Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) is soliciting proposals for new and continuing research projects for the period July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018.
Hopland REC encompasses more than 5,300 acres of oak woodland, grasslands and chaparral rangeland in southeastern Mendocino County. The facility provides research opportunities in animal science, range management, wildlife ecology, plant ecology, entomology and epidemiology, pest management, viticulture and natural resources management. Some unique features of interest include the capacity to study paired watershed effects, grazed and non-grazed vernal pools, diversity of species (including the discovery of a new species of wildflower) and more.
New projects are encouraged and there may be opportunities to use existing research designs for new research questions. HREC's resources include an array of habitat types, almost 700 species of vascular plants including 11 species of oaks, a resident sheep flock and an array of mammal species including black-tailed deer, wild feral pigs and coyotes. Facilities include 12 acres of irrigated pasture and vineyard, all-season road access, lab space, high-speed Internet, a nationally acclaimed lysimeter, basic wet and dry lab facilities (currently being renovated), capacity to perform necropsies on site and a dormitory that can accommodate over 20 students.
Please refer to http://hrec.ucanr.edu for a complete description of center resources. For even more detailed descriptions of the natural resources and related features of interest, please look at our interactive storybook at HREC Story map.
Hopland REC provides outstanding staff with diverse skills to provide local labor, equipment, research facilities and technical and management support to UC academics and to personnel from cooperating non-UC organizations. Hopland REC expects to award hours of center-provided labor at minimal cost to support approved projects during this coming program year.
Hopland REC assesses an annual research project fee and a per-hour labor rate for staff assistance on all active projects. Both rates are subsidized for UC affiliates. Non-UC affiliates are charged the full rate.
To submit a proposal, please submit forms electronically, via the “Universal Review System” accessed through the UC ANR Portal by April 21, 2017.
To submit a proposal, go to http://hrec.ucanr.edu. On the left hand side under RESEARCH you will see the tab "Submitting a proposal." You will be asked for your ANR Portal login. Once you are logged in, you will see a list of proposals for the PI or Co-PI. Only submit the proposals that you are the PI for unless the PI has asked you to submit the proposal as a Co-PI.
If you have any questions, contact Amber Shrum, administrative assistant, at 707-744-1424 Ext. 101, or Kimberly Rodrigues, HREC director, at (707) 744-1424, Ext 115.
The UC Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center (SFREC) is soliciting proposals to support new and continuing research on rangeland and oak woodland ecology and management, beef cattle health, production and management, and related agricultural and natural resource themes important to California.
Academics from UC and non-UC institutions are eligible to apply for support. SFREC contributes labor to support development of experimental infrastructure, experimental manipulations, data collection, animal handling and other activities necessary to conduct field research.
Proposals are due by March 2, 2017. Proposals must be submitted through the REC Manage System via the SFREC website at http://sfrec.ucanr.edu.
Basic resources and facilities to support research include 5,000 acres of northern Sierra foothill oak woodland and annual grass rangeland as well as irrigated pastures, riparian areas and access to the Yuba River. An approximately 160-head cow-calf herd and access to up to 300 head of steers/heifers are available to support animal production, animal health and grazing research. SFREC maintains a wet/dry lab for sample processing, rooms in a house available for long-term research stays, a 16-bed dormitory and large and small conference rooms.
For further information regarding research opportunities, contact
Jeremy James, SFREC director at (530) 639-8803 or jjjames@ucanr.edu, or visit SFREC's website at http://sfrec.ucanr.edu.
The Intermountain Research and Extension Center is a 140-acre research facility located at 4,000 feet elevation near the Oregon border. IREC specializes in the following crops: potato, small grain, onion, peppermint, forage grasses and alfalfa. However, most cool season field and vegetable crops can be accommodated and grown on the center. Research topics of interest include variety development, integrated pest management, irrigation management, plant nutrition and agriculture-wildlife interactions.
Available IREC facilities and equipment include a greenhouse, controlled postharvest facility, drying ovens, an automated potato grading line, a mini-still for essential oil extraction, specialized small plot irrigation equipment, research-adapted small plot planters and harvesters, and a full line of commercial farm equipment for field and vegetable crop production. Technical assistance is available for all farming practices, field instrumentation and data collection.
IREC's Research Advisory Committee will evaluate proposed research for scientific merit and regional need. Approved projects will be eligible for center-provided support—land, labor, technical assistance, equipment and facilities.
Questions about the research proposal process or about research opportunities at IREC should be directed to director Rob Wilson at rgwilson@ucanr.edu or center superintendent Darrin Culp at daculp@ucanr.edu or by phone at (530) 667-5117.
Proposals may be submitted into the REC Manage System via the IREC website beginning Dec. 20, 2016, and are due no later than Feb. 10, 2017.
- Author: Patti Verdugo Johnson
HREC Research-Facility Projects — land, labor, equipment and facilities available for state-of-the-art research.
Applications for field and facility use space for research at the Hansen REC are accepted year-round. Complete applications received by Feb. 17 will be reviewed as part of the annual spring evaluation. Applications received after Feb. 17 will be reviewed in the next review cycle. Applications are evaluated by the Research Advisory Committee.
Please note that the HREC receives a significant portion of its support from the Thelma Hansen Endowment, which limits facility use subsidies to projects and programs that contribute directly to Ventura County agriculture. Although research can be conducted at the HREC that does not benefit Ventura County agriculture, these research projects are expected to bear the full cost of their research activities.
Thelma Hansen Fund (THF) Research & Education Grant Program — supports projects that encompass research, education, and outreach activities.
All projects (research, education and outreach) need to focus on agricultural and natural resource issues and needs relevant to Ventura County.
Proposals for research and education programs funded by the Thelma Hansen Fund are accepted year-round. Complete applications received by Feb. 17 will be reviewed as part of the annual spring evaluation. Applications received after Feb. 17 will be reviewed in the next review cycle. Applications are evaluated by the Research Advisory Committee.
Please carefully read the THF Program Request for Proposals (RFP) document for detailed information on the objectives, criteria and requirements of the program. There have been significant changes in this program since the last solicitation in 2013; e.g., a Letter of Intent is no longer required, geographical restrictions, etc.
The current THF grant program pool is approximately $300,000.
Questions concerning this revised program and the application process should be forwarded to HAREC Director Christopher M. Smith at cmwsmith@ucanr.edu. For special needs or off-cycle evaluation of a proposal, email Smith or call (805) 662-6943.
To submit a proposal, visit http://harec.ucanr.edu/Research/Submitting_a_Proposal.
The Intermountain Research and Extension Center is a 140-acre research facility located at 4,000 feet elevation near the Oregon border. IREC specializes in potato, small grain, onion, peppermint, forage grasses and alfalfa, however, most cool season field and vegetable crops can be accommodated and grown on the center. Research interests include variety development, integrated pest management, irrigation management, plant nutrition and agriculture-wildlife interactions.
Center facilities and equipment include a greenhouse, controlled postharvest facility, drying ovens, an automated potato grading line, a mini-still for essential oil extraction, specialized small-plot irrigation equipment, research-adapted small-plot planters and harvesters, and a full line of commercial farm equipment for field and vegetable crop production. Technical assistance is available for all farming practices, field instrumentation and data collection.
The center's Research Advisory Committee will evaluate proposed research for scientific merit and regional need. Approved projects will be eligible for center-provided support — land, labor, technical assistance, equipment and facilities.
Questions about the research proposal process or about research opportunities at IREC should be directed to the center director Rob Wilson at rgwilson@ucanr.edu or the center superintendent Darrin Culp at daculp@ucanr.edu or by phone at (530) 667-5117.
Proposals may be submitted into the REC Manage System via the IREC Website and are due Feb. 5, 2016.
