Food, Water, & Energy Resources

Policy Retreat – Group 2December 16, 2010

KONSTANTINOS GIANNAKAS, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS MONICA NORBY, OFFICE OF RESEARCH & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTTISHA GILREATH MULLEN, OFFICE OF PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

Breakout Questions:

1. What key policy issues should be the focus for a large interdisciplinary policy research effort? That is, what can we do by organizing collectively and developing interdisciplinary approaches than we cannot do alone?

2. What unique strengths does UNL posses that position us to address to these questions? Where do we have competitive advantages that set us apart from other universities?

3. What gaps do we need to fill to enable us to realize this vision? How do we fill them? (e.g., with whom can we partner? Are there specific hiring needs to enhance competitiveness?)

Interdisciplinary Policy Research Focus Issues:

1. Food Security

- Food Safety, Quality, Quantity, Price - Sustainability

- Water Safety, Quality, Quantity, Price

- Climate Variability and Change

- Landscape Level (Systems) Analysis

2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

- Plants, Animals, Humans

3. New Technology Development and Adoption

UNL’s unique strengths/advantages: 1. Water Resources Research

2. Food Economics and Policy Research

3. Traditional Strengths in Plant and Animal Science

4. Capabilities in State Agricultural Production

5. Experience with New Technology Development and Adoption

6. Existing Collaborations and Interactions at UNL

7. Existing Extension Services

8. Best GMO Testing Facilities in the United States

Gaps & How to address them:

Identify and Tap Existing Talent across Disciplines

Develop New Collaborations across Disciplines

Develop Initiatives that Build on Existing Talent

Suggested Hires: Liquid Fuels Policy, Energy Policy

Identify Funding Sources