native food systems
Teaching
- Agronomy 100 – principles and practices of plant production.
- Plant Path 367 – Intro to organic agriculture.
- 701 and 702
- Plant Path 499 – independent study
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
Founding member of the UW Organic Collaborative
Organic breeding (need more info)
Agroecology
- Member of the Society of Agroecology.
- Chair of the Agroecology masters program
- Teach foundation Agroecology courses
- Led the creation of the Agroecology Symposium
Sociology
- Cat M. focused on intellectual property issues in plant breeding
- Alaina is focusing on seed saving and food sovereignty
Map of Corn Breeding
Where corn is grown, where breeding happens