On 15 October 2024, GFAiR Secretariat held the regular bi-annual Progress and Prospects meeting from 1:00 to 2.30 PM, CEST at the Bioversity International and CIAT Headquarters in Rome, Italy. This meeting was conducted in hybrid form with the presence of the Director General of Bioversity International and CIAT, a GFAiR Steering Committee Member as well as the distinguished guests from the University of California.
The objectives of this meeting was to keep its members, partners and stakeholders informed about its work, to provide an overview over progress made - as for example regarding the Global NARS Consortium and the results of our Call for Expressions of Interest to participate in Collective Actions on Agroecology, Inclusive Digital Agriculture and Forgotten Foods, and to explore potential (funding) partnerships to address common challenges and achieve shared objectives.
GFAiR Secretariat is also pleased to announce the cooperation with a new and very important partner, the University of California / Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) and to kickstart GFAiR work on new business models and cooperation with the private sector.
The following speakers presented their keynotes during this event:
Brent Hales
Brent Hales serves as the Associate Vice President of Research and Extension for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree in sociology from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Ph.D. in rural sociology from Iowa State University. Dr. Hales previously served as an Associate Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Director of Penn State Extension. His primary area of research is holistic community and economic development and entrepreneurship. He is the founder of the Southern Entrepreneurship Program, which teaches entrepreneurship skills to high school and community college students, and to displaced workers throughout the U.S. and across the globe. He is also a past president of the Community Development Society. He is the father of 6 children and has been married to his best friend Candy for over 30 years.
Contact information:
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
2801 2nd Street
Davis, CA 95618
bdhales@ucanr.edu
Dr Glenda Humiston
As Vice President of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Glenda Humiston brings over 30 years of policy development and program implementation supporting sustainability, including time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia and several years as a consultant on environmental and agricultural issues throughout the western states. She served President Obama 2009 – 2015 as the California State Director for USDA’s Rural Development programs, where she produced a widely acclaimed guidebook on “Access to Capital” and led efforts to bring rural issues to the forefront of the state’s Economic Summit and policymakers throughout California. From 1998 – 2001 she served President Clinton as Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at USDA. Humiston managed the Sustainable Development Institute at the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development in South Africa and the 2006 World Water Forum in Mexico City. She has participated in technical assistance exchanges with over 25 nations on agricultural productivity, economic development and leadership issues. Humiston earned her Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley in Environmental Science, Policy and Management; a master’s in international Agricultural Development from U.C. Davis and a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Colorado State University.
Contact information:
University of California
Office of the President
1111 Franklin Street
Oakland, CA 94607-5200
Glenda.humiston@ucop.edu
https://ucanr.edu/
Romano De Vivo
Romano De Vivo has over 20 years of experience in sustainability and agriculture, working closely with businesses, governments, and communities to promote responsible farming and environmental solutions. He holds a doctorate in agricultural economics, an MBA, and a master’s in environmental governance, which equip him to tackle complex sustainability challenges. Romano has held key leadership roles, including Vice President of Sustainability at a global agricultural technology association in Brussels, Global Head of Sustainability for a leading ingredients company in Geneva, and Global Head of Environmental Policy for a major agricultural technology company in Basel. In these roles, he has spearheaded initiatives that have significantly advanced corporate sustainability efforts, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Beyond his corporate career, Romano is actively involved in academia, serving as an Adjunct Professor at UCSC Piacenza and a University Research Fellow in Zurich and Fribourg. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and driving innovation in the field of sustainability. In addition to his professional roles, Romano supports various organizations. He serves as a Board Member at a startup academy in Lugano, a Committee Member of a global rating initiative in Rome, the Founder of an NGO focused on food waste reduction in Piacenza, and an Advisor for an NGO working on poverty alleviation in Basel. He leverages his extensive expertise to guide these organizations in their strategic initiatives. Romano holds both Italian and Swiss citizenship and resides with his family in Basel. With a lifelong commitment to sustainability, he continues to drive impactful solutions at the intersection of agriculture, environmental policy, and social responsibility.
Some photos from the event:
