URBANA, Ill. – Changing weather patterns have profound impacts on agricultural production around the world. Higher temperatures, severe drought, and other weather events may decrease output in some regions but effects are often volatile and unpredictable. Yet, many countries rely on agricultural and food trade to help alleviate the consequences of local, weather-induced production shifts, a new paper from the University of Illinois suggests.

URBANA, Ill. – Many maize farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa sell their crop at harvest, often because they need funds to pay expenses. Development agencies often support or sponsor harvest-time loans that encourage farmers to store some of their grain for later sale, on an assumption that its market value will increase in months to come. But that’s not a sure bet, as a new University of Illinois study reveals.

URBANA, Ill. – Last month, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new $30 million investment in the Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) at the University of Illinois. The competitive grant was awarded under Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative led by USAID. 

This week we feature Paul Ellinger, newly appointed vice president, chief financial officer, and comptroller of the University of Illinois System after filling the interim role since July 2021. Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural mechanization, a master's degree in agricultural economics, and a Ph.D.

This week’s 5 Questions Friday features ACES alum, Patrick Martin (’09 Policy, International Trade and Development). Today, Martin works as a government relations professional for Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, Chicago and Washington DC.

Where did you grow up, and do you have an agriculture background? If so, describe. 

URBANA, Ill. – Agricultural producers face dual challenges of increasing output for a growing world population while reducing negative effects on the environment. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence can facilitate sustainable production, but farmers must weigh opportunities and risks when deciding whether to embrace such tools.  

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) has hosted dozens of Fulbright scholars who have returned to their own countries as ambassadors for Illinois.

Faculty, staff, and students on both sides of this program – hosts and the visitors – gain new collaborators and friends, advancing the program’s goal of increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A new study examines how Americans acquired food at various points during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how those activities changed over time as case numbers fluctuated and vaccines became available.

URBANA, Ill. – Schwab Advisor Services in partnership with the Charles Schwab Foundation has made a generous donation to the Women, Power, and Money Program for Financial Planning at the University of Illinois. The grant provides funding to create and sustain the infrastructure needs of the program until 2025. The funds will contribute to enhancing the course, creating a public-facing lecture series, building course materials, and bringing in guest speakers.

Professor of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE) Madhu Khanna has been named the Alvin H. Baum Family Chair and Director of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Khanna, who has served as iSEE’s Interim Director since 2020, assumes the role on July 16, pending the approval of the Board of Trustees.