Connected - Newsletter of UC ANR

April 2024 | Volume 8, Number 4

The Vantage Point

Glenda Humiston

Vice President

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Last week I had the pleasure of joining the UC ANR Governing Council and President’s Advisory Commission (PAC) on Agriculture and Natural Resources for a tour of the Salton Sea area and our Desert Research and Extension Center in Holtville.

In addition to hearing about the tremendous community and youth education programs and field studies at Desert REC, we learned about geothermal energy and lithium extraction near the shores of the Salton Sea and visited Aziz Farms in the Coachella Valley. We got a deeper understanding of the area’s ecological and agricultural challenges – and how UC ANR research helps grow crops more efficiently and productively, while conserving water to ensure the long-term vitality and sustainability of the region’s vibrant communities and unique desert ecosystems.

Thank you to President Drake, Commissioners and Council Members for attending and asking incisive questions about our work and its impact on the region. And my personal thanks to the many presenters, as well as to Jairo Diaz, Rita Clemons, Darren Haver, Ali Montazar, Oli Bachie, Kathy Eftekhari, the Program Support Unit (especially Maya Maniar and PJ Kelly), and the entire Desert REC team for putting together this extraordinary learning opportunity about a crucial food-producing region.

Creating food systems that are better for people and planet was a central theme of an enlightening conversation I had with Paula Daniels on April 19 at the UCLA Faculty Club. We were honored to speak about the food supply chain’s “missing pieces” during the UCLA Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy conference, which commemorated the center’s 10-year anniversary.

As always, I learned so much from Paula, who – in addition to serving on our PAC – is the founding chair of the Center for Good Food Purchasing, a social enterprise nonprofit that inspires me and many of our programs. It is an influential force for a more sustainable, transparent and equitable food system, partnering with large institutions to promote more values-driven purchasing and procurement.

Our partnerships and farm-to-fork impact on food comprised just one aspect of the work showcased during UC ANR Advocacy Day at the state Capitol on April 10. During visits to 18 legislative offices, I accompanied our fantastic team as we highlighted the difference UC ANR is making across California. We are especially grateful to Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Esmeralda Soria, Assemblymembers Juan Alanis and Vince Fong, and Senators John Laird and Bill Dodd for taking the time to meet with us personally. Thank you to all legislators and staff for your ongoing support and energetic enthusiasm for our work!

We could not convey the incredible depth and breadth of our innovations – from better avocados to biomass energy, and from crop management tools to wildfire mitigation techniques – without the voices of our experts. My thanks to Cindy Chen, Haris Gilani, Brent Hales, Lenya Quinn-Davidson and Gabe Youtsey for offering their insights on these crucial topics – and to Anne Megaro and Sheron Violini for organizing such a robust Advocacy Day.

I was especially encouraged by conversations and contacts made during a midday “coffee break” session at the Capitol, when Lenya and Missy Gable shared wildfire resilience resources with representatives from several caucuses and legislative offices. From that meeting, plans are developing for those offices to distribute crucial home hardening and wildfire prep materials to their constituents across the state. That essential information – and outreach activities by our entire Fire Network – are emblematic of UC ANR’s core purpose to provide the people of California with science-backed resources in response to local needs.

If you’d like to further support that mission – and all our UC ANR programs and institutes that are constantly improving lives and communities across the state – please mark your calendars for Giving Day, May 16-17, from noon to noon. This special 24-hour period is your opportunity to help advance leading-edge research and education efforts in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, youth development and other areas critical to the continued health and prosperity of our state. Visit donate.ucanr.edu/givingday for details. In this effort and so many others, thank you for your support!

The Donor Difference

Join supporters across the state for UC ANR Giving Day, May 16-17

UC ANR Giving Day harnesses the excitement of a 24-hour online giving campaign to help fund the research, programs and outreach of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. On May 16-17, from noon to noon, the UC ANR community will come together to invite support across the state.

"UC ANR Giving Day inspires people all across California to embrace their power to drive progress,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources. "With participation from county, program and community leaders, hundreds of volunteers, and givers of all kinds, UC ANR Giving Day shows us the radical implications of a more generous world.”

UC ANR Giving Day was launched as a simple idea: to create a day that encourages people to support our network of researchers and educators providing science-based information to families, farmers, ranchers, natural resource managers, communities and policymakers in California. Since its inception five years ago, this campaign has raised nearly $450,000 dollars to fund projects such as demonstration gardens, youth scholarships and educational outreach statewide.

We invite you to make the "donor difference" and demonstrate your generosity in support of UC ANR Giving Day. To learn more or to join the celebration of giving, please visit donate.ucanr.edu/givingday.

Spotlight on Practical Resources

Young orchard water, nutrient management workshops offered across Central Valley

To help growers manage irrigation and nutrients for young and immature orchards, UC Cooperative Extension is offering workshops, beginning May 9, in Modesto, Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield. The workshops will feature presentations by UCCE researchers and other experts, focusing on practices tailored specifically for almonds, pistachios, walnuts, olives and citrus in the San Joaquin Valley. “This knowledge aims to ensure healthier tree development, better resource use and more resilient orchards in the face of climate change,” said UCCE advisor Moneim Mohamed. Details.

Notes from the Field

College students eligible for food assistance deterred by confusing requirements

A recent University of California study investigated why UC students who are eligible for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – the nation's largest food assistance program – do not receive the benefit. “Based on our study findings, eliminating the extra requirements for college students to qualify for SNAP would go a long way in ensuring that more eligible students get the support they need to meet their basic food needs,” said study coauthor Lorrene Ritchie, director of the Nutrition Policy Institute, which is part of UC ANR. Learn more.

Productive Partnerships

Homeless people cultivate food, better health while gardening in Alameda County

The CalFresh Healthy Living, UC Cooperative Extension team in Alameda County has partnered with the South County Homeless Project to grow fresh produce for people staying at the emergency housing in Hayward. For the past seven years, CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE Alameda has been delivering nutrition lessons to residents of the South County Homeless Project, part of Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency. The team also helped refurbish and redesign the facility's outdoor garden. Read more.

Featured Events

South Coast REC Open House & Urban Ag Expo

May 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

South Coast Research and Extension Center 7601 Irvine Boulevard, Irvine, CA 92618

Experience a taste of the programs and research at South Coast during this day of tours, demonstrations, kids' activities and u-pick opportunities. Also, meet UC ANR researchers, industry experts and UC Master Gardeners and Master Food Preservers of Orange County. Free and open to the public. Learn more.

Trees to the Rescue: Solutions for Climate Change

Online, May 14-16, 4-5:30 p.m. each day

This free three-day webinar series, sponsored by the University of California Thelma Hansen Fund, aims to increase our understanding of the role of trees in mitigating climate change, how to plant the right trees and keep them healthy in urban environments, and the challenges of increasing the number of trees at the local level. The series features UC Cooperative Extension experts and guests. Learn more.

Moles, Voles and Gophers!

Online, May 16, Noon-1 p.m.

Burrowing rodents like moles, voles and gophers can wreak havoc in the garden and landscape. This installment of the UC IPM Urban & Community Webinar Series will cover how best to manage these pests. Register.

UC California Naturalist: Sagehen Creek Field Station course

Begins May 26

Through this weeklong immersive course, participants will develop their ability to observe nature and learn tools to improve their skills. The course uses a combination of science curriculum, guest lecturers, field trips and project-based learning to introduce participants to the natural world of the Northern Sierra and Lake Tahoe Basin. Details.

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It is the policy of the University of California (UC) and the UC Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities.Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies may be directed to UC ANR, Affirmative Action Compliance & Title IX Officer, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources,

2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618, (530) 750-1280, tljordan@ucanr.edu.

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

2801 Second Street

Davis, CA 95618

Website: ucanr.edu

Email: connected@ucanr.edu

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