- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The magazine notes that California is the top farm state in the nation in large part because of the agricultural productivity of the great Central Valley.
"The Central Valley is an economic powerhouse for many reasons," wrote Neal Van Alfen, professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Davis. Van Alfen was dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the time of the magazine's publication. "Few places in the world have the combination of fertile and abundant farmland, extensive water storage and conveyance for irrigation, and ideal climate for growing food."
An article in the magazine outlines research projects underway at Kearney that are directed by UC Cooperative Extension specialists affiliated with CA&ES. A full page is devoted to a "farming revolution" building in the Central Valley with growers implementing conservation agriculture practices introduced by UC that reduce inputs, cut costs and have benefits for the soil resource.
The magazine includes profiles of UC Davis alums Bill and Carol Chandler and John Diener, all prominent farmers in the Central Valley.
"What we look for as farmers is a better relationship with the university system so they know what we need to help us in our business," Carol Chandler is quoted.
Diener has collaborated for many years with UCCE advisors and specialists. He expressed high praise for the late UCCE specialist Pete Christiansen, whose research at Kearney on Muscat Blac grapes led to a new clone for the industry.
"Had it not been for Pete's research at the Kearney field station, we'd still be having problems with rot in Muscat Blanc," Diener said.
The complete Outlook magazine can be downloaded from the CA&ES website in pdf format.