- Author: Deanne Meyer
Ever wonder how Extension and Ag Experiment Directors share information? The Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA) and Western Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (WAAESD) met in Denver last week. Vice President Humiston attended and WAAESD meetings and I attended the WEDA meetings. It was an information filled week with much sharing of ideas and needs for the west. Yes, we all face similar challenges with crumbling facilities, fire, management of government owned lands, water scarcity, changing climate, mental health, the need for rural economic development, invasive pests, nutrition education, educating youth, and so much more. It's nice to talk with others to see how they manage resources to make work impactful. More information is available about the organizational structure of the Land Grant University System if you're interested. We had a fantastic presentation by Trent Teegerstrom, University of Arizona. He is Associate Director for Tribal Extension Programs and provided insightful lessons on how we can better serve to meet Tribal needs.
We were at the SPUR Center in Denver. The Center is by the old stockyards and SPUR literally got its name from a SPUR off the railroad. This new Center for Colorado State University system brings Fort Collins, Pueblo, and Global campuses to the people of Colorado. They have tours and activities daily. If you're in the neighborhood give it a look. We enjoyed a super tour including a virtual (3-D) animal anatomy experience. The buildings are topical: terra (land), hydro (water), and vita (life—animals).
Also attending the meetings were Keith Nathaniel one of two CA representatives on Western Program & Organizational Leadership Committee (WPOLC) and Vikram Koundinya Western Region Evaluation Network (WREN). Each of these are committees of WEDA. It was nice to have time to catch up with Keith and Vikram and know their time invested in the meetings will be useful here at home.
Meanwhile, Katherine Webb-Martinez and her team put the finishing touches on our annual report to USDA. There are some new due dates for next year's report. That translates to project board deadlines being sooner so Katherine and her team can pull information together.
Rounding out our remaining hires in February Katherine Kilbane transferred to Human Resources, Vanya Woodward is the Executive Assistant for Daniel Obrist and myself, and Harold Tabios and Jennifer Lewellen both promoted (Resource Planning and Management and Business Operations Center). Shelby Motley started at Lindcove REC as a Blank Assistant 2. We also hired students Adam Yandel and Alana Logie (Sutter/Yuba), and Rboert Vergara and Sophia Benefiel (IPM) as well as Christiana Spencer (internship). All total, we had 29 positions filled in February. THANK YOU everyone who served on search committees.
- Author: Deanne Meyer
It's that time of the year where all the hard work of cultivating and tending crops culminates with harvest. Whether it's pomegranates, sorghum, pumpkins or walnuts, crops are working their way to consumers for enjoyment. Soon nutrient management considerations for the next crop will be determined and implemented. Researchers are taking end of season plant tissue and soil samples or measuring gaseous emissions. And so, the cycles continue. From seed to crop to consumer. For those engaged in natural resources cooler weather brings promise of rains.
Pumpkin patch visit
October 15 ended our month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage month. There have been news stories, blog posts, and presentations among others. The variety of activities provided many ways to share culture and current careers. Thank you all for taking time to participate.
One of the highlights of any day is to meet with candidates for Specialist positions. This last week it was for a position at UC Davis in Agricultural and Resource Economics on the Economics of Food Supply Chains. This is an incredibly timely position given all we've learned during Covid.
Last week zoomed by in the blink of an eye. Program Council met. One of our topics focused on onboarding and mentoring. With the hiring frenzy it's imperative that we are effective at onboarding. Did you know how well we onboard new academics is directly correlated to retention and productivity? The ANR Learning and Development website has great resources for onboarding. Since onboarding begins the minute we receive the signed offer letter, it's worth taking time to look through the materials. Supervisors, peers, co-workers and everyone else in the organization is part of the onboarding process. Thank you to our great Human Resources colleagues and Jodi Azulai who have worked to collect and prepare onboarding documentation. A big shout out to Jona Pressman who provided a convincing presentation about the importance of onboarding during the recent Vice President's council meeting. We're in this together and it takes effort from everyone to make people feel welcome.
In the category of Humbled and Happy, HUGE congratulations to Katherine Web Martinez and the work of Program Planning and Evaluation. Their work has been recognized by the National Association of Extension Program and Staff Development Professionals with the Extension Staff Development Award. “This award recognizes individuals who use creativity, innovation, and evidence to develop and deliver staff development initiatives that strengthen the employee capacity of Cooperative Extension systems. Efforts may focus on innovative initiatives, tools, assessments, practices, and/or other products for staff development at the local, regional, state or national level.” Way to go Katherine and team. You all do amazing work!
Welcome to ANR! Three new Advisors joined ANR in September. Ashley Hooper (Urban Community Resiliency; Los Angeles), Cindy Chen (Woody Biomass and Wood Products, Central Sierra Nevada MCP, Alpine and Mariposa Counties) and Matthew Rodriguez (4-H Youth Development, Nevada, Placer, Sutter and Yuba Counties).
- Author: Deanne Meyer
Days are cooler and rain may be coming. Fires continue to burn. We are keeping good thoughts for our first responders and everyone in these areas living with smoke, evacuations and uncertainty.
Last week Program Council reviewed the UC Master Gardener Program. The review encompassed 10 years of work including major budget cuts, a global pandemic, and incredible growth in volunteers. Kudos to the review committee and Kit Alviz and Leyla Marandi of Program Planning and Evaluation. Program Council appreciated the detailed analyses and contributions of information from many sources.
Did you know the UC Master Gardener Program started in 1980? The current volunteer roster exceeds 6,000 people. Sustainable landscaping, food gardening and community well-being are key focus areas. Workshop topics cover everything from food security to water conservation. Understanding the right plant and the right place is increasingly more important with our changing climate, unpredictable precipitation and scarce water resources. Plants improve our well-being through beauty, shade and improved soil characteristics. The Master Gardener website is a fabulous resource! It's a great resource if you need information or if you're just curious about the program. Give it a read!
Goings and comings. As the calendar turned to September, we thanked Katherine Soule who served as Assistant Vice Provost of UC Cooperative Extension for the last two years. We appreciate all her efforts in that role. Just a few days later, we wished David Bunn a happy retirement. Both David and Katherine worked closely with County Directors. Their energies, efforts and enthusiasm were appreciated. The first Friday CD/REC Director meeting in September was informative and a great information exchange occurred.
Leadership development is important for our organization. Keith Nathaniel is working with Western Extension Leadership Development Class XI. Oli Bachie and Jennifer Heguy are interns from UC ANR. Thank you, Keith, for your leadership. Betsy Karle is on the last part of her her 17 month leadership development in the California Ag Leadership Program's Class 51. Congratulations to Anne Megaro for being accepted into Class 52! I applaud everyone for continuing their leadership journey.
We continue to grow! Welcome Hanif Robert Houston, digital communications Alameda; Chun Fung Yu and Stephen Dampier, IT services; blank assistants Maximus Mendez, Kearney and Todd Wenstrom San Diego; Jose Pax Villegas and Jackson Dias, Fresno Madera MCP; Community Education Specialists Sierra Washington, Plumas and Sierra counties; Julie Salomonson, Ventura; Braulio Rodriguez Villalobos, Ana Mora Camacho, Coral Franco, Fresno and Madera MCP; Kathleen Carter and Alfonso Mota, Sierra Nevada; Nichol Santisteven, Santa Clara; Arlene Silva, Imperial; Tara Kelly, San Mateo; and Brandon Frost, Shasta. We are happy you have all joined the ANR family!
Thank you for all you do for California! Together we effect change for California, and beyond.