Across numerous sectors, female leaders are rising to the helm of innovation, driving ingenuity in the face of crises. Through the shared attributes of humility, tenacity, benevolence and pragmatism, these inspiring women are emerging as changemakers and pioneers — and leading innovative change that has already begun to generate global change in numerous beneficial ways.
As the planet faces monumental challenges — water shortages and climate change — the agriculture sector is confronted with a very real and harrowing challenge: maintaining a stable and sustainable food supply for a population that continues to grow exponentially. With the global population expected to reach an estimated 10 billion people by the year 2050, the burden on farmers is even greater.
On Nov. 15-16, Stanislaus State students will have a unique opportunity to participate in conversations and learn about a wide range of topics including agriculture, sustainability, journalism and others during sessions featuring award-winning journalist Amy Wu, “From Farms to Incubators: Women Innovators Revolutionizing How Our Food Is Grown” (Craven Street Books - April 20, 2021). Sessions will feature conversations with the author and her journey through a documentary film and book, panels with student and faculty guests and multiple opportunities to screen the short film. Students, faculty and staff can register to attend the sessions.
The greater community is invited to a reception event with the author, Monday, Nov. 15. Interested community members should contact Emily Lawrence, executive director of the Ag Science Center at Stan State for registration information.
In “From Farms to Incubators,” a wide range of strategies and tools are showcased uniting technology and agriculture including Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, drones, robotics, advanced soil sensors and blockchain, a new branch of discipline has surfaced called ag tech.
In her introduction, Wu notes, “From Farms to Incubators uses the power of storytelling to increase awareness and also hopefully ignite an engaging discussion over the various factors that are causing shifts in our food systems, the challenges that growers face in feeding the world’s burgeoning population, the roadblocks encountered and strides that have been made when it comes to the types of roles women play in agriculture and technology.
“Ultimately, I hope the book serves as a vehicle in inspiring youth — especially those from rural or underserved communities — to consider that agriculture extends far beyond tractors and overalls and that it is a sector that offers an amazing range of opportunities that involve innovation.”
In addition to a variety of tools and strategies, Wu also uses storytelling to spotlight female agribusiness leaders from varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds — detailing how each individual resolved a glaring business problem using ag tech innovation. The women profiled in “From Farms to Incubators” provide a glimpse into the struggles, successes and profitability resulting from the positive “disruption” of one of the world’s oldest sectors.
Scholars, fellow journalists and all interested in female leaders who are revolutionizing this challenging field and finding innovative solutions to a number of the most daunting challenges currently facing the planet are sure to find Wu’s new book riveting and inspiring.