- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Mark your calendar for Wednesdays starting at 2 p.m. in February to celebrate with ANR colleagues. UC ANR Black and Allied Staff in collaboration with UC ANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Alliance will host speakers and other activities are being planned.
Feb. 3, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Keynote speaker Sonia Lewis
Feb. 10, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Virtual tour of the National Museum of African American Culture & History
Feb. 17, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Virtual tour of Yisrael Family Farms
Feb. 24, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Black Farmers Panel Discussion with Q&A
Register at https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=32671.
For more information or to offer suggestions, contact Esther Mosase, climate smart educators based in San Diego County, at enmosase@ucanr.edu.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The World Food Center at UC Davis is hosting the Universities Fighting World Hunger (UFWH) Summit in March 2021. The theme “One Health. One Planet” was conceived before the pandemic, but the conversation could not come at a more crucial moment as the world continues to teeter on the precipice of a climate crisis and the risks of food insecurity have increased exponentially. Summit presenters and panelists will speak to a broad array of topics covering human health, the planet, and their inherent connectivity.
Students, faculty, staff and community organizations are invited to submit an abstract for a virtual poster presentation in one of three tracks:
- One Health. Posters that share initiatives and research to reduce the burden of hunger and improve population health outcomes at the global, national, community and campus levels. Topics can include root causes of hunger, homelessness, poverty, nutrition, and creative and innovative strategies and solution
- One Planet. Posters that share initiatives and research to respond to the climate crisis, particularly as it relates to agricultural practices and changes to food systems that reduce impacts from climate change at the global, national, community and campus levels, emphasizing creative and innovative strategies and solutions.
- Convergence. Posters that share initiatives and research demonstrating converging impacts by addressing intersections between human and planet health.
Abstracts are due Dec. 31, 2020. Instructions for submitting an abstract can be found at https://worldfoodcenter.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk5046/files/files/page/UFWH_Call%20for%20Poster%20Abstracts%202021_Final.pdf
The World Food Center at UC Davis promotes innovative, sustainable, and equitable food systems: https://worldfoodcenter.ucdavis.edu.
UFWH is coalition of nearly 300 campuses worldwide, led by the Hunger Solutions Institute at Auburn University: https://worldfoodcenter.ucdavis.edu/summit2021/about-ufwh.
- Author: Jodi Azulai
ANR Learning & Development - Everyone can learn something new.
Announcements
Archived Webinar Recordings
Microaggressions: Towards Greater Awareness and Understanding (UC Davis)
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021
1 – 4 p.m. or
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
1 – 4 p.m.
Register here. If seats are filled, select “Express Interest” and you may be added if a spot comes free.
Our socialization includes conditioning in how we understand differences and our identities and how those identities are understood and experienced at the individual and structural levels. Using the work of Derald Wing Sue, this session explores the phenomenon of microaggressions in everyday life by increasing awareness of common occurrences, understanding its impact on those who experience them, and exploring strategies on how to mitigate and respond to them.
This course is developed by the Office of Campus Community Relations (OCCR) as a part of its Diversity Education Program, and is offered in partnership with Staff Development and Professional Services (SDPS).
Innovation Skill-Building Experience (Q1, Session 1)
Jan. 19, 2021 (and Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, 2021)
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Register here For eXtension members only
Do you have a project idea that needs incubation, innovation and ways to get to implementation and impact faster? Are you looking to learn about design thinking and lean experimentation combined with Cooperative Extension's best practices for solving important community issues? Are you interested in becoming an innovation facilitator/coach for future Impact Collaborative events and to support your institution's teams and teams across the nation? Are you already an innovation facilitator or a team member who would like a refresher on the innovation skill-building process? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then join us to explore the Impact Collaborative's innovation skill-building experience in a whole new way: The ISBE will meet via Zoom for four sessions covering specific ISBE building blocks to spark ideas, increase innovation, and turbocharge implementation to ultimately create local impact.
Virtual Crucial Conversations Training
March 1 to 5, 2021
10 a.m.- Noon each day
Apply online here. Applications are due Monday, January 18th.
Who should apply?
UC ANR academics, staff employees, and Cooperative Extension county-paid employees who have not taken Crucial Conversations Training in the past are welcome to apply. It is important that applicants get their supervisor approval before applying for this training.
A limited number of seats are available for this five-day training session. Participants must be able to commit to the full 10-hour training.
If you are selected, you will be notified by Monday, Feb. 1. Cancellations after Feb. 21 will be charged a cancellation fee of $195 to cover materials (participants toolkit/manual, "Crucial Conversations" e-book, .mp3 upload Audio Companion). If you are unable to commit to the full training, please do not apply.
Contacts for more information:
Program: Linda Marie Manton at lmmanton@ucanr.edu or at 559-871.5759
Logistics: ANR Program Support Unit, Julia Kalika (530) 750-1361
Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021
Noon-12:30 pm
In this webinar, program educators, advisors and directors will learn best practices to reach and engage Latinos, and the importance of creating partnerships with their local media.
By the end of this webinar, you will have knowledge on
- Assessing your audience
- Knowing relevant issues
- Building relationships/understanding cultural relevance
- Partnering with community organizations
- Social media vs. traditional media
Please click this URL to join: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/751701428?pwd=Q1ZrbUtoQVJwMXJVRkQydUlwNytJQT09 Password: 4Learning | Or join by phone: +1 669 900 6833 | Webinar ID: 751 701 428
Legacy giving to your programs
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Learn about the role planned gifts (gifts from a donor's will or estate plan) can play in your fundraising strategy. This webinar will provide a basic overview of the most popular planned giving options, discuss strategies for donor outreach, and provide you practical guidance on how to work with Development Services to secure planned gifts to your program.
- Learn about planned gifts and why they matter
- Explore the most popular types of planned giving vehicles
- Understand how to message and inform your donors of planned giving opportunities
Presented by: Kelly Scott, Major Gifts Officer and MaryCiricillo, 4-H Foundation Director
Please click this URL to join.https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/751701428?pwd=Q1ZrbUtoQVJwMXJVRkQydUlwNytJQT09
Password: 4Learning | +1 669 900 6833 | Webinar ID: 751 701 428
NIFA AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems: Virtual team-building and networking event
Thursday, Jan. 28, 2020
9:30 -11:00 a.m.
The USDA NIFA AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program solicits creative and visionary project applications that use transdisciplinary teams and integrated research, education, and extension/outreach activities to promote convergence of science and technology to solve present and future food and agricultural production system challenges. Specifically, funding support projects focused on increasing agricultural productivity; optimizing water and nitrogen use efficiency; protecting yield losses from stresses, diseases, and pests; reducing food-borne diseases; and advancing development of biobased fuels, chemicals and coproducts.
The 90-minute webinar will focus on SAS Priority Area A9201, which is limited to Coordinated Agricultural Projects not exceeding $10 million in funding over 5-years.
The session will provide an overview of the SAS program proposal requirements as well as a review of successful awards from past funding cycles. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with one another and explore potential collaborations. At this workshop, those interested in team-building should come prepared to provide an overview of your research interest and how your work may address one of the SAS priorities as well as specific expertise or partnerships that you may bring to a collaboration.
The overall goal of the session is to provide UC ANR academics support for building collaborative and successful SAS proposal teams. The event is geared to participants that have completed a letter of intent submission directed to SAS Priority Area A9201, due by Jan. 7, 2021.
For more information about this funding opportunity, please review the RFA at https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/afri-sustainable-agricultural-systems-competitive-grants-program.
With Vanity Campbell, ANR Office of Contracts and Grants.
Please click this URL to join. https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/751701428?pwd=Q1ZrbUtoQVJwMXJVRkQydUlwNytJQT09
Password: 4Learning | +1 669 900 6833 | Webinar ID: 751 701 428
Wednesdays -
Feb. 3, 2 - 3:30 p.m. - Keynote Speaker with remarks from Glenda Humiston and John Fox
Feb. 10, 2 - 3:30 p.m. - Virtual Museum Tour & Group Discussion National Museum of African American Culture and History
Feb. 17, 2 - 3 p.m. Viritual Farm and Tour, Yisrael Family Farms, Sacramento
Feb. 24, 2 - 3 p.m. Black Farmers Panel Discussion and Q&A.
Contacts for more information
Content: Esther Mosase, UCCE San Diego, Community Education Specialist
Logistics: Kellie McFarland, ANR Program Support Unit, 530-750-1361
UC ANR Mastering Communication Series Certificate: Part I (UC ANR)
Wednesdays - Jan. 27, Feb. 10, and Feb. 24, 2021
2 - 3 p.m.
Register here (Must attend each class in the series)
Be one of the first!
UC ANR Learning & Development is starting its first Certificate Cohort with a focus on communication. Join in to earn Part I of the “Mastering Communication” and “Building Success” series. Be one of the first to attend three 1-hour sessions spread over 6 weeks.
The goal of our work is to positively impact communities. Facilitating such change in part requires effective communication skills. Building such communication competency means sharpening skills in several topic areas, such as verbal and written communication, application of technology, educational programming and interpersonal skills.
What's required?
- Complete the online presentation and quiz for each of the three modules.
- Develop a brief capstone for each session and
- Participate in three 1-hour learning session to share capstone ideas, receive feedback on yours and provide feedback to others. Read more here.
“Picture a Scientist” Film viewing and panel discussion (UC Davis)
Roundtable Jan. 25, 4:30 p.m.
Registration information will be available soon.
Please join the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in partnership with the Women in Medicine and Health Sciences and Isabel P. Montañez and Dawn Sumner, professors in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, for an opportunity to view the 2020 Tribeca film selection “Picture a Scientist” about the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists. We will publish a link to view the film online for 72 hours.
Communicating within Teams (LinkedIn Learning)
Click to access course. If you want a Linkedin Learning account request one be emailing help@ucanr.edu.
Communication is an integral part of strong teamwork. In this course, Duke University professor Daisy Lovelace walks managers through how to cultivate the communication practices of high-performing teams. She highlights the foundations of successful teams and explains how to craft a team charter to establish ground rules for how you work together as a cohesive group. She also discusses essential elements of team communication — such as creating a shared vision and holding team mates accountable — and shows how to best communicate with your team in different settings.
Diversity Awareness for New Supervisors and Leads (UC Davis)
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Register here.
This course covers the skills necessary for working and leading in a multicultural community and explores ways to create a respectful and inclusive work environment. Supervisors and leads at UC Davis contribute to a campus culture that values diversity. Course discussions will focus on ways to integrate the UC Davis Principles of Community into your workplace.
Topics include:
- Developing personal and organizational cultural competence
- Implementing practical strategies that promote inclusion and respect
Developed by the Office of Campus Community Relations as a part of its Diversity Education Program, this course is offered in partnership with Staff Development and Professional Services. This class is a part of the Developing as a Supervisor Certificate Series. More information on the Developing as a Supervisor Certificate Series can be found here.
Everyone can learn something new.
ANR Learning & Development
Find webinar announcements and recordings here.
Office: 530.750.1239
learninganddevelopment@ucanr.edu
Jodi Azulai
/span>/h5>/span>- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
UC Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy on University of California Research Data and Tangible Research Materials. The policy is a new policy that describes the responsibilities of the campus leadership and its researchers concerning the access to, and retention and maintenance of research data and tangible research materials produced during the course of University research. The policy addresses the following key issues:
- The policy affirms that the Regents of the University of California own all research data and tangible research materials.
- Research data and tangible research materials must be retained as long as required by funders, publishers, campus policy, compliance or regulatory bodies, applicable law, relevant agreements, and in accordance with the standards of the principal investigators' scholarly disciplines.
- When principal investigators leave the University, research data and tangible research materials remain the property of the Regents of the University of California, however, Principal investigators may generally take copies of Research Data generated under their research projects.
The proposed policy is posted at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Administration/Business_Operations/Controller/Administrative_Policies_-_Business_Contracts/Policy_and_administrative_handbooks/ANR_Administrative_Handbook/Recent_Updates/
If you have any questions or if you wish to comment, please contact Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu, no later than April 7, 2021. Please indicate “Research Data and Tangible Research Materials” in the subject line.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Donald May, UC Cooperative Extension advisor emeritus, passed away on Dec. 3, 2020, in Fresno. He was 86.
May, who was raised on an alfalfa and livestock farm in Utah, belonged to 4-H and FFA and showed beef, sheep and hogs at the county fair. After earning a B.S. in 1957 and M.S. in 1958 in agronomy at Utah State University, he was hired in 1958 as a UCCE agronomist farm advisor in Los Angeles County.
After seven years in Los Angeles County as an agronomy advisor, he was chosen in 1965 to become the first full-time UCCE vegetable crop farm advisor in Fresno County on the basis of his strong research program in Los Angeles and his introduction of new agronomy crops to the farmers of the Antelope Valley.
His research focused on profitable and sustainable vegetable crop production for processing tomatoes, melons, onions and garlic. Developing varieties of tomatoes for hot temperatures was major focus of his extensive trials.
“Don May was a very active, applied field researcher working on tomatoes and other vegetable crops,” said Gene Miyao, UCCE advisor emeritus. “Don demonstrated that while processing California tomato yields doubled to over 50 tons per acre in the present day, applied-water need remained nearly the same. Don was a friend and mentor to many.”
Other early 1970s research by May persuaded melon packers to switch from 80-pound wood crates to 40-pound paper cartons, which substantially reduced costs. May introduced the use of virus-free sweet potatoes and garlic seed to growers that doubled yields and improved fruit quality.
A proponent of integrated pest management, May promoted practices that led to greatly reduced pesticide use. His research from 1970 to 1990 developed the processing tomato irrigation scheduling program to maximize yield and percent solids, which is used worldwide for both furrow and drip irrigation.
“Don was an amazing example and model of hard work, effort and accomplishment,” said UCCE specialist Jeff Mitchell, who got a summer job working for May at the UC West Side Field Station prior to starting his master's degree studies at UC Davis. Later, as a UC Davis graduate student, Mitchell established his field project at the UC West Side Research and Extension Center under the guidance of May, who became a member of his thesis committee.
In 1998, May retired from his 40-year career as a UCCE farm advisor, but continued research on water issues with UCCE specialist Blaine Hanson. In a speech at the 2012 California Soil and Plant Conference where he was honored, May said, “I have enjoyed the challenges for 52 years of conducting applied research and education of agronomy.”
Over his career, May published 95 peer-reviewed papers. His professional awards include the 1990 Distinguished Service Award from Fresno County Farm Bureau for 25 years of service to Fresno County's vegetable industry. In 1996, he was recognized by the 2nd Worldwide Congress on Processing Tomatoes for publishing the most scientific papers since their inception in 1989. In 2004, California Melon Research Board presented him with an appreciation award for many years of outstanding contributions to the California melon industry. In 2009, the California Tomato Processing Growers Association honored May for his research on drip irrigation.
May is survived by his wife of 64 years Peggy, daughter Annette and sons Jeffrey and Alex, and 11 grandchildren. Son Craig and daughter Janet preceded him in death.