- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
Palta named first UCCE specialist based at UC Irvine 
Monica Palta joined UC ANR on Sept. 1 as a UC Cooperative Extension specialist in urban water quality, health and justice. She is the first UCCE specialist to be based at UC Irvine.
Palta is an urban ecosystem ecologist and environmental scientist who has conducted applied research in aquatic and coastal ecosystems throughout the U.S. Before taking the position with UC ANR, she was an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Science at Pace University in New York City.
The main goal of Palta's research is to develop sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships between natural ecosystems and human populations in urban watersheds. A central focus of her work is on interactions between infrastructure, ecosystem functions and associated environmental benefits to humans in urban waterfronts, and how these interactions may be altered by global change. Her research investigates sources and mitigation strategies for water pollution, as well as develops green infrastructure and environmental management strategies to facilitate greater environmental benefit, equity, access and resilience in marginalized waterfront communities.
In 2023 she co-founded Participatory Science Solutions, LLC. This organization has provided research, training, and evaluation on the social impact of urban environmental restoration projects (e.g., restoration of urban forests, wetlands and oyster reefs) conducted by nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
Palta earned a Ph.D. in ecology and evolution from Rutgers University and conducted postdoctoral work at Arizona State University. She earned a master's in ecology from the University of Georgia and a bachelor's degree in biology from Grinnell College.
In her new position with UC ANR, she is excited to collaborate with UC faculty and UC ANR colleagues from diverse disciplines as well as local communities and water managers. Her work will inform management for long-term resilience and reliability of water resources in Southern California under climate change, with a strong focus on strategies that sustain health and social equity within local populations.
Palta is jointly based at UC Irvine's Department of Civil Engineering (School of Engineering) and the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy (School of Social Ecology) and can be reached at mpalta@uci.edu and @MonicaMPalta on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Azadfar joins UCCE as woody biomass and forest products advisor 
Mohammadali Azadfar joined UC ANR on Sept. 3 as the UC Cooperative Extension woody biomass and forest products advisor for Siskiyou, Shasta and Trinity counties. In this role, he will focus on promoting sustainable forest products and woody biomass use to enhance forest resilience and support local communities. His work will involve collaborating with forestland owners, rural communities and local organizations to develop science-based solutions for managing woody biomass, reducing wildfire risks and advancing forest products.
“I am committed to developing innovative strategies for forest management that empower communities and protect our natural resources,” Azadfar said. “By working closely with stakeholders, we can create sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the people who rely on it.”
Originally from northern Iran near the Hyrcanian forests, Azadfar grew up immersed in the rich biodiversity of these ancient woodlands, which inspired his lifelong dedication to forest stewardship. His early experiences witnessing the impact of forest degradation on both the environment and local livelihoods motivated him to pursue a career in natural resources.
“The moment I saw how utilizing old corrugated container waste for paper production could reduce the need for deforestation was a pivotal turning point in my career,” Azadfar said. “It showed me the power of innovative, sustainable solutions in protecting our natural resources while still meeting industrial needs.”
Azadfar holds bachelor's and master's degrees in natural resources engineering with a focus on wood science and engineering from Iran, as well as a Ph.D. in biological and agricultural engineering from Washington State University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Washington State University's Composite Materials and Engineering Center, where he specialized in sustainable woody biomass utilization.
“I look forward to working with local communities to continue addressing their needs by advancing sustainable woody biomass utilization and forest products, and improving forest resilience,” he said.
Azadfar is based at the UC Cooperative Extension office in Yreka and can be reached at mazadfar@ucanr.edu.
Lemmer named 4-H healthy living academic coordinator
Prior to joining UC ANR, she was an elementary school teacher in Oakland and Fair Oaks. She taught 2nd grade in East Oakland after earning her master's degree in education focusing on elementary literacy and later earned a Montessori Elementary Certificate while teaching 1st - 3rd grade at a Montessori public charter in Sacramento County. In the classroom, she focused on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in her lessons as well as social-emotional learning.
Originally from Los Angeles, Lemmer earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and Latin American/Latin@ Studies from UC Santa Cruz, where she interned with Life Lab and the Friends of the Community Agroecology Network (FoCAN). She served two terms with AmeriCorps. First with AmeriCorps*NCCC in the southwest focused on various community projects in Arizona, Colorado and Missouri. The second with FoodCorps in Santa Cruz County with Life Lab and Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) focusing on farm to school efforts. She continued to lead FoodCorps service members statewide as the FoodCorps California State Fellow.
Lemmer is based at the UC ANR building in Davis and can be reached at alemmer@ucanr.edu.
Beal joins UC IPM as advisor for Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito counties 
“I hope to serve the growers of the three counties and develop more sustainable integrated pest management programs that are centered on their experiences and knowledge,” he explained. “My major goal is to support growers of leafy greens, cole crops, berry crops, grapes and other crops in ways that empower and elevate growers.”
A native of Valencia in Los Angeles County, Beal ventured east to Cornell University where he earned bachelor's degrees in entomology and plant sciences. As an undergraduate research assistant at Cornell, he had his first experiences with Cooperative Extension and the mission of the land-grant university system.
After attaining a European master's degree in viticulture and enology from Montpellier SupAgro in France and Universita degli Studi di Torino in Italy, Beal returned to the U.S. to complete a Ph.D. in environmental science, policy and management at UC Berkeley. His dissertation focused on studying spittlebug vectors of a bacterial pathogen, Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce's disease in vineyards of California's North Coast.
Beal then went to Washington State University, where he worked as a postdoctoral researcher with growers on sustainable management strategies for spotted-wing drosophila in Washington cherry orchards and blueberry farms.
“Inspired by my Extension mentors at Cornell, UC Berkeley and WSU, I aim to be a bridge between growers and researchers,” he said.
Beal is based at the Monterey County UC Cooperative Extension office in Salinas and can be reached at djbeal@ucanr.edu and (831) 759-7359.
Bello Rodriguez joins Contracts and Grants 
Julian Bello Rodriguez joined UC ANR on Sept. 3 as a proposal development coordinator in the Office of Contracts and Grants.
He brings a diverse background in scientific research and proposal writing. With a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Michigan State University, Bello Rodriguez has spent his career supporting agricultural projects and helping industry and academic teams secure funding for innovative research. In addition to his academic background, Bello Rodriguez is a certified pest control adviser and qualified applicator licensed by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
Bello Rodriguez is based at the UC ANR building in Davis and can be reached at bellor@ucanr.edu.
Ahluwalia named UCCE director for Colusa, Glenn, Butte, Yuba-Sutter counties 
Preet Ahluwalia joined UC ANR on Aug. 28 as director for UCCE in Colusa, Glenn, Butte, Yuba and Sutter counties.
Prior to taking the UCCE position, she co-founded two companies focused on lending and investments. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, strategy and management, Ahluwalia says she is “passionate about furthering UCCE's outreach, partnerships and research initiatives to best serve these five counties.”
Born in Canada, Ahluwalia was raised in Fresno. She holds a master's in business administration and bachelor's degree in psychology and religious studies, both from UC Davis.
Ahluwalia, who holds a black belt in karate, is based at the UCCE office in Colusa and can be reached at (530) 304-4980 and tkahluwalia@ucanr.edu. She is on LinkedIn at http://linkedin.com/in/preetahluwalia.
Okella joins UCCE as 4-H animal science youth advisor 
Hedmon Okella joined UCCE on Aug. 1 as the 4-H animal science youth advisor for San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. He is developing an extension and applied research program in agriculture, with an emphasis on livestock for positive youth development. In addition, he will support statewide 4-H Youth Development Program to help the youth reach their full potential.
“My focus is to partner with local communities to create new and innovative approaches that are responsive to the unique needs of the communities so as to strengthen and expand the 4-H animal science experience” Okella said.
Prior to joining UC ANR, he was a postdoctoral researcher in veterinary science and molecular biology at the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center.
Originally from Dokolo, Uganda, Okella was born and raised in an extended family that cherishes goats, sheep, swine and poultry farming – a childhood experience that nourished his passion in animal science. In the past 15 years of his career, Okella witnessed the infinite potential of young people amid limited or no opportunities among the underserved youth living in multicultural communities of Uganda, India and United States.
“I envision extending more support with emphasis on animal science so that young people can discover and develop their full potentials,” he said.
Okella earned a Ph.D. from Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda, focusing on fish immunology, specifically bioprospecting of novel antimicrobial peptide drug candidates for potential application in veterinary and human medicine. He also holds a master's degree in biotechnology from Saurashtra University, Gujarat, India, and a bachelor's degree in science education (biology major) from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
“I hope to leverage my expertise to develop and implement applied research and extension programs focusing on animal science, particularly centered on livestock such as cattle, swine, sheep and goats, tailored for youth in San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties,” he said. “I am so excited to partner with the groups and community organizations to continue to address the needs of the communities we serve.”
Based at UC Cooperative Extension's San Benito County office in Hollister, Okella can be reached at hokella@ucanr.edu.
Weinberg joins F3 as coordinator for food innovation and small business 
Yonatan Weinberg joined UC ANR on July 1 as an academic coordinator for food innovation and small business to support the Food, Farms, Future Initiative, also called F3. The F3 Initiative mission is to encourage economic development in the San Joaquin Valley through its regional food system.
Weinberg will help promote specialty crops and support food business development in the valley. By enhancing local food distribution, processing and preparation, he hopes all valley residents get to taste the region's delicious food and benefit from the value it provides.
Before joining UC ANR, Weinberg studied European and Asian food systems. He earned masters degrees in resilient farming and food systems from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and in agroecology from ISARA in France. He earned a bachelor's degree in history, technology and society from Georgia Tech.
His master's thesis centered on why several conventional farmers in England transitioned to organic and regional markets on their own. He then researched the effects of indigenous farmers' transition to conventional practices in Cambodia. Later, he worked for a local nongovernmental organization to build a farmers market in Battambang.
Weinberg said he seeks to “harness his research and professional interests to nourish a bright future for the San Joaquin Valley's farming and food systems.” He will be working with food entrepreneurs who process, cook, sell and distribute local produce and foster connections among them across the food system in the valley.
“We are building out Instagram pages for F3Local and our flagship event Central Valley Flavor Fest,” he said. “We very much would love some follower-love from our UC ANR colleagues. Our handles are @cvflavorfest and @f3local.”
Weinberg is based in Fresno and can be reached at yweinberg@ucanr.edu.
Manzo joins UCCE as 4-H program manager in San Diego County 
Rebeca Manzo joined UC Cooperative Extension in San Diego County on June 17 as a 4-H program manager.
Manzo began her career as a child development counselor at the San Diego Center for Children, focusing on ensuring the safety of children through crisis interventions, supporting treatment plans, and building therapeutic alliances with troubled youth. She transitioned into the criminal justice field, joining GEO Reentry Services.
Over nearly 13 years, Manzo advanced from an entry-level client services specialist to case manager, aftercare coordinator, and finally program manager. As a contractor for the California Department of Rehabilitation, she managed operations.
At GEO, she oversaw internal operations, fostered customer relationships, reduced recidivism through evidence-based programs and curricula, managed sobering houses and conducted monthly audits to ensure program fidelity.
Believing in the potential for people to change their lives given the right opportunities and environment, Manzo has shifted her focus to youth development. She is excited to serve as a community educational specialist for the UCCE 4-H Youth Development Program. In this role, she aims to create a safe and positive learning environment, deliver high-quality programs, and promote the UCCE 4-H program to help establish more clubs.
The first in her family to graduate from college, Manzo holds an associate degree in sociology from Southwestern Community College and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from San Diego State University.
Manzo is based at the UCCE office in San Diego and can be reached at remanzo@ucanr.edu.
Levy becomes UCCE soil health and organic materials management advisor 
Natalie Levy began as the UC Cooperative Extension soil health and organic materials management advisor serving Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties on June 3.
To reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions, Levy is working on recovering edible food for human consumption and diverting organic material from landfills. She will collaborate with diverse clientele to develop closed-loop systems that replicate natural decomposition cycles that sequester carbon and improve soil health in both urban and agricultural settings.
“I am particularly excited to be working towards solutions to climate change and to promote carbon sequestration in California. What makes this role interesting is that the pathway to achieving these broader goals is through simple but powerful solutions,” said Levy.
For instance, applying a 3-to-4-inch mulch layer in a landscape not only improves soil water retention but also sequesters carbon and reduces landfill emissions by diverting and repurposing green waste. “In this role, I am also very excited about supporting food waste recovery and addressing food insecurity in the three counties that I serve,” she added.
Prior to becoming an advisor, Levy worked for UC ANR as a staff research associate at South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, where she partnered with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to study urban runoff and water quality monitoring in Orange County.
Later, she became a UCCE associate specialist for water resources at South Coast REC, focusing on all phases of applied water resource management research and extension efforts. As a specialist, she managed national and statewide collaborative projects centered on water conservation, including the UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trial program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded, multistate Climate Ready Landscape Plants project.
Levy earned a Ph.D. in agricultural and extension education and evaluation from Louisiana State University. Her dissertation research studied the types of management practices Louisiana homeowners were using to apply fertilizers in urban landscapes. Through this exploratory research, she identified behaviors that can increase nonpoint source nutrient runoff and designed Cooperative Extension programming to help change those behaviors. She also obtained a master's degree in agronomy from LSU and a bachelor's in environmental science from UC Berkeley.
Levy is based at South Coast REC and can be reached at nlevy@ucanr.edu. She is on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-levy-3b5905234/.
Bono returns to UC Elkus Ranch 
Amy Bono returned to UC Elkus Ranch on June 1 as the ranch coordinator. From 2005 to 2015. she was a community educator at Elkus Ranch, before leaving to lead The HEAL Project, an environmental education nonprofit in San Mateo County.
Bono earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and biology at UC San Diego. After college, she worked as a zookeeper at the San Diego Zoo, then the San Francisco Zoo before becoming an educator at Elkus Ranch.
“My kids really grew up at the ranch,” Bono said. “They were 3 and 5 when I started here and we held birthday parties and hosted volunteer groups at the ranch for years. They are almost as excited about my return as I am because the ranch is such a magical place.”
While working at The HEAL Project, Bono gained experience and contacts that will benefit Elkus Ranch.
“Coming back to Elkus is really a ‘coming home' of sorts because most people stay at Elkus for a long time,” Bono said. “Half of the people I work with now, I worked with the first time I was here. The people are awesome and the amount of experience we have on staff benefits us all.”
“Environmental education and sustainability feed my soul,” said Bono, who is focused on increasing the number of students that visitElkus Ranch for field trips.
“We had about 7,000 visitors to the ranch in 2023-24, but I hope to bring our reach back to our pre-pandemic number of 9,000 in 2024-25.”
“I am actively looking for funds to sponsor visits from the highest need schools,” she said. “It is amazing that students, even from San Mateo County, have not seen the ocean until they come over the hill to visit the Ranch. The ability for students to pick and eat an apple fresh from the tree, hold a chicken, hug our donkey Sassy, or any other of several educational experiences we offer, is eye-opening and potentially life-changing for many of our younger visitors.”
Bono has begun planning Elkus Ranch's 50th year as UC ANR's beloved Bay Area environmental education destination. The anniversary party, scheduled for Sept. 6, 2025, will be a fundraiser. To get updates about Elkus Ranch activities, sign up for the Elkus email list.
Bono is based at UC Elkus Ranch in Half Moon Bay and can be reached at abono@ucanr.edu.
