- Author: Saoimanu Sope
Prior to joining UC ANR, Bell focused on international development and spent 10 years working for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences International Programs Office at UC Davis. Furthermore, Bell developed multiple courses and workshops; training thousands of students and scholars in areas ranging from field diagnostics to extension strategies in over 30 countries.
Trained as a soil scientist and agronomist, Bell has dedicated much of his career to knowledge management and building better extension systems. The positive and productive shift that Bell helped create within UC ANR is in large part due to his strategic ability to plan and execute.
“Part of being successful includes how we engage with each other and the efficient use of time,” he said. “I have worked with others to put better structure into various aspects of our work – defining criteria and target outcomes.”
Jim Farrar, UC Statewide IPM Program director, said that Bell has always had a positive attitude and a great talent for bringing people together to work for change. “He initiated the first regular meetings of the statewide program directors and organized the monthly meetings of the strategic initiative leaders. Because of Mark's efforts both of these groups work more collaboratively and have identified additional areas for coordination and cooperation,” stated Farrar.
Bell's top priority at UC ANR has been supporting the organization's goal to expand its positive impact and increase the number of people it reaches. To boost funding and potential partnerships, he worked with statewide program and institute directors and other colleagues to refine UC ANR's “ask” and raise the organization's profile.
He emphasized the use of online channels and the need for intentional approaches in using videos and multimedia tools to teach and connect with communities. He has also steadfastly championed the importance of modernizing our outdated website ecosystem as part of UC ANR's strategic goal to increase the number of Californians we reach. Another hallmark of Bell's leadership has been emphasizing impact over activity – a focus now highlighted for UC ANR's new employees.
Bell also has worked on building and retaining motivated teams. When discussing employee sustainability, Bell said: “The goal here is to build connections, build shared purpose, and build team and capacity so the work overall can be more effective. Further, the goal is to hire and retain people by improving the hiring protocols and by helping people start well and connect.”
Bell said that making a positive difference in the workplace has always been a top priority for him. And, as a result, UC ANR is stronger because of Bell's vision and dedication.
4-H Statewide Director Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty, attests to Bell's excellent leadership in the workplace. “Mark was such a positive force,” she said. “Always available to support, lend an ear, problem solve or lift your spirits. I was so fortunate to have a supervisor that supported me in my efforts while at the same time grounding me to make good decisions.”
Bell said, “I value and support the efforts of colleagues in forming focused, productive teams. Together we have improved efficiency and impact by better defining roles and responsibilities and by building a greater sense of unity and cohesion.”
Bell earned a Ph.D. in soil chemistry from the University of Queensland, Australia, a M.S. in soil chemistry from the University of Reading, UK and a B.Ag.Sc. in crops and pastures from the University of Queensland, Australia.
“Although the path forward is not yet 100% clear, I have the remarkable situation where I have considerable freedom to choose what comes next,” he said. “My intent is to explore needs and see how my interests and skills can help make a difference. To get that started, I have a trip lined up to Guyana in July and I will be doing work for some international development NGOs.”
He also expressed thanks and gratitude to colleagues “within and beyond UC ANR” for their collaboration and hard work to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
“I've appreciated the support and friendship of so many and I wish you all well for the future,” Bell said. “Until we meet again!”
- Author: Leyla Marandi
The Program Planning and Evaluation unit collaborated with UC ANR academics, program staff, and Strategic Communications to compile over 50 vignettes that highlight the impact of our organization statewide during 2021. Stories range from enhancing oysters' resilience as the climate changes to improving financial stability of Californians to increasing diversity and inclusiveness.
“Kudos to all for giving us these impact stories,” said Vice President Glenda Humiston. “Thanks to your work and the organization's work in developing the public values, we now have a straightforward easy way to understand our impact. These are what captures stakeholders, lay audiences, legislators and policy makers at all levels. They want to know what's in it for them.”
Vice President Humiston extends a special thank you to the following UC ANR experts who reviewed 2021 Agricultural Experiment Station research reports to identify notable research with clearly articulated potential benefit to the public: Martin Smith, Francene Steinberg, Neil McRoberts, Jim Farrar, Leslie Roche, Rob York and Doug Parker.
If you have any questions about the annual report, please contact Leyla Marandi at leyla.marandi@ucop.edu. The 2021 UC ANR Annual Report is online at https://ucanr.edu/About. Feel free to share these success stories with friends, family, elected officials and others.
- Author: Jodi Azulai
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
ANR Learning & Development
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You have access - Professional Development Tools
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Extension Methods & Delivery
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July 14, 2022,
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. PDT
Click here to read more and register. Join Anna Ribbeck to learn best practices in engaging your audience on social media! Creating engaging social media content can feel daunting and downright overwhelming at times, especially when a post's performance is lower than what you expected it to be. We have all been there. This presentation aims to provide tips on how to create engaging social media content for your organization. Anna will discuss strategies on developing social media content, posting content and maximizing your reach.
Hard time describing UC ANR? Learn some tips to avoid making it a mouthful
July 21, 2022
Noon-12:30 p.m.
Whether you're introducing yourself at a networking event, sharing about your work with family members or friends, you have an opportunity to "pitch" UC ANR in an engaging and easy to understand way. Join Anne Megaro during this short presentation to learn how to make your memorable pitch about your work and the organization you work for.
Zoom Webinar: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/751701428?pwd=Q1ZrbUtoQVJwMXJVRkQydUlwNytJQT09 Webinar ID: 751 701 428 | Password: 4Learning |Phone: +1 669 900 6833
North Star Legacy Communities - Building Sustainability using Community Resiliency Tenets - Program Center Stage (Connect Extension)
July 25, 2022
12-1 p.m. PDT
Click here to learn more and register.
Learn about the North Star Legacy Community. Legacy Communities are African American communities that formed shortly after Emancipation. These self-reliant communities have survived decades withstanding unbelievable amounts of pressure from racist policies such as Jim Crow laws, acts of violence, and government neglect. Legacy Communities created important relationships with their neighbors that allowed them to thrive. This site seeks to take these neighborhoods' sense of community and share it with the world, inviting history-seekers and weekenders to explore their communities throughout North Florida.
Moving on From Traditions - Dynamic Discussions (Connect Extension)
July 28, 2022
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Click here to read more and register.
Extension's storied past and sacred traditions served us well for more than a century. But today's world and issues are unlike history, demanding fresh thinking about the best ways to accomplish our mission of empowering communities of all sizes to meet the challenges they face, adapt to changing technology, improve nutrition and food safety, prepare for and respond to emergencies, and protect our environment.
Three recently retired (but not tired) directors of state Extension Services share their perspectives about meaningful (and frequently ongoing) improvements in the way we plan, design and implement our work. By participating, we hope you will react to their admonitions about the 1) strategic value of calling upon the entire university for Extension and engagement, 2) short-sighted programming by single disciplines and 3) failures in strategic planning. Hosted by Extension Directors Rick Klemme and Scott Reed.
Costs for High-Speed Internet Reduced for Millions of Americans (Connect Extension– article)
High-speed internet service is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity. But too many families go without high-speed internet because of the cost or have to cut back on other essentials to make their monthly internet service payments. Lowering prices — including the cost of high-speed internet service — is President Biden's top priority. In May 2021, President Biden and Vice President Harris announced that they secured private sector commitments that will lower high-speed internet costs for millions of American families. Click here to read more.
The SEED Method: An Evidence-Based Method for Engaging Communities (Connect Extension)
The SEED Method is a multistakeholder approach to engaging communities in research, problem solving and action planning. Developed at Virginia Commonwealth University, SEED provides a framework for collaborative research and action planning that can be scaled up or down depending on project resources and goals.
The SEED Method Team is proud to announce the launch of the SEED METHOD ONLINE COURSE AND TOOLKIT hosted on the Extension Foundation's Online Campus!
Access all resources and a FREE self-paced online course!
Here are the online course highlights:
- Each step in the unit is numbered for easy navigation.
- Each unit ends with a recap section that includes a summary of all the SEED Method tools discussed in that unit. Click here to read more.
Urban Sabbaticals and Urban Graduate Fellowships (WCMER)
Deep Dives, Urban Sabbaticals and Urban Graduate Fellowships are designed to enhance the impact of Extension, and the broader land-grant university system, in metropolitan communities. The application period for fiscal year 2023 is now open. Application deadline is July 31, 2022 (11:59 PDT). Click here to read more.
How to Give a Good Presentation on a Remote Call (LinkedIn Learning Blog)
Delivering an effective presentation can be the difference between getting what you want, or not. This makes it one of the most important skills for professionals of all stripes. In our evolving world, the fundamentals of presenting are changing. But that's not a bad thing. “Virtual is here to stay,” said Cassandra Worthy in her LinkedIn Learning course. Click here to read more. To request your LinkedIn Learning account contact UC ANR IT at help@ucanr.edu.
Image by Shameer Pk from Pixabay
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Building Support
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July 27, 2022
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Cost sharing or matching funds is the portion of project expenses provided by UC and not paid by the sponsoring agency. Tune in to learn more about when it is acceptable to commit cost share on a proposal, required approvals, and tracking cost share after the award has been made. Presenter is Kathleen Nolan.
Zoom Webinar: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/751701428?pwd=Q1ZrbUtoQVJwMXJVRkQydUlwNytJQT0
Password: 4Learning | +1 669 900 6833 | Webinar ID: 751 701 428A
Academic Cost Recovery/Salary Savings
Aug. 24, 2022
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Learn more about why you should include full cost recovery on a proposal budget and set up a salary savings account. Salary savings can be used as a PI's discretionary account to cover expenses on other programmatic activities beyond the funded project. Presenters are Kathleen Nolan and the ANR Business Operations Center.
Zoom webinar: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/751701428?pwd=Q1ZrbUtoQVJwMXJVRkQydUlwNytJQT0
Password: 4Learning | +1 669 900 6833 | Webinar ID: 751 701 428
Photo by Neil Thomas on Unsplash
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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Nov. 17, 2022; 8:30 -Noon Virtual - Culturally Inclusive Language
Dec. 14, 2022; 8:30-Noon - Disability Awareness in the Workplace
April 5, 2023; 8:30 a.m.-Noon - Intercultural Communication and Competence
Click to read more.
Cultural competence is defined as a set of behaviors, attitudes and policies that help organizations and staff work effectively with people of different cultures.
Getting to Diverse Representation of ANR Volunteers
by Pam Kan Rice
We know we need to attract more diverse representation for ANR volunteers. An article from North Carolina State University confirms it's not just ANR.
The authors wrote, "Overall, 95% of respondents identified as white. The lack of racial diversity was striking for each sample, with 96% of participants in both the Christmas Bird count and Candid Critters identifying as white and 88% of respondents from SciStarter saying the same. While only 14% of the U.S. population has a graduate or professional degree, about half of our survey respondents held these degrees. Additionally, while only 6% of the U.S. population has careers in science, technology, engineering or math, almost half of our survey respondents from all three data sources worked in STEM fields.
"Participating in citizen science is linked to personal benefits like learning new skills and building community. If citizen science is only reaching educated white science professionals, then it's concentrating the benefits of participation among this group.
"Additionally, if one of the goals of citizen science is to boost science literacy and trust in science, it can't achieve that goal if it's preaching to the choir by only reaching people who already work in science." https://theconversation.com/citizen-science-volunteers-are-almost-entirely-white-184997
Click to read more.
In recent years, organizations have faced an unprecedented amount of talent loss. While there are numerous external forces that may cause employees to leave a company—opportunities for advancement, more flexible schedules, better pay—you also need to look at the possibility that biased practices in your organization are pushing employees to leave. In this course, Jodi-Ann Burey shows how an approach rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) best practices can help your company leverage inclusion practices to get at the business of truly caring for employees, provide an equitable workplace for all, and retain your valuable workforce.
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Office, Team, and Personal Management
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July 6, Aug. 10
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Pacific Time
Click here to read more and register.
Join this summer series for conversations with special guests to get wisdom on turning volatility into vision, uncertainty into understanding, complexity into clarity and ambiguity into agility. Series led by Karl Bradley, Extension Foundation Leadership Development Specialist.
Analytical Skills Development Certificate Series (UC Davis, Virtual)
Aug. 17, 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14, 2022
Note: Participants are expected to attend all five sessions in the series.
Click here to read more, register, and find other course dates.
Develop core analytical abilities and learn how to manage analytical work assignments using the techniques covered in the Analytical Skills Development series.
Coping with Difficult People (UC Davis, Virtual)
Aug. 24, 2022
8:30 a.m.- noon
Click here to read more and register.
In this course you will learn:
- why difficult people are the way they are
- how to move from "reacting" to "responding"
- practical techniques for making your dealings more effective
- twelve considerations in working with difficult people
- three stages of conflict management
Introduction to Supervision (UC Davis – Virtual)
July 7, 2022
8:30 a.m.-noon
Click here to read more and register.
The Introduction to Supervision course will give you the opportunity to complete a self-assessment and explore supervisory myths. Participants who complete all eight classes in this series will receive a certificate of completion.
- Introduction to Supervision (in person training)
- Living the Principles of Community (eCourse)
- UC Performance Management: Performance Management Overview (eCourse)
- UC Performance Management: Giving and Receiving Feedback (eCourse)
- UC Performance Management: Coaching for Performance (eCourse)
- Taking Your Team to the Next Level with Delegation (eCourse)
- Facing and Resolving Conflict in the Workplace (eCourse)
- Next Steps to Supervision (Last class in the series--in person)
How to Work with a Chronic Liar (Crucial Learning)
By Joseph Grenny,
How do you deal with someone that you KNOW is lying to you? I have numerous examples and clear evidence
of the lies, and I have confronted each lie, but they continue to do it. I don't have the option of walking away. What next? Click here to read more.
Navigating in LinkedIn Learning (WebANR)
Sept. 15, 2022
Noon-12:30 p.m.
Join our LinkedIn Learning (LiL) relations team who will guide you on content and navigation including:
- Home page overview – how to get the most out of the home page user interface and how it relates to LinkedIn
- Finding and accessing content – course player overview and demonstration of course functionality
- Learning history – how to access your personal learning history
- Q&A
To receive your Linkedin Learning account please contact ANR IT at help@ucanr.edu.
Zoom Meeting: https://linkedin.zoom.us/j/93883814323?pwd=aHo5Zzc1SWpNb3ExbjBPWlIrUmFKUT09&from=addon | Meeting ID: 938 8381 4323 | Password: 010970
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Your Access to Resources
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New (or old) to ANR? You have access.
Connect Extension: All Cooperative Extension professionals are invited to join Connect Extension. In addition, as a UC ANR employee you are an Extension Foundation Members and have access to the Impact Collaborative Subgroup and its offerings and services.
Linkedin Learning - ANR Learning & Development has 300 new seats! Want to access real-time learning? Contact help@ucanr.edu (ANR IT) and ask for your account!
Gartner -Technology research and consulting company. UC ANR pays for your access. Register here to access webinars, models, tools, research, conferences through Gartner.
My UC Career (UCnet) - This online development portal is available to all UC faculty, academic personnel, staff and students seeking to advance their career. Six self-paced modules help users discover their internal UC career mobility options, highlight accomplishments, and identify how they can achieve their career goals within UC. Registering for an account provides instant access to the following six self-paced modules: Begin Career Discovery, job search, resume building, telling your story, networking, research and more.
Photo by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash
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ANR Learning & Development
Find webinar announcements and recordings here.
Office: 530.750.1239
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Nate Looney, a transgender man and CEO and owner of Westside Urban Gardens, was a guest speaker on June 17. Westside Urban Gardens, an urban agriculture start-up based in Los Angeles, sells its produce at local farmers markets. The farm gives back to the community by teaching other LGBTQ+ farmers the skills they need to thrive in the industry.
Looney, a U.S. Army veteran, gave a presentation about his experiences working in agriculture. A recording of “The workplace and the LGBTQ+ Community in Rural Agriculture is posted on the Learning and Development diversity website.
Guest Sam Gottlieb, a transgender man, facilitated a book discussion of Alison Bechdel's critically acclaimed graphic memoir, “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic” over Zoom on June 21.
National 4-H featured Vice President Glenda Humiston in its social media Pride campaign. Its June 28 Facebook post reads:
“A place to belong and feel welcome, 4-H is proud to elevate and celebrate what makes us unique, strong and better together. 4-H alum, Glenda Humiston, Vice President for UC Agriculture & Natural Resources, shares how 4-H provided opportunity, community and helped her discover her voice.
‘When I was a child, I was very active in 4-H and accepted for who I was. My 4-H experience contributed largely to the leader I am today. 4-H gave me opportunities I may not have otherwise had growing up in rural Colorado. It inspired my curiosity to learn more about the world, to attend college, get involved in public service and to travel to Tunisia as a Peace Corp volunteer. In 4-H, I learned how to work with others to get things done, I honed my public speaking skills and developed self-confidence.' #ThisIs4H”
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Working to solve California water challenges, Doug Parker coordinates water-related research, extension and education efforts across the University of California system, other academic institutions and government agencies. Since 2011, Parker has served as director of the California Institute for Water Resources for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
From 2011 to 2018, he also led UC ANR's Strategic Initiative on Water Quantity, Quality and Security. After more than 30 years solving agricultural water-related issues in California and Maryland, Parker will retire July 1.
“Doug has been instrumental in the implementation of some of California's new state programs for those who produce our food,” said Amrith Gunasekara, director of science and research for the California Farm Bureau Federation's California Bountiful Foundation.
“He has handled multiple contracts with the state totaling several million dollars, which brought existing and new technologies to farmers and ranchers and helped the state in meeting some of its climate change goals. He put together a boots-on-the-ground, climate-smart agriculture team and served as a subject-matter expert for many years on a scientific advisory body at the state,” said Gunasekara, former director of the Office of Environmental Farming & Innovation for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
CDFA partnered with Parker and UC ANR to help farmers use the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, Healthy Soils Program, Dairy Digester Research and Development Program and Climate-Smart Agriculture Technical Assistance through UCCE.
Over his career, Parker has overseen water research and education projects totaling over $42 million. Connecting people has been the part of the job that he has most enjoyed “to help bring science to bear on California water solutions.”
“When I first got here in October of 2011, I spent my first six months researching who was working on water across the state, mostly at the UC system, but elsewhere as well, then going and visiting them, finding out what they were working on and basically building a database,” Parker said. “Having that knowledge allowed me to go to work with CDFA and the Department of Water Resources and say, ‘Oh you're having a problem with this? I know somebody at UC San Diego. Let me connect you two and let you work on this problem together.' That has always been the most rewarding part of this job, making those connections.”
In 2019, through a collaboration between the Strategic Growth Council, CDFA and UC ANR, Parker assembled a team of 10 community educators to provide technical assistance and outreach to promote climate-smart agriculture incentive programs. The climate-smart projects have reduced greenhouse gases equivalent to removing roughly 7,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road.
With his affable personality and ability to simply explain California's complex water issues, Parker has frequently been interviewed by news reporters. He has authored more than 100 articles, reports, books or book chapters and delivered over 230 presentations.
“I've always been interested in water,” said Parker, noting he wrote his bachelor's thesis on New Melones Dam. He earned his bachelor's degrees in economics and environmental studies at UC Santa Barbara and Ph.D. in agricultural and resource economics at UC Berkeley, then began his career at University of Maryland's Center for Public Issues in Biotechnology in 1990 studying the economic benefits of innovation in the burgeoning agricultural biotechnology industry before focusing on water issues.
Parker, who grew up in the Bay Area and San Diego area, returned to the West Coast from 1993 to 1997 to work as a UC Cooperative Extension economist at UC Berkeley studying approaches to dealing with drought and water supply shortages.
His analysis of the California Irrigation Management Information System, or CIMIS, showed that growers using the system run by the state Department of Water Resources reduced agricultural water use by 100,000 acre-feet per year and generated almost $65 million per year in statewide benefits. As a result of the study, the CIMIS program was expanded across the state. A recent study found that CIMIS enables growers to reduce water use by 20% annually and generates $150 million to $422 million in benefits per year.
In addition to his university service, Parker served on the board of the national Universities Council on Water Resources from 2014 to 2021. As UCOWR president in 2016-17, he initiated a strategic planning process. When Parker received the “Friend of UCOWR Award” at the council's annual conference held June 14–16 in Greenville, South Carolina, the presenter noted, “Doug's extraordinary leadership, cooperative spirit and sense of humor helped his cohort and successive UCOWR Board members and staff to accomplish major Strategic Plan goals.”
“Doug was incredibly easy to work with – a wealth of knowledge and walking science dictionary, and tireless problem solver, someone who brought people together with a vision and a great leader,” Gunasekara said. “He will be surely missed and have big boots to fill.”
Even as he enters retirement, Parker is launching a project with Khaled Bali, UC Cooperative Extension specialist, to help growers prevent nitrogen from leaching into groundwater. He plans to spend a year helping the UC Cooperative Extension specialists, advisors and six staff research assistants who will work with growers across the state. With funds from the project, growers will be able to buy equipment such as flow meters to improve management and efficiency of their irrigation and fertilization systems.
