I seem to be missing a few blog posts. Apparently, I need to learn how to write directly into the portal and actually make the post. I realized the other day that some of the posts I thought I had made were missing so I must have failed to save the post. Sadly, I cannot remember what the posts included as content. I will just move on then.

A couple of times in the last few weeks I have heard mention that there is a lack of clarity as to the differences between a CE Specialist and a CE Advisor. The question is a good one! After 20 years as an Extension Specialist, I am not sure I know if there is a clear definition. I have my understanding of the differences between the positions. This understanding formed the basis of how I operated during my career and what I continue to perceive as the clear value that necessitates an 'and/both' rather than an 'either/or' model for an effective Cooperative Extension system. I posed the question to a few people. What I heard back is that the difference between the CE Advisor and CE Specialist titles is one of geography whereby a CE Specialist addresses topics on a statewide basis while a CE Advisor operates on a regional, county, or area basis. I argue that the differences are that and much more.

Here is how I have always looked at it: A CE Specialist looks at the issues of tomorrow, trying to prevent some things from happening while at the same time working to increase the likelihood that other things do happen. The CE specialist addresses things that will be relevant across the state or in any portion of the state. A CE Advisor (also referred to as a field specialist in at least one state) focuses on a region or area of the state and addresses the problems of today in that geographic area. The relationship between a CE Advisor and a CE Specialist is one of symbiosis. The CE Advisor is the 'boots on the ground, eyes in the field' partner, interacting with clientele to learn of current challenges and working through implementation of solutions. As the trusted middleman between the client and the CE Specialist, the CE Advisor feeds information to the CE Specialist who uses that information to set course for the future, identifying needs and predicting challenges while focusing on delivering science that leads to the development of policy and new solutions for problems yet undefined. The CE Specialist is the intermediary between the bench researcher and the CE Advisor, working closely with both and feeding/receiving information from both directions.

The roles are entirely different though both are expected to develop and share research-based information through research and dissemination activities (published and direct delivery), requiring that personnel in both title codes find outside resources to support their programs. The differences are in scope, both geographic and temporal, which then translate to operational differences on a day-to-day basis. For example, the CE Specialist may engage in research more and with clientele less than the CE Advisor. The client may be different. The CE Specialist may operate more in a train-the-trainer mode with CE Advisors as key clientele as well as perhaps agency staff whereas the CE Advisor may work more with the end-users such as managers, farmers, and field staff. At least in my program, I could never have been successful (or as successful) if I did not have my CE Advisor colleagues.

I'm curious what you think, about what is the standard and about what should be the standard going forward.

In between the rain, tornado warnings, and disappointing playoff games, I took some time this long weekend to engage in some hobbies to engage my creative side. For the most part, this was relaxing. While not a hobby, I started my taxes. I don't mind doing taxes which is good because I do them for others and I still do them for multiple states. What was frustrating was the 'new improved' tax laws does not benefit an individual whose income is quite low. In fact, that individual will owe twice the federal income tax they owed last year even though the income is a combination of tax-deferred retirement investments and SSI. That leaves me wondering how the less fortunate will come out of this and reminded of the work of UC ANR, such as that of EFNEP, that is so important.

At the monthly Davis staff meeting last week, Shyra provided an enlightening overview of EFNEP, including testimonials from EFNEP participants and their health care providers singing the praises of the program. Interviewees talked about their weight loss, the savings they have observed in their grocery bills, and even the improved health outcomes as a result of the program. If you are not familiar with the program, contact Katie or Shyra to learn more. Shyra did a great job! Now we need the federal government to reopen so that this vital program can focus on what matters!

No need to travel to the Woodbridge Preserve these days to see the Sandhill Cranes fly in. I need to go to my back yard. A couple of cranes and a handful of egrets have taken over what is currently a bit of a lake. We've excluded the dogs from the area for the time being to minimize the mud they track around on their paws. Instead, they stand at the fence barking at the birds that have taken over their yard; I'm not sure which is worse.

The Academic Assembly Council has been busy putting together their nominations for the new UC ANR Governing Council. There wasn't much lead time provided to AAC to get the nominations submitted. Next time the AAC will have more notice. By early February we should know who will fill all of the available seats on the committee.

I am not traveling this week, so I should be able to catch up on things in both offices this week and maybe even continue with some of my hobbies during the evenings. I need to make the most of my time as soon enough it will be time to do yard work.

The trip to Imperial County last week was interesting and full of contrasts. It started with a mini-shot of Wild Turkey on the flight, as a toast to the founder of Southwest Airlines. The memorial service was held while we were inflight and we observed a moment of silence before the toast. That alone was a first while inflight.

I learned more about the UCCE programs, including the increased funding support from partners to grow the successful FarmSmart program and some of the impressive statistics that demonstrate the strength of the 4-H program. Many on the combined UCCE/Desert REC team are new (less than six years with UC ANR). At least a few weren't part of the team yet during my last visit. But it's no surprise that there is noticeable growth in the reach of programs given the support from local clientele. After a tour of the facility, we had lunch with some local stakeholders and partners, including a recent chair of the County Board of Supervisors, the County Ag Commissioner, and one of our CARET representatives. Partners from San Diego State University, University of Arizona, and several leaders from a local university in Mexico (UABC) were able to join us.

We toured El Toro Land and Cattle and had a chance to see how they have grown their hay export facility and started using the new feed mill since I last visited. It seems odd to me that in the state that grows more alfalfa than anyone else, we also produce Bermuda grass hay. Few states can boast this. I learned that grain is added to hay bales (5%) for some clients and the hay is a combination of Bermuda, alfalfa and Klein grass. I suspect that makes for a complete feed for the cattle. I need to look a bit more into Kleingrass as that is new to me.

Making custon-sized hay bales

Adding corn to hay before baling

Who would have thought that any portion of the energy in Imperial County would come from hydroelectric? While the portion is small, but growing, and it's far from the largest hydroelectric plant I have visited, I was impressed to see such a thing at all. Admittedly, I have been to more hydroelectric plants than most, but I still enjoy seeing them.

Hydroelectric plant output on the New River

I am headed south again this week, after a meeting of the strategic plan goal owners. I hear there may be rain, making plans a bit uncertain. At some point, I expect it will be the government shutdown that interrupts travel plans rather than weather.

Much to my surprise, the plane headed from Sacramento to Orange County last week was de-iced before leaving. Though that is commonplace on morning flights from Lansing, MI to Chicago, and often the cause for delayed arrivals, this was my first encounter with the de-icing routine in California. Fortunately, my arrival was only delayed by 10 to 15 minutes.

I'd love to learn how Southwest manages to produce a magazine that is far more interesting than that published by other airlines. The current issue has a feature story about Chip Conley who has developed the concept of what he calls a “Modern Elder,” someone with the “ability to use timeless wisdom and apply it to modern-day problems.” I followed up on the article by watching a TED blog that elaborated: [The Modern Elder] shares with the younger employees the people skills he gained over decades, while [the younger employees] teach [the Modern Elder] about technology. Nearly 40 percent of Americans have a boss who is younger than them — and when people of all ages exchange knowledge and learn from each other, good things happen. “This is the new sharing economy,” Conley says. The article mentioned that only 8% of companies consider ‘age diversity' as a metric for company health yet studies show that age diversity improves overall company health and productivity. There are even HR books about this!

Conley recommends forming teams that consider age as one of the diversity considerations. For UC ANR, and academia as a whole across the U.S., this may come naturally as many, if not most, 4-year schools prepare for a wave of retirements in the next year or two. I can't wait to see what all of the new, fresh talent brings to UC ANR. However, Conley's point is that even the elder has significant contributions to make, particularly those that follow the four takeaways. Those takeaways are: evolve (be willing to change even if it means cutting your ego down to size), learn (be the most curious person in the room), collaborate (accept that work is a team sport and build diverse teams), and counsel (share what you know, with humility and respect; intern publicly and mentor privately – what Conley refers to as a ‘mentern').

Who can complain about a flight delay when you know you got far more than you expected for $59, one-way? Perhaps because it is a birthday week for me, and I'm so far over the hump I can't even see the hill behind me anymore, this topic resonated strongly. But I'd like to think it's because multigenerational thinking will bring great things to UC ANR and California.

This week I head down to Desert REC and the Imperial County office. I already have my TED talk downloaded and ready to go. But before I get there, the Program Council will be meeting, and the Ag Issues Center has a board meeting. No doubt I will learn much more.