- Author: Anne Megaro
- Author: Sheron Violini
On May 8, the University of California hosted an emerging science and technology innovation day at the UC Center in Sacramento. The UC inventions showcased at the event were examples of how academic research translates into real-world applications that benefit Californians and the world.
Of the 25 innovations featured, UC ANR was represented by two inventions – Steam Weeder and CropManage. Innovations were displayed for legislators and staff for most of the day.
Vice President Glenda Humiston also participated in the Fireside Chat, where over lunch UC Board of Regents Chair Rich Leib and Regent Lark Park led a conversation on innovation, clean energy and biomedical discoveries.
Steam Weeder is a machine designed to inject steam into the soil, offering a safer alternative to chemical pesticides. By heating soil to a precise temperature, this device effectively eliminates pests by thermally rupturing their cell walls, protecting crops and reducing the need for hazardous chemicals. This innovative machine reduces weeds by 85% and decreases the incidence of soil-borne diseases. Steam Weeder is ideal for farmers managing row crops, vineyards and orchards, especially those facing increased costs and strict regulations for chemical fumigants. The Steam Weeder, developed by Steven Fennimore, UC Davis professor of Cooperative Extension and extension specialist for vegetable weed management, offers an effective, safe and economical solution for large-scale weed management.
CropManage is a web-based tool developed by UCCE Monterey County farm advisor Michael Cahn to help farmers manage and make informed decisions for efficient crop production. Using years of research and field studies, CropManage software integrates data from satellite imagery, water stations, soil maps and field sensors to tailor specific recommendations for irrigation and fertilization of crops. CropManage provides water and fertilizer management guidance while maximizing production efficiency.
UCCE Santa Clara County small farms advisor Aparna Gazula and grower Mark Mason participated in the event to explain to legislators and staff how CropManage helps growers save water and fertilizer.
- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots and efforts to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for LGBTQ people.
Throughout the month, the LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group will be emailing information about LGBTQIA+ identities and history.
June 28,1969, marked the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising, a series of events between police and LGBTQ+ protesters which stretched over six days at the StoneWall inn located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. The Stonewall riots served as a catalyst for the modern gay rights movement in the United States.
Here are some resources:
The Day the Stonewall Riots Shook America https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCFwOJcMjM0 (2m52s)
Milestones in the Gay Rights Movement: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/stonewall-milestones-american-gay-rights-movement/
History of the Pride Rainbow Flag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsphgpyPC3M (4m22s)
If you identify as LGBTQIA+ and are interested in joining the confidential LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, please email Belinda Messenger-Sikes bmsikes@ucanr.edu or Pia Wright pwright@ucanr.edu.
- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
As of noon on May 17, at the conclusion of UC ANR Giving Day 2024, generous donors and sponsors gave $57,640 to UC Cooperative Extension and the statewide programs, institutes and research centers that make up UC ANR.
“This show of support demonstrates the impact UC ANR is having in communities and the value that donors place on our work,” said Emily Delk, director of annual giving.
UC ANR Giving Day 2024 brought some notable “wins,” Delk said, including:
- Increased participation from groups and programs:Integrated Pest Management, Nutrition Policy Institute, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, UC Master Gardeners in Butte County, and Master Food Preservers in San Luis Obispo, Tulare, Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties
- Self-identified Matching Gift donors for NPI, Master Gardeners in San Francisco/San Mateo counties and Master Gardeners in San Diego County
- Return of Tri Counties Bank as sponsor ($2,800)
- Incentive prizes to support groups using fundraising best practices ($5,000)
- Email and social media promotion attracted an additional $15,500 in donations outside of the 24-hour campaign
- Nearly 90% of donors covered transaction fees
- UC ANR welcomed 96 new donors
She encourages everyone to reach out to donors to learn more about why they gave and how we can continue to engage them. “Strengthening your relationships is an investment in building lasting support,” Delk said.
Top earning counties:
- San Mateo/San Francisco
- San Diego
- Placer
- Los Angeles
- San Luis Obispo
Top earning statewide groups:
- UC Master Gardeners
- ANR's area of greatest need
- 4-H
- UCCE
- UC Master Food Preservers
Social media standouts (in random order)
UC Master Gardeners - Statewide
Colusa MG
Santa Clara MG
SM/SF MG
Orange MG
Placer MG
Sonoma MG
Ventura MG
Nevada MG
Riverside MG
Alameda MG
SLO MG
Butte MG
Napa MG
Fresno MG
Calaveras MG
Los Angeles MG
San Diego MG
UC Master Food Preservers - Statewide
Tulare MFP
SLO and Santa Barbara MFP
Sonoma MFP
Sacramento 4-H
Contra Costa 4-H
Placer 4-H
IPM
SAREP
UC ANR
UCCE Central Sierra
UCCE San Diego
Hopland REC
- Author: Elizabeth Bezark
The Business Operations Center (BOC) team gathered with county directors (CDs) from Cooperative Extension offices statewide on May 22 in the 2nd Street building in Davis.
To kick off the BOC's activities, CDs joined their BOC Business Partner Teams to compete in a game of BOC Jeopardy! Su-Lin Shum, BOC director, presented a range of skill-testing questions (in the form of statements) related to fiscal close, purchasing, travel and entertainment, contracts and grants, and even BOC's variety of training opportunities.
An example from the Travel and Entertainment category was "Business purpose and attachments of agenda and attendee list." If you guessed, "What additional documentation is needed when submitting business meeting entertainment expenses?” you'd be correct. Useful information for any ANR employee submitting work-related entertainment expenses.
Shum prepared the CDs and area directors for fiscal close, including important dates to pass on to UCCE office and program staff. She covered the new Aggie Enterprise Catalog Approval Routing Instructions, which BOC developed to streamline procurement efficiency for directors and their offices.
After answering questions, Shum updated the group on the ANR Credit Card Machine Program, and explained policies regarding retirement events, gifts and required purchasing processes/approvals.
Tracy Roman, BOC associate director, updated the CDs and area directors on the monthly trainings she offers for office managers and other UCCE staff. In addition, BOC staff discussed many top-of-mind topics with the directors in their portfolio teams.
“There were lots of smiles and laughter shared during this high-energy, interactive and educational session,” Shum said. “The BOC team is grateful to have had this face-to-face time with the people they work with and serve.”
- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
Ryan Tompkins, UC Cooperative Extension forestry and natural resources advisor for Plumas, Sierra and Lassen counties, passed away on May 6 while receiving treatment for cancer. He was 49.
On topics ranging from reforestation to forest health to fire resilience, Tompkins, who became a UCCE advisor in 2019, was respected and admired by his peers and the many communities he served.
“Ryan's presence was a source of joy and inspiration for me,” said Yana Valachovic, UCCE director and forest advisor for Humboldt and Del Norte counties. “His kindness and gentleness were unparalleled. Our virtual coffee sessions, where we discussed our challenges and joys, were always a highlight of my day. His ability to communicate complex information with clarity and fun was a testament to his amazing talents and personality.”
David Lile, UCCE director for Lassen, Plumas and Sierra counties, said, “Within the UCCE Plumas-Sierra staff, Ryan was a leader, friend and confidant. His humor, whether in the form of an impromptu Halloween costume or a stunning fire demonstration, never failed to raise office spirits.”
In his ANR town hall presentation in 2022, Tompkins described his work making communities more resilient to wildfire, showing photos of the Dixie and Fly fires that he had taken from his house in Quincy.
Tompkins started his own Firewise community in his neighborhood of 36 residences. After joining UC ANR, he set his sights on making the entire town of Quincy, over 2,000 residences, a Firewise USA Site and achieved it in May 2021.
That year, the Plumas County Fire Safe Council recognized Tompkins' accomplishments in making the community more fire-resilient.
“Ryan Tompkins has been a huge part of the progress made with the Quincy Firewise USA initiative,” Mike Flanigan of Flanigan-Leavitt Insurance wrote in his nomination letter. “He successfully received certification in his own neighborhood – Galleppi Ranch. He is thorough and keeps the committee focused. We on the Quincy Firewise Committee are very grateful for Ryan's professional input and support.”
When tackling a new problem, Ricky Satomi, UCCE forest advisor for Sutter, Yuba, Butte and Nevada counties, often called Tompkins, who was “always ready to jump in with a helping hand or cheerful affirmation.”
“Ryan exemplified the spirit and purpose of extension, always finding an inventive path to lift all through the challenges we face,”Satomi said. “His expertise and tenacity have been a guiding force for state and federal efforts on wildfire, reforestation and workforce issues. His research and teachings have mentored entire generations of forestry professionals across the state – to say nothing of the dedication he brought to building wildfire and community resilience in Plumas County. Ryan was a cornerstone of forestry in California and inspired all around him to be the best version of themselves.”
Prior to joining UCCE, Tompkins served as the forest silviculturist and vegetation program manager at the Plumas National Forest, where he designed, planned and implemented landscape-scale forest restoration projects. He held forester positions for 16 years with the U.S. Forest Service, worked in the fire effects program with the National Park Service, and taught forest ecology and management as associate faculty in the Environmental Studies Department at Feather River College.
He earned master's and bachelor's degrees in forestry from UC Berkeley.
“I especially enjoyed my time with Ryan during our CARET [Council on Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching] trip to Washington, D.C. in 2023,” said Vice President Glenda Humiston, “and I will greatly miss him – as a consummate Cooperative Extension advisor and as a wonderful person.”
Valachovic vividly remembers Tompkins calling her about his cancer diagnosis.
“He shared that he did not want a pity party and that he had had an amazing life,” she recalled. “Like all things about Ryan, he took it with grace and humility.”
She added, “I think about him daily and reflect on ‘what Ryan would do' in this or that situation. What comes to mind is to smile, give compliments and find joy in each task or interaction.”
Tompkins is survived by his wife Michelle Coppoletta and their sons Emmett and Sterling.
Those wishing to send well-wishes to Tompkins' family may mail cards totheUCCEPlumas-Sierra office, care of Samantha Brown, 208 Fairgrounds Road, Quincy, CA, 95971. A memorial for Tompkins on July 14 is being coordinated by the Plumas TREX Incident Management Team at Michelle Coppoletta's request. Please direct questions to hannah@thewatershedcenter.com. A college fund for Emmett and Sterling has been established.
