An overview of dry bean production in California, including the nutrition of beans.University of California, Davis
January 17, 2014

This YouTube video (produced by the Calif. Dept. of Food and Agriculture, and California Grown) provides an informative overview of dry bean production in California.

The challenges of field production and marketing are addressed, along with the nutritional and environmental health aspects of bean production.

The video features Professor Paul Gepts, UC Davis Dept. of Plant Sciences, whose research focuses on breeding dry beans. In the video he discusses the global importance of the nutrition (proteins, vitamins, fiber) provided by beans. Gepts also addresses the environmental importance of bean production — being legumes, they improve the health of soil by adding much-needed nitrogen to the soil, which decreases the amount of fertilizer that needs to be added during crop production.

About the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis, is the leading college of its kind in the world. Its researchers address critical issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, communities, and human and social sciences through cutting-edge research, top-ranked undergraduate and graduate education, and internationally recognized outreach programs. An overarching goal is to develop solutions for a better world, healthier lives, and an improved standard of living for everyone. www.caes.ucdavis.edu

Media contact:

• Paul Gepts, UC Davis, (530) 752-7743, plgepts@ucdavis.edu

College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis, contact:

• Ann Filmer, Senior Director of Communications, (530) 754-6788, afilmer@ucdavis.edu