UVM Food Systems Research Institute

Food Systems Undergraduate Research Fellows | The University of Vermont "The Food Systems Undergraduate Research Fellows program is an outstanding way to support talented undergraduate students with independent summer research. It has been wonderful to see students thrive...

Every summer, the FSRI funds undergraduates to work with UVM researchers on critical food systems topics. Read more about the summer fellowship: www.uvm.edu/ovpr/food-sy...

This summer, UVM Environmental Sciences major and FSRI Summer Undergraduate Fellow Benjamin Mowery worked in Taylor Ricketts' lab studying the effectiveness of these pollinator strips versus naturally occurring hedgerows.

YouTube video by UVM Food Systems Research Institute Buzzing Borders: FSRI Undergrad Fellow Ben Mowery Studies the Effectiveness of Pollinator Strips

🐝 🌸 Roughly one-third of the world's food supply depends on pollinators for production. Agricultural producers often plant flower-filled strips along their fields to encourage these insects to visit and pollinate their crops.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0aF...

Fungi and Mites: A Dynamic Pest Management Duo? | Food Systems Research Institute | The University of Vermont

FSRI Fellows are funded by the UVM Food Systems Research Institute to work with UVM researchers on critical food systems topics.

Read more: www.uvm.edu/ovpr/food-sy...

YouTube video by UVM Food Systems Research Institute Fungi and Mites: A Dynamic Pest Management Duo?

Could insects and fungi work together to be a chemical-free alternative to pesticides?

FSRI undergrad research fellow Lucy Lannan is researching an integrated pest management system that uses both mites and fungi to combat aphids.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-SY...

Visconti is a PhD candidate in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences (CMB) at the University of Vermont. She studies plant roots and root hairs - specifically the cellular pathways that influence their growth – which uptake water and nutrients to the rest of the plant.

YouTube video by UVM Food Systems Research Institute The Roots of Food Systems Sustainability

Could the building blocks to a more sustainable food system lie in the cellular structure of plant roots? That’s the question driving the research of Food Systems Research Institute PhD Fellow Regina Visconti.

Watch this video to learn more about her research: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbIe...

YouTube video by UVM Food Systems Research Institute Too Warm to Grow? FSRI PhD Fellow Hannah Shafer studies warming winters effect on cereal crops

What happens to wheat, oats, and barley production when winters are too warm?

FSRI PhD Fellow Hannah Shafer studies the genetics of grasses to understand how rising winter temperatures might impact the development and productivity of these cereal crops.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE1o...

UVM Announces Food Systems Research Institute | Food Systems Research Institute | The University of Vermont

, but with greater capacity to collaborate with colleges and schools across campus and with peer institutions.

Read More: www.uvm.edu/cals/food-sy...

📢 🍎 We are now the Food Systems Research Institute (FSRI)! 🐄 🍁

The FSRI will expand the mission of the Food Systems Research Center to support collaborative research that generates actionable insights for farmers, consumers, policymakers, and other food system stakeholders...

“Jonas brought curiosity and commitment to our time together,” said Trubek. “He embraced new and sometimes unexpected challenges, always ready to apply design thinking and iteration to his recipe testing.”

Their project focused on buckwheat—exploring its historical and current production—and culminated in a series of recipes using buckwheat groats and flour.

Working with Dr. Amy Trubek, he developed recipes aligned with the Kitchen’s tenets for sustainable practice: plant-forward, low-waste, whole-food utilization, local sourcing, and integrating taste and habit.

Jonas is passionate about cooking and cultural foodways and therefore sought hands-on research experience through an internship at University of Vermont’s new Climate Kitchen—a collaborative maker space reimagining the connection between food and climate change.

YouTube video by UVM Food Systems Research Center A Test Kitchen for Sustainable Cooking

“What I like about Food Systems as a major is that it’s pretty open-ended,” says Jonas Camera, a senior at UVM. “It’s great for people who are passionate and want to make their own way.”

youtu.be/KYdhBPrP0yw?...

Introducing the FSRC's Newest Postdoctoral Research Associates | Food Systems Research Center | The University of Vermont

The Food Systems Research Center is excited to introduce four new postdoctoral research associate hires that will support UVM faculty members studying critical issues in food systems research.

www.uvm.edu/cals/food-sy...

The FSRC provided research support for this project which updated the Milk Matters report from 2015.

Watch their conversation about the updated picture of Vermont's dairy industry: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cSz...

Last week, FSRC Director Polly Ericksen and Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Dairy Strategy & Innovation Manager Laura Ginsburg were featured on Across the Fence discussing the new Vermont Dairy Delivers Report: www.vermontdairy.com

Study: Vermont Farmers Embrace Soil Health | Food Systems Research Center | The University of Vermont

A new study by @uvmvermont.bsky.social and USDA Agricultural Research Service researchers reveals that soil health is seen as a living ecosystem by Vermont farmers and soil stakeholders.

Read more:
uvm.edu/cals/food-systems-research/news/study-vermont-farmers-embrace-soil-health

YouTube video by UVM Food Systems Research Center Mealworms on the Menu: Food Systems PhD student researches insects as a sustainable protein source

Patrick Shafer, a PhD candidate at UVM, is on a mission to make insects a delicious and sustainable protein source. By integrating insects into familiar foods, he's changing perceptions and paving the way for a more sustainable future. youtu.be/1Ya1tFolvU4

Congratulations @lesliespencer.bsky.social !

YouTube video by Across the Fence 04/30/25 SHREC: Soil Health Research & Extension Center

Catch Deborah Neher and Joshua Faulkner on Across the Fence this week discussing the new @uvmvermont.bsky.social Soil Health Research and Extension Center (SHREC)!

youtu.be/2-gC57CDH9w?...

UVM researchers team up with dining hall to create sustainable menu University of Vermont food researchers and the dining staff are serving up sustainable menus this week. The plant-forward meals are meant to support a more sustainable food system by reducing food was...

Amy Trubek and Nicole Reilly featured on WCAX discussing @uvmvermont.bsky.social's Climate Kitchen's collaboration with UVM Dining!

www.wcax.com/video/2025/0...

Starting this Earth Day, SHREC will begin accepting soil samples and offer local testing that provides better insights into Vermont's unique soil conditions.

Digging deep: UVM soil testing center aims to advance VT research BURLINGTON Vt. (ABC22 FOX44) – A new University of Vermont research center is hoping to “revolutionize” soil health research in the state. Leaders at The Soil Health Research and Extension Center (…

Deborah Neher and Joshua Faulkner were featured on ABC22 FOX44 discussing the new University of Vermont Soil Health Research and Extension Center (SHREC)!
www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-n...

UVM Soil Testing Center Gives Vermont Farmers a Local Solution | Food Systems Research Center | The University of Vermont

Read more: www.uvm.edu/cals/food-sy...

Starting April 22nd, SHREC will provide local soil testing tailored specifically to Vermont's unique soil conditions. This means more accurate and useful insights for our farmers and gardeners, helping them make informed decisions to improve soil health and crop productivity.

YouTube video by UVM Food Systems Research Center Soil Health Research and Extension Center at the University of Vermont

The FSRC is thrilled to announce the opening of the University of Vermont's new Soil Health Research and Extension Center (SHREC) this Earth Day! 🎉

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-jg...

UVM's Climate Kitchen Cooks Up the Food System of the Future | Seven Days For Public Philosophy Week, researchers shared recipes with buckwheat, mung beans and mealworms — and why they use kitchens to explore sustainable ingredients.

UVM's Climate Kitchen featured in this week's Seven Days for their Public Philosophy Week talk!

Read on to hear why Amy Trubek says "Buckwheat is magical."

www.sevendaysvt.com/food-drink/u...

Two people seated at a restaurant for a discussion-style event

Two people seated at a restaurant at a discussion-style event

Last week, we attended an engaging talk with Jordan and Cindi of Frankie's. The discussion, titled "A Circular Economy for Food (and Care) in Downtown Burlington," was a fantastic part of Public Philosophy Week. Thanks to Food Systems Research Center PhD fellow Sarra Talib for leading the convo!