Welcome to Food for Thought
Here’s a roundup of 10 of the latest top stories from the College of Agricultural Sciences.
In this edition we’ll check out student accomplishments, the status of research, and how CSU alums continue to achieve well into the future!
CSU students continue to impress
Camille Britt is on a winning streak! Camille won one of the CURC 2025 Best in Show Awards and a Service Learning & Leadership Rising Star Award at MURALS 2025 for her project “Return to Land, Return to Knowledge, Return to Being; Indigenous Research & Land-Based Learning Initiative.” She’s graduating this semester with a degree in horticulture and plans to attend graduate school in the fall. Congratulations on your wins, Camille! Read more here.
Uncertain economic times could help Colorado farmers
CSU agriculture and resource economist Dawn Thilmany noted that while much of Colorado’s agriculture industry is vulnerable to the uncertainty caused by new tariffs, small, locally oriented producers may benefit from reduced foreign competition. Still, the broader industry remains cautious, facing potential losses due to its reliance on global supply chains and export markets. Read more here.
CSU Alums continue to shine
Wagon Wheel Ranch in Yuma County, run by the Kenny and Jody Rogers family, has been named the 2025 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award recipient for their exceptional commitment to conserving soil, water, and wildlife. Rancher Kenny Rogers, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Agriculture from Colorado State University in 1980, leads the multi-generational operation. Read more here.
Getting the best of both worlds
Agrisolar—the practice of combining solar energy with agriculture—is helping farmers boost revenue and conserve water by installing panels on fallowed land, according to a recent study in Nature Sustainability. Colorado State University horticulturist Dr. Jennifer Bousselot, a leading agrisolar researcher, highlights this approach as a promising solution for balancing food production with energy and environmental needs. “This is the compromise that’s going to allow for both energy independence and food security,” she says. Read more here.
It’s the bee’s knees! Learn more about our friendly pollinators
If you know a young scientist, don’t miss Wiz Kid’s latest video on pollination – just in time for spring! Learn how bees help plants grow and why they’re so important for our food. Plus, learn how you can support pollinators right in your backyard!! Read more here.
CSU Students continue to be recognized for their innovation
At Innovate CSU Day, several AgSci students earned recognition for their innovations. Breonna Snead in Horticulture and Landscape Architecture won the Research Excellence award for her novel 1-MCP application system for peaches. Venkatesh Padimi in Agricultural Biology received the Innovation in Agriculture & the Environment award for his work on fungal guardians against the sawfly siege. Read more here.
Funding for ag research remains in the balance
A $38 million research initiative to reduce fertilizer use in biofuel crop production has been paused. One of the projects, led by John McKay, soil and crop sciences professor and expert in evolutionary genetics at Colorado State University, aims to find corn varieties that thrive with less fertilizer and identify the genes and traits that make this possible. McKay is concerned not only about his project’s fate but also about the broader slowdown of U.S. scientific research. Read more here.
Students of horticulture are reaching new heights
Mya Kevil, a junior at Colorado State University studying horticulture, received a full-ride scholarship from the Colorado Garden Foundation, which covers her tuition, books, fees, room, board, and even a laptop. The scholarship has allowed her to pursue her passion for horticulture without the burden of student debt, enabling her to focus on research and education in sustainable food crops. Congratulations, Mya! Read more here.
Commencement is almost here!
Commencement is just a week away! Colorado State University will host a University-wide Commencement at Canvas Stadium on May 16, while two recognition ceremonies for AgSci will take place on May 18 at Moby Arena:
Everything you need to know about Commencement
Everything you need to know about AgSci recognition ceremonies