La Jolla, CA (US), November 2012 - The global population is expected to hit nine billion by 2050, and there's an urgent need to reform food production to meet the rising demand. The new four-part YouTube series "9 Billion Mouths to Feed: The Future of Farming," now available on University of California's YouTube channel UCTV Prime, examines these challenges and demonstrates how UC Davis researchers and students are working together.
They want to develop innovative ways to feed the world without depleting resources, while also training the next generation of farmers in sustainable, high-tech farming practices.
"Farming Today - Episode 1
California agriculture is a $37.5 billion industry, with the Golden State being home to nine of the nation's top ten producing counties. We'll take a look at innovation born at UC Davis that has changed the way farmers do their jobs and see how agriculture experts of the future are preparing to meet the many challenges ahead.
"Field to Fork" - Episode 2
Agriculture isn't just about sowing the land; it's about finding solutions to modern problems facing our food supply. With farmland shrinking and a hungry population growing, what is UC Davis doing to ensure an abundant food supply that will be healthier, last longer, and taste better? We'll learn about the "100-year experiment" and meet the first graduates of a brand new major: sustainable agriculture and food systems.
"Keeping It Green" - Episode 3
There's no question that agriculture has a considerable environmental footprint. In this episode, you'll see how UC Davis researchers are working with farmers across the State to find ways to reduce this impact. We'll talk about water, soil, and air, and we'll take a look at the "Bovine Bubbles" that brought one UC Davis researcher international attention and "cleared the air" when it comes to how much gas cows really produce.
"High Tech Agriculture" - Episode 4
In a world of advanced technology, science, and environmental concern, we talk to students who have a vision for the future of farming and are working to create high-tech tools to help make agriculture more precise. We also take a look at plant genetics, biotechnology, and a unique couple - an organic farmer and a plant geneticist -both of whom work at UC Davis and strongly believe that the two traditionally opposing sides actually have the same goals.
UCTV Prime is the first university-run channel to be included among YouTube's production partnerships with recognizable brands like The Wall Street Journal, Deepak Chopra and TED. With documentary mini-series, interviews, commentaries, and video shorts each week, UCTV Prime draws on the tremendous knowledge resources of the University of California's ten campuses, five medical schools, three national labs, and other affiliated institutions.
