JUNE NEWSLETTER

Written by Katie Modic

Top of Mind The VIII Wallace Scientific Conference Brought Together 170 Participants to Transform Food Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean The eighth edition of the Wallace Scientific Conference organized by CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) took place May 31 - June 3, 2023 and brought together participants from 20 countries around the world to discuss and establish sustainable, healthy and fair food systems in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Learn More Transformative Education As CATIE Celebrates 50 Years, The Tropics Foundation Looks Back to Some of the Institution's First Graduates  CATIE has the oldest international Graduate Program in Agriculture and Natural Resources in Latin America. One of CATIE’s early notable graduate students was Adelaida Chaverri Polini, a world renowned scientist of mountain ecosystems from Costa Rica, who completed her Master's Degree in Forest Sciences between 1975-1977. Learn More Impact Oriented Research CATIE's Recent Publications View All Publications: CATIE Archive  Events Latin American-Caribbean Cocoa Forum: challenges and guidelines for modern and sustainable cocoa farming in the region CATIE and its partners, the Korean Cooperation for Food and Agriculture in Latin America (KoLFACI) and the Cocoa Committee of Central America and the Dominican Republic (SICACAO), are pleased to invite you to participate in the Latin American-Caribbean Cocoa Forum: challenges and guidelines for modern and sustainable cocoa farming in the region. This free event will take place August 30 - September 1 and has both in person and virtual options.  Learn More and Register News Southwest Airlines, CATIE, and the Tropics Foundation Announce a $25,000.00 Sponsorship Why the Time for Trees, Forests, and Agroforestry is Now CATIE Celebrates World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought Read More Read More Read More Organizational Updates Rick Peyser Joins TTF's Board of Directors The Tropics Foundation was thrilled to welcome Rick Peyser to its Board of Directors in April, 2023. In addition to being Senior Advisor at Food4Farmers, Rick has held many distinguished leadership roles in the agriculture and coffee sectors. Between 2014 - 2022, Rick managed Lutheran World Relief’s (LWR) coffee and cocoa relationships. Prior to this, Rick led Keurig Green Mountain’s Supply Chain Community Outreach efforts, where he was employed for close to 27 years. Katie Modic Joins TTF as the new Development Officer A life-long educator who spent the past five years as Executive Director of the go-to Environmental Education nonprofit in Pittsburgh, Communitopia, TTF is excited to welcome Katie Modic to the team. While TTF headquarters is located in Atlanta, Katie works from the campus of CATIE in Turrialba, Costa Rica. In addition to bringing years of experience in strategic planning and development, Katie brings a passion for transformative educational experiences and greatly enjoys residing close to the beating heart of the organization's programming. Make a Difference Donate Our Contact Information The Tropics Foundation 2872 Bainbridge Way SE 6416290868 www.thetropicsfoundaiton.org About The Tropics Foundation The Tropics Foundation Stimulate and promote inclusive sustainable development and conservation in the American Tropics by providing resources and opportunities to support higher education, research, and outreach