The Vantage Point

Glenda Humiston 
Vice President
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 

I am still riding high from Ag Day last Wednesday, March 23, when members of our community gathered in person at the State Capitol for the first time since 2019 for the annual event demonstrating the strength and resilience of California agriculture.

Thank you to California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross and the CDFA team for such a wonderful gathering, with special thanks to UC ANR’s Government and Community Relations Director Anne Megaro for organizing our contingent, which included Sheldon 4-H youth and parents, UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County, UCCE Advisors Sarah Light and Rachael Long, and 4-H volunteer Liz McWhorter. It was incredibly energizing to reconnect with so many legislators, partners and supporters to share in the joy and promise of our work. Things almost felt “normal” again!

Unfortunately, the new normal also means another historically dry year and dangerous wildfire season. Despite rain this week, California still faces severe drought and all of its ramifications for human well-being, economic vitality and environmental health. Our state – and our nation – must strive for innovative ways to counter climate change, and agricultural research is an important catalyst. That’s the key message I brought to Washington, D.C. on March 16, when I testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture as part of 2022 Farm Bill review.

After a gracious introduction by Congressman Jimmy Panetta of the Central Coast, I highlighted how USDA programs advance climate-smart practices and solutions – and how partnerships between government agencies and academia can drive and leverage those innovations. UC ANR, as a force for research, extension and collaboration, exemplifies how land-grant universities are essential in addressing climate crises like wildfires.

World-changing discoveries and technologies cannot happen without cutting-edge facilities, however. For the annual meeting of the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET), convened on March 6-11, I led a California delegation to meet virtually with congressional staff to request appropriations that support our mission.

In addition to touting our youth development, food security and wildfire work, we also emphasized the need to bolster agricultural research infrastructure and capacity, as part of President Biden’s Build Back Better plan. Many thanks to our excellent CARET delegates Bill Frost, Ish Herrera, Mike Mellano, Dina Moore and Alejandra Sanchez – as well as UC ANR colleagues Missy Gable, Ryan Tompkins and Jairo Diaz for providing vivid, real-world examples of how we are improving the lives of Californians.

Indeed, it is the expertise and dedication of our people that make all the difference, so I am thrilled that we will be releasing 48 more UC Cooperative Extension advisor positions for recruitment. They will bring research-based solutions to communities across the state – from Modoc to Imperial counties – on a host of urgent topics. I am especially excited about new positions that focus on climate adaptation for Indigenous farmers, cultural burning and community development with underserved populations, and I look forward to welcoming our new advisors in the months ahead.