Playing with Pathogens while Promoting Plant Pathology

Fleer, J. M. Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Each year fewer students enroll in agricultural fields in universities nation-wide. Fewer students mean more mergers for departments within these universities. The plant pathology department at the University of Nebraska saw an increase in students in 2002-2003. However, with the current enrollment trends of agriculture students in universities, where will our future students come from? Plant pathology has impacted human civilizations for centuries via famine, plague, war, immigration, and other means. However, few children, adults, and even plant pathologists know of these impacts. This seminar will provide information regarding a few classical plant pathology diseases and their impacts on human society. Insight for using this information to develop plant pathology teaching activities for youth in promotion of plant pathology will then be provided.

APS Education

Microbes