The Horticulture CRSP team held a seminar on the UC Davis campus to officially launch the Horticulture Collaborative Research Support Program. Dr. Larry Paulson and Jim Yazman from USAID in Washington, D.C.  participated in the launch and Dr. Paulson presented an overview of USAID activities and vision for development.  Director, Ron Voss presented the goals and priorities of the Horticulture CRSP and Associate Director Beth Mitcham presented an overview of the Horticulture CRSP’s funding opportunities. Michael Reid, Leader of Special Projects and Technology Innovation discussed the program’s emphasis on the development of innovative, game-changing technologies that will bring immediate improvements to the horticultural industry in the developing world and Mark Bell, Leader of Communications and Education presented our plans for a Horticulture Knowledge Bank.

The event was attended by fifty individuals from the UC Davis community, including students, staff and faculty. A variety of questions were asked about the three types of Horticulture CRSP funding opportunities.  After the seminar, a reception was held at which attendees discussed potential projects that could be submitted to the Horticulture CRSP and about the latent power of horticultural advancement in the developing world.