The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

Objective(s):
To educate the workshop attendees about the international aspects of the HortCRSP program as well as the various USAID-funded programs that have agricultural components.

Horticulture CRSP and other USAID programs are working to improve food security, nutrition, and incomes of horticultural producers worldwide.  There are several ways to engage in international research and development supported by Horticulture CRSP and USAID, including involvement in Horticulture CRSP’s projects, Regional Centers of Innovation, Knowledge Bank, and Trellis Fund.  Horticulture CRSP currently supports 15 projects through 18 U.S. university partners in 21 developing countries on topics spanning the entire horticultural value chain.  The Horticulture CRSP Regional Centers of Innovation in Kenya, Honduras, and Thailand provide horticultural researchers access to in-country partners, training facilities, office space, in-country facilitation and liaison, and access to in-country communication to arrange training, activities and meetings.  The Horticulture CRSP Trellis Fund provides small scale in-country development organizations access to U.S. graduate student expertise providing benefit to both the student and the in-country institutions by matching the organizations with students and providing modest funds to support the organization’s farmer outreach program and student travel to the developing country.  The Knowledge Bank (http://hortkb.weebly.com) provides credible practical crop information on fruits, nuts, flowers and vegetables to help extension and development workers improve the lives of people in lesser developed countries.  The Horticulture CRSP encourages feedback from ASHS conference participants on program enhancements such as technologies and training innovations that might be incorporated into our Regional Centers of Innovation.