The Vantage Point

Glenda Humiston 
Vice President
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 

Last week I had the opportunity to testify before the Little Hoover Commission, an independent oversight committee that makes recommendations to improve state government operations. On the topic of “Equitable Economic Development Across California,” I shared with the commissioners my excitement for the Fresno-Merced Future of Food Innovation Initiative (F3), as well as UC Cooperative Extension’s critical role in this effort.

UC ANR is one of the anchor institutions for the F3 initiative – along with the Central Valley Community Foundation, California Department of Food and Agriculture, UC Merced, and CSU Fresno – to leverage the region's resources and talent to develop a thriving “cluster” for climate-smart food and ag tech engineering.

F3 is a key activity within the larger Fresno DRIVE Initiative, a partnership effort. In addition to propelling the Central Valley as a catalyst for innovation, F3 seeks to deliver many environmental and economic benefits to residents, including 10,000 high-paying jobs and a more equitable share of regional prosperity.

With our roots in extension, UC ANR is uniquely positioned to help realize more enduring community vitality and resilience. Our experts will play a lead role in bolstering sustainable, equitable food systems in the region, with a focus on supporting small farmers and entrepreneurs. Responding to local needs, UC ANR will help shape the Small Farm Tech Alliance and San Joaquin Valley Hub for Agroecology, programs that will help communities adapt to climate change, strengthen supply chains and infrastructure, and grow grassroots innovations. UCCE has long served as the R&D resource to support our food, agriculture and natural resources sectors; as new opportunities arise, UCCE is growing and adapting to enhance that crucial function.

Another key component of the F3 initiative is iCREATE (Innovation Center for Research and Entrepreneurship in Ag Technology & Engineering), which will drive R&D and commercial opportunities for an array of ag-tech products and services. I look forward to working with the leaders and teams at UC Merced and Fresno State – which are spearheading the development of iCREATE – as well as seeing our UCCE advisors and specialists explore new opportunities to collaborate.

Cross-campus, cross-system and cross-sector partnerships were a major point of discussion during the June 23 meeting of the President’s Advisory Commission on Agriculture and Natural Resources. President Drake said he feels that the UC is part of “one system of higher education” alongside the CSU campuses and community colleges across California – and that every institution is essential in ensuring that the immense benefits of education are widely available.

Even as we continue to work for greater educational and economic equity, ANR paused this month to honor important milestones in our journey toward social justice for all. For Pride Month, when we celebrate and recognize the contributions and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group organized two excellent learning opportunities: a talk by Nate Looney, a transgender man, on his experiences working in rural agriculture; and a book discussion of Alison Bechdel’s memoir, Fun Home, facilitated by Sam Gottlieb. On a personal note, I was thrilled to be featured by the 4-H National Council as an out and proud 4-H member in their Pride Month media outreach.

UC ANR also observed the federal holiday of Juneteenth, which marks the day in 1865 when Black communities in Texas heard the news that slavery had been abolished in the U.S. I’m very appreciative for ANR’s Black and Allied Employees Group (including authors Tamekia Wilkins and Mary Blackburn), which circulated across our organization key historical context and resources for further learning. In reflecting on those materials, I’m reminded that while we celebrate a day of freedom, we must also recognize that our society is not truly “free” until all people have access to every opportunity to lead healthy and prosperous lives.

Thank you, as valued members of the ANR community who believe in our shared mission, for everything you do to help open doors for all.