Unlike apples, for which there are Granny Smiths, Red Delicious, Fuji, among others, and oranges, which are members of the citrus family, there is only one banana variation readily found in American markets: the Cavendish.

Prof. Edward Buckler, plant breeding and genetics, uses statistics to identify more nutritious corn breeds. A Sub-Saharan corn variant with a 16-fold increase in vitamin A is scheduled to be deployed in 2014.

The Liberty Hyde Bailey Conservatory – named for the founder and first dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) – was closed to all traffic last Friday due to safety concerns of falling glass and structural deterioration. Administrators announced last week that they are considering tearing down the 78-year-old greenhouse, which is connected to the Plant Science Building. In recent years, efforts have aimed to maintain the historical foundations of the conservatory while renovating its failing structure for future use.

Transgenic plants - plants containing DNA from other organisms - have risen to the center of controversy in recent years.  Experts at the Boyce Thompson Institute study the genetics of plants, unlocking keys to the development of these potentially revolutionary organisms.  Beyond the labs, faculty apply their knowledge to educate the public about this mystifying science.

Prof. Stroock, chemical and biomolecular engineering, replicates the behavior of plants in his laboratory, where he studies the fundamental properties of water under negative pressure.

Working as an intern in Bradfield hall for a month can be an exciting experience.  There are ups, there are downs, and there are certainly lessons to learn. 

The spring, 2010 edition of Ag Day featured a girl in corn ear costume, a pulled pork barbeque and tons of cow-estions.  The bi-annual event featured student groups and farming programs, educating the general public about modern agriculture.

Dr. Molly Jahn Ph.D '88 is a Cornell Alumnus and the current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary of Research, Education and Economics.  She answers seven science questions about the future of agriculture, the current Farm Bill and the USDA's top priorites.

"Crop mobbers" got dirt under their nails and apple trees in the ground on Sunday, Apr. 11. At Ithaca's first Crop Mob, an event designed to give people the chance to work on a farm for a day, about 30 local volunteers gathered at The Good Life Farm in Interlaken, NY.