Timothy Silberg
Timothy Silberg
Timothy Silberg is pursuing a Doctoral Degree from MSU in the Department of Community Sustainability with a specialization in Ecological Food and Farming Systems. He completed his undergraduate studies at The Pennsylvania State University in Agricultural Sciences and his master’s degree at Texas A&M University in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. His agricultural development work in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guatemala, DR-Congo, Uganda and Haiti have fueled his desire to learn about the social and ecological processes that operate in agricultural production systems.
Timothy’s Doctoral research analyzes the use and adaptation of sustainable intensification methodologies among Malawian smallholder farmers. His research with USAID’s Africa RISING (Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation) program involves investigating who, when, where, and with which crops/weeds rural smallholders apply various weeding strategies. The research investigates yield response in farmer trials compared with those from a simulation analysis that will present the trade-offs between fertilizer and weeding investments taken under seasonal variation.
In the future, Timothy wishes to work in development agencies that assess how, when, and if technology can be used for agriculture in conjunction with natural, social and human assets. He hopes to instill the idea of producing more output from the same area of land, while simultaneously reducing the negative environmental impacts and increasing contributions to natural capital and flow of environmental services.
Contact: silbergt@msu.edu
Areas of Expertise: Agronomy & Development
Publications:
Silberg, T., & Richardson, R. B. (2015). Balancing on a Planet: the Future of Food and Agriculture, David A. Cleveland (Ed.). University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, USA (2014). 352 pp., $34.95, ISBN: 978-0-520-27742-7 (paperback); $70.00, ISBN: 978-0-520-27741-10 (hardback); $34.95, ISBN: 978-0-520-957084 (PDF E-Book & ePUB format).
Silberg, T., Murphrey, T., Wingenbach, G., & Lombardini, L. (2013). Exploring Profitability of Compost Micro-Enterprises in Chimaltenango, Guatemala: A Case Study of Business Sustainability for International Development. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 20(3). doi: 10:5191/jiaee.2013.20305
Presentations
2015- “Weed Technologies Promoted Across Smallholder Grain Systems: A Review of Sub-Sahara’s Actors and Outcomes,” [Lightning Round Presenter] ESPP Research Symposium: International Research Collaborations: East Lansing, Michigan
2015- “Integrating Econometric and System Dynamics modelling to assess adoption of hybrid maize varieties in Gujarat, India,” [Plenary Presenter] 3rd Annual System Dynamics Conference (ESPP Brazilian Chapter): Sao Paulo, Brazil
2012- “An Examination of Employee Characteristics within Compost Micro-Enterprises in Chimaltenango, Guatemala: Factors That Facilitate Success,” East Meets West for Sustainable Development (AIAEE), Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
2012- “Exploring Profitability of Compost Micro-Enterprises in Chimaltenango, Guatemala: A Strategy for International Development,”East Meets West for Sustainable Development (AIAEE), Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Award:
