In this “Before the Harvest” episode of Harvesting Wisdom, guest host Madison Wires sits down with Dr. Changbin Chen, a plant scientist and professor at Arizona State University, to dive into the groundbreaking development of the Desert Dew tomato—a climate-resilient, high-yield variety designed for short growing seasons and water-limited environments.Dr. Chen shares insights from his 15 years at the University of Minnesota and his journey from a farming family to becoming a leader in plant breeding. Together, they explore how education, plant science, and innovation converge to support sustainable agriculture in the face of environmental extremes.This candid conversation behind the scenes at Harvesting Wisdom reflects the shared ethos of UFE: “We have all taken a bite out of the apple,” and the path forward lies in collective responsibility and actionable knowledge.This episode is for anyone passionate about food security, climate resilience, and next-gen agriculture. Learn how crop development like the Desert Dew tomato is revolutionizing sustainable farming and how Dr. Chen is empowering the next generation through education. It’s a reminder that every innovation begins long before the harvest—with intention, science, and shared wisdom.