It's been a whirlwind of orientation, indoctrination and education since starting at ANR a few weeks back. While I hate to use an overworked cliché, "drinking from the fire hose" does certainly describe my experience in becoming familiar with all the various web resources at ANR.

Happily, I recently got to take a short break from my new home in the “IT Cave” and took a trip out to the Hopland Research and Extension Center. Observing an Academic Orientation for new Livestock & Natural Resources Advisors and Specialists gave me a great opportunity to learn about some exciting aspects of ANR's work out in the field. And I got to spend a day in an absolutely bucolic setting while meeting a large number of incredibly impressive team members, both newcomers and veterans.

In time I hope to meet many more of you, and to visit other facilities beyond Davis. But when it comes to hospitality and beautiful scenery, Hopland has set the bar very high.