January 2019 Volume 3, Number 1
UC ANR
In the Media
California Ag Today

Los Angeles Times

Pew Trust

Desert Review

Governing

Scientific American

San Francisco Chronicle

Growing Produce

Wharton Business Radio

Fortune

Santa Rosa Press-Democrat

Chico Enterprise-Record

Diverse

Science News

CBS San Francisco

San Francisco Chronicle

Capital Public Radio

USA Today

National Hog Farmer

AgAlert

Daily Democrat

Siskiyou Daily News

AgNet West

Sierra Lodestar

Capital Public Radio

Palo Verde Times

Los Angeles Times

AgAlert

Capital Press
The Vantage Point



Glenda Humiston 
Vice President
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Happy 2019 to all of our colleagues, partners, and friends. It’s a new year, and we welcome a new governor, Gavin Newsom , to our state. As co-chair of the Elevate Rural CA initiative of the California Economic Summit , I was pleased to see that our new governor’s budget advances all three of the major elements included in the Elevate Rural CA initiative.

One of those elements, forest management, offers opportunities for renewable biomass products to reduce carbon emissions, as well as to reduce municipal waste. In fact, a group of business and environmental leaders recently launched the Plant Based Products Council at the California Air Resources Board ' s California Bioresource Economy Summit in Berkeley. The growing membership of the group is committed to advancing programs and policies that encourage adoption of renewable biomass. I’m pleased to serve on the Plant Based Products Council’s advisory board . My hope is that this new council will greatly aid UC ANR's efforts to pursue forest health and improve farm profitability by finding new, more valuable products made from biomass.

Congratulations to Karen Ross on her reappointment by Governor Newsom a s California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary! We look forward to our continuing partnership with CDFA. We recently attended the EcoFarm conference where we were happy to talk with attendees about the programs of UC ANR . We also distributed information and materials about our partnership with CDFA on the Climate Smart Agriculture initiative ’s Healthy Soils Program (HSP) , State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) .

Next up, from February 12 to 14, we’ll be at W orld Ag Expo , the world’s largest agricultural exposition. We invite you to visit us there and learn about the many UC ANR programs offered in California. At our tent at space 137 on I Street, just west of Pavilion A, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Meet UC ANR researchers demonstrating leaf-footed bugs controlled by microbes and traps for managing vertebrate pests
  • See the superior quality of soils managed with conservation techniques
  • Taste fresh citrus from our Lindcove Research and Extension Center
  • Sample moringa tea
  • Learn about high-tech ag innovations and
  • Enter to win a poster-sized aerial image of your farm

At our two booths inside Pavilion A:

  • UC Master Gardeners will provide research-based gardening information
  • Tulare County nutrition educators will play nutrition Jeopardy! with visitors and
  • The 4-H Youth Development Program will give youth the chance to try virtual reality goggles that immerse them in expeditions exploring history, science, the arts and nature. World Ag Expo visitors will have the opportunity to experience a variety of virtual experiences, from scuba diving with sea lions to flying over Greece

In Seminar Trailer 1:
  • Frank Mitloehner, UC Cooperative Extension specialist, will present Getting it Right: Livestock's Environmental Story on February 12 at 1 pm
  • Beth Grafton-Cardwell, UC Cooperative Extension citrus entomology specialist, and Victoria Hornbaker from the California Department of Food and Agriculture will provide an update on regulatory protocols relating to Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing quarantines and review the proper transportation of bulk citrus to mitigate against the spread of the pest and disease. February 13, noon. 

In addition, UC’s The VINE will host a presentation and networking luncheon on February 12 with Dutch AgFoodTech professionals to share the innovation partnership’s action plan. Contact Gabe Youtsey , UC ANR chief innovation officer, to request an invitation to the event, which will be held at the UC Cooperative Extension office across the street from the International Agri-Center in Tulare.

We look forward to seeing you and collaborating with you! Also, please share Connected   with colleagues who would be interested in receiving it, and encourage them to subscribe . We thank you very much for your support.
Engage with Us!
CA Rangeland Climate & Drought Workshops
February 6, 2019 & additional dates
Solvang, Tulare, Loomis & Susanville, CA
UC Cooperative Extension and partners the National Drought Mitigation Center, the USDA California Climate Hub, and the National Integrated Drought Information System host a series of regional workshops on climate and drought resources. Topics include: Behind the Scenes Look at U.S. Drought Monitor, Overview of Drought Programs and Assistance, Weather Monitoring and Forecast Products, and Drought Early Warning Systems. Learn more.
Hopland Hikes — Meet the Lambs
February 9, 2019
UC ANR Hopland Research & Extension Center
4070 University Road
Hopland, CA 95449
Bring your family to enjoy a very short hike (1 mile; strollers and toddlers welcome!) to visit our newborn lambs. After the hike, enjoy a variety of sheep-related activities suitable for children in the Hopland REC's Rod Shippey Hall. Please dress for the weather — it can be cold at the research center and could rain! Learn more and register.
Sacramento Meet the Buyers Tour
February 11, 2019
Sacramento, CA
Meet produce buyers around the region and build new sales relationships with local grocers, produce distributors, restaurants and more! Get a head start on next season by establishing new relationships directly with buyers who care about sourcing locally and prepare for next season's plantings based on local market needs. Learn more and register.
Grapevine Production Short Course
February 12 - 15, 2019
Napa, Oakville, & Davis, CA
This integrated vineyard management course features UC faculty, Cooperative Extension specialists and farm advisors, and USDA researchers who will provide an in-depth, comprehensive study of all phases of grapevine culture and production. The program is based on the latest information and research. Includes Q&A for each session, quality time with instructors and networking opportunities. Learn more and register.
California Small Farm Conference
February 22 & 23, 2019
Davis, CA
Farmers, ranchers and local food advocates gather to explore hot topics in sustainable agriculture, work to bridge field and fork, sharpen their skills, network and give voice to those growing a more resilient food system from the soil up. The conference includes workshops, on-farm demos, field days, an ag policy forum and the Agrarian Lovers Ball. Learn more and register.
This is just a sampling of our events. See more events in our calendar .
Spotlight on Practical Resources
Farming in the Foothills Website
The Farming in the Foothills website provides a wealth of information and resources for the thriving community of small farmers and ranchers in the Sierra foothills. You'll find information on UC Cooperative Extension workshops and trainings , farm business planning , livestock production , market-driven farming , helpful publications , networking opportunities , and much more. The local UC Cooperative Extension team works in partnership with farmers and ranchers to build and strengthen the local food systems in Placer and Nevada Counties. They are dedicated to supporting the local agricultural community and helping it to grow and thrive through a variety of educational and community-building programs.
Notes From the Field
What can we learn from the 14,000 homes lost during the Camp Fire?

Shades of brown and grey cast over bricks, cement, remnants of metal roofs and steel beams from manufactured and modular homes, collapsed stucco walls, BBQs, shells of washers and driers, along with an occasional tea pot — that is what you can see in and amongst living, but singed, Ponderosa pine and California black oak trees where the Camp Fire burned. How did California's most deadly fire happen and what might be done differently to ensure a better outcome? These are difficult questions that California will wrestle with for a long time to come.
More news from UC ANR

UC ANR staff news

Calendar of Events
The UC ANR Calendar lists events hosted by our programs throughout California.

Check to see what's happening in your neighborhood!
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Davis, CA 95618
Website:  ucanr.edu
Email:  connected@ucanr.edu