The University of Arkansas’ sustainability research program is enhancing its global impact through international dialogue. Recently the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. State Department’s Embassy in Paris, France, invited Dr. Marty Matlock to be an expert speaker on the subject of agricultural sustainability. Matlock, executive director of the University of Arkansas Office for Sustainability and professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, made a series of presentations on U.S. agricultural sustainability programs to more than a dozen groups across France the week of March 14, 2016.
“Thanks to Dr. Matlock’s dedication and professionalism, we were able to have very constructive conversations with French government, university, and civil society organizations who are struggling with agricultural sustainability,” said David Salmon, Agricultural Counselor for the U.S. Embassy in Paris. “His positive, science-based message provided a constructive platform for engaging in the complex challenges we face.”
Matlock’s presentations covered a standardized framework for sustainable agriculture, water resource management strategies in the United States, and the work of Field to Market and other agricultural sustainability initiatives being led by University of Arkansas faculty. “The impact of the University of Arkansas sustainability research program cannot be overstated” said Matlock. “The combined efforts of internationally renowned faculty like Drs. Greg Thoma, Jennie Popp, Jon Johnson, and Curt Rom have created a portfolio of internationally recognized programs that include agricultural Life Cycle Assessment, supply chain sustainability strategies, economic decision support, and sustainable fruit and vegetable production methods. I had the opportunity to discuss this work with our colleagues in France.”
Matlock met with the French Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, France’s National Academy of Agriculture, members of the French Senate and National Assembly, several university groups and conservation organizations, journalists, and an agricultural sustainability think tank. These meetings were in Paris and Toulouse, and occurred over a five-day period. “This was a very busy week,” noted Laurent Journo, U.S. Foreign Agriculture Service Marketing Specialist, “but Dr. Matlock did an awesome job, and we hope it will result in expanded understanding of U.S. agricultural sustainability as well as encourage French organizations to work with stellar American universities such as the University of Arkansas.”