- Author: Wendy Powers
Despite a new COVID variant and the health system on the verge of being overwhelmed in many areas across the U.S., we have many things to celebrate this year, not the least of which are vaccines, home COVID test kits, and perhaps an at-home treatment in the near future. Within UC ANR, there's much to celebrate as well.
The Strategic Communications team completed a UC ANR 2021 highlight video. The video may seem a bit long. On the other hand, there's so much more to talk about that it was a challenge to keep it at the current length. Kudos to Linda and the team for their effort to capture some key aspects of our 2021 accomplishments!
As mentioned in the video, new milestones were achieved related to funding development. In early 2022, we will launch a new program that offers support for teams or individuals working in agriculture and natural ecosystems. These funds are thanks to the generous support from the Hrdy family.
While you have some downtime over the break, take some time to look at the Landscapes of Change series that Karrie Reid shared with me. Pacific Horticulture, who produces the series, features the NIFA/CDFA-funded work that Karrie, Loren, Darren, and others have undertaken. Congratulations to the team for this recognition and the success of the work!
Katherine Soule shared a brief video from her team that I can't wait for all to see! I will hold off sharing as I believe it will become part of an upcoming Town Hall program spotlight. Let's just say it would inspire anyone to eat more vegetables! Be on the lookout for that in January or perhaps February.
Davis was pretty quiet this week. I suspect many have already started their travel and plans for the break. I have one more day to go, including a 4-hr Zoom meeting on Wednesday. That one may be a bit rough, especially if I decide to take it from the cold garage. Traffic is light this week so a trip to Davis may be in order. A week plus seems a bit long for a winter break but, I suspect I can stay busy throughout. For me, this will be another quiet holiday, staying safe and a bit sequestered. I came across this story by Elizabeth Gilbert that has me thinking I may investigate her and her stories a bit more. I hope everyone enjoys the break as they would like and finds their own source of light. Stay safe and see you in 2022!
- Author: Wendy Powers
I left the garage and had a chance to get out to see our programs! I have been in Davis regularly for the last 5 months and even traveled for work a limited amount. However, the President's Advisory Commission meeting, that included the Lindcove Citrus Tasting, was more like ‘old times' than any other experience over the last 18 months. I had no idea there were so many varieties of citrus. I had previously thought that ‘Satsuma' was the variety of mandarin, but it turns out there are over a half dozen varieties of the Satsuma mandarin. Despite all of the new flavors tested and different types of citrus that included limes, kumquats, oranges, and grapefruit, my favorite citrus remains the Chandler pomelo.
The fact that we were all masked throughout the day didn't stop lively discussion whether on the bus, walking through the Woodlake Garden, or visiting booths hosted by our academics. It was so nice to get an update from Konrad about his barley research, learn from Karl about the outcome of his deficit irrigation work with wine growers, and see Joy's soil settling demonstration. Thanks to Michael and Ruth, and the Lindcove team, I left with the makings for a couple new recipes. The ginger, baby bok choy, and lemongrass were perfect for a red curry lemongrass soup. The Buddha hand didn't go to waste either, becoming a citron pound cake. The fridge is full and I had a taste of the most rewarding part of the job. Thanks so much to Karmjot, Ashraf, and their teams for all of the work to make it a great day for all who participated!
Things are slowly getting back to more like pre-COVID time. During my recent days in Davis, I can hear voices of others throughout the building. I would never have thought about that before COVID; now it is such a welcome sound. I, as much as anyone, appreciate the benefits of not having had the commute, especially on high wind days like we had this week. On the flipside, the work feels different when it is all completed from my garage office; it is not as engaging and somehow disconnected from the value of our programs. I, too, look forward to in-person interviews and hallway conversations. Twenty months of this mode is long enough. However, this doesn't mean I will let down my guard on safety precautions. We remain in a difficult time and we are all tired of the pandemic conditions. It is hard to believe that this week last year the first COVID vaccine was administered in the U.S. No question, we have come a long way and have so much for which to be grateful. There are good times ahead!
- Author: Wendy Powers
It drizzled a bit this morning! What a welcomed occurrence, though I hope it is sunny for the visit to the Lindcove REC on Friday. Despite the rain, the thought of fire is never far away. Take a look at this new report from UC, including our very own Faith Kearns and the California Institute for Water Resources. Congratulations, Faith, on this effort! In particular, I like the policy focus of the report.
The South Coast REC crew have a few minutes of fame for their longstanding program success. The Voice of OC recently talked about just some of the farming activity that goes on at the REC. Take a look. Congratulations to Jason, Tammy, and the entire team that keep agriculture front and center despite urbanization of the area!
Earlier this week I had a chance to meet with the AAC-Personnel Committee. That group certainly stays busy. I enjoyed the conversation and the follow up discussions since that have largely centered on ensuring success for our expanding workforce.
The hiring continues! Since last post, I believe we have filled one or two additional CE Advisor positions (up to 4 now, I believe) plus a new CE Specialist position. This is all very exciting. Equally exciting is the list I received of National Association of County Agriculture Agents awardees. Newer UC ANR academics are among some of our awardees. Congratulations to Brooke Latack who received a national award for a featured story, Apurba Barman who placed as a national finalist for a fact sheet, Sonia Rios who received an early career achievement award and was a Western Region Finalist in the newsletter competition and the photo competition, Zheng Wang who was a Western Region Finalist for the event promotion competition and the website/online competition, and Michael Rethwisch who was a Western Region Finalist in the computer generated presentation with transcript competition and received one of the competitive spots to make a national presentation. Special thanks to Zheng Wang for service as the Western regional vice-chair of the Recognition and Awards Committee!
The deadline to submit position proposals is fast approaching. After I return from the Lindcove Citrus Tasting and tour with UCCE Tulare County, I will be checking email for CE Specialist position proposals from our campuses. Program Council met yesterday and has a process outlined to review and deliberate each submission. It has been hard work for those submitting proposals and will be hard work for Program Council and the Vice President to make decisions. But, work well worthwhile, considering this is what we have wanted for a long time. Imagine how exciting it will be to have more colleagues across the state!
On that note, time for a rest before the work resumes.
- Author: Wendy Powers
Break's over; back to work! The meetings have resumed. It was very nice however to hear voices in the ANR building this week. While a number of us have been in regularly, it has been rather quiet. Perhaps we are turning a corner, with more people coming in on a steady basis. Booster shots perhaps increase the comfort level. I even had two consecutive meetings in person this week! Well worth the masking. Even introverts are ready to resume some human connection.
The ANR Governing Council met by Zoom this week. The meeting was only 2 hours long with a number of guests from UC Santa Cruz and UC Merced joining us. Two hours wasn't quite enough time to complete the agenda items but there was good discussion.
In other meetings, Monday started off with the second meeting of a National Academy committee. Like the first meeting held last week, this one was 3 hours long. We have two more 3-hr meetings before the winter break. I like the fact that this committee will wrap up before August. Other panels I have served on have been closer to a year in duration. But this one is about best practices for building sustained partnerships so not as controversial as estimating air emissions from animal feeding operations. It's a nice change.
The week has several ECOP meetings scattered throughout, in addition to the first Friday CD and REC director meeting. In addition, there's a discussion about a novel partnership opportunity that finishes the week. Overall, not a bad way to come off a 4-day break.
The best news so far this week is that the first of the released CE Advisor positions has been filled! Congratulations to AHR and the search committee for identifying a stellar candidate to serve as a Viticulture Advisor! There are a few more offers out for other positions, so it is just a matter of time before I regularly welcome new faces in new places. Very exciting and the result of long term efforts! The Vice Provost position is under recruitment as well. I very much look forward to filling that position to help ensure career success at UC ANR for our new hires.
Next week includes some much welcomed travel and, more importantly, a chance to see our programs in action. Long overdue…
- Author: Wendy Powers
Today is a bit of a slow day as many have likely started the holiday weekend early. I know Katherine is working on her turducken. I have started preparations, but prefer to incur the last minute chaos as much as possible.
I do hope everyone takes time to acknowledge all that they have. Often times, it is too easy to get swallowed up thinking about what's not perfect and what's missing. True, there has been loss this year. At the end, we remain incredibly fortunate. Our impact is stronger than ever. COVID protocols have kept the UC ANR employees safe from significant hospitalizations, or worse. We have an opportunity before us that, with much work, will increase the academic footprint I have heard so much about since joining UC ANR in 2016. Across the U.S., the recognition of the value of science and Cooperative Extension is greater than it has been in several years. There is much for which to be thankful.
I have a couple more meetings today, including making an offer to a prospective new hire, the second offer I have made in the last 10 days. This truly is exciting. Exciting, too, was meeting with a couple of new donors last week who spoke so highly of UC ANR. Their enthusiasm inspires me for the upcoming Giving Tuesday. I wouldn't be surprised to see UC ANR in the news over the weekend, with our experts sharing tips on everything from safe turkey preparation practices to climate change mitigation to keeping off those holiday pounds. I am thankful for the contribution each person in UC ANR makes.
I hope everyone stays safe this long weekend while enjoying good company and many laughs.
