Welcome to Food for Thought

The modern potato evolved from a wild tomato fling 9 million years ago, scientists say

Potato, tomato? Scientists have discovered that potatoes originated 9 million years ago from a rare hybridization between a tomato ancestor and a potato-like plant called Etuberosum, combining genes that enabled tuber formation. Amy Charkowski, research associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences, told CNN this type of research is valuable because “the methods used (in this study) can also help researchers learn about other traits, such as disease and insect resistance, nutrition, drought tolerance, and many other important plant traits in potato and tomato.” Learn more here!

Benefits for Colorado, blow to department workforce foreseen in USDA relocation

The USDA plans to relocate up to half of its D.C.-area workforce to regional offices, including Fort Collins, consolidating nine U.S. Forest Service regional offices primarily into one location.

“I think there’s a lot to be said for the USDA being more locally organized, and it will benefit my grad students, having so much more of the talent affiliated with USDA in our backyard,” says Dawn Thilmany, agricultural and resource economics professor.

Still, the move could disrupt grants, programs, and employee retention, according to Thilmany and fellow resource economics professor Dana Hoag. Learn more here!

Lara Amiri-Kazaz: Scaring Away Aphids with Biocontrol

Lara Amiri-Kazaz, a Ph.D. student in sustainable integrated pest management under Dr. Ada Szczepaniec in the Department of Agricultural Biology, was featured on The Big World of IPM podcast from the Western IPM Center. She shares how she entered the field from a non-ag background and discusses her research on the Alfalfa Mosaic Virus. Learn more here!

IPGSA Conference 2025

This summer, Agricultural Biology Associate Professor Dr. Cris Argueso organized the 25th Conference of the International Plant Growth Substance Association (IPGSA 2025) to be held at Colorado State University. Over 300 scientists from all over the world came to CSU for the conference. Learn more here!

CSU 1870 Club

In July, a special CSU 1870 Club event highlighted the growing partnership between the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Butterfly Pavilion. The event highlighted the importance of philanthropy in supporting student success and scientific outreach, with a keynote address from Matt Camper, master instructor, entomologist, and co-director of the CSU Bug Zoo. See photos here!

CSU experimenting with what wildflowers will bring pollinators to Denver

Jen Bousselot welcomed 9News to the CSU Spur rooftop to showcase the research center’s green roof, which brings color and pollinators to a typically overlooked space. Her team is studying the minimum seed mix needed to maximize benefits like carbon sequestration, stormwater management, and other environmental gains. Learn more here!

From chocolate to startups: Meet the 11 CSU students who spent the summer doing research at Spur

This summer, 11 undergraduate CSU students interned at CSU Spur with the TILT OURA Lab, honing their research skills. Of the 11 students, three are CAS students:

Karen Garcia, landscape architecture major, planted watermelon, cucumber and broccoli on CSU Spur’s green roof, contributing to agrivoltaics research.

Aniwna Francis, agricultural biology major, worked on hydroponics research in SPUR’s rooftop greenhouses.

Cristal Morales, equine sciences major, collected data and researched equine behavior at the Temple Grandin Equine Center.

Learn more here!

Ag Day, Orange Out Receive Game Time

Ag Day is a long-standing celebration of Colorado agriculture and CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences. On September 6 from 1–4 p.m., the Nutrien Ag Day BBQ will bring together partners from across the state to honor CSU’s roots and Colorado’s rich agricultural history. The family-friendly tradition features Colorado-grown food, community connections, and support for student scholarships.

“Sharing a meal produced by Coloradans, connecting with the people who power our state’s agriculture, and supporting our students all in one place—it’s a perfect reflection of our land-grant roots and the spirit of CSU. There’s nothing quite like it,” says Carolyn Lawrence-Dill, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

At 5 p.m., fans are invited to the annual Orange Out football game as the Rams take on the UNC Bears. Learn more here!

CSU Landscape Architecture program earns reaccreditation, builds on decades of growth and impact

Colorado State University’s Landscape Architecture program has been reaccredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, the national accrediting body for the field. The program equips students for successful careers through experiential learning, a well-rounded curriculum, networking opportunities, and a focus on design, environmental science, and community engagement. “Our graduates are not only ready to enter the profession, they are ready to lead it,” says Brad Goetz, program director and professor of landscape architecture. Learn more here!

Colorado FFA Foundation announces 4 Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame inductees for 2026

The Colorado FFA Foundation has named Tony Frank, chancellor of the Colorado State University System, as one of four inductees into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. A former CSU president, provost, and vice president for research, Frank is a champion of initiatives such as the CSU Spur campus, which advances agricultural literacy, and investments in new Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station facilities. Learn more here!