Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture, and Development (CIIFAD), with partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America, initiates and supports innovative programs that contribute to improved prospects for global food security, sustainable rural development and environmental conservation around the world.

Established in 1990 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, CIIFAD engages diverse disciplines, actors and institutions to advance knowledge and practice for sustainable agricultural and rural development. CIIFAD is a university-wide initiative operating through the International Programs office of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

CIIFAD NEWS:

Charles F. Sweet Passes at Age 66
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Charles F. Sweet, ‘64. Mr. Sweet, age 66, resided in Gulf Breeze, Florida and passed away on March 30, 2009. A 1960 graduate of Ithaca High School and a 1964 graduate of Cornell, Mr. Sweet worked in Vietnam through the International Voluntary Service, returning in 1968 to work in the Johnson White House and subsequently in the State Department. After receiving a Masters in Public Administration degree from the Harvard Kennedy School in 1970, he co-founded Development Alternatives, Inc, a preeminent global development firm. DAI President and CEO Jim Boomgard expressed sadness at Mr. Sweet’s death, stating "At heart, Charlie was a development guy. He wanted to make a difference in the world, and he succeeded in doing exactly that." After working overseas for several years, Mr. Sweet retired to become an adjunct professor at James Madison University. Mr. Sweet will continue to make a difference in the world through the establishment of a fund at Cornell created by his family in his memory. Those wishing to make gifts in Mr. Sweet’s name send them to the Charles F. Sweet Fund at the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture, and Development, care of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Development Office, 274 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853.

Ralph Christy named director of CIIFAD
Ralph D. Christy, professor of emerging markets in the Department of Applied Economics Management, has been named the new director of the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD). [see details in March 30 Cornell Chronicle article]

CIIFAD-Sponsored Course on Facilitating Farmer Group Learning to Overcome Extreme Poverty
CIIFAD is sponsoring a 3-credit class/study group (IARD 6940) during the Spring 2009 to develop training modules for facilitators working with rural self-help groups in developing countries. Students will travel to India or Africa during June and July to work with CIIFAD partners on adapting the materials for local conditions. [for more info, see flyer or contact CIIFAD].

Bahir Dar / Cornell MPS Program Accepts Applications for 2009
A new round of applications have been turned in for the Cornell / Barhir Dar MPS degree program which was initiatied last year at Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia. During 2007 CIIFAD participated in jointly developing the Master’s of Professional Studies degree program in International Agriculture and Rural Development with a specialization in Integrated Watershed Management. The degree is conferred by Cornell University (CU) and courses are led by Cornell faculty in collaboration with faculty at Bahir Dar University (BDU). All courses and research/development projects are undertaken in Ethiopia.

CIIFAD Thematic Group News

• Knowledge Sharing Strategies Group
The inaugural meeting (February 17, 2009) of the Knowledge Sharing Strategies Group preceded a seminar by John Bakum and Sarah Davidson entitled "Rustopedia: Challenges of Development a Global Agricultural Knowledge-Sharing Community" in 102 Mann Library at 12:20-1:10PM (-- more info on joining this group)

• Conservation Agriculture Group
The CA Group has received funding to expand its activities during 2009. Peter Hobbs has initiated the CA Group's new International Conservation Agriculture blog with entries from the 4th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture in New Delhi, India

• Food Agriculture and Nutrition Group (FANG)
-- Five FANG members will present papers at a session on "Linking agriculture, nutrition, and the environment to promote food security" at the Conference on Informing Possibilities for the Future of Food and Agriculture to be held May 28-31, 2009 at Penn State [more...]
-- FANG-Grads sponsored Steve Vanek in field-testing his Andean Farmer Simulation Game