The effect of disasters, man-made or natural, on agricultural systems in developing countries of Africa is the focus of the second Suter Science Seminar of fall semester at EMU.
Dr. Laura E. Powers, agriculture and food security advisor with the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Dr. Laura E. Powers, agriculture and food security advisor with the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will speak 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, in Suter Science Center room #104.
She will focus on the challenges related to preventing nutritional and economic crises before chronic food insecurity becomes acute in African settings, drawing from her experience with USAID.
Dr. Powers believes the primary challenge in the agricultural sector is "to provide emergency relief that can lead to sustainable improvements in productivity without heightening conflict or encouraging dependency on foreign aid."
The program is open to everyone free of charge. Refreshments will be served 15 minutes prior to the start of the program.
The seminars are made possible by the sponsorship of the Daniel B. Suter endowment in biology, named for the late Dr. Suter, professor emeritus of biology who taught at EMU 1948-1875 and was premedical advisor.
Learn more about EMU’s efforts on sustainability, creation care, and building green.
For more information on the science seminar, contact Dr. Roman J. Miller, at 540-432-4412.