Stage 2 safety standards; diversity, equity and inclusion input

Reminders concerning Stage 2 safety standards

As you know, UC ANR issued Stage 2 protocols for resuming in-person activity at the end of May. While approximately 70% of our locations have already submitted Location Safety Plans for increased in-person activity under Stage 2, it is important to remember that the state and county governments are allowing gradual and limited resumption of on-site operations. UC ANR employees and volunteers who can still work/engage remotely should continue to do so until the governor completely lifts California's stay-at-home order and UC ANR advises it is appropriate to return to in-person operations.

Based on current state guidance concerning mass gatherings, UC ANR will continue to limit all gatherings/meetings/events to a maximum of 10 participants until further notice. Stage 3 of the state's resilience roadmap allows reopening of higher risk workplaces. Since UC ANR locations have been allowed to re-open under Stage 2, we do not anticipate major changes to our operations as portions of the state gradually move into Stage 3. 

Please also be reminded that UC ANR location directors should continually refer to their county data regarding respective COVID-19 case trends and adjust their Stage 2 plans accordingly. County information is available at https://covid19.ca.gov/get-local-information/ and this link provides detailed data on trends.

Thank you for your innovation and commitment in continuing our important work during these unprecedented times and for your support of community efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus by restricting in-person contacts. 

Diversity, equity and inclusion input

Last week we asked you to reflect on diversity, equity and inclusion challenges at UC ANR and invited you to share your input and ideas to inform the development of actionable strategies to address these challenges. We are implementing a variety of ways for you to share your input and will provide more information tomorrow. 

Celebration Corner

UCCE Livestock Waste Management Specialist Deanne Meyer received the Eric Bradford and Charlie Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award from the Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI) at UC Davis. Meyer, who has directed the environmental stewardship efforts of the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP) since the program's inception in 1996, is being honored for her leadership in substantially improving the sustainability of California's dairy industry through research and outreach. Congratulations, Deanne!

South Coast REC has partnered with UC Irvine's UCIFresh food pantry for students and personnel in need to harvest and donate food grown at South Coast for weekly deliveries. Here's an Instagram post on one of the highlights.

The Nutrition Policy Institute and the Berkeley Food Institute have developed resources in English and Spanish for UC Cooperative Extension advisors and county directors to provide to community members: a modifiable county template on COVID-19 Community Resources, a flyer on How to Stay Food Secure and Eat Well Despite COVID-19, and Guidance on the Safe Usage of Open Spaces During COVID-19.

Glenda Humiston 
Vice President

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