Paris, 19 April 2010


EFITA newsletter / 457 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment


To read this newsletter on the efita.net web site...
See: http://www.efita.net?d=6774


AgriXchange project outline: A common data exchange system for agricultural systems - Coordination and support of setting up a network for developing a system for common data exchange in the agricultural sector
Within the knowledge-based bio-economy, information sharing is an important issue. In agrifood business, this is a complex issue because many aspects and dimensions play a role. An installed base of information systems lack standardization, which hampers efficient exchange of information. This leads to inefficient business processes and hampers adoption of new knowledge and technology. Especially, the exchange of information at whole chain or network level is poorly organized. Although arable and livestock farming have their own specific needs, there are many similarities in the need for an integrated approach. Spatial data increasingly plays an important role in agriculture.
The overall objective of this project is to coordinate and support the setting up of sustainable network for developing a system for common data exchange in agriculture. This will be achieved by:
- establishing a platform on data exchange in agriculture in the EU;
- developing a reference framework for interoperability of data exchange;
- identifying the main challenges for harmonizing data exchange.
First, an in-depth analysis and investigation of the state-of-the art in EU member states will be carried out. A platform is built up that facilitates communication and collaborative working groups, that work on several, representative use cases, guided by an integrative reference framework. The framework consists of a sound architecture and infrastructure based on a business process modeling approach integrating existing standards and services.
The development is done in close interaction with relevant stakeholders through the platform and international workshops. The results converge into a strategic research agenda that contains a roadmap for future developments.
The project consortium consists of 14 partners from 11 countries covering different disciplines, stakeholder views and experiences with information management and standardization.

Keywords: standardization; harmonization; information sharing; service-oriented approach; business modelling; living lab
See: http://www.agrixchange.eu
Contact: Sjaak WOLFERT
E-maul: sjaak.wolfert(a)wur.nl


17th World Congress of the International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CIGR)
13 – 17 June 2010 - QUÉBEC CITY, Canada.
Over 900 technical presentations are in the preliminary program. Four pre-congress workshops are offered in drainage modeling, biomass logistics, life cycle assessment and geomorphology of streams. Post-congress technical tours include water management, food engineering, animal production engineering and bioenergy.
The 17th CIGR World Congress will bring together experts from more than 50 different countries to discuss common issues related to the general theme of “Sustainable Biosystems through Engineering”. Come and meet old friends and make new acquaintances in your professional network. In an enjoyable atmosphere of French traditions, the CIGR Congress in Quebec will challenge all of us to improve our future work in agricultural and biosystems engineering.
See: http://www.bioeng.ca/cigr2010/programs/workshops
See: http://www.bioeng.ca/cigr2010/programs/technical-tours.


eWorkshop on Knowledge Discovery for Rural Systems (KDRS'2010)
Held in conjunction with The 14th Pacific-Asia Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
21-24 June, 2010 - HYDERABAD, India
Workshop paper submission deadline: Extended to April 30th 2010

Conducting of Workshop Participants are encouraged to attend both the workshop and the conference in Hyderabad. All those that register and attend the workshop in Hyderabad must also register for the conference. A eWorkshop is also being run in conjunction with the conference workshop. The eWorkshop is being organized to encourage participants who may not be able to get to Hyderabad.

You are encouraged to submit and present papers either at the conference or if participating in the eWorkshop, via video conferencing. Alternatively, you may wish to contribute solely as a registered workshop participant. Workshop materials will be made available to all workshop participants. Further details will be provided on the arrangements for the eWorshop when you register for the workshop.
eWorkshop Overview This workshop will examine the application of AI and Knowledge discovery techniques to improve the productivity and sustainability of rural and agricultural systems. The focus of the workshop will be a forum to discuss how these techniques are improving the productivity of rural and agricultural sectors.

Workshop Paper Submission All papers must be submitted electronically to Workshop Organizers at l.armstrong(a=ecu.edu.au in PDF format only. Papers will be double blind peer reviewed. Submitting a paper to the workshop means that if the paper is accepted, at least one author should present the paper at the workshop or via video conferening if you are participating as a eWorkshop participant. All attendees are required to register at PAKDD 2010 website.
We are currently negotiating with a publisher to place a selection of the workshop papers in a special issue of the International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Information Systems. We will keep you posted on the same.

For further details on how to register for the workshop or in regards to paper submission, please contact Dr Leisa Armstrong at l.armstrong(a)ecu.edu.au. Please note that a discounted rate is being negotiated for the eWorkshop participants.
Contact: Leisa ARMSTRONG - School of Computer and Security Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth Australia
Email: l.armstrong(a)ecu.edu.au


2010 Autumn School: Preparing the Organic Advisors of Tomorrow: Innovative Agricultural Experts and Extension Officers familiarized with Agro-Ecology Principles, Blended-Learning, and Modern ICT Tools

The school will take place in Budapest, Hungary from 12 to 19 September 2010. This course aims to help trainers to understand current advances related to organic farming, Agroecology, Blended-Learning, and Modern ICT Tools – particularly focusing on getting involved into the methods and practices of how interactive resources can be searched, found, annotated for classification and used for education purposes.

The participants can apply for funding since the program is approved by the Grundtvig Program of the European Commission.

See: http://informatics.aua.gr/organic/ and look for the corresponding links on the left

Contacts: Andrea TÓBIÁS, Nikos PALAVITSINIS
E-mails: andrea.tobias(at)uni-corvinus(.hu; palavitsinis(at)grnet.gr


2010 Autumn School: Enhancing Environmental and Ecological Awareness and Education in Schools: Training Teachers on the Use of Web2.0 tools and Open Educational Resources

The school will take place in Budapest, Hungary from 15 to 19 September 2010. It will focus on a training course with lectures and practical sessions (hands-on labs) on the World Wide Web and its educational uses for teachers and discuss strategies for searching information and educational material online. It will also showcase how to prepare, upload and share open educational resources as well as the way these can be organized in personal e-portfolios and can be found online in learning portals.

The participants can apply for funding since the program is approved by the Comenius Program of the European Commission.

See: http://informatics.aua.gr/organic/ and look for the corresponding links on the left

Contact: Andrea TÓBIÁS, Nikos PALAVITSINIS
E-mails: andrea(dot)tobias(at)uni-corvinus(dot)hu; palavitsinis(at)grnet(dot)gr


European Conference on "IT-Enhanced Organic, Agro-Ecological, and Environmental Education
16 - 17 September - BUDAPEST, Hungary
Voir : http://conference.organic-edunet.eu


Toilet Paper

Fresh from my shower, I stand in front of the mirror complaining to my husband that my breasts are too small.

Instead of characteristically telling me it's not so, he uncharacteristically comes up with a suggestion.

“If you want your breasts to grow, then every day take a piece of toilet paper and rub it between them for a few seconds.”

Willing to try anything, I fetch a piece of toilet paper and stand in front of the mirror, rubbing it between my breasts.

“How long will this take?” I asked.

“They will grow larger over a period of years,” my husband replies.

I stopped.

“Do you really think rubbing piece of toilet paper between my breasts every day will make my breasts larger over the years?”

Without missing a beat he says, “Worked for your butt, didn't it?”

He's still alive, and with a great deal of therapy, he may even walk again, although he will probably continue to take his meals through a straw.


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