farming

Mapping California’s Shift to Organic Farming

Organic food is easy to find these days, from farmers markets to grocery stores. But organic farming covers only a small portion of California’s agricultural land. As the state pushes to make agriculture more climate-friendly, a new UC Davis-led research project is exploring why some regions are successfully shifting to sustainable practices – while others face more barriers to making the transition.

Championing Healthier Futures for Children Around the World

Childhood malnutrition is one of the world's most pressing health challenges, and Kathryn Dewey, distinguished professor emerita in the UC Davis Department of Nutrition, has been at the forefront of efforts to address it. Her pioneering research led to an innovative supplement to combat nutritional deficiencies and has informed and improved global health policies.

Parasitic Weeds Threaten Tomato Plants on California Farms

At first glance, Orobanche ramosa looks like an interesting blossoming plant, one that could add a unique flair to flower arrangements. But it’s a parasitic weed that attaches to roots, sucks out nutrients and is threatening California’s lucrative $1.5 billion processing tomato industry.