In an earlier post I mentioned the UC ANR Brand Promise, something I first heard of when the communications group met to develop a strategic communications plan. After ‘Googling' the term, I found a Powerpoint file about the UC ANR Brand Promise that appears to have been used at the 2015 Joint Strategic Initiatives Conference. The elements of the UC ANR Brand Promise are as follows:

• UC ANR is a network connecting the people of California and their University

• Practical, non-biased research that people trust

• Part of the community

• Participatory model

• Serve in a leadership role

• We serve where private industry can't/won't

These elements certainly describe what I think of when I consider what makes UC ANR different from any other game. But while I recognize the elements, I have to wonder how often I overlook one or more of them when I describe who we are, what we do and the value that comes from partnering with UC ANR. I think I will post the bullet points somewhere so that I see them often. Recently I saw someone had the bullets ‘positive' and ‘empowered' posted as a way of providing themselves with a constant reminder. The fact that I have already forgotten what the third word was suggests I need the post-it with the promise elements more than I care to admit.

Another busy week is ahead but with primarily ‘local' travel. I'm hoping this gives me a chance to review a student's manuscript and get that off my desktop. I managed to get through part of a manuscript plus a M.S. thesis this weekend. My students at MSU are quickly winding down their programs and moving onto their careers. The annual review process continues this week as well; it does seem to be a long process at UC but I think it's the rigor associated with the process that contributes to the caliber of programs and people.

Welcome to Gerardo Spinelli! Gerardo starts on Monday and is the Area CE Vegetable Production and Irrigation Advisor, located in Modesto, CA with programmatic responsibilities in Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced Counties. Please reach out to Gerardo and welcome him to UC ANR.

The rain continues. I guess “April Showers” applies to California, despite differences in timing when flowers bloom. Daffodils are in full bloom in Michigan now. The rain is helping to keep my car clean but I hope the rain is over in time for my visit to Elkus Ranch on Friday and the Asparagus Festival over the weekend. Hard to believe April is half over already – where does time go?

If anyone were to look at what has been checked off of this week's ‘to do' list they would be unimpressed to say the least. But it has been time well spent. Yesterday I spent a few hours with a strategic planning group for the Strategic Communications team. I learned that we have a Brand Promise. I will share the elements of that in an upcoming post. I showed up for the last few hours of a 2-day retreat and it was apparent the group had worked quite hard to develop the ideas they reported out. I definitely have a number of ideas to pursue.

Today I attended a field day at the Sierra Foothills REC. The day was full of information and great speakers. Attendees (60+) included Chico State students, consultants, agency representatives, land stewards, landowners and ranchers. The field stop speakers talked about how diversity of the oak woodland contributes to its resiliency towards climate change, the economic and ecosystem implications of medusahead, and the use of grass compost in building soil health highlighting partnerships with UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and Lawrence Berkeley Lab. Nikolai was a great van driver and tour guide as we made our way through the periodic rain.

The reason I say that taking the time to attend these meetings and events was time well spent is because I'm always trying to learn new things, not just in my discipline area but on the fringe of it. Doing so has helped me stay primed to change direction or retool my skills as needs and opportunities change. So while I may not use the information right away, I will keep it in my head for the future.

Last week I welcomed Natalie Price. Unfortunately, UC ANR said goodbye to Luca Frerichs who worked out of the Davis office in government affairs. Those who witnessed Lucas in action are not at all surprised that he was recruited for his dream job with The Nature Conservancy. While it's a loss for UC ANR, it's a great opportunity for Lucas. Congratulations Lucas!

Tomorrow the state wide program leaders and strategic initiative leaders have a phone call to prepare for a 2-day meeting in May regarding Goal 5. One of the dates for the regional information sessions that are associated with Goal 5 just changed due to another event that same day but I believe we should have the dates and locations finalized very soon (did I say that before?).

Now back to the ‘to do' list.

As Larry Forero and I were driving around last week he asked me what has impressed me most about UC ANR. My answer remains the same as it was back in July – the caliber of people throughout the entire system. Some might be tired of hearing me say that, but it is true! If you've been around the U.S. at different institutions like I have, all of which are top rate, you would know exactly what I mean. Travelling the state, I've had an opportunity to get just a small glimpse of how strong the local programs are and see firsthand the talent that delivers the programs as well as appreciate the hard work and skill that takes place in Davis and Oakland to pull it all together. For several months I wondered how so much was accomplished and the bottom line is that it is because of how good the people are within and across the division. But no question we all want to see the numbers of personnel continue the current path of growth. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by people and an organization that is filled with high performers – it pushes me to try to be better and seek continuous improvement. I hope that I don't become so settled into the division that I take the human capital in UCCE/UC ANR for granted.

Just one tiny example of the amazing work conducted within UC ANR was recently posted by Mark Hoddle and Mary Lu Arpaia. They share how their research program has application and extension to Tanzania. Be sure to take a look at: http://cisr.ucr.edu/blog/avocados/stepping-challenge-uc-global-food-initiative-improving-avocado-production-tanzania/ and stay up on what they are doing. Mark also sent me a nice glossy piece on the South American Palm Weevil. Mark says, “This pest is going to waste 1000's of palms in CA”. As an animal scientist, I have to admit I jump a bit when I open something with a big bug on the front cover, so I will spare everyone by not including a photo. But thanks for sending Mark!

Another exciting thing happening this week is a Strategic Communications Planning Workshop between the UC ANR Communications team, the Communications Advisory Board and a facilitator. I cannot wait to drop in tomorrow as the group wraps up their planning and hear about the creative ideas they have developed. Also in the Davis building this week is a Juntos Para Una Mejor Educacion (Together for a better education) training. Please forgive the hyperlink to an Iowa State University Extension website but it contains great information about the program and I did bleed cardinal and gold for a while, after all. I saw Lupita from afar but I have not had a chance to touch base with her and the team so hopefully I will get a chance to pop in there tomorrow as well. So much going on, all of it good!

Welcome to all of our new academics and staff! Have you met Natalie Price or Gerardo Spinelli yet? Natalie Price just started last week and is the Area Nutrition, Family and Consumer Science Advisor for Los Angeles and Orange Counties, headquartered in Alhambra. Gerardo starts next week as the Area Vegetable Production & Irrigation Advisor covering Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties. It is exciting to see the list of academics that have been joining UC ANR and those that will be joining soon. Did you know there is a place where you can get a list of new academics, with start dates, coverage area and program area? Find it here: http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Personnel_Benefits/Academic_Personnel/ under Status of Recruitments and Hires. We are on a path of growth of personnel. Projections are for continued growth of 5 academics per year. When I talked with Chris Greer about this recently he said we are up to 165 Advisors so let's keep that trend going with Advisors, Specialists and staff!

Early Saturday morning I drove from Eureka to Davis. During that time period it felt like I was passing through universes complete with changing weather (rain, sleet, snow and then sunshine) and the transformation from dark to daylight. The scenery was stunning and the time I spent with the teams in Shasta, Trinity and Humboldt Counties was enlightening. I can't thank everyone enough for their time and hospitality. My brain is very full from all that I saw and learned. I also have to thank Joan for the sage advice she provided before I departed – “you'll need socks”.

We did look at heifers; they looked back and all was right in the world so we moved on. Then I saw an EFNEP training in Shasta County where the elementary school kids were learning about alternatives to sugary soft drinks. Ruby demonstrated a tremendous amount of patience with the group and Janessa was clearly in her element helping the kids with their paper exercise before they sampled a flavored water. On Friday, Jessica delivered the same lesson in Humboldt County to a slightly older group who clearly appreciated the fact that the training was in both English and Spanish. Jessica's enthusiasm for the training was contagious and the class couldn't wait to sample the agua fresca.

During my visit up north I had a chance to see one of Nate's passions – the Burney High School 4-H Club. Did you know that the STEM program has participants design and build aquaponics systems and egg incubators? Talk about getting youth excited about science! Not to mention they have access to 3 3-D printers! It's only a matter of time before this group trades in making planters to start cranking out prosthetics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas and Cody gave me an opportunity to see an organic grass-based dairy in Ferndale and we talked about water quality and air quality issues as well as their challenges and plans for the operation that has been passed down through Cody's family. Yana and Dorina were real troopers for humoring me so that I could visit a dairy; they both seemed knowledgeable about the regional industry which is likely a reflection of the close knit nature of the office. The collegiality was apparent the day before when Jeff, Dan and Deborah were also around in addition to some folks from some of the other offices co-located in the multi-service center building.

I learned so much about the redwood business from Pete Bussman. As much as I appreciate a redwood forest, I had never had the opportunity to meet with someone in the business so it was fascinating to hear about his multi-generation business and how the productivity has increased over time to the extent that there is 50% more redwood standing now than there was 30+ years ago on the same piece of land. It is unlikely that is the perception of most non-foresters, such as myself. Despite the rain, Pete was willing to walk us through his forest and share his thought process for making harvest decisions.

I met some fascinating people who all shared the importance of Cooperative Extension, from Bill (attorney) to Henry and Pam (grass fed beef), Dina and Mark (cattle and timber), Pete (cattle and forestry), Lee (cattle and auction yard), and Chris (cattle and agribusiness). It was evident that Cooperative Extension provides a needed and valued service in this part of the state. The prioritization of needs appears different which makes complete sense given the economic drivers and the population of the region. I didn't have near enough time to visit with Lenya while we celebrated the completion of Jeff's certification exam but her work with fire is a great example of a need and a position that was new to UCCE in response to that need. Emerging needs such as fire, water, disease prevention, and more underscore why it is so important that we periodically take a look at what the needs are, assess what capacity we have to meet those needs, and align/re-align our efforts to provide capacity to meet those needs. That's the purpose of Goal #5; that and determining how to help each person make their workload and expectations list manageable. The focus is about how we individually direct our own efforts to be most impactful but not overwhelmed. The conversation with Carol in Trinity County really helped frame how different the needs may be throughout the state and why a one-size-fits-all is not appropriate in a state as large and as diverse as California.

And did you know that Yana hosts a radio show on KHSU every 5^th Thursday? She recently hosted the top post for the station, discussing the topic of ocean chemistry, global climate and local effects. I haven't downloaded the show yet, but plan to.

A great week with a bit of an annoying end to it. I set off the alarm in the UC ANR Davis building when I went in to return the keys and put my new plant in the office. I've dreaded the day I did that. On the upside, I survived it and didn't end up being dragged off in handcuffs while I waited for the security company to take me off ‘hold' and help me reset the alarm. So that leaves one of my ‘fears' over and done with; 1 left to go. Somehow I still managed to leave the building without returning the keys – after all I did say my brain was full.