Welcome to the Minor Use Foundation blog – Our Voice!
Our Voice presents an opportunity to share news and updates from the field and about Foundation programs as well as viewpoints on current issues from our people and partners. Join us on our journey to support specialty crop growers around the world.
Strengthening Integrated Pest Management for Tropical Fruits: Why Policy Action Matters
Tropical fruits play a vital role in nutrition, livelihoods, and global trade. Yet growers face growing pressure from pests and diseases, made worse by climate…
Internship Reflection | Rachel Tarkington
Rachel TarkingtonNorth Carolina State University Graduate Crop and Soil Science: Crop Biotechnology My name is Rachel Tarkington. I recently graduated from NC State University in…
Unlocking Potential: How Biotechnology Can Strengthen Minor Use Crops
By Rachel Tarkington Regulatory Science Intern for the Minor Use Foundation July – December 2025North Carolia State University Graduate Crop and Soil Science: Crop Biotechnology…
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Biological Tools Require Research and Time
Fernando Nieto Solórzano A conversation with Sergio Lloreda, leader of the Colombian passionflower exporters’ association, discusses the use of biological tools to control pests and…
Advancements in Pheromone Technology for Crop Protection
By Dr. Kelsey J. Benthall Technical Sales and Product Development Ridge Quest Inc. Insect pheromones are used in agricultural systems for pest monitoring and population…
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The resurgence of a forgotten native fruit, pawpaw
By Dr. Malini Muthu KarpagamPostdoctoral Research Associatethe PLACE lab, Smith College Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is North America’s largest indigenous fruit, and also the only temperate…
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Internship Reflection | Heidi Schouten
Heidi Schouten, Regulatory Science & Agricultural Communications Student and Goodnight Scholar at North Carolina State University I’m Heidi Schouten, a senior at North Carolina State…
Foundation Co-Hosts Workshop on MRL Harmonization in ASEAN Countries
The Minor Use Foundation (MUF), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Services (USDA FAS), AgAligned Global, Bryant Christie Inc., CABI, and…
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Internship Reflection | Thiyam Pushpa Devi
Thiyam Pushpa Devi, Masters Student, Department of Food Process Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University I am Thiyam Pushpa Devi, and this year it was my…
Breaking the Wait: Why India Must Fast-Track Crop Grouping Now
On July 26th, 2024, CropLife India held a workshop urging the Government of India to discourage off-label use of agrochemicals through implementation of crop grouping.…
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Using AI for Pest Management
Use of Artificial intelligence (AI) for pest management is one of the potentially promising solutions for growers of minor crops identified coming out of the…
Export Markets to Expand for Mango Farmers in Argentina
In the Jujuy Province of Argentina, the Minor Use Foundation, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Technology Institute of Argentia (INTA), Obispo Colombres Agricultural Experimental…
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Internship Reflection | Meg Sandy
My name is Meg Sandy and this year it was my pleasure to intern at the Minor Use Foundation. My position began in March 2023…
Passion Fruit Growers in Colombia
Watch this beautiful video of passion fruit grower experiences in Colombia by Avance Pasifloras Colombia. We are proud to partner with Avance Pasifloras to support…
Farmer Decisions & Implications for Export Markets
Minor Use Foundation Board member Jason Sandahl is a minor-crop farmer in Oregon where he grows cherries, apples, and pears for both domestic and international…
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The Importance of Specialty Crops to Addressing Global Food Security Challenges
By Anna Gore, Director of Operations One of the most devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the massive uptick in global food insecurity.…
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Foundation Board Member Helps Food Safety Professionals Demystify Pesticide Residue Risk
Minor Use Foundation Board Member Jason Sandahl recently co-authored an article with Oregon State University food science professor Dave Stone on understanding pesticide residue risk…
Technical Consultant Adriana Castañeda Invites Chile to Partner with the Minor Use Foundation
Minor Use Foundation technical consultant Adriana Castañeda met with executives at the Chilean Agency for Food Safety and Quality (ACHIPIA) in August 2022 to invite…
The IR-4 Project Benefits to Society Go Well Beyond Specialty Crop Support
The IR-4 Project, a publicly funded research entity devoted to supporting specialty crop production in the U.S., announced the results of an economic impact study…
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