- 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
I keep hearing from the weather person that we are heading towards fall weather. Three hours in the front yard last weekend, followed by the resurgence of high temperatures again this weekend, have me unconvinced. The harsh reality is that weed growth has not slowed. At some point, it will, at least for a few months. One good sign over this past weekend was the sound of the Sandhill cranes overhead. They were returning to the Woodbridge Preserve for their winter visit. Odd that we always hear them a few minutes before seeing them as they make their migration to the water. It seems a bit early, but that is just a manifestation of the COVID crisis. In fact, according to the calendar, the Sandhill cranes are right on time. Time flies even during a pandemic.
During the Regents meeting two weeks ago, Carrie Byington from UC Health shared the reality that she expects COVID-19 to cause at least another year of disruption to university systems. In the meantime, the toilet paper supply appears to be in good shape. Furthermore, we are resuming some of our key activities that have been on hold. Other activities have moved forward using new methods. I have learned that occasionally I need a Zoom-free day. I took one this past Friday, after four 10+ hours days of Zooming, to conduct UC ANR work and participate in a national event planned by East Coasters. Even though I had written a blog post, I forgot to upload it, so zoomed out I was by the end of the day. The Zoom reality has translated into more meetings and more work without the airplane downtime. I know you can relate. I highly recommend a monthly Zoom-free day!
With my renewed energy, I am looking forward to this week's activities. Activities include a 2-hour training, a check in with the Oakland team, a PAC meeting on Wednesday that consists of time with President Drake, representing my first live session with him. This week contains a meeting with other Extension Directors from around the country to advance an initiative. The week winds down with 'First Friday' calls that take up the bulk of the workday before heading into a weekend that promises more yard work. Some rain would top off what promises to be a great week.
- Author: Wendy Powers
Whether you observed Easter or Passover, were preparing for Ramadan to start in 10 days or celebrated the time off, I hope everyone had a pleasant weekend. For those in Modoc County, I hope you enjoyed the Easter Bunny Wave. The weather was perfect for it. I love the creativity by the 4-H members to take the bunny parade to the homes of the residents! So much easier than having to go to the parade. The 4-Hers in San Benito County did something special to reach out to emergency workers and people who may be feeling sick or lonely. How thoughtful!
Last week, President Napolitano joined the President's Advisory Commission (PAC) meeting from her dining room table, clearly not her usual mode of work. During the meeting, Secretary Karen Ross shared current challenges related to food distribution, including travel restrictions for seasonal labor necessary for harvest. The more significant issue may be the impact on farmers of closed restaurants and schools, resulting in food produced with no place to go. Every day I look to make sure the milk truck comes to the dairy across the street. So far, so good.
During the PAC meeting, we had some discussion about COVID-19, itself, including the positive test in Nadia, a 4-year-old female Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo, Nadia, her sister Azul, two Amur tigers, and three African lions developed a dry cough. It seems only Nadia tested positive. Did you know that at one point, my dream job was to be the Chief Veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo? At the time, I was in 4th grade and had read about Emil Dolensek, who was at the time the Chief Veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo and the subject of the book, Doctor in the Zoo. The Bronx Zoo was my favorite place to visit. While I didn't pursue that career choice, it was a promising deterrent from my earlier plans. On the first day of kindergarten, when we each introduced ourselves and indicated our intended career path, I proclaimed my intentions of becoming a professional pickpocket. Alas, plans change.
On Friday, I had a chance to listen to Thursday's eXtension Social Café, featuring Brook and Sarah from the UC California Naturalist program and hosted by Rose Hayden-Smith. Rose will feature the UC California Naturalist program in the eFieldbook she is creating for eXtension as an outstanding example of social media use in #scicomm. I was really pleased to learn how Sarah ties in academic content from other UC ANR programs in her story posts. While not so fond of the idea of taking quizzes, I like the inclusion of the interaction and the fact that I can opt out of that part. Excellent work, Brook and Sarah!
Earlier in the week, I received an email from a colleague in North Carolina sharing that she had just read a Fast Company article that called out the UC Master Gardener program. Congratulations to Missy and the team! What an excellent recognition for their work and the program.
Speaking of gardening, it sounds like the last-minute change to the Contra Costa County plant sale is having some success. Lorna has shared some positive feedback from some of the donors who have purchased starter plants. Hopefully, many of the UC ANR staff can take advantage of the Staff Assembly's GROWS program. What a great idea!
I hope to see everyone at the Town Hall later this week!
- Author: Wendy Powers
Congratulations to the team of California 4-H camp volunteers, program staff, and youth who plan and run our camping programs! The American Camp Association's Committee for the Advancement of Research and Evaluation (CARE), has recognized the California 4-H Camping Advisory Committee as a 2020 recipient of the Eleanor P. Eells Award for Research in Practice. The team is recognized for their extraordinary efforts in generating and using innovative and quality research and evaluation to improve program practice and in sharing findings with others. Of particular note is that the team's work has resulted in an increase in the number of participating 4-H Camps from 8 to 22! Marianne Bird, a team member, said of the team “Never have I witnessed such interest and investment in wanting to learn about and improve youth's experiences in their camp programs”. Nicely done all!
This week is full of meetings. I suspect many of us are scurrying to get things done before a 2-week break in activity. The Dean's Council meets tomorrow (Tuesday), in Oakland. This group includes the Deans from UCB, UCD, and UCR, including the Vet School. On Wednesday, the President's Advisory Council (PAC) meets in Oakland. We have new members on the PAC, who will be meeting with us for the first time. I will miss the latter portion of that meeting and the reception at the President's house because of another meeting commitment. Thursday the strategic plan goal owners meet and there is a year-end mixer at the Davis building. Friday is booked with Zoom calls and meetings until 5 PM, representing one last push to get things done for those not working next Monday. In the absence of any meetings on the 23rd, I plan to check off several things on the ‘to-do' list.
Several of our CARET representatives are members of the PAC. I was thinking about our CARETs last week during a presentation I heard while in DC. The presenter spoke about the need for an advocacy strategy to include grassroots, grass shoots, and strong stalks. This was all new information to me. He indicated that CARETs are strong stalks; those individuals who are the stalwart champions engaged in regular communications and activities. Then there are the grass shoots who are your ‘ringers', called in for key conversations with influencers. Amidst the meetings this week I need to give these concepts more thought. In the meantime, I am looking forward to meeting our new PAC members, who are also loyal, strong supporters of UC ANR.
I hope everyone has a restful and fun break!
- Author: Wendy Powers
I was expecting to see more snow. Then, as I neared the east border of Place County, I saw it. The mountains above Donner Lake are deep in snow. For whatever reason, snow-covered mountains give me a sense of calm and that all is right in the world.
I'm in Reno for the next couple of days. The CE Advisors and some of the program staff who work in the counties that border Nevada are meeting with their peers from the University of Nevada that work in counties bordering California. The goal of meeting our neighbors is to share what we are doing, independently, and see what opportunities exist to work together. Ivory, the Extension Director for the University of Nevada, and I are merely here to welcome the group, encourage conversation, then get out of the way. Maybe new partnerships will develop, maybe new ideas to bring back to our own programs, or maybe a chance to see colleagues from our own state – we won't know until we give it a try.
I will work on merit and promotion packages during much of the time that the Advisors and Community Educators meet with their Nevada colleagues. Right now, I have 13 packages that still need a first review. The Peer Review Committee met this week to develop their recommendations for each package. They were working so hard, they didn't even break for UC Walks. A few members squeezed in a lap around the Davis ANR building, but then it was back to work.
The President's Advisory Committee met this week. A key part of the meeting was reviewing the purpose of the Committee and starting a discussion about the future role and function of the Committee. Committee members are busy people but very strong advocates for UC ANR so we want to be efficient in asking anything of any member. Conversation will continue between now and the fall meeting.
Looking forward to a trip back through Truckee though it will be a test of my phone reception as I have some calls to take during the trek. Might just have to pull over and enjoy the view for a bit.