Biotech & Tomato Breeding – Social Media on the Farm

Improving plants with biotechnology is not just genetic engineering, it is using tools of molecular biology and genomics to guide traditional breeding strategies.  In this episode Dr. Harry Klee from the University of Florida discusses how the Plant Innovation Center utilizes such strategies to breed tomatoes with superior flavors.  In part two, University of Manitoba student Chelsea Boonstra discusses how a classroom assignment turned into a social media sensation, and became the public face of her family’s dairy operation.  We discuss the role of the farmer as a trusted source of ag information, and the importance of telling their stories using online media.

Dr. Klee’s website – Here’s where you can get tomato seeds for a small donation to the breeding program!
The Garden Gem Facebook Page     On Twitter:  @kleelab
More Chelsea Boonstra:  Chelsea’s Boonstra Farms Video on YouTube   On Twitter:  @cboon6 or @forevrfarmgirl

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The Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.