On the Vine - January

Penny Pennington Elected Danforth Center Board Chair

Penny Pennington, Managing Partner of Edward Jones, has been elected to serve as the new chair of the Danforth Center’s board of directors. By taking on this role, Pennington becomes the first woman to lead the Center’s board, which also saw the addition of two new directors. Read more.

Planting Seeds for Growth

The year 2023 was a year of growth in the Danforth Center’s Plant Growth Facility (PGF), and not just for the thousands of plants our horticulturists cared for. Learn more about this state-of-the art facility, the team’s recent accomplishments, and their plans for 2024 in our new blog post.

Photo of the Drone Ranger Camp students and instructors taken by a drone.

The Drone Rangers

Students in East St. Louis got the chance to delve into the world of geospatial science at the Danforth Center’s “Drone Ranger” camp this past summer. Sponsored by Boeing as part of a larger initiative, this hands-on experience gave campers the chance to fly drones, explore AI, and learn about exciting new scientific careers. Read more .

Nigel Taylor PhD and visiting researchers in the Danforth Center greenhouses.

Early Promise, Long Journey Ahead

The Institute for International Crop Improvement (IICI) is at the forefront of developing healthier crops to feed the world in a changing climate. In a new blog post, you can learn about the latest challenges they face and the progress they’ve made in their critical, life-saving work. Read more.

SCIENTIFIC EVENT: Bioinformatics & Beers | January 26

Don’t miss the 5th annual Bioinformatics & Beers—a scientific networking event between the Danforth Center and Saint Louis University’s Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program. With a Center tour, lightning talks, and a keynote presentation from Dr. Shankar Mukherji, it’s sure to be a data remember. Register here.

SCIENTIFIC EVENT: Addressing Gaps & Inconvenient Truths in Agricultural Carbon Modeling | January 31

If we want to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint, we must find a way to measure our progress. Join members from academia, industry, and government for a unique opportunity to learn more and share ideas about this consequential topic. Reception follows. Seating is limited. Register today.

Help Grow a Better World

There’s no better time to begin a good habit. Celebrate the new year by becoming a Perennial Partner. When you set up an ongoing donation, no matter the amount, you can meet your giving goals with ease and help change lives all year round. Make an ongoing gift today.