​​​I put great value on "civil discourse." A letter to the editor from Dr. Peter Balint-Kurti and Dr. Jerald Pataky published in this issue of Phytopathology News, responding to Dr. Bob Harveson's discussion of southern corn leaf blight in the "Plant Pathology's Perplexing Past—The Rest of the Story" column published in the November 2023 issue of Phytopathology News, provides an outstanding example of "civil discourse" and another perspective on a familiar story.

​​​​Now is the time to support your passions! APS members are encouraged to apply for one of several APS Foundation funding opportunities. Applications are accepted through February 1, 2024.

​Disease management is vital to ensuring healthy and economically viable hemp and cannabis crops. Build your knowledge and be part of the discussion about production best practices for this important commodity. Register for access to materials and mark your calendar for the January 31 live presentation and Q&A with presenters from the Plant Health 2023 session, "Emerging Diseases of Hemp—Nationwide Collaborative Efforts and Status Update."

​Field trip submissions for Plant Health 2024 are now open! Submit your proposals by February 5 to help create unique and immersive outings that explore Memphis and relevant plant pathology topics during Plant Health 2024.

​Make plans to attend the joint meeting of the APS Pacific Division and the 69th Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens March 26–28, 2024, in Corvallis, OR.​

​Meet two of the amazing people who support the APS Foundation: Karen Luong and Aastha Subedi. Learn more about Karen and Aastha and why they give their time and resources to support others.

​​Phytopathology News is spotlighting members of the APS Leadership Institute who are serving in leadership roles within APS. This month get to know Kensy Rodríguez-Herrera.​

For each issue of Phytopathology News, the APS Graduate Student Committee chooses a graduate student to be featured in a spotlight article. Submit your application for consideration!​

​Peter Balint-Kurti and Jerald Pataky argue that the Phytopathology News column "Plant Pathology's Perplexing Past—The Rest of the Story: Southern Corn Leaf Blight," published in November 2023, gives an incomplete picture of the circumstances surrounding the southern corn leaf blight (SCLB) epidemic of 1970. They offer an alternative interpretation of events.​

​Myron K. Brakke, a brilliant scientist who trained as a protein chemist, became a pioneering, world-renowned plant disease virologist. This brief column summarizes a minuscule portion of his extensive list of accomplishments that have benefited science in general and plant pathology in particular. They serve as the rest of the story.​

​​AAAS is hosting the upcoming 2024 Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop in Washington, DC. Learn how to become a sponsoring institution and how students can apply for a sponsorship to the workshop.​

In 2023, the IR-4 Project commemorated 60 years of operation. Since its establishment, IR-4 has championed specialty crop growers by facilitating the registration of safe, effective pest management solutions to meet their unique needs.

​On November 3, 2023, the Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (NWREC) of Washington State University (WSU) in Mount Vernon, WA, welcomed 25 high school students from Aspire Academy to learn about research laboratories and field research happening at the center. Graduate students from different programs showcased their research.

​​Ubilfrido Vasquez Gutierrez, a student at the Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, describes his research on the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus pandemic in tomato greenhouses in Coahuila, Mexico. Through presentations and training sessions, he is sharing his research and encouraging participation by young students in the hope that they will be encouraged to study for scientific careers.

​Stay current on trends and hear from leading plant pathologists about emerging plant diseases, the latest research findings and methodologies, careers in plant pathology, and much more.

​​​Visit the APS News Room for current news on APS and plant pathology.

​Award, Career Development, Degree, In Memoriam, and Seminar Notices.​

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​Check out the latest research highlights in the field of plant pathology.