- Collab - lists.millets2023.space

International Millets Conference 2023, Gering, NE, USA
by Don Osborn 23 Jun '23

23 Jun '23

[Message dated 22 June 2023 from Dr. Dipak Santra, UNL, organizer of the International Millets Conference, 1-3 Aug. 2023] Dear All: Following is the Schedule summary of the International Millets Conference. Details are being developed and will be posted at the conference website ( https://preec.unl.edu/international-millets-conference-2023) I am sorry for the delay. *Schedule (tentative) summary of the International Millets Conference 2023. Daily details are being worked out. * *Day/Activity* *Activities (morning)* *Activities (afternoon)* *Activities (evening)* *Tues, Aug.1 (Day-1)* Arriving Field tour at Scottsbluff & Mitchell** *Dinner on your own *Wed, Aug.2 (Day-2)* Field tour at HPAL & Kriesel Seeds (80 miles away)** Millets Conf_Presentations ending with Panel Discussion (Agronomy)** *Dinner on your own *Thurs, Aug.3 (Day-3)* Millets Conf_Presentations ending with Panel Discussion (Breeding Food Sci.Tech)** Millets Conf_Presentations ending with Panel Discussion (Business/Marketing /Networking)** Banquet Dinner** for Millets Conf. delegates and End of the Conf. *Mon, Aug.4 (Day-4)* Departure *Food and drinks NOT part of the Registration i.e. you are on your own. **Food & drinks are part of registration for the Millets Conference attendees Let me know if you have any questions regarding registration, hotel booking, and travel logistics. Best regards, Sincerely, Dipak Dipak Santra, Ph.D. *Associate Professor (Alternative Crops Breeding Specialist)* President, International Broomcorn Millet Association Department of Agronomy and Horticulture University of Nebraska–Lincoln Panhandle Research & Extension Center 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 *(*308) 632-124 <3086321372>4 (work) / (*308) 765-2324* (cell)

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Re: [Collab] Collab Digest, Vol 17, Issue 16
by Esther Shekinah 22 Jun '23

22 Jun '23

Timely effort on a great need! Thanks for putting this together, Dipak. Thanks, Esther Esther Shekinah, D. PhD Research Agronomist /Program Director (WiWiC) www.michaelfields.org Office: 262-642-3303 x112 Cell: 614-441-2125 -----Original Message----- From: Collab <collab-bounces(a)lists.millets2023.space> On Behalf Of collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2023 1:31 PM To: collab(a)lists.millets2023.space Subject: Collab Digest, Vol 17, Issue 16 Send Collab mailing list submissions to collab(a)lists.millets2023.space To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space You can reach the person managing the list at collab-owner(a)lists.millets2023.space When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Collab digest..." Today's Topics: 1. International Millets Conference 2023, Gering, NE, USA (Don Osborn) 2. Re: International Millets Conference 2023, Gering, NE, USA (Don Osborn) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2023 13:20:38 -0400 From: Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> To: collab(a)lists.millets2023.space Subject: [Collab] International Millets Conference 2023, Gering, NE, USA Message-ID: <CA+RHibWaR==XVRWFg9MWPbnnsHgJ7j9S_+GN0gpo5FqKNLCnaw(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" [Message dated 22 June 2023 from Dr. Dipak Santra, UNL, organizer of the International Millets Conference, 1-3 Aug. 2023] Dear All: Following is the Schedule summary of the International Millets Conference. Details are being developed and will be posted at the conference website ( https://preec.unl.edu/international-millets-conference-2023) I am sorry for the delay. *Schedule (tentative) summary of the International Millets Conference 2023. Daily details are being worked out. * *Day/Activity* *Activities (morning)* *Activities (afternoon)* *Activities (evening)* *Tues, Aug.1 (Day-1)* Arriving Field tour at Scottsbluff & Mitchell** *Dinner on your own *Wed, Aug.2 (Day-2)* Field tour at HPAL & Kriesel Seeds (80 miles away)** Millets Conf_Presentations ending with Panel Discussion (Agronomy)** *Dinner on your own *Thurs, Aug.3 (Day-3)* Millets Conf_Presentations ending with Panel Discussion (Breeding Food Sci.Tech)** Millets Conf_Presentations ending with Panel Discussion (Business/Marketing /Networking)** Banquet Dinner** for Millets Conf. delegates and End of the Conf. *Mon, Aug.4 (Day-4)* Departure *Food and drinks NOT part of the Registration i.e. you are on your own. **Food & drinks are part of registration for the Millets Conference attendees Let me know if you have any questions regarding registration, hotel booking, and travel logistics. Best regards, Sincerely, Dipak Dipak Santra, Ph.D. *Associate Professor (Alternative Crops Breeding Specialist)* President, International Broomcorn Millet Association Department of Agronomy and Horticulture University of Nebraska?Lincoln Panhandle Research & Extension Center 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 *(*308) 632-124 <3086321372>4 (work) / (*308) 765-2324* (cell)

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Re: [Collab] Collab Digest, Vol 17, Issue 11
by Gary Wietgrefe 20 Jun '23

20 Jun '23

More on Japanese millet: In the back of my 1990 book, *How to Produce Proso Millet: A Farmer's Guide,* I describe several other millets that had been grown in the U.S., Japanese millet was one (pp. 197-198). Perhaps I led to some of the confusion as I subtitled the category Echinochloa Crusgalli/Frumentacea. In the 1980s, a South Dakota seed company tried to grow Japanese millet, I assume Echinochloa esculenta, for seed. It was not a particularly good year for crops in general and my field inspection indicated it was not as drought hardy as proso or foxtail millets we customarily grow at this latitude. The seed company, which sold out twenty years ago, did not try to grow it again (to my knowledge). Lastly, there is production of Japanese millet, Echinochloa esculenta, in the U.S. See link to Johnson Seed Company, Enid, OK which offers 50 lb/bags for $57.00 (=$1.14 lb. for seed) which seems reasonable JAPANESE MILLET - Johnston Seed Company <https://www.johnstonseed.com/product/japanese-millet/>. Southeast Seed Inc., Trenton, FL also offers Japanese millet for sale Home - Southeast Seed Inc <https://southeastseed.com/> as does Speciality Seed Co. out of Anguilla, MS Japanese Millet - Specialty Seed <https://specialtyseed.com/japanese-millet/>. I hope this provides some clarification....Gary Wietgrefe On Sat, Jun 17, 2023 at 12:50 PM <collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: > Send Collab mailing list submissions to > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space > > You can reach the person managing the list at > collab-owner(a)lists.millets2023.space > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Collab digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Echinocloa spp. / Japanese / barnyard (Re: National Public > Radio on millets, June 8, 2023) (Don Osborn) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2023 14:50:12 -0400 > From: Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> > To: "collab(a)lists.millets2023.space" <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> > Cc: Joni Kindwall-Moore <joni(a)snacktivistfoods.com>, Dipak Santra > <dsantra2(a)unl.edu>, "Brenner, David (CTR) - REE-ARS" > <david.brenner(a)usda.gov> > Subject: [Collab] Echinocloa spp. / Japanese / barnyard (Re: National > Public Radio on millets, June 8, 2023) > Message-ID: > <CA+RHibWMpVQCuwjyBxY4j03XJKr0vB8on7= > izdx4k3QFEp2i2Q(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Thanks Dipak for your clarifications, and Joni for your question. I'm > proposing to retitle this fork in the thread to make it easier for others > to find later in the list archives. > > I'm interested in clarifying this space, because there are two species of > Echinochloa (primarily) that are referred to with various related common > names, and sometimes the same one. Here's my layperson's understanding of > what is obviously a very complicated space: > > * E. esculenta, is apparently descended from the wild E. crus-galli, and > domesticated in Japan as a food crop./1 I see one extension page where E. > crus-galli is listed as a forage crop, with the common name "barnyard > grass,"/2 and others where E. esculenta with common name "Japanese millet," > is also listed as a forage crop,/3 or cover crop as DIpak indicated. E. > esculenta is often called Japanese millet or Japanese barnyard millet. > > * E. frumentacea, is apparently descended from the wild E. colona, and > domesticated somewhere in South Asia (?)./4 E. frumentacea as a forage crop > is also called Japanese millet,/5 unhelpfully, as well as billion dollar > grass./6 It is sometimes considered a weed./7 I have the impression that > most if not all of the commercialized "barnyard millet" food products from > India are from E. frumentacea. Another term is "Indian barnyard millet." > > One extension site, also unhelpfully, lumps the two species together under > the name "Japanese millet," as forage crops./8 > > I'd be most interested to know of cases where either of the above are grown > in North America for food quality grain, on a commercial or even a > small-scale, basis, for whatever use or market. No idea, Joni, about the > particular issues with dehulling any of these. > > This is very quick and inadequate, but hopefully not misleading. > > By the way, this subgroup of millets will collectively be the > "millet-of-the-month," under the heading "barnyard millet," in July > > Don. > > DO, EL, MI, US > NAMA > > Notes (sorry, these were hastily and unsystematically gathered): > 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinochloa_esculenta > 2. > > https://www.misin.msu.edu/facts/detail/?project=misin&id=256&cname=Barnyard… > 3. > > https://www.canr.msu.edu/potatooutreach/research/mpic%20report%202018%20upd… > (page 93) > 4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinochloa_frumentacea > 5. For example at > > https://midwestcovercrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/MCCC_Proceedings-2… > (page 51 in the concatenation of documents with individual page numbers) > 6. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/mspmcrb13988.pdf (this > document > concerns a variety called "chiwapa") > 7. https://weedid.cals.vt.edu/profile/237 > 8. https://www.midwestcovercrops.org/species/grasses/millet/ > > > On Sat, Jun 17, 2023 at 1:28?PM Joni Kindwall-Moore < > joni(a)snacktivistfoods.com> wrote: > > > Has anyone had experience with dehulling Japanese millet? Is it similar > to > > dehulling Proso millet? > > > > On Sun, Jun 11, 2023 at 2:06?PM Dipak Santra via Collab < > > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: > > > >> Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta), also called barnyard millet, > >> possibly is used in cover crop mix and as human food 9after dehulling > (like > >> other millet) for ethnic population (mainly Indian) in North America. > It is > >> very popular in India grocery stores what I have seen. > >> > >> > >> > >> Dipak > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> Dipak Santra, Ph.D. > >> > >> *Associate Professor (Alternative Crops Breeding Specialist)* > >> > >> President, International Broomcorn Millet Association > >> > >> Department of Agronomy and Horticulture > >> > >> University of Nebraska?Lincoln > >> > >> Panhandle Research & Extension Center > >> > >> 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 > >> > >> *(*308) 632-124 <3086321372>4 (work) / (*308) 765-2324* (cell) > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> *From:* Collab <collab-bounces(a)lists.millets2023.space> *On Behalf Of > *Don > >> Osborn > >> *Sent:* Saturday, June 10, 2023 10:47 PM > >> *To:* Brenner, David (CTR) - REE-ARS <david.brenner(a)usda.gov> > >> *Cc:* collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > >> *Subject:* Re: [Collab] National Public Radio on millets, June 8, 2023 > >> > >> > >> > >> Non-NU Email > >> ------------------------------ > >> > >> Thank you, David, I appreciate your sharing this. It's of course another > >> version of the radio segment that aired last month on a more local scale > >> (Kansas CIty, apparently): > >> > >> https://www.kcur.org/2023-05-17/millets-drought-climate-united-nations > >> < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.kcur.org/2023-05-17/millets-drought-…> > . > >> Altho shorter, the NPR Morning Edition version captures all the main > >> points. And of course it went out nationally in the US, which is great. > >> > >> > >> > >> Regarding the content of the segment, I'm particularly curious to know > >> more about the Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta) that Linus > >> Rothermich is growing - what are the markets for this grain in > >> North America? I am aware of the plant's use as forage and for wildlife > in > >> the US. > >> > >> > >> > >> TIA for any more info, > >> > >> > >> > >> Don > >> > >> > >> DO, EL, MI, US > >> > >> NAMA > >> > >> > >> > >> bcc: Rob Myers > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> On Fri, Jun 9, 2023 at 1:18?PM Brenner, David (CTR) - REE-ARS < > >> david.brenner(a)usda.gov> wrote: > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > https://www.npr.org/2023/06/08/1180964010/the-united-nations-declares-2023-… > >> < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.npr.org/2023/06/08/1180964010/the-un… > > > >> > >> [image: Image removed by sender.] > >> < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.npr.org/2023/06/08/1180964010/the-un… > > > >> > >> The United Nations declares 2023 the International Year of Millets > >> < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.npr.org/2023/06/08/1180964010/the-un… > > > >> > >> Millets, an alternative crop to corn and soybeans, is getting new > >> attention in the U.S. The resilient grain could help U.S. farmers > survive > >> climate change. > >> > >> www.npr.org > >> < > https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.npr.org__;!!PvXuogZ4sRB2p-tU!BRDQvnZU… > > > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> ------------------------------ > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA > solely > >> for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this > message > >> or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the > law > >> and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe > you > >> have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete > >> the email immediately. > >> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> Collab mailing list > >> Collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > >> https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab > >> > > >

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RESCHEDULED: 2023 North American Sorghum & Millets Culinary Experience now on Sep. 25-26
by Don Osborn 20 Jun '23

20 Jun '23

Please note the new dates in September! DO, EL, MI, US NAMA ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Sorghum United <sorghumunited(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 7:39 AM Subject: For Immediate Release: 2023 North American Sorghum and Millets Culinary Experience Rescheduled for September 25 and 26 To: Sorghum United <sorghumunited(a)gmail.com> Nate Blum Chief Executive Officer Sorghum United 2500 West Cardwell Road Lincoln, NE 68523 +1 402 802 1850 sorghumunited(a)gmail.com www.sorghumunited.com Supports the *For Immediate Release: * *Monday, May 22, 2023* 2023 NORTH AMERICAN SORGHUM AND MILLETS CULINARY EXPERIENCE IN GRAND ISLAND NEBRASKA RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 25 AND 26 *Lincoln:* Sorghum United will host the 2023 North American Sorghum and Millets Culinary Experience September 25th and 26th. The event will be held at Raising Nebraska, located at Fonner Park. The Experience is intentionally designed to provide cooking demonstrations and presentations regarding the nutrition and environmental impacts of small ancient grains for the benefit of chefs, dietitians, nutritionists, and physicians. However, the event is also free and open to the public. “Innumerable scientific studies regarding the positive impacts of including sorghum and millets in human diets have been published globally in the past decade. As a result, more and more culinary professionals have begun incorporating these climate-smart ancient grains in their formulations and recipes,” stated Sorghum United Chief Executive Officer, Nate Blum. “Raising Nebraska will be an ideal location at which to showcase the valuable health benefits of sorghum and millets as components of the next generation of consumer food products.” This event will be held in partnership with the North American Millets Alliance (NAMA) and in conjunction with the United Nations (UN) “International Year of Millets”. Registration is free and can be found at: eventbright.com, Keyword “SorghumUnited”. Chefs and researchers seeking to register to present may do so at: signupgenius.com, Keyword “sorghumunited(a)gmail.xn--com-9o0a. *Sorghum United is an international non-governmental organization working for consumer and producer education, markets development, entrepreneurial empowerment and global food security in the sorghum and millets space* -- *Nate Blum* Chief Executive Officer Sorghum United +1 402 802 1850 sorghumunited(a)gmail.com

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6th Millets Webinar, Wed. 6/21/2023: Tasty grains: What millets bring to the table
by Don Osborn 17 Jun '23

17 Jun '23

Please join us for the 6th in our monthly Millets Webinar Series on Wednesday 21 June at 5 pm EDT. With the theme "Tasty grains: What millets bring to the table," it will feature presentations by two prominent chefs, followed by Q&A: - Chef Pierre Thiam, award-winning cookbook author, restauranteur, and entrepreneur. He’ll present on integrating millets into our food systems, with focus on fonio - Chef Nazim Khan, award-winning professional executive chef, currently executive chef at Bryan Health, in Lincoln, NE, will be centering his presentation around uses of sorghum This and the previous Webinar in May on processing, have some overlap, but whereas the emphasis of that one was "harvest to food," this one is more "kitchen to table." Sorghum, by coincidence, is our "millet-of-the-month" in June, and fonio was the MotM last month. If you are not already registered for the Millets Webinar Series, you may sign up here: https://umsystem.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctduutrTgoGNLZnrkxtUw614DEjAT3S… The Millets Webinar Series is being organized during the International Year of Millets (2023) by the North American Millets Alliance (NAMA) and the Food Engineering and Sustainable Technologies (FEAST) Lab at the University of Missouri, with additional support from the Center for Regenerative Agriculture, also at the University of Missouri. DO, EL, MI, US NAMA (bcc's to the two presenters)

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FW: Save the date ::::''Unlocking the Power of Diversity'': The Role of Sorghum and Millets Genetic Resources::::14 June 2023, 12:00-14:30 (CEST)
by Taguchi, Makiko (NSP) 09 Jun '23

09 Jun '23

Dear all, I'm not sure how this will show up in this list, but it is an announcement for the first webinar we are organizing here at the IYM secretariat. Please share it through your networks and join us in the webinar. Best regards Makiko [A picture containing text, plant, outdoor Description automatically generated] S A V E T H E D A T E 14 June 2023 | 12:00 to 2:30 pm (CEST) "Unlocking the Power of Diversity: The Role of Sorghum and Millets Genetic Resources" in Sustainable Agriculture" An online event in English, with interpretation in Arabic, French, and Spanish REGISTER HERE<https://www.fao.org/plant-treaty/meetings/meetings-detail/en/c/1640261/> On the occasion of the International Year of Millets 2023<https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/en>, the Secretariat of FAO's International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is collaborating with the Crop Trust and ICRISAT to organize an international panel of experts to highlight the importance of the genetic diversity of sorghum and millets for food security and nutrition. The Panel will reflect on recent advances and current challenges in the conservation, sharing, and use of the diversity of these important but often unjustly overlooked crops. The panel will comprise high-level experts from FAO, the Crop Trust, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and other governmental, private sector, and civil society organizations with an interest in sorghum and millets. The experts will provide a global overview of the status of the production of sorghum and millets, and of the conservation and use of their diversity, including the latest trends and statistics. They will focus, in particular, on current practices by international genebanks, national programs, researchers, breeders, the seed sector and non-governmental organizations. Examples from Asia and Africa, as well as from other selected regions around the world, will be showcased. The panel will also help identify current barriers to the effective and efficient use of the diversity of these crops and opportunities that may benefit from joint efforts. A G E N D A<https://www.fao.org/3/cc6151en/cc6151en.pdf> Time Agenda item and Presenters 12:00 Opening Session 12:15 Keynote Presentation: What are the challenges to sorghum and millet production and consumption and how can we overcome them? Mr Prabhu Pingali, Professor and Director, Tata-Cornell Institute, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Cornell University 12:40 Presentations: Perspectives on the conservation of plant genetic resources: Ms Paula Bramel, Consultant, Crop Trust: Crop Conservation Strategies for Millets and Sorghum Mr Colin Khoury, Senior Director, Science and Conservation, San Diego Botanic Garden: The Crops That Feed the World Mr Kuldeep Singh, Head Genebank, ICRISAT: Conservation at ICRISAT Mr Rajeev Varshney, Director, Centre for Crop & Food Innovation, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University (Australia), Recent Developments in Sorghum and Millets Genomics 13:30 Panel Discussion: The Use of Diversity Introduction by moderators, Mr Luigi Guarino (Crop Trust) and Mr Álvaro Toledo (ITPGRFA) Mr Andrew Mushita, Executive Director, Community Technology Development Organization (CTDO), Zimbabwe Mr Alexander Bombom, Principal Research Scientist, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)-National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), Uganda Mr Stephen Kresovich, Program Director, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement, Department of Global Development, Cornell University, USA Ms Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, India Ms Damaris A. Odeny, Plant Molecular Breeder, ICRISAT Ms Maria Marta Pastina, Research Director, Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, Brazil Mr David Jordan, Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Queensland, Australia 14:30 Closure

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Re: [Collab] SDSN millet webinar series (Don Osborn)
by Taguchi, Makiko (NSP) 06 Jun '23

06 Jun '23

Dear Don and colleagues, IYM will be launching a photo contest very soon, which will be broader than the UNSDSN one targeting youth. We are now in touch with SDSN to better coordinate our activities. I hope people from this network will also contribute to the IYM photo contest. Once launched, I will send in the announcement here also. I do hope that through IYM we are able to collect all the relevant materials on millets and make them available on the long run. Best Makiko -----Original Message----- From: Collab <collab-bounces(a)lists.millets2023.space> On Behalf Of collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space Sent: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 6:04 AM To: collab(a)lists.millets2023.space Subject: [BULK] Collab Digest, Vol 17, Issue 1 Send Collab mailing list submissions to collab(a)lists.millets2023.space To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space You can reach the person managing the list at collab-owner(a)lists.millets2023.space When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Collab digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: SDSN millet webinar series (Don Osborn) 2. Re: Supposed downsides of millets as food (Don Osborn) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 5 Jun 2023 23:15:30 -0400 From: Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> To: "collab(a)lists.millets2023.space" <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> Subject: Re: [Collab] SDSN millet webinar series Message-ID: <CA+RHibW4Xv+jf9k6_eNJtOXgx4pE+U=tDytyOKv3y4dqU6ezxQ(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Here's a quick reminder about the SDSN webinar series. The first one of three is this Friday 9 June at 5 am EDT. You can register at: https://www.unsdsn.org/sdsn-commemorates-international-year-of-millets Webinar 1: History of Millets <https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jKCqIkYUTk6NXVPyCuGXWQ> June 9, 2023 | 5 am EDT | 11 am CEST | 2:30 pm IST | Register <https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jKCqIkYUTk6NXVPyCuGXWQ> This webinar will describe the different varieties of millet and how they were domesticated over millennia, where they are grown, as well as provide a general overview of how different cultures use them in cuisine. Featured speakers include: - Paul Newnham, Director of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub Secretariat and Coordinator of the Chef?s Manifesto - Chef Manisha Bhasin, Corporate Executive Chef at ITC Hotels - Chubbamenla Jamir, Co-Lead for Mountain Agriculture thematic Working Group of the Himalayan Universities Consortium Happy to note that the titles of the webinars were modified to include the plural "millets," which we see as important to messaging about this group of grains in the International Year of Millets and beyond. Note also their mention of the photography contest to highlight culinary uses of millets. I'll circle back soon to spotlight that. (In the meantime, does anyone know of other photography contests for IYM?) DO, EL, MI, US NAMA On Fri, May 12, 2023 at 9:31?AM Don Osborn <don(a)milletsalliance.org> wrote: > Thank you, Joanna. I was not aware of it, but appreciate your bringing > it to our attention, and am glad that the UN Sustainable Development > Solutions Network (SDSN) is undertaking this project. > > A couple of quick related items before brief comments on the SDSN > webinar series as described in your email and on the page you linked to: > * Our (NAMA and University of Missouri) next webinar will be next > Wednesday, 5/17 5 pm EDT; 2 PDT), on millets processing - basically > what happens between harvest and food. It will feature presentations > from Bay State Milling and Simple Kneads. More details forthcoming! > * With the number of webinars being produced on millets and IYM2023, > I'm wondering about a meta-directory of presenters and presentations, > and beyond that, about the potential for reusing this diverse material > in some way (with permissions of course) - perhaps in documenting the > IYM. Just another "thinking ahead" topic... > > SDSN's webinar series looks very interesting. It seems like they are > varying the hours, perhaps to accommodate presenters and/or gather > diverse audiences? > > I'm hoping they can edit the titles of the webinars, and descriptions > of their content, to use "millets" in plural, in order to be in sync > with messaging on IYM, and indeed on their own page, which also > discusses "millets" in introducing the series topic. After all, these > are different species of crops - not just different varieties - and > grains with their own nutritional and flavor profiles. > > All the best, > > Don > > DO, EL, MI, US > NAMA > > Bcc: UN SDSN (info) > > > On Fri, May 12, 2023 at 1:04?AM Joanna Kane-Potaka < > joanna.kanepotaka(a)outlook.com> wrote: > >> Dear All >> Have you see this other millet webinar series from the UN Sustainable >> Development Solutions Network (SDSN) - see below or here >> https://www.unsdsn.org/sdsn-commemorates-international-year-of-millet >> s >> >> <https://www.unsdsn.org/sdsn-commemorates-international-year-of-mille >> ts> SDSN Commemorates International Year of Millets >> <https://www.unsdsn.org/sdsn-commemorates-international-year-of-mille >> ts> The United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of >> Millets (IYM 2023) and named the UN Food and Agriculture Organization >> (FAO) as the lead agency for celebrating the Year in collaboration >> with other relevant stakeholders. The objective of IYM 2023 is to >> raise awareness of, and direct policy attention to, the >> socio-cultural, nutritional, and environmental benefits of millet >> cultivation. The Year will also promote their potential to provide >> new sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers. >> www.unsdsn.org >> >> Regards >> Joanna >> >> *Webinar Series* >> >> *Webinar 1: History of Millet* >> June 9, 2023 | 5 am EDT | 11 am CEST | 2:30 pm IST | Register >> >> This webinar will describe the different varieties of millet and how >> they were domesticated over millennia, where they are grown, as well >> as provide a general overview of how different cultures use them in >> cuisine. Featured speakers include: >> >> - Paul Newnham, Director of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub Secretariat and >> Coordinator of the Chef?s Manifesto >> - Chef Manisha Bhasin, Corporate Executive Chef at ITC Hotels >> - Chubbamenla Jamir, Co-Lead for Mountain Agriculture thematic >> Working Group of the Himalayan Universities Consortium >> >> *Webinar 2: Sustainability of Millet* July 7, 2023 | 10 am PST | 1 pm >> EST | 8 pm EAT | Register >> >> This webinar will review the sustainability aspects of growing >> millet, including the reduced need for inputs (e.g., water, >> fertilizer, pesticides), as well as its resilience to climate change. >> Featured speakers >> include: >> >> - Chef Pierre Thiam, Executive Chef of Nok by Alara (Lagos, Nigeria); >> Signature Chef of the Pullman Hotel (Dakar, Senegal); Executive Chef and >> Co-Owner of Teranga (New York City, USA) >> - Dr . Rebbie Harawa, Country Representative for Kenya and Regional >> Director for Eastern & Southern Africa, ICRISAT >> - Lauren Barredo, Chief of Staff, SDSN >> >> *Webinar 3: Nutritional Benefits of Millet* Date TBD >> >> This webinar will review the nutritional content of millet and the >> role it can play in achieving SDG2, particularly in arid settings >> where food scarcity is a challenge and climate change is a threat. >> >> *Youth Photography Contest* >> >> Beginning June 1 and running through August 31, 2023, we invite youth >> to submit photos of millet. Submissions will be received on Twitter >> or Instagram by using the hashtags #IYM2023 and #MyMillet, and >> tagging @UNSDSN. Each submission must include a caption with (at >> minimum) the location (e.g., Bangalore, India) and the name of the >> millet (e.g., finger millet). The contest will be open to youth, ages >> 16 to 30, from anywhere in the world. Each individual can submit no >> more than three photos for consideration. >> >> There will be two prizes. One photo selected by the committee will be >> featured on the cover of SDSN?s millet cookbook. A second 'People?s >> Choice Award' will go to the photo with the most likes. Winners will >> be announced via Twitter and Instagram in September 2023. The >> selection committee will be comprised of Chubamenla Jamir (Mountain >> Agriculture Center, India), Lauren Barredo (SDSN, USA), Brighton >> Kaoma (SDSN Youth, Zambia), Grady Walker (University of Reading, UK), >> and Inbal Abergil (Pace University, USA). Photos will be judged based >> on storytelling, creativity, and composition. >> >> Warm regards, >> SDSN >> >> ------------------------------ >> >>

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Thinking ahead: World Millets Week?
by Don Osborn 05 Jun '23

05 Jun '23

There are a lot of annually recurrent United Nations sponsored observances, in the form of days, mostly, and some weeks. You can browse the list at https://www.un.org/en/observances/list-days-weeks Some international years are followed by the establishment of an annual day on the same theme. I believe this is the case with the International Year of Pulses (2016) and the World Pulses Day (Feb. 10). While not advocating such an annual observance for millets, I wanted to take the opportunity now - in case others are thinking about it - to suggest that any such proposal be for a week, and not just a day. One day would seem fully inadequate for the number of millets - which, by the way, is greater than the number of pulses Another possibility might be for a separate day dedicated to each millet, but that could add a dozen and a half new UN days. A World Millets Week, however, would allow time in each region to focus on different sets of millets that are grown in each world region. Anyway, just putting that out there, Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance

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May's "millet-of-the-month": fonio
by Don Osborn 30 May '23

30 May '23

Our "millet-of-the-month" for May is .... fonio (*Digitaria exilis*). This tiny grain is grown in the West African Sahel, and also further south (I first got to know it in the plateau region of southern Togo, and later saw & ate a lot of it in Futa Jalon, Guinea). It is quick growing, adapted to adverse conditions, and a nutritious grain. In recent years it has been packaged and exported to markets in North America and Europe. And even more recently, a range of products have been developed (from snacks, to flavored mixes, to beverages). The name "fonio" comes from Wolof via French (altho several languages in western West Africa have similar names). It is also called "acha" - a borrowing from Hausa - especially in Nigeria and eastern West Africa. The moniker "hungry rice" is also used to describe this plant, as it can be sown and harvested in the "hungry season" before larger cereal crops are ready to harvest. Fonio is actually one of four (4) *Digitiaria* species among the millets. There is also a less widely grown "black fonio" (*D. iburua*) mainly in eastern W. Africa. In the Khasi Hills of northeast India there is "raishan" (*D. compacta*). And a variety of crabgrass sometimes called "Polish millet" (*D. sanguinalis*) was grown for food in central Europe, and by early settlers in North America - although this is usually treated as a weed today. The idea of the millet-of-the-month calendar is to spotlight one millet each month out of the crowd of millets, which are otherwise not well known individually in this part of the world. This month, the spotlight is shared with 3 botanically related millets Links: * Reference: ** Fonio (aka white fonio): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitaria_exilis ** Black or iburua fonio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitaria_iburua ** Raishan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitaria_compacta ** Polish millet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitaria_sanguinalis ** Some images of fonio & fonio products: https://www.pinterest.com/drdonosborn/fonio-teff-africas-tiniest-millets/fo… * Sampling of recent articles & a podcast mentioning fonio or raishan ** "Make Me Care About...Ancient Grains" podcast of the Bill & Linda Gates Foundation, 10 May 2023. Features an interview by Jen Hatmaker of Pierre Thiam, chef, entrepreneur, author, and social activist. Fonio is a prominent topic. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/podcast/make-me-care-about/episode-7-ancien… ** "The Path To Ending Hunger Starts With Putting Farmers, Fishers, and Ranchers First," by Danielle Nierenberg, Forbes, 15 May 2023. Article mentions fonio in Mali, and an effort to develop processing capacity for the grain (USAID, Yolélé, and Sustainable African Foods). https://www.forbes.com/sites/daniellenierenberg/2023/05/15/the-path-to-endi… ** "The Ancient Super Grain That Could Help Feed the World," by Dan Saladino, Foreign Policy, 8 Oct. 2022. Particular attention is given to the example of raishan. https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/10/08/food-crisis-biodiversity-agriculture-i… DO, EL, MI, US NAMA

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June webinar, advance notice
by Don Osborn 28 May '23

28 May '23

The next Millets Webinar, on Wed. 21 June, has as its theme, "Tasty grains: What millets bring to the table." Whereas the May webinar focused on processing of millets "from harvest to food," the upcoming one highlights culinary aspects, "from kitchen to table." We are fortunate to have as presenters, Chef Nazim Khan and Chef Pierre Thiam, each of whom brings considerable experience to the subject. We will be following with more information soon on the presenters and their respective topics. DO, EL, MI, US NAMA

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