2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): The objectives of this non-funded cooperative agreement between USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of California Advanced Solar Technologies Institute (UC Solar) are: -To expand UC Solar and ARS’s knowledge base around the interaction between solar thermal food cabinets and solar thermal collectors. - To discuss the optimization of cabinets for solar thermal processing of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and the by-products of these crops. - To connect researchers who are interested in advancing their knowledge and research in solar thermal processing of food crops with leading research institutions. - To collaborate on funding proposals for solar-related research. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): To accomplish the stated objectives the following approach will be utilized: - Create an affiliate relationship between UC Solar (a consortium of research labs spread among 5 UC campuses) and non-profit research institutions. 3.Progress Report: In December 2012, ARS Research Agricultural Engineer presented a poster at the University of California Advanced Solar Technologies Institute (UC Solar) Research Symposium. In February 2012, the Co-Director of UC Solar, gave a seminar on his research at the ARS Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California. Both of these activities helped achieve the first, second, and third objectives of this agreement, which pertain to exchange of solar thermal crop drying ideas among UC Solar and ARS researchers. In March 2012, the Director of UC Solar, wrote a letter of support for ARS’s solar-related application to the California Department of Food Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. This activity was in support of the fourth objective of this agreement – collaborating on funding proposals for solar-related research.