Thompson selected as one of 11 UCDC Presidential Faculty Fellows
Nutrition Policy Institute director Hannah Thompson was selected as a UCDC Presidential Faculty Fellow through the University of California Washington Program. The fellowship brings together UC faculty to Washington, D.C., after equipping them with the skills to engage with policymakers on Capitol Hill on issues that directly impact California and the nation. Thompson is one of 11 fellows from across the UC systems in the 2026 cohort.
Thompson’s research focuses on improving cardiometabolic health at the intersection of science, community and policy. She evaluates youth-facing policies like mandated physical education, recess and nutritious meals in public schools, as well as federal programmatic approaches like WIC, CACFP and SNAP-Ed, that have tremendous potential for both short- and long-term health impact.
As a 2026 fellow, Thompson spent May 17-22 in Washington, D.C. meeting with federal stakeholders to discuss the importance of policies that require and support daily physical education, or PE, and universal meals in K-12 schools. She described how policies that require and fund daily school-based physical activity and school meals improve child health and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Thompson’s latest collaborative research on school-based physical activity has illuminated gaps in state infrastructure for school fitness testing ahead of President Trump’s July 2025 executive order to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test. She and her research colleagues found that structured play in California elementary schools may contribute to reducing chronic absenteeism and the disproportionate impacts of school-based physical activity in New York City public schools across racial and ethnic groups, highlighting the need for policies that ensure equitable access to physical activity for students of all backgrounds. Additionally, Thompson’s work with NPI researchers and others across the nation to evaluate the impact of universal school meals has shown the importance of such policies – which have overwhelming support from parents, students and foodservice staff – to improve food insecurity and reduce stigma.
Thompson recently discussed her research in an interview with UC ANR’s Michael Hsu.
Hanson wins top honors in weed science
Brad Hanson, professor of Cooperative Extension in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, received the Outstanding Extension Award from the Weed Science Society of America.
Hanson leads the UC Davis Hanson Weed Management Lab, which researches crop injury caused by herbicides, herbicide-resistant weeds, parasitic weeds and applied weed management in orchards, vineyards and annual crops.
Hanson’s work with weed management in tree and vine production and his recent efforts with broomrape management in California were two key aspects for his selection. Hanson has been a member of the WSSA since he was a graduate student and is a co-author on more than 50 papers presented at the recent meeting.
The award was presented to Hanson at the WSSA annual meeting in Raleigh, N.C., in February.
Read more about Hanson’s award in Siddharth Jasthi’s story at https://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/news/hanson-WSSA-award.
Callahan, Leff honored for advancing agritourism
Rachael Callahan, UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program statewide agritourism coordinator, and Penny Leff, former UC SAREP agritourism coordinator, were recognized on May 14 as World AgriTourism Day honorees at the California State Capitol.
Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick presented Assembly Resolution ACR-175 honoring their leadership and contributions to advancing agritourism in California.
“Agritourism is more than just a fun family outing – it keeps family farms alive, supports rural economies, preserves our agricultural heritage, and connects people to where their food comes from,” said Hadwick. “From pumpkin patches and farm stays to wineries, u-pick farms, ranch tours, festivals and farmers markets, agritourism showcases the very best of rural California.”
The assemblymember’s family runs the only pumpkin patch in Modoc County. The Hadwicks started their agritourism venture after attending an Agritourism Intensive training conducted by Leff. Callahan wrote about the Hadwicks’ story in this blog post.
Perry, Duncan honored by Stanislaus County Farm Bureau
In April, the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau honored Ed Perry and Roger Duncan at the organization’s annual meeting.
The two emeritus UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors and former UCCE Stanislaus County directors were presented with Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service Award for their decades of service to agriculture and local communities.
As part of the presentation, they played a 10-minute video of interviews with Perry, Duncan, colleagues Jennifer Heguy, Anne Schellman and Theresa Becchetti and a few growers who worked with Perry and Duncan. The humorous video can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz5dMWmuQmA.
CDFA honors Blackburn for excellence in public health
Mary Blackburn, emeritus UC Cooperative Extension nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor for Alameda County, received the Beverlee A. Myers Award for Excellence in Public Health, the highest honor presented by the California Department of Public Health.
Blackburn has become nationally renowned for her pioneering work delivering research-based nutrition education to older adults, pregnant teens, women with substance abuse issues, incarcerated people, immigrants, refugees and people living in poverty.
This award recognizes her outstanding contributions to public health services.
The Beverlee A. Myers award is presented annually to a public health professional who exemplifies dedication and accomplishment in improving the health status of Californians, demonstrates leadership and collaboration within the public health and health service delivery communities, uses creative methods to promote essential public health services, addresses the needs of special populations and reduces disparities in health outcomes.