2Blades

Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to visit soybean trials with Habtamnesh G Habtemariam and see firsthand the progress she’s made in advancing breeding solutions against #soybeanrust in Malawi and Zambia. Last September, we featured Habtamnesh in our quarterly #SpotlightSeries, highlighting her journey from growing up on a coffee farm to her first encounter with soybean rust in 2023 that led her to pursue a PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Through our partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), we’re proud to support her important work. Training and supporting scientists is essential to strengthening regional capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa. By equipping researchers with the tools to apply the latest plant science innovations in the fight against devastating crop diseases, efforts like Habtamnesh’s contribute to more resilient and sustainable farming for smallholder communities.

2Blades celebrated #NationalAgDay from all corners of the globe! Wilson Paine and Jack Luft visited the USDA to share how our work at the University of Minnesota is tackling mycotoxigenic fungi in corn, while Diana Horvath and Kamil Witek explored soy field trials in #Malawi focused on combating soy rust. Agriculture: Together We Grow!

Great insights and perspectives at the Agri-Pulse Communications #AgAndFood25 Summit in Washington, DC. As American agriculture evolves, we’re eager to explore how organizations are navigating ‘Taxes, Trade, and Technology’ to drive innovation and strengthen agriculture R&D. Biotechnology Innovation Organization Bayer | Crop Science PepsiCo Farm Journal Foundation

Thank you, Elzandi Oosthuizen! We couldn’t agree more—collaborations like this are essential for delivering innovative, effective solutions to farmers. We're excited to continue working together to advance and de-risk sustainable agricultural solutions for the future!

An important message from 2Blades President and Co-founder, Diana Horvath, on the threat soybean rust poses to farmers in Kenya. As soybean production grows, leveraging the latest plant science innovations is crucial to staying ahead of this devastating disease.

Congratulations to 2Blades' Scientific Advisory Board members, Jeff Dangl, Jonathan Jones, and Brian Staskawicz on receiving the 2025 Wolf Prize in Agriculture. Their groundbreaking contributions have advanced the field in extraordinary ways, and 2Blades is just one of many beneficiaries of their work. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! Wolf Foundation The Sainsbury Laboratory UNC Biology Department Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Innovative Genomics Institute

Thank you Appolinaire Djikeng for inviting Diana Horvath and Kamil Witek to speak at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) campus about our #Soy program in Africa. It’s always a pleasure to be back in Nairobi and to share updates on our work!

With so much happening in agriculture, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is easy for key milestones to be overlooked. One development from this past week that deserves attention is Ethiopia’s decision to approve the commercial release of insect-protected maize. This milestone has the potential to realize the full benefits of biotechnology for Ethiopian farmers. Alongside transgenic maize, the government has also approved the commercialization of GM cotton varieties—marking a significant step toward boosting crop resilience, reducing pre-harvest losses, and equipping farmers with cutting-edge agricultural tools. As one of Africa’s key agricultural hubs, Ethiopia’s embrace of GMO maize signals growing momentum for science-driven solutions that can strengthen food security and economic growth across the region! https://lnkd.in/dYSUn2ur #Biotechnology #Ethiopia #Agriculture

Since the very beginning, women have been instrumental to 2Blades’ mission. From our scientists and researchers to our technicians and leadership, their contributions have driven our success for 20 years. This International Women’s Day, we proudly celebrate their impact and recognize the many ways women continue to #AccelerateAction. We also honor the trailblazers who paved the way, such as Dr. Evangelina Villegas, whose groundbreaking work transformed global food security and sparked a movement that bridged science and agriculture. Through biochemistry, genetics, and advanced breeding techniques, she helped develop quality protein maize (QPM)—a breakthrough that improved maize’s nutritional value and helped combat malnutrition worldwide. In 2000, she became the first woman to receive the World Food Prize from the World Food Prize Foundation, and her legacy continues to inspire scientists and innovators working to strengthen food security. Today, we celebrate Dr. Villegas and the many women shaping the future of agriculture—at 2Blades and beyond! #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScience #FoodSecurity #IWD2025 Photo: Evangelina Villegas (center) and colleagues in a wheat field. Photo courtesy of CIMMYT and CropTrust.?

2Blades is pleased to announce the release of our 2024 Annual Impact Report, highlighting a year of meaningful advancements in delivering genetic improvements against pre-harvest crop losses. This year’s report underscores our commitment to accelerating and de-risking plant science innovations for farmers worldwide. In this report, you will find: ?Introducing the Agricultural Innovation Chain A key highlight of 2024 was the introduction of the Agricultural Innovation Chain, a new framework that helps identify opportunities to bridge the gap between scientific breakthroughs and real-world agricultural solutions. ?2Blades at the 2024 World Food Prize At this year’s World Food Prize, 2Blades co-hosted a critical discussion on leveraging private sector efficiencies to enhance food security efforts for smallholder farmers. ?Progress Across Initiatives From advancing gene discovery for crop resilience to forging new partnerships with industry leaders, we share how our efforts are helping to shape the future of sustainable agriculture for all. ?Spotlight Series: Celebrating Our Community As a nonprofit, 2Blades' success is driven not only by our dedicated team but also by the supporters, scientists, and partners who share our mission. The Spotlight Series showcases the people behind our progress—sharing their stories, insights, and the impact of their work in advancing agricultural innovation. ***** The 2024 Annual Impact Report reflects our continued dedication to solving some of the most pressing challenges in plant science. We invite you to explore the full report and join us in building a more resilient and productive global food system. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/etbPGqSR