The Employee Spotlights blog shares the stories and work of just some of the outstanding UC ANR academics and staff who strive to make a positive impact in communities across California.
Two women standing outdoors on a path, smiling at the camera. One wears a light purple hoodie and has short dark hair; the other wears a dark jacket, sunglasses, and a colorful knit hat. Trees and buildings are softly blurred in the background.
International Year of the Woman Farmer
Logo courtesy of CA GROWN
In 2026, we are proud to celebrate, alongside the California Department of Food and Agriculture, CA GROWN and partners across the globe, the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Declared by the United Nations, this designation recognizes women’s vital role in agriculture and their tremendous contributions to every aspect of our food systems.
Be sure to visit the commemorative page at CA GROWN, and check back here throughout 2026 to read profiles of some of the women at UC ANR who support agriculture in California.
Through music, movies and other media, many people know about Compton, a city located in southern Los Angeles County. Keith Nathaniel knows it from firsthand experience.
When she was younger, Tamekia Wilkins believed that becoming a movie star was her calling. Then reality sank in, and I knew that wasn't going to happen, said Wilkins, an evaluation coordinator based at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources headquarters in Davis.
Yu-Chen Wang is a UC Cooperative Extension plant pathology advisor serving Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Wang, who joined UC ANR in 2022, studies diseases on vegetable and berry crops.
When he's not swinging over pools of water or navigating past other obstacles on American Ninja Warrior, Eric Middleton, UC integrated pest management advisor for San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties, can often be found examining plants for insect pests.
At a young age, Irene Padasas UC Cooperative Extension community nutrition and health advisor for Tulare, Kings, Fresno and Madera counties saw first-hand how environmental health conditions can impact a family's choices.
