Announcements

UC ANR launches photo contest

Providing a new opportunity to engage with colleagues, UC ANR is launching a photography contest and calling all staff and academics to submit their best shots.

“We have so many talented people in ANR, we want to highlight their skills and abilities,” said Mark Bell, vice provost of Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs. “These days, people aren't getting around to see California. The contest will give us all a chance to see scenes from different parts of our beautiful state.”

Photos may be submitted in five categories based on UC ANR's Strategic Initiatives:

• Endemic and invasive pests and diseases
• Healthy families and communities
• Sustainable food systems
• Sustainable natural ecosystems
• Water quality, quantity and security

A $50 gift card will be awarded to the first place winner and all staff and academics who submit photos will be eligible for a $25 gift card drawing. In addition, the winning photos will be featured at a UC ANR Town Hall.

All photos submitted to the contest will be stored on UC ANR's WebDam and made available for UC ANR presentations, websites, social media, etc., with credit to the photographers.

Click this link to begin submitting your photo(s). If there are recognizable people in the photo, please ask them to sign a release agreement and upload in the submission survey. The submission deadline for the 2020 photo contest is Nov. 30.

Sustainable Natural Ecosystems SI leader position opens for applications

UC ANR academics are invited to apply for the Sustainable Natural Ecosystems Strategic Initiative leader position. The position plays a key role in helping us connect by unifying, communicating and advocating to strengthen UC ANR's research and outreach agenda and as a participant in Program Council. 

Given the evolving role of the UC ANR Strategic Initiatives (SI), we will again conduct an open search from across the breadth of expertise in the division.

“The SI leader position for Sustainable Natural Ecosystems is becoming available as our current leader David Lile is scheduled to rotate off at the end of 2020,” said Mark Bell, vice provost of Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs. “David has been a valued team member and contributor and has helped the SIs significantly evolve in their role.” 

Who can apply? The positions are open to all UC ANR academics, including Agricultural Experiment Station faculty and Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists as well as academic coordinators and administrators. Strategic Initiative leaders are appointed by the Associate Vice President on a rotating basis for three years, with the possibility of extension. 

Current SI leaders 

• Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases: Jim Farrar 
• Sustainable Food Systems: Deanne Meyer
• Sustainable Natural Ecosystems: David Lile (through 12/31/20)
• Water Quality, Quantity and Security: David Lewis 
• Healthy Families and Communities: Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty

Role of the SIs. The SIs help us make connections. They lead efforts to Unify, Communicate and Advocate for what we do. See UC ANR Strategic Initiatives for more information. SI leaders are increasingly leading discussions on critical topics important to the future of UC ANR – both the focus of our work and how we implement our work. They are also decision-making members of Program Council. 

How to apply. To apply for the SI leader position, complete the form at https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=32332.

Applications will be accepted until Nov. 20.

Applicants will be contacted for interviews in late November or early December.The target date for Zoom interviews is Monday, Dec. 14 (morning). The new leader is anticipated to start Jan. 4, 2021.

For information regarding the roles and responsibilities of the Strategic Initiative leader position, see the Terms of Reference for Strategic Initiative Leaders. If you have questions, contact Mark Bell or one of the SI leaders.

 

Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment calls for proposals

Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment funding is available to University of California personnel to support problem-solving research that will benefit California range cattle producers. The goal of this program is to promote collaboration and strengthen the network among research faculty, Cooperative Extension specialists, county-based Cooperative Extension advisors and range cattle producers, and to ultimately provide practical answers to critical issues and challenges facing the industry.

Annual research proposals for 2021 are due by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, to rusticiresearch@ucdavis.edu.  

Extension activity proposals are accepted year-round at rusticiresearch@ucdavis.edu.

The full request for proposals and more information about this funding opportunity can be found at http://rangelands.ucdavis.edu/rustici/research-endowment. 

UC Master Gardener virtual Mini-Conference succeeds as livestream event

The virtual 2020 UC Master Gardener Mini-Conference was held Sept. 29–Oct. 1 online. It was a livestream success. All nine sessions streamed directly to the statewide Facebook and YouTube channels, which made for lively comments and instant access to recordings.

The UC Master Gardener Program recognized 52 of the 6,000 volunteers from across the state as "Gardeners with Heart" in celebration of the program's 40th year.

If you did not get a chance to join the conference live, or you just want to re-watch a session, they are all conveniently available on the statewide UC Master Gardener Program's YouTube channel.

Read Lauren Snowden's UC Master Gardener blog post for a wrap up of the virtual 2020 Mini-Conference at https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=43853.

 

President Drake meets the PAC

 

UC President Michael Drake attended his first meeting with the President's Advisory Commission on Agriculture and Natural Resources (PAC) on Sept. 30. Vice President Humiston, PAC Chair Jean-Mari Peltier and PAC members welcomed the ophthalmologist and former UC Irvine chancellor Drake home to UC and shared their excitement about the future of UC under his leadership.

After a series of presentations to provide Drake with perspectives on California agricultural and environmental issues and the role of UC ANR, he graciously stayed overtime to address members' questions and comments. Participants learned more about his background and his commitment to the university's role in addressing key agricultural, environmental, health and safety, and social justice issues. From his love of farm visits to his interest in carbon sequestration, it was clear that his leadership will bring exciting things to UC ANR.

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross gave a presentation on California agriculture and CDFA's critical and valued partnership with UC ANR.

Six PAC members shared their experiences with UC ANR engagement in issues they face in the field: 

• Mike Mellano, chairman of the Board and VP of Farming, Mellano & Company, discussed his third-generation family farm's reliance on UC Cooperative Extension partnership and agricultural research.
• Ashley Boren, chief executive officer of Sustainable Conservation, shared insights about the importance of UC ANR's work in natural resource conservation.
• Rancher Dina Moore of Lone Star Ranch focused on UC ANR's vital role in working with ranchers on livestock and timber management.
• Lon Hatamiya, president and CEO of The Hatamiya Group, shared insights on UC ANR's role in agricultural technology innovation.
• Celeste Cantu, vice chair of the San Diego Water Quality Control Board, discussed the important role of UC ANR and UC Master Gardener volunteers in addressing urban issues.
• Grant Davis, general manager of the Sonoma County Water Agency, covered UC ANR's contributions to and valued partnership in water resources management.

UC Riverside Chancellor Kim Wilcox provided an overview of the UC ANR Governing Council and the division's partnerships with campuses.

Deans David Ackerly (UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources), Helene Dillard (UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) and Michael Lairmore (UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine) shared updates on current news, issues and challenges on their campuses.

To watch the recording of the PAC meeting, visit https://youtu.be/ED5lbF61F_g. 

Agenda
10:00-10:10: Welcome
10:10-10:30: California Agriculture and CDFA's Partnership with UC ANR – Karen Ross
10:30-11:00: UC ANR Engagement with Issues in the Field
            -Farming and Ag Research – Mike Mellano
            -Natural Resource Conservation – Ashley Boren
            -Livestock and Timber – Dina Moore
            -Innovation and Ag Tech – Lon Hatamiya
            -Urban Issues and Volunteers – Celeste Cantu
            -Water and Local Agencies – Grant Davis
11:00-11:05: UC ANR Governing Council and Partnering with Local Campuses – Kim Wilcox
11:05-11:45: Discussion
11:45-12:00: Campus Updates from AES Deans

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