The Vantage Point

Glenda Humiston 
Vice President
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 

During Black History Month, we take extra time to educate ourselves on Black experiences, contributions to the national and global community, and how we can strive to undo the long legacy of anti-Black oppression. Thank you, as always, to members of UC ANR’s Black and Allied Employees group for continuing to teach and inspire us to learn more.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read this fantastic profile of Oli Bachie, UC Cooperative Extension director in San Diego and Imperial counties. Beginning by raising chickens as a child in Ethiopia, Oli embarked on a globe-spanning career in agriculture – eventually landing in the City of Escondido, which declared last Oct. 21 as “Dr. Oli G. Bachie Day.” And although Oli’s story cannot represent the full spectrum of experiences across the Black community, it is nonetheless illustrative of its diversity, challenges and outstanding achievements at UC ANR and throughout society.

This month, I also had the pleasure of attending the World Ag Expo, held Feb. 14-16, along with other UC ANR leaders, advisors, specialists, staff and volunteers. If you’ve never experienced this exposition in Tulare – the largest annual gathering of its kind – I recommend you put it on your professional bucket list.

Special thanks to our academics who shared their science-based solutions with producers, farmers and ranchers during seminars and workshops – as well as to everyone greeting attendees at our expo table. Thank you for representing the broad range and reach of our work, Kearney and Lindcove Research and Extension Centers; The VINE; UC Master Gardeners; Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP); CalFresh Healthy Living, UC; and 4-H!

At the start of the Farm Bill hearing during the World Ag Expo, my 4-H heart was filled with pride as Kambree, a young woman from the local Oakdale 4-H, led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. I thanked the members of Congress for their past support, and then testified on the need to invest in agricultural research facilities, develop solutions adaptable to California’s unique growing environments, and make policy changes that would benefit farmers at every size and scale and rural communities across the state.

Given the history of robust bipartisan support for the Farm Bill and UC ANR’s renewed efforts to unify our UC campus partners in responding to this key legislation, I am optimistic about the lengthy process ahead and prospects for funding our programs and projects.

The future is also looking bright for Hansen Research and Extension Center in Ventura County. This month, we announced that Hansen REC will be moving to a larger site in Camarillo. It has been an invaluable part of the community for the past 25 years at the Faulkner Farm, but I’m excited about the potential of the new 114-acre farm property. My thanks to Annemiek Schilder, Hansen REC staff and the team involved in finding and acquiring the Camarillo site, facilitating the move over the next six months, and planning for a new research and educational facility.

And to you: many thanks for supporting all our efforts to improve and enrich more lives in more communities!