Connected - Newsletter of UC ANR

September 2023 | Volume 7, Number 9

The Vantage Point

Glenda Humiston

Vice President

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Like many of you, I am saddened by the passing of Sen. Dianne Feinstein yesterday in Washington, D.C. During her remarkable career, Sen. Feinstein was a passionate advocate for our state and a steadfast supporter of research and extension in agriculture and natural resources. I join our UC ANR community in mourning the loss of an extraordinary public servant and remembering this influential trailblazer who inspired so many women in leadership across the nation.

Back here in California, most of us have seen few wildfires this year, thanks to a wet winter and good fortune. But in the northwestern corner of the state, residents have been dealing with the Smith River Complex, a group of fires that started in mid-August along the California-Oregon border and has burned more than 90,000 acres.

Alec Dompka, UC Cooperative Extension economic development advisor for Del Norte, Humboldt and Trinity counties, has been working with the community to collect and quantify the rippling financial impacts of the fires. That crucial effort, which included a bilingual survey of residents, aims to bring more attention and resources to the region.

I caught up with Alec earlier this month in Ukiah, during a California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) conference on creating more sustainable and equitably accessible opportunities across the state. Alec and others mentioned challenges shared by many rural communities – the housing crisis, broadband and infrastructure requirements, and the need to diversify and expand local economies.

At that meeting – and during the economic forum preceding the annual meeting of the Rural County Representatives of California – I highlighted the unique role UC ANR plays in providing expertise and forging partnerships that bring greater prosperity to more people and communities. Whether by hiring and supporting an outstanding cohort of economic development advisors, training our workforce in collaboration with community colleges, or exploring bioenergy and other biomass opportunities, we are paving the way toward a brighter future for California.

Our innovative spirit also was showcased during FIRA USA in Salinas on Sept. 19-21, featuring robotic and autonomous farming technologies. UC ANR Chief Innovation Officer Gabe Youtsey and the team at The VINE did a phenomenal job partnering with Western Growers and Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics (GOFAR) to organize the event. I had the honor of opening the second day alongside State Sen. John Laird and California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, and we came away impressed not just by the potential of the robots – but also the care that creators are taking to develop and deploy automation that benefits our communities.

In a similar vein, my speech kicking off the Sept. 12 Innovations on the Menu event, organized by Rausser College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley, emphasized the contributions of Cooperative Extension academics who bring their research acumen and bridge-building ethos to a variety of partnerships across food systems. On today’s most pressing challenges – from climate change to food security – collaboration across disciplines and sectors is essential.

One of the best examples of academia, government and industry working together was – and continues to be – the table and raisin grape breeding program spearheaded by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. I spoke at a ceremony marking the program’s 100th anniversary earlier this month at the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center. Summaira Riaz, the new head of the breeding program, our UC ANR grape research team and I celebrated many game-changing varieties over the years, developed by David Ramming and other USDA scientists in collaboration with UCCE specialists Pete Christensen and Nick Dokoozlian, UCCE advisors Don Luvisi and Bill Peacock, and so many others.

Finally, a big thank-you to the Latinos and Friends Affinity Group for organizing three fantastic virtual events for Hispanic Heritage Month. Our 4-H youth development advisors Matt Rodriguez and Claudia Diaz discussed their community-building experiences; Radio Bilingüe founder Hugo Morales shared his journey from a Mixtec village in Oaxaca to Harvard Law School; and researcher Yessica Viridiana Fernandez Galicia and grower Ofelia Lichtenheld talked about growing agave sustainably in California. My thanks to Ricardo Vela, Miguel Sanchez, Arianna Nava, Doralicia Garay, Angela Johnson, Adela Contreras and Lisa Rawleigh for putting together these wonderful learning opportunities.

Above: California State Prison Solano residents enjoy pears through Harvest of the Month, a "farm to corrections" project involving UC ANR's Nutrition Policy Institute. Learn more.

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In this archive photo, Dianne Feinstein (center), future U.S. senator, meets with UCCE researchers Bill Barnett and Beth Teviotdale at Kearney REC.

In the News

UC ANR was featured in stories on effects of heat in urban areas, future of AI in agriculture, sturgeon farmers and sustainable aquaculture, wine grapes and smoke, restored tidal wetlands, reducing methane from livestock, growing companion plants, beef cattle and CRISPR, definition of regenerative agriculture, challenges of publicizing research and more.

UC ANR news stories

UC Cooperative Extension advisor helps property managers prevent pests in the home

Infected citrus pest that spreads disease found in Ventura County

Farm Robotics Challenge launches 2024 college competition

4-H youth project helps Siskiyou County prepare animals for emergencies

Global food security threatened by grain export disruptions

More news stories

Read the latest UC ANR staff news here.

The Donor Difference

Donors break ground on new demonstration garden in Placer County

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, donors gathered with local partners, agencies and media to break ground on the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Demonstration Garden at the Loomis Library and Community Center. This celebration was the culmination of a multi-year effort to bring a learning garden to the Placer community.

“This exciting project, led by Karen Covey, project manager, and other volunteers, is designed to educate and demonstrate efficient ways to garden in our local soil and climate,” said Sandra Fitzpatrick, board president, UC Master Gardeners of Placer County.

In collaboration with the town of Loomis and the Loomis Library and Community Center, the UC Master Gardeners will be transforming an existing lawn into a beautiful water-wise garden showcasing California native plants, pollinators, and edible fruits and vegetables. Educational opportunities in the garden will bring a living classroom to the community.

The garden is funded by local gifts, including donors who gave generously on UC ANR Giving Day. Placer County is proving that donors are indeed making a difference in educating their community and beautifying public spaces. To learn more about supporting this or other UC ANR projects, visit donate.ucanr.edu.

Spotlight on Practical Resources

UC scientists share techniques to sustainably grow agave in California

Agave production is an ecological and financially viable solution for agriculture in a changing climate. A group of UC researchers, Cooperative Extension specialists and collaborators have developed innovative agricultural techniques for growing agave in California without compromising natural resources. The team's findings and practical tips are available online in English and Spanish to help Californians grow agave, which can be used to make sweeteners and distilled beverages like tequila and mezcal. Learn more.

Notes from the Field

Farmers save money, water by adopting climate-smart agriculture practices

California Department of Food and Agriculture and UC ANR have published an impact report with the results of a multi-year partnership focused on increasing adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices to reduce water and energy use. Since 2019, UC ANR's Climate Smart Agriculture Team has provided technical assistance to more than 1,300 farmers and ranchers in 25 counties. Rosie Lee, a Hmong farmer in Merced County, is one of them. Learn more about her story.

Productive Partnerships

'Farm to corrections' project provides fresh produce to people in prison

The Harvest of the Month project, involving UC ANR's Nutrition Policy Institute, aims to improve the health and well-being of facility residents, open a potential market for local farmers, and help the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation meet a state requirement to purchase food from California growers and producers. "It's a 'multiple wins' kind of an effort," said Wendi Gosliner, NPI principal investigator on the grant supporting the project. Read more.

Featured Events

Lepidoptera: A Closer Look at Moths and Butterflies

Oct. 7, 10:30 a.m.-Noon

Healdsburg Regional Library

139 Piper Street, Healdsburg, CA, 95448

As the once-abundant monarch butterfly population fluctuates and declines, these pollinators need help from home gardeners to survive and thrive. Suzanne Clarke, a UC Master Gardener of Sonoma County and a butterfly counter for the Xerces Society, will present the story of the butterflies’ migration and the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. Registration required.

Farm to Kitchen: Making Foods Safe

Online, Oct. 12, 5:30-6:45 p.m.

Hear the latest on keeping food safe during a talk by UC Davis Food Science and Technology professors of Cooperative Extension: Linda Harris, Selina Wang and Erin DiCaprio. Andrea Wasko, co-founder of Quick Pickle Kit, also will explain how a Cooperative Extension class contributed to starting her successful business. Part of a Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science series of talks. Learn more.

Master Gardener Fall Festival

Oct. 14, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

San Diego County Operations Center

5500 Overland Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92123

Bring the whole family and browse more than a dozen free gardening information booths to learn something new, get your questions answered, and pick up some great gifts for yourself or friends. Admission to the main courtyard (and lightning talks by UC Master Gardeners on a variety of topics) is free; seminars and workshops require registration and fee. Get all the details.

Backyard Citrus Pests

Online, Oct. 19, Noon-1 p.m.

There are many pests that may cause problems for backyard citrus growers. This webinar, presented by area citrus IPM advisor Sandipa Gautam, will focus on insect pests of citrus and cover pest identification and monitoring, as well as the available tools to manage these pests in a backyard setting. Register.

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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

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Davis, CA 95618

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