- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
Niederholzer named Certified Crop Adviser of the Year in Western Region 
The award recognizes a certified crop adviser who has shown exceptional dedication and leadership that has made an impact in the organization and industry.
Niederholzer, who became a UCCE advisor in 2002, works with prunes, almonds, pears, apple, cherry, olive, plum, citrus, and pomegranate in Colusa, Sutter and Yuba counties. His studies include orchard mineral nutrition, rootstock evaluation, cropload management, and airblast spray coverage and drift.
“It was a surprise and an honor to get that award from a great organization,” he said.
The award for Certified Crop Adviser of the Year in the Western Region acknowledges a member's exemplary dedication and contributions to agriculture as a Certified Crop Adviser. This individual also actively encourages and leads others to advocate for agricultural practices that are advantageous for both farmers and the environment.
Niederholzer was a member of the WRCCA Board of Directors from 2006-2022. While on the Board, he served on the WRCCA Testing and Continuing Education Committee, including 10 years as committee chair. His efforts included spearheading an esteemed CCA Exam Preparation course.
Supervisors recognize Macon's contribution to local agriculture 
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors recognized Dan Macon as a well-respected and important pillar of the county's agricultural community.
At its board meeting on Sept. 24, the supervisors presented Macon with a Certificate of Recognition for his many years of dedication and excellent service to Nevada County agriculture.
In 2017, Macon became the livestock and natural resources advisor for Placer, Nevada, Sutter and Yuba counties. Since 2020, Macon has served as UCCE county director for Placer and Nevada counties and livestock and natural resources advisor.
“I'm truly humbled by the recognition,” said Macon. “Cooperative Extension can't exist without strong county and community partnerships, and my family and I have been so fortunate to be part of the Nevada County agriculture community for so many years.”
In addition to being a UCCE advisor and county director, he has operated Flying Mule Farm, raising a small-scale commercial flock of sheep near Auburn. Macon, whose wife Sami passed away last year, is in the process of transferring to UCCE in Calaveras County to live closer to family and help care for his ailing mother.
“Dan's leadership has made a lasting impact on Nevada County,” said Nevada County Agricultural Commissioner Chris de Nijs. “His work not only strengthened our local agriculture both from a land management and economic perspective, but also set a benchmark for excellence and resiliency in the field. He will continue to be a pillar of the ag community, and I with him the best of luck in his new adventures!”
Legislators honor NPI's 10-year anniversary with resolution
California Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember Mia Bonta honored the Nutrition Policy Institute with a joint California Legislature members resolution to recognize its decade of positive impact.
Founded on Feb. 18, 2014, within UC ANR, NPI's research has informed policies such as free school meals for over 6 million students and funding for school kitchen equipment. NPI's work led to increased recess for students, enhanced funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (commonly known as WIC), healthier beverage policies in childcare, and food security initiatives at UC campuses.
Based on NPI research, efforts also have been made to expand Farm to Corrections food programs and improve CalFresh Healthy Living interventions, enhancing fitness and diet-related outcomes for children. As a trusted resource for legislators and policymakers, NPI provides science-based policy recommendations, contributing significantly to public health in California.
- Author: Ricardo Vela
- Author: Pam Kan-Rice
For the third consecutive year, UC ANR is leading a critical vaccination campaign funded by the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement initiative. Amira R. Resnick, UC ANR's statewide director of community nutrition and health, is leading the EXCITE project, which is dedicated to addressing misinformation in California's most vulnerable communities.
This winter, she is focused on increasing vaccination rates among adults in disadvantaged populations, particularly farmworkers and individuals employed in janitorial and cleaning services throughout the Merced and Fresno regions.
The initiative emphasizes the importance of flu and COVID-19 immunizations, underscoring vaccination as a key measure for protecting health during the colder months. Communications are designed to resonate with these communities, using language and messaging that align with their values and concerns.
“Since family is a cornerstone for Latino culture, our main message will focus on keeping loved ones safe,” said Ricardo Vela, manager of UC ANR News & Information Outreach in Spanish, who is working with Resnick on EXCITE.
Recognizing the rich cultural diversity within these populations, the campaign will feature content in Mixteco, a Mexican Indigenous language, across various media platforms, including social media, streaming television and radio.
Many families in these communities are originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, and predominantly speak their native languages, with limited or no proficiency in Spanish. This culturally tailored approach ensures that vital health information is accessible to those who need it most.
In addition to the external vaccination campaign, UC ANR has developed an internal initiative aimed at engaging its own professionals.
“Through this campaign, we are not only working to safeguard public health, but also encouraging UC ANR and Extension professionals to serve as role models in vaccine advocacy and health education within their own communities. Leadership starts with us,” said Resnick.
“Our objective is not just to reach diverse audiences, but to engage them meaningfully by using clear, inclusive and compassionate communication,”Resnick added.
WSU creates EXCITE Toolkit
The Washington State University EXCITE team has enhanced their toolkit based on feedback. These updates aim to make the toolkit even more effective for Extension professionals.
Getting to the Heart and Mind of the Matter: A Toolkit to Build Confidence as a Trusted Messenger of Health Information was developed by the WSU EXCITE team: Erica W. Austin, Bruce William Austin, Paul David Bolls, Zena Marie Edwards, Shawn K. Domgaard, Di Mu, Nicole H. O'Donnel, Courtney Payne, Pamela Rose and Anya Sheftel.
This toolkit is designed to empower all Extension professionals to be confident, informed participants in vaccine and health education initiatives within their communities. Its focus isn't just on what to communicate, but more importantly, on how to communicate effectively with different audiences. Backed by research and grounded in theory, the multidisciplinary approach of this toolkit emphasizes the role of both emotion and reason in behavior change communication.
The 5th edition of the toolkit is now available for free download.
This updated version includes key additions, such as the integration of health equity, techniques for conducting motivational interviewing in group settings, applying science media literacy for real-time fact-checking, and showcasing effective outreach with a focus on social media strategies.
- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
UC ANR participated in the Rural County Representatives of California's Annual Meeting Sept. 18-20 at the Doubletree by Hilton - Sonoma Wine Country. The event featured experts sharing their knowledge about issues important to rural communities.
Vice President Glenda Humiston; Susan Ellsworth, UCCE director for the Capitol Corridor (Sacramento, Yolo and Solano counties); Matthew Barnes, UCCE director for Lake and Mendocino counties; Yana Valachovic, UCCE director for Humboldt and Del Norte counties and forest advisor; and Sheron Violini, government and community relations associate director, were among the over 300 participants, which included county supervisors and other leaders from RCRC's 40 member counties.
Panel discussions with specialists in renewable energy storage, regenerative agriculture, sustainable forest management, and the challenges of short-term rentals.
- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
UC Cooperative Extension in Siskiyou County in partnership with the Siskiyou Cattlemen's Association hosted a tour of Shasta Valley cattle ranches on Saturday, Sept. 14. Hosting the annual tour is a long-standing tradition between UCCE Siskiyou and the SCCA, which seeks to connect members of the Siskiyou County community, provide a hands-on learning opportunity, and celebrate those who have made outstanding contributions to the Siskiyou County Cattlemen's Association during the past year.
“The goal of our 2024 tour was to learn about the experiences of Shasta Valley ranchers, including their general production calendar, marketing approach and conservation projects,” said Grace Woodmansee, UCCE livestock and natural resources advisor and county director for Siskiyou County.
More than 80 people attended, including local ranchers, community members and county leaders.
The group visited Shasta Springs Ranch, where ranch manager Pete Scala described the cattle operation at the historic "The Dukes" corrals. Julie Kelley, biologist, and Nicole Bright, range ecologist, both of Sierra Pacific Industries, described one of the ranch's many conservation efforts to enhance production for the cattle operation and habitat for threatened coho salmon.
At Big Springs Ranch, ranchers Tristan and Monet Allen and their daughter, Mackenzie Johnson, along with Gary Black, restoration and conservation consultant, described how they balance production and conservation efforts.
Kory Hayden of the Siskiyou Economic Development Council spoke about the Siskiyou Climate Collaborative. The collaborative helps community members, including farmers and ranchers, pursue planning and funding opportunities that will better prepare the county for wildfires, droughts and other disasters.
Several industry speakers shared updates during the traditional barbecue lunch, including Holly Foster, Western Video Market; Justin Oldfield, California Cattle Council; Gracie LeCheminant, California Cattlemen's Association; and Jack Rice, Rancher Technical Assistance Program.
Siskiyou County Cattlemen's Association honored those who have made outstanding contributions to the Siskiyou County Cattlemen's Association over their careers. Veterinarian Dave Stillian received the 2024 Ally of the Industry Award. Eleaser Vasques was recognized as the 2024 Ranch Hand of the Year. The 2024 Cattlemen of the Year Awards were presented to Red Emmerson and Pete Scala, who hosted the tour of Shasta Springs Ranch.
“It was a really fun, well-attended and fulfilling event – beautiful ranches, wonderful hosts and speakers, very deserving awardees and great weather,” Woodmansee said. “I was particularly thrilled to have so many young professionals working in ag and natural resources management in Siskiyou attend the tour including our new UCCE agronomy advisor, Jagdeep Singh.”
“UCCE Siskiyou is fortunate to have great partnerships with the Siskiyou Economic Development Council and the Shasta Valley Resource Conservation District, where several of these vibrant young professionals work. Many of whom are also farmers and ranchers. We're very proud of these partnerships and of our community.
Woodmansee posted many photos of the tour on the UCCE Siskiyou Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UCCESiskiyoucounty.
- Author: Igor Lacan
On Aug. 23, UC ANR leaders visited UC Elkus Ranch and UCCE San Mateo/San Francisco offices to meet with our county partners and local stakeholders, and learn about the research, education, extension and outreach programs offered to residents of the two counties.
Brent Hales, associate vice president, led the visit alongside Vice Provost Daniel Obrist, Director of Cooperative Extension Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty, and Director of Workplace Inclusion and Belonging Elizabeth Moon.
The visit started at the CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE offices in South San Francisco where the leaders met with our federally funded nutrition education program staff and learned about the impactful projects in school cafeterias and early education centers.
The visit continued at Elkus Ranch, where ANR leaders toured the grounds, learning about the school visit programs – the mainstay of the Elkus mission – but also learning about the ranch facilities and our other activities. Our UC Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver program volunteers were on hand to introduce their respective programs and impacts – and to share some wonderful, preserved food.
Our guests then settled into a working lunch, meeting our local partners from county agencies, elected officials, community groups and local stakeholders, for whom we organized multiple tours of the ranch.
In the early afternoon, the visit continued at the Phoenix Garden at the San Mateo Juvenile Justice Facility, where the educators from our Youth Development program and our county partners described the groundbreaking work with youth in gardening, food production, and even beekeeping – followed by honey tasting!
The tour concluded at the Gardening Education Center at the San Mateo County Event Center. Here our Master Gardener program volunteers were once again the tour guides, showcasing not only the unique GEC facilities that they have constructed in partnership with the San Mateo County Fair to propagate plants and offer hands-on classes, but also demonstrating their ability to grow some truly impressive tomatoes!
With honey and tomatoes in hand, and having connected with our many partners, stakeholders and friends, our guests departed, impressed with the reach, impact and breadth of services that our Cooperative Extension office provides to the residents of San Mateo and San Francisco counties.
