- Collab - lists.millets2023.space

FYI: Yale Agrarian Studies (12/1): Dan Saladino (BBC)
by Don Osborn 29 Nov '23

29 Nov '23

This Friday 12/1 (11am-1pm EST), Yale's Program in Agrarian Studies will host Dan Saladino, BBC journalist and author of *Eating to Extinction: The World's Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them*, for a discussion of his draft paper entitled "Seedbanks: Necessary but not Enough. We Need to Save Entire Food Landscapes." This is part of their colloquium series. This is a bit off from our focus on this list, but the topic seems interesting in the context of crop diversity. Also I'd note that among Mr. Saladino's past articles was one on millets in India, with attention to the case of raishan (Digitaria compacta). The author is not presenting the paper, to maximize time for discussion. so it should be read in advance. For zoom link and access to the paper, subscribe at https://subscribe.yale.edu/login?returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fsubscribe.yale.edu… ... Alternatively, I think one might contact the Program office by email: agrarian.studies (at) yale.edu I personally have no connection to Yale Agrarian Studies other than being a subscriber to their list, on which I received this information. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance bcc: Yale Program in Agrarian Studies

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Save the date ::: IYM 2023 Global Webinar Series ::: Fonio: enhancing collaboration for sustainable agriculture and improved livelihoods::: 29 November 2023, 13:00-14:30 (CET)
by Dimitrova, Zdravka (NSP) 28 Nov '23

28 Nov '23

[cid:image001.png@01DA1958.6D139FB0]<https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/events/detail/sixth-webinar-of-the-iym-glo…> S A V E T H E D A T E 29 November 2023 | 13:00-14:30 CET International Year of Millets Global Webinar Series 6th Webinar: “Fonio: enhancing collaboration for sustainable agriculture and improved livelihoods’’ REGISTER HERE<https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LEotJYCWRuGGBIZnnXDJww#/registration> Interpretation will be provided in English, French and Arabic The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th Session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023)<https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/en>. As part of the IYM2023 celebration, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing the “IYM Global Webinar Series” to highlight the various environmental, social and economic benefits of millets, their rich heritage and vast potential. Fonio is one of the oldest crops in Africa, and among the world’s fastest maturing cereal (60-70 days). In many Western African countries, fonio plays an important role in household food security and income generation and holds a vital place in cultural identity. Fonio is valued for its high nutrition, and ability to grow in areas of drought and high temperatures. IYM2023 provides an unparalleled opportunity to promote fonio as a globally important crop for the future, and bring together researchers and practitioners from different countries and disciplines to share their work and join forces to promote its use for sustainable agriculture and improving local livelihoods. Join this webinar<https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/events/detail/sixth-webinar-of-the-iym-glo…> to learn more about the genetics, taxonomic diversity and distribution of fonio, seed science and conservation, sustainable cultivation practices, potential uses and nutritional values, and opportunities to generate incomes. Agenda Time Agenda item and presenter 13:00 – 13:05 Opening remarks, Mr Paolo Ceci, Technical Cooperation Programme in Saudi Arabia, FAO 13:05 – 14:15 Presentations * Regional partnership to promote conservation and sustainable use of fonio, Ms Claire Billot, CIRAD, and Ms Adeline Barnaud, IRD, France * Genomics to improve fonio varieties, Mr Simon Krattinger, KAUST, Saudi Arabia * Fonio diversity for resilient landscapes, Mr George Burton, Imperial College London / RBG Kew, UK * Nutritional and food technology aspects of fonio, Ms Nadia M.L. Fanou-Fogny, University of Abomey Calavi, Benin * Fonio-fueled sustainable livelihood enhancement, Mr Michel Ghanem, Forgotten Crops Society, France * Fonio as a driving force for empowering women, Ms Fatmata Binta, Fulani Kitchen Foundation, Ghana * New market opportunities for fonio, Mr Pierre Thiam, Yolélé & Teranga, United States of America 14:15 – 14:25 Moderated discussion 14:25 – 14:30 Closing remarks, Ms Sarada Krishnan, Crop Trust, Germany Moderated by Ms Tiziana Ulian, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew (United Kingdom)/ University of Turin (Italy) For more information, please contact: International-Year-Millets(a)fao.org<mailto:International-Year-Millets@fao.org>

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United colors of millets, and a fragrant foxtail millet
by Don Osborn 26 Nov '23

26 Nov '23

There was some discussion on this list of red proso, and the fact that below the husk of whatever color, the proso grain is usually a shade of yellow or white. Sorghum on the other hand, is known for the variety of colors of its outer coating (pericarp), but apparently also its underlayers (testa) and the endosperm. See https://www.sorghumcheckoff.com/agronomy-insights/sorghum-grain-color/ Pearl millet (which like sorghum does not have a hard outer husk, tends to be shades of grey and tan. However, I have seen photos of varieties of pearl millet that shade towards yellow or a variety of colors. See for example this image from an article by Mandira Kapri et al (source with image) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/244179611039105341/ Foxtail millet also has a color variation, both of the husk (like proso), but also under the husk - typically yellow, but there are white and black varieties. See this link for a black variety marketed for sale: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/244179611033737721/ Teff (our millet of the month in November) can be brown or ivory colored. Finger millet seems to be always reddish, and most other millets seem in my limited exposure to them to have a typical color (usually light) and not much variation. On another topic, Devid Brenner shared an article about a use of CRISPR to create a variety of foxtail millet with a popcorn like fragrance. Foxtail millet does not naturally have much in the range of fragrance as say a grain like rice can have. See: Yanyan Zhang, et al, "De novo creation of popcorn-like fragrant foxtail millet" J. Integr. Plant Biol., 65: 2412-2415. https://doi.org/10.1111/jipb.13556 . The various flavors of millets is a topic that has come up before (and could use some more comparative descriptions, IMO), but the fragrance of millets and their respective varieties is another interesting topic that doesn't seem to have had much attention. Don Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US - +1 202-621-3911) North American Millets Alliance

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Apply now: OFRF's Farmer-Led Trials Program Deadl…
by Jonathon Landeck 24 Nov '23

24 Nov '23

Hello to Millets Aficionados! Please see this link for an opportunity for support for on-farm research on organically grown millets: https://mailchi.mp/ofrf.org/farmer-led-trials-application-deadline?e=19164e…

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Proso millet mill waste
by Joni Kindwall-Moore 22 Nov '23

22 Nov '23

Hello fellow millet enthusiasts, Does anyone have some sharable information about mill waste during proso millet hulling and flouring? Any links, comments, or experience would be appreciated. Warm regards, Joni *Joni Kindwall-Moore BSN-RN, BA* Founder, CEO, Innovator, Mother, Nurse, Activist *P: 406-334-1608* *www.snacktivistfoods.com <http://www.snacktivistfoods.com/>* *Scan this QR code to experience the Snacktivist Nation! *

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New Executive Director of NGSB
by Don Osborn 20 Nov '23

20 Nov '23

Just came across an item in Morning Ag Clips on the appointment this past August of a new executive director of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board (NGSB), Kristine Dvoracek-Jameson: https://www.morningagclips.com/nebraska-grain-sorghum-board-announces-new-e… Ms. Dvoracek-Jameson succeeds Nate Blum, who of course is now running the international NGO he founded, Sorghum United. The NGSB is an agency of the state of Nebraska, and evidently works alongside the Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association. They share a website at https://nebraskasorghum.org/ It would be a good use of this list to share similar announcements concerning senior position changes in agencies, organizations and companies working with any or all of the millets (among which we are counting sorghum). SImilarly, major new publications or professional achievements relating to millets can also be shared. Our main focus here is North America, but relevant announcements concerning influential positions relating to millets globally are also of interest. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance bcc: NGSB

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Millets Webinar updates: Video of 11th, info on 12th, & more
by Don Osborn 18 Nov '23

18 Nov '23

Dear all, 1) The recording of our 11th Millets Webinar (15 Nov. 2023), which included presentations on uses of millets in animal farming, cover cropping, and other non-food uses, from Dr. Rob Myer and Gary WIetgrefe, is available at https://youtu.be/yCQ5shFxAB8 . This webinar covered various non-food uses of several millets, with focus on North America, and offered some perspectives on the degree to which these collectively appear to be grown on a much larger area, at least in the US, than the usual statistics indicate. 2) Our 12th Millets Webinar, on Wed. 20 December at 5 pm EST, will consider millets in systems. After a series of topic-specific Webinars from Feb. thru Nov., this one will zoom out a bit to look at millets in broader contexts. We are again fortunate to have two distinguished presenters, who will be: Joanna Kane-Potaka, an executive level strategic marketing expert focused on driving demand for smarter foods, who is currently serving as Deputy Director-General of IRRI; and Dr. Kiruba Krishnaswamy, Asst. Professor at the Univ. of Missouri, with joint appt. in the Colleges of Engineering, and of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, and head of the FEAST Lab. 3) While December's Millets Webinar will conclude the series during this International Year of Millets (IYM), we are planning for a January 2024 Webinar with a retrospective on the IYM, and a look forward for NAMA (and partners) and the future of millets in North America. Details forthcoming. 4) Also in January, we are working to have the first of the "second season" of Millets Webinars, with a new thematic approach and format for 2024. A more complete discussion of that and the strategic vision of which it is a part, is also forthcoming. 5) Possible French and Spanish webinars on millets are still very much on the agenda (for 2024), but no more updates on these are planned unless and until there is something definite to announce. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance - co-founder don at milletsalliance.com

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REMINDER ::: IYM 2023 Global Webinar Series ::: Empowering farmers, Indigenous Peoples, women and youths: unlocking the potentials of millets ::: 7 November 2023, 16:00-17:15 (CET)
by Dimitrova, Zdravka (NSP) 18 Nov '23

18 Nov '23

[A group of hands holding grains Description automatically generated] S A V E T H E D A T E 7 November 2023 | 16:00-17:15 CET International Year of Millets Global Webinar Series 5th Webinar: “Empowering farmers, Indigenous Peoples, women and youths: unlocking the potentials of millets’’ REGISTER HERE<https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NaoskxcwQPuFgZHnBF1zbQ#/registration> The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th Session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023)<https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/en>. As part of the IYM2023 celebration, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing a “IYM Global Webinar Series” to shed light on the various environmental, social and economic benefits of millets, their rich heritage and their vast potential. The global food system faces many complex challenges, including hunger, malnutrition, limited natural resources and a changing climate. A possible solution to tackle those interconnected challenges is to enhance sustainable crop production, resilient value chains and consumer access to affordable and varied diets. Millets, in their diversity, can contribute to this solution as affordable sources of nutrients for healthy diets that can be cultivated in various adverse climates and arid regions with minimal external inputs. Join this webinar<https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/events/detail/fifth-webinar-of-the-iym-glo…> to learn more about how the cultivation and consumption of millets can help empower smallholder farmers, women, Indigenous Peoples and youths by improving their livelihoods, entrepreneurial opportunities and nutritional status while enhancing the resilience of local production systems, especially through increased on-farm diversity. AGENDA<https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/events/detail/fifth-webinar-of-the-iym-glo…> Time Agenda item and presenter  16:00–16:05 Opening remarks and introduction by Ms Makiko Taguchi, Agricultural Officer, Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), FAO 16:05-16:15 Keynote speech Mr Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food 16:15-16:50 Panel discussion * Ms Jacqueline Hughes, Director General, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics * Mr Sayed Azam-Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Crops For the Future * Ms Elizabeth Mpofu, Small-Scale Organic Farmer, African women’s collaborative for healthy food systems * Ms Ferosta Basumatary, World President, International Movement of Catholic Agriculture and Rural Youth, member of the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples Mechanism to Committee on World Food Security * Mr Ramesh Sharma, National Convenor, Ekta Parishad 16:50 –17:10 Q&A session 17:10 –17:15 Closing remarks by Ms Tacko Ndiaye, Senior Officer, Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP), FAO The event will be moderated by Ms Tacko Ndiaye, Senior Officer, Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP), FAO. Stay tuned for the upcoming IYM 2023 webinar: 29 November 2023 – “Enhancing the collaboration on fonio for sustainable agriculture and improved local livelihoods” For more information, please contact: International-Year-Millets(a)fao.org<mailto:International-Year-Millets@fao.org>

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CFP: Genetic Improvement of Dryland Millets for Climate Change Adaptation
by Don Osborn 17 Nov '23

17 Nov '23

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. Vienna, Austria, has issued a call for proposals for grants to conduct research on proso millet, pearl millet, and finger millet: "Accelerated Genetic Improvement of Key Dryland Millets for Climate Change Adaptation (D24016)," The deadline for submissions is 15 December 2023. "The IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, is launching a new Coordinated Research Project (CRP) focused on Accelerated Genetic Improvement of Key Dryland Millets for Climate Change Adaptation, spanning a five-year timeframe from 2024 to 2028." For more information, see: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/new-crp-accelerated-genetic-improvemen… The application form can be downloaded at: https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/18/04/crp-agreement-proposal-2018.… Thanks to Fatma Sarsu (bcc'd) of IAEA for forwarding this information to our colleague and NAMA co-founder, Jonathon Landeck. DO, EL, MI, US NAMA

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Five items on millets & IYM in Canada, with comments
by Don Osborn 11 Nov '23

11 Nov '23

Here are references, links, and short descriptions for five popular press and blog articles on millets and the International Year of Millets (IYM) in Canada. I've numbered the items for convenience only. The order is not chronological - the most recent are nos. 2 & 3, while the other three are from the beginning of 2023. My summary comments follow, fwiw. 1) "Shining a Spotlight on Millet," Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2023-01-27 https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/science/story-agricultural-science/scienti… (Features a discussions on: little millet [Panicum sumatrense], which is being researched by a scientist in Saskatoon, Dr. Raju Soolanayakanahally, with partners in India; pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum] as a cover crop in potato growing systems in Prince Edward Island, being researched by Dr. Judith Nyiraneza; and sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor] and sweet pearl millet for bioethanol and silage in Eastern Canada, being researched by Dr. Annick Bertrand and Dr. Gaëtan F. Tremblay of the Centre de recherche et de développement du Québec.) 2) "Canada 'Millet King' plans to use the grain to make his own cereal, beer," by Indira Kannan, BNN Bloomberg, 8 Aug 2023 https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/canada-millet-king-plans-to-use-the-grain-to-ma… (Features Reynald Gauthier, a Manitoba farmer, who grows millet - it seems this is proso [Panicum mileaceum] - and is developing a line of food products made with it the brand name Millet King. Story and video. Some of the images in the video, such as of finger millet, do not seem to be from Canada.) 3) "2023 is the year of the millet. Here’s how and why to eat this climate-friendly grain," by Julie Van Rosendaal, The Globe and Mail, 31 August 2023. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/article-2023-is-the-year… (This is actually a good article, even tho there is some of the confusing-because-unexplained shifting between singular and plural that one sees in quite a few articles and blog posts on millets. The author covers basic facts about millets, inclufing that there are various types, mentions the IYM [with an outlink], and concludes with a recipe. There's also an outlink to an article with more info on Dr. Nyiraneza's research mentioned above.) 4) "Millet a sustainable, nutritious alternative grain," by Miranda Leybourne, Brandon Sun, 23 Feb. 2023 https://www.brandonsun.com/westman-this-week/2023/02/23/millet-a-sustainabl… (This article presents various facts about millets, mentions the IYM, and features the work of Dr. Soolanayakanahally mentioned above. However, it seems to treat the subject as if it were one grain, and there is no mention of types of millets.) 5) "3 things you should know about the untapped potential of millet, ... - Celebrating the unsung hero of the cereals: millets," by Michelle Campbell Mekarski, PhD, Renée-Claude Goulet, and Cassandra Marion, PhD, Ingenium Channel, 17 Feb. 2023 https://ingeniumcanada.org/channel/articles/3-things-you-should-know-about-… (First part of an omnibus blog post, this piece is a solid short intro to millets, with mention of the Canadian context.) Summary thoughts: As the last piece points out, millets, and specifically proso, are not "popular" as crops in Canada. However, there are some interesting things going on. * Noting Reynals Gauthier's "Millet King" cereal, and recalling Sujala Balaji and Rainfed Foods' millet milk, I wonder if one could pour an all-millets, all-Canadian (Manitoba, & Toronto, Ontario) breakfast bowl - might be a fun marketing idea. * I'm very interested to learn more about Dr. Raju Soolanayakanahally's work with little millet in Saskatchewan. Could this close "cousin" of proso millet find a place in North American agriculture? * Dr. Judith Nyiraneza's work with pearl millet in potato farming systems on Prince Edward Island reminds of an item I posted about on this list in March 2022, when looking at the northern limits of pearl millet. That item mentioned a Quebec farmer planting the latter around his potato field to reduce insect problems, successfully. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/366591/millet-pele-plante . Is the use of pearl millet with potatoes unique to Canada? * That short "Northern limits..." post from March 2022, BTW, is at https://lists.millets2023.space/pipermail/collab/2022-March/000026.html . Is Canada testing the northern limits of cultivation of millets more than anyone else? * Interesting to note the interest in sweet pearl millet as well as sweet sorghum for bioethanol. As always, feedback or other related items are invited. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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