Little Rock, Arkansas
May 1, 2007
 Dennis
A. Lawn, Ph.D. plant pathology (left on photo), recently
returned from a 12-day tour of new vegetable production areas in
Guatemala. Dennis volunteered for this assignment through the
John Ogonowski Farmer-to-Farmer program, funded by the U.S.
Agency for International Development. This project, which is
part of the program recently visited by President George Bush
during his visit to Guatemala, is a direct result of the new
Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which allows for
the export of pink/red tomato fruit from Central America into
the USA. Dennis is currently employed with the
United Genetics Seed
Company on Fairview Road, Hollister, California.
Dr. Lawn’s initial assignment was to provide classes in
greenhouse vegetable production training techniques but this was
expanded to include a survey of new tomato production areas
along the borders of El Salvador and Honduras. By working
directly with personnel from the Federación de Associones de
Agrícolas de Guatemala (FASAGUA), Dr. Lawn evaluated the
principal production limiting factors, including Begomovirus
infection and various soilborne pathogens throughout the region.
His presentations emphasized “pesticide-free” vegetable
production and sustainable agricultural methodology.
Source:
Winrock International |
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