May 29, 2007 |
1. Rice Processing Alliance reviews research
2. Blueberry and Blackberry Workshop at Fruit Substation. Tuesday
3. Rooster art collection open house. Next Wednesday
4. Food Protection Workshop features security expert
5. Fowlers featured in "Kiplinger's"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1. Rice Processing Alliance reviews research
 |
 |
|
| Fissuring Study -- Program Associate Jun Estorninos describes an experiment that uses an environment chamber and a camera with intense light to detect fissures in rice kernels during a tour by participants in the Rice Processing Program Industry Alliance meeting. | Rice Analysis -- Associate Professor Jean François Meullenet demonstrates a near infrared instrument that uses an invisible spectrum of light to analyze fat, protein and moisture content of rice and other grains during a tour by the Rice Processing Program Industry Alliance. |
A comprehensive database of the physical and chemical properties of rice was a hot topic at the U of A Division of Agriculture's Rice Processing Program's 14th annual Industry Alliance meeting May 23 and 24 at the Continental Hotel in Fayetteville.
University Professor Terry Siebenmorgen, coordinator of the Rice Processing Program, said. "This database will make available to the industry a systematic compilation of rice characteristics that will encompass the many rice varieties, growing locations and environmental conditions that have an impact on rice quality."
Siebenmorgen said the database will provide access to findings from a variety of research projects over a period of years and will be updated with new research results. The database project is led by food scientist Jean-François Meullenet and includes food scientist Ruben Morawicki, rice physiologist Paul Counce and rice breeders James Gibbons and Karen Moldenhauer in addition to Siebenmorgen.
The annual meeting with rice processors "is a way for us to make sure our research is reaching those who are supporting our program and is relevant to their needs," Siebenmorgen said.
The Rice Processing Program has helped processors improve product quality through a better understanding of the causes of fissuring of rice kernels and how drying, storing and handling methods can be adjusted to reduce fissuring and breakage of kernels.
Processors toured the Food Science Department's pilot plant and sensory lab where rice research is conducted and heard research reports from several Division of Agriculture scientists. Rice processing research receives funding support from rice cooperatives and companies and the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board, which is funded by rice farmers through a checkoff program.
__________________________________________
2. Blueberry and Blackberry Workshop at Fruit Substation - Tuesday
The Department of Horticulture will conduct a Blueberry and Blackberry Production Workshop at the Fruit Substation near Clarksville, June 5, from 1 to 6 p.m. The program is designed as a refresher course on pest management, economics, cultivars and basic cultural practices. This workshop requires pre-registration before May 24. The cost to attend is $20. To register or for information, contact Jo Salazar, Department of Horticulture, 575-8619.
The workshop includes a tour of the Fruit Substation. There is very little fruit to see because of the freeze damage, but some fruit survived in the breeding program plots.
__________________________________________
 |
3. Rooster art collection open house next Wednesday
A dedication and open house for an exhibit of more than 500 rooster figurines and images from around the world is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, in the John W. Tyson Poultry Science Building. A dedication program in the Leland Tollett Auditorium will be followed at 1:30 p.m. by a reception and tour of the collection.
The Melvin and Lorraine Fields Collection includes pieces from designers such as Lalique, Sabino, Hummel, Lladro, Schmidt Company, Baccarat, Limoges and Dresden. The pieces are in crystal, enamel, bronze, teak, gold, silver, porcelain, rose quartz, terra cotta, jade, serpentine, steatite, wood and other materials.
The late Melvin Fields acquired the collection during some 40 years as a poultry company manager and broker in Los Angeles. His wife, Loraine Fields of Poway, Calif., donated the collection to the University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture in his memory.
__________________________________________
4. Food Protection Workshop features security expert
When Rod Wheeler looks around food processing facilities to assess their security, he might find a small problem or two: an open door, a lax procedure on granting entry. Those problems would be enough to do significant damage for a determined terrorist or disgruntled person.
Wheeler was a featured speaker during the Advanced Food Protection Workshop May 23-24, cosponsored by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at the UA's Center for Continuing Education.
The workshop was organized by Steve Seideman, Food Science extension specialist, and included presentations by Seideman on crisis management; Phil Crandall, Food Science, on the ALERT food security awareness initiative; Frank Jones, Poultry Science, on agricultural biosecurity; and Bill Hargrave, Information Systems, on the Radio Frequency Identification system. Other FDA, industry and university experts spoke on a variety of topics.
Whether food is deliberately contaminated on the farm, at the processing plant, at a distribution center, at a retail outlet or in the home, the outcome stands to be the same. "Anywhere in the food chain: if we're vulnerable, we're vulnerable everywhere," Wheeler said.
Wheeler performs "vulnerability assessments" for the food industry as part of his job as food defense specialist with the American Institute of Baking. He helps food companies develop and implement food safety and security plans.
Wheeler recalled in 2004 that Tommy Thompson, then the secretary of health and human services, said he was surprised that there had not been a terrorist attack on the food supply because of the relative ease with which it could be done. That statement was accurate then, Wheeler said, but improvements across the industry since then made the food supply less vulnerable.
__________________________________________
 |
|
5. Fowlers featured in "Kiplinger's"
Sophia Fowler, Division of Agriculture associate for administration in the Vice President for Agriculture's Fayetteville office, and her husband, George, are featured in the July issue of "Kiplinger's" magazine. George is head of information systems for UA Libraries.
The article, by "Portfolio Doctor" Jeffrey Kosnett, is titled, "New jobs, new life: Clean slate." Kosnett presents a brief analysis of the Fowler's investment portfolio, which includes a mix of stocks and mutual funds in addition to their TIAA-CREF retirement plan.
The Fowler's moved here from New Jersey last October. Sophia said she wrote to "Kiplinger's" after reading an article about early retirement, asking for more information. The resulting conversation led to the Fowlers being selected as subjects for a "Portfolio Doctor" article.
AAES and Bumpers College Web sites:
http://aaes.uark.edu/
http://bumperscollege.uark.edu/