Social media summary

Upon touring field research sites, listening to talks, and engaging in hands-on activities at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 100% of undergraduate students reported learning more  about agricultural STEM research areas, which could steer them towards careers in agriculture.

Group photo of FACTS students and Kearney Ag REC researchers/staff

The Issue

Students often lack awareness or appreciation of the existing relationships connecting agriculture and technology. For instance, students who are interested in emerging technologies may have never considered a career in agriculture. Conversely, students interested in agriculture may not have considered opportunities in research or practice involving technology. This tour sought to expose students to some examples of agricultural research involving technology to expand their knowledge of agriculture and the place of technology in agriculture-related research and practice.

How UC Delivers

In July 2023, UC ANR's Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension (KARE) Center hosted the 2023 cohort of students from the University of California Merced's San Joaquin Valley Food and Agriculture Cyberinformatics Tools and Science (FACTS) Bridge Program for a tour. The goal was to broaden the students' exposure to agricultural research and extension involving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The tour was also intended to provide the students with learning about technology and job opportunities in agriculture. The day was divided into two sections. In the morning, students went outside to visit field research sites and learned more about the specific projects underway.   In the afternoon, students attended indoor presentations with hands-on activities. The 5.5-hour tour was presented collaboratively by UC Cooperative Extension Specialists Peter Ako Larbi, Jackie Atim and Bali Lab staff research associate, Brady Holder. Agricultural Application Engineering (AgAppE) Lab assistant Daniel Cabrera provided photography coverage for reporting. KARE Center staff also provided logistical and transportation support for the entire tour. The students were led by UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Safeeq Khan.

After being welcomed upon arriving at KARE, the students started the morning section. They were transported on a tram to the research fields, making stops at selected locations where they were hosted to presentations and demonstrations. The presentations/demos were given in an interactive format which allowed the students to engage with their observations, comments, and questions.

The first stop was by an almond orchard where Larbi provided an overview of pesticide spray application in orchards and vineyards, including the integration of emerging sensing and automation technologies for precision application. He also demonstrated airblast spray application in the almond orchard, placing water sensitive cards in a target tree canopy to demonstrate spray dispersion and coverage

UCCE specialist Peter Larbi talking about pesticide spray application for orchards and vineyards

The second stop was the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) weather station where Holder talked about how it is used to calculate crop water use.  The presentation covered the various sensors employed and how they combine to measure evaporation rate as well as transpiration of the grass underneath the station.

Staff research associate Brady Holder explaining evapotranspiration and CIMIS

The third stop was by Atim's sorghum plots where she talked about research into drought stress using sorghum, a drought tolerant and nitrogen efficient crop that is utilized as food, feed, forage, biofuel and bioproducts. Holder was able to demonstrate the use of drones in sorghum data collection.

UCCE specialist Jackie Atim talking about sorghum and drought stress

The morning section ended with two additional stops hosted by Holder: one by a subsurface drip irrigation demonstration in tomatoes with a presentation covering how evapotranspiration values from CIMIS are used for proper irrigation scheduling to meet crop water needs and avoid waste; and another by alfalfa plots used to research deficit irrigation and groundwater recharge.

The afternoon section started with two spray hands-on activities intended for the students to become more familiar with the concepts of spray application. After a brief introduction by Larbi, the students were split up for two activities: 1) a nozzle flow rate measurement exercise; and 2) a spray dispersion demonstration exercise assisted by Cabrera. Atim and Holder further presented on research done at KARE center. The students completed evaluation forms at the end of the section/tour.

Students engaging in supervised hands-on activities: Nozzle flow rate measurement (top) and spray dispersion demo assisted by Daniel Cabrera (bottom)

The Impact

A major goal of this tour was to increase knowledge of agriculture and use of technology in agriculture in California. A summary of the evaluations provided by student respondents are shown in the graphic below. On average, 88±10% reported gaining “much” or “very much” learning from the individual presentations on the tour. Lumped into the two sections, 86% and 90% gained such learning in the morning and afternoon sections, respectively. Overall, 100% of respondents reported such learning gains during the tour. During the tour, students learned about challenges and opportunities in California agriculture, which could potentially become a stepping-stone into career opportunities or research areas they might undertake themselves in their future.

Combined evaluation results of the tour

Studies have shown bridge programs like this one increase first year overall grade-point average and university retention. Exposing students to research activities is particularly beneficial for encouraging students to enter and persist in STEM majors. Introducing incoming first-year students to ongoing agricultural research improves their awareness of agricultural STEM research and practice opportunities, a key step in not only increasing interest in and commitment to pursuing agricultural STEM majors but also careers in food and agriculture.

The FACTS summer bridge program will continue next year, when a new cohort of incoming first-year, second-year, transfer students, as well as returning second-year students visit the KARE Center to learn about agriculture, ag research, and technology.

Nutrition Policy Institute rolled out an online evaluation tool, EATS, for local health departments to evaluate school-based CalFresh Healthy Living during pandemic-related school closures. EATS data showed that students receiving school meals during the closures were more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, an important insight that could impact school nutrition policy in the future.

The Issue

In March 2020, schools across California shuttered in an effort to protect students and staff from COVID-19 infection. School closures impacted provision of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, and thus, the nutrition safety net they provided. School districts across the state pivoted to centralized meal distribution via grab-and-go and drive-up, or even utilized home delivery in some cases. Despite monumental efforts to get school meals to the children who needed them most, meal participation declined significantly during this time. 

The California Department of Public Health's CalFresh Healthy Living Program (CDPH-CFHL) prioritizes improving child nutrition security and diet quality. Local health departments partner with K-12 schools to implement CFHL nutrition education and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies that aim to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables and decrease consumption of sugary drinks. Their existing relationships with school districts enabled them to support efforts to ensure that school meals met dietary standards and student needs during school closures. 

How UC Delivers

During the pandemic, local health departments modified their school-based programs to continue to reach students outside of the school setting. For example, they delivered nutrition education remotely via Zoom or pre-recorded lessons, and they pivoted to PSE change strategies like modifying school meal distribution practices to help ensure students continued to have access to healthy foods.

Nutrition Policy Institute supports local health department evaluation of school-based CDPH-CFHL interventions, and without modifying the existing data collection methodology to reach students learning at home, evaluation would not have continued. Evaluators adapted their methods, including migration of the Eating and Activity Tool for Students (EATS) to an online platform. This survey measures student eating and physical activity behaviors, and during pandemic school closures, included questions about if and where students ate school breakfast and lunch. Nutrition Policy Institute prioritized school data collection during this extraordinary period, understanding that analysis of these data could draw attention to the impacts of COVID-19 on California's youth, in particular, those already facing nutrition disparities.

The Impact

During the 2020-21 school year, as a result of Nutrition Policy Institute's development and coordination of the online EATS tool, local health departments were able to collect data from 3,297 4th and 5th grade students from 67 CFHL-eligible schools (where at least half of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals). About half of students were female (52%) and half identified as Latino (50%). Most students were attending school exclusively by distance learning at the time of the survey (83%). Approximately one quarter of students had eaten at least one school meal the previous day (27%), with about 1 in 7 reporting they ate both breakfast and lunch (15%).

We found that students who ate one or two school meals a day had significantly higher intakes of vegetables, whole fruits, and 100% fruit juice, compared to students who did not eat school meals. Specifically, students who ate one school meal a day ate more beans and orange vegetables, while those who ate two school meals a day consumed a wider variety of vegetables, including beans and orange vegetables. However, children who ate one school meal a day drank more fruit drinks (non-100% juice) and flavored milks than those who did not eat school meals. Further, students who ate two school meals consumed more fruit drinks, flavored milks, and sports and energy drinks than those who did not eat school meals.

Our findings suggest that school meals continued to be an important source of fruits and vegetables for school-aged children during the pandemic. This highlights the importance of focusing PSE efforts on improving school meal distribution and overall quality, should students' in-person attendance be challenged again. Despite this, findings also underscore the need to reduce consumption of sugary drinks, which are a primary source of added sugars and nutrient poor energy in children's diets. This highlights an opportunity to strengthen school-based CFHL interventions by incorporating nutrition education and PSE strategies that focus specifically on healthy beverage consumption. Nutrition Policy Institute's leadership of CDPH-CFHL local program evaluation not only highlights the successes of CFHL, but just as important, the areas for program improvement. Nutrition Policy Institute's commitment to strengthening CDPH-CFHL interventions in California schools is a hallmark of UC ANR's public value of promoting healthy people and healthy communities.

This study was conducted as part of a contract with the California Department of Public Health with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-- SNAP. These institutions are equal opportunity providers and employers. 

UC Digital Agriculture Program's innovative spray backstop system reduces airborne pesticide drift by 78% in almond orchards– a big step forward for improving air quality and working conditions in California's agricultural production areas. 

The Issue

Pesticide drift is a significant concern, especially in California's almond orchards. It's not just an environmental issue. Pesticide drift can pose a public health risk by contaminating the skin, lungs, and gut of people in nearby communities. These chemicals can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other adverse health effects. Another study highlights that pesticide poisoning is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting not just agricultural workers but also the general population.The challenge has been to control this drift without reducing the effectiveness of the pesticide application. This project aims to tackle this pressing issue head-on.

How UC Delivers

Addressing the issue of pesticide drift requires a multi-disciplinary approach, combining engineering, agriculture, and environmental science expertise. The UC Digital Agriculture Program team rose to the challenge by developing an innovative spray backstop system. This system is a blend of practicality and advanced technology, designed to be both farmer-friendly and effective in reducing pesticide drift.

The core components of this system are a foldable mast and a shade structure. The mast is the backbone, providing the necessary height and stability, while the shade structure acts as a barrier covering the trees from the top. This barrier is crucial in preventing the upward movement of pesticide droplets, thereby reducing the potential for drift.

Figure 1: Schematic design of the backstop prototype installed on a sprayer in an almond orchard.

To validate the effectiveness of this system, a series of tests were conducted in young almond orchards. The sprayer was operated at a 3.2 km/h speed to simulate real-world conditions. But before hitting the field, the team employed advanced uncrewed aerial systems equipped with thermal and RGB cameras. These cameras captured images and videos of the spray pattern from multiple angles, providing invaluable data for analysis.

The aerial imagery was not just for show; it played a pivotal role in the project. It allowed the team to monitor the spray application in real-time and understand the spray cloud's movement pattern. This imagery was then used to refine the design of the shade structure, ensuring it effectively blocked droplet movement beyond the treetop.

Figure 2: Aerial views showing the efficiency of the backstop prototype in blocking the spray cloud.

The results were more than just promising. The backstop system effectively blocked the spray cloud, ensuring that the pesticides stayed precisely where they were intended to be—on the trees. This was further validated through a ribbon test, a simple yet effective method to measure drift. A ribbon placed in the spray path remained in its resting position when the backstop system was used, indicating a significant reduction in drift.

The project didn't stop at just reducing drift; it also ensured that the reduction did not come at the cost of effectiveness. The on-target deposition of the pesticide was not compromised, affirming that the system could achieve dual objectives: reducing drift while maintaining efficacy.

The Impact

The spray backstop system's impact goes beyond just numbers. It represents a significant stride toward sustainable agriculture and community well-being. The system successfully reduced the drift potential by 78%. This isn't merely a statistic; it's a tangible change that has far-reaching implications for both environmental stewardship and human safety.

Figure 3: Statistical results showcasing a significant reduction in drift potential.

The environmental impact is equally noteworthy. Reduced drift means fewer chemicals in the air, contributing to "improved air quality," a UC ANR condition change. This is a step forward in reducing air pollution, which has wide-ranging implications for human health and climate change.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of this innovation is that it managed to reduce drift without compromising the effectiveness of the pesticide application. The on-target deposition remained consistent, ensuring the almond trees received the necessary pesticide coverage for optimal growth and yield. This is a crucial factor for farmers who are often caught in the dilemma of choosing between effective pest control and environmental responsibility.

Figure 4: Comparative leaf samples illustrating consistent on-target deposition and coverage.

The project aligns with another UC ANR's condition change, "improved living and working conditions for California's food system and farm workers." One of the goals of reducing pesticide drift is to mitigate the health risks associated with working and living in agricultural production areas. Therefore, the work directly supports UC ANR's commitment to promoting the public health of California's communities.

Looking ahead, the project has set the stage for further research and development to adapt the system for different types of orchards and terrains. Additional modifications are being considered to make the system even more robust and versatile, ensuring its long-term sustainability and broader applicability.

Want to learn more? See the method in action here.

UC ANR supports California's almond crop protection workforce through Airblast Sprayer Calibration Trainings to maintain or improve their technical knowledge. 100% of participants reported both learning professional skills and their intent to adopt practices that can improve the sustainability and profitability of California ag.

UCCE farm advisor Dr. Franz Niederholzer and UCCE specialist Dr. Peter Larbi pose behind an airblast sprayer in Arbuckle, CA

The Issue

For efficient and effective pesticide spray application, all sprayers should be calibrated as often as necessary throughout the growing season of almonds, especially when dealing with orchards of different ages and sizes. Calibration is considered a best practice in pesticide spray application ensuring accurate application rates and adherence to pesticide labels which is the law. As such, proper understanding of sprayer calibration objectives and steps is needed to avoid using incorrect methods that give a false sense of accuracy. Educating growers and applicators in calibration methods will therefore empower them to ensure the use of properly calibrated sprayers well-adjusted to the target canopy to deliver maximum crop protection while minimizing pesticide loss. 

How UC Delivers

In June 2023, UC ANR co-hosted two Calibration Safety & Compliance Training events, one for Northern California and the other for Central California, with the Almond Board of California (ABC), AgSafe Food and Farms (AgSafe), and the Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA). The Northern California training was held at the Nickels Soil Lab in Arbuckle, CA, while the Central California event took place at the UC's Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension (KARE) Center in Parlier, CA. The events were aimed at providing practical calibration training on how to prepare and calibrate airblast sprayers as well as compliance training such as how to manage required documents for pesticide applications. The 4.5-hour trainings included “Welcome” by the ABC, “Regulatory Update” by WAPA, “Calibration Training” by UC ANR, “Headquarters Compliance Training” by AgSafe, and “DPR Laws & Regulations Update” also by AgSafe. The DPR approved 4.0 hours of continuing education credits – 2.0 ‘Laws' and 2.0 ‘Other' – for qualifying participants. Overall, 50+ attendees participated in both events: 30+ in Arbuckle and 23 in Parlier.

The Calibration Training by UC ANR was a 2-hour practical session conducted in an almond orchard along with airblast sprayer demonstrations. It was presented in an interactive format allowing participants to interject with questions, comments, and observations. The Northern California training was led by UC Cooperative Extension advisor Dr. Franz Niederholzer in collaboration with UC Cooperative Extension specialist Dr. Peter Ako Larbi. Alternatively, the Central California training was led by Dr. Larbi in collaboration with Dr. Niederholzer. Both sections covered: “Sprayer parts review”; “Sprayer calibration basics and calculations”; “Sprayer speed determination”; “Sprayer air profile assessment and nozzle configuration”; “Flow rate measurement”; and “Spray coverage evaluation”. Staff from the Nickels Soil Lab, the Agricultural Application Engineering (AgAppE) Lab, and KARE Center provided Logistical, technical, and documentation support. The participants completed evaluation forms to provide feedback for just the Calibration Training section. Comments from the evaluation forms included…

“Very good class.”

 “Great rapport with participants.” 

UCCE farm advisor Dr. Franz Niederholzer leading calibration training section in Arbuckle, CA

UCCE specialist Dr. Peter Larbi leading calibration training section in Parlier, CA

The Impact

In all, 22 participants provided feedback on their learning for the combined Calibration Training sections for the Northern and Central California events. Overall, 100% reported “much” to “very much” learning from the combined Calibration Training sections indicating that they were very effective and provided participants with a great amount of learning. Likewise, 100% also indicated their intent to adopt the practices learned from the section. Looking at each section of the training, 82% reported learning “much” to “very much” from the “Sprayer parts review”, 100% the same for “Sprayer calibration basics and calculations”, 91% for “Sprayer speed determination with flagging”, 91% for “Sprayer air profile assessment and nozzle configuration”, 91% for “Flow rate measurement”, and 82% for “Spray coverage evaluation” (full breakdown of feedback by section in the graphic below). Additional written comments were mostly positive.

Combined evaluation results of the Calibration Training sections

The needs assessment conducted by Dr. Larbi for his Agricultural Application Engineering Program in 2019 showed that 56% of perennial specialty crop growers and applicators in the San Joaquin Valley used airblast sprayers, 12% used tower sprayers, 15% used electrostatic mist blowers, and 17% used other sprayers. Also, 22% calibrated their sprayers 10 or more times a year, 32% calibrated 4-6 times, and 46% calibrated only 1-3 times a year. According to the California Pesticide Use Report, in 2021, 456,802 pesticide applications delivered 34,323,828 lbs. of pesticide across 24,147,968 acres of almond orchards. This amounts to 75.14 lbs. per application or 1.42 lbs. per acre. If even 1% of the application was overapplied and another 1% was underapplied due to using uncalibrated sprayers in the year (a conservative guess if nearly half of applicators only calibrate 1-3 years times a year), then 686,477 lbs would have been misapplied leading to either reduced pest control or increased pesticide loading on the environment. This number is very significant considering that the situation does not apply to only almond production. Thus, by increasing the competency of California's almond crop protection workforce for properly calibrating sprayers as a best practice, UC ANR potentially improved environmental sustainability.

UCCE academics Dr. Niederholzer and Dr. Larbi have an extended collaboration in providing spray application and sprayer calibration training in both Northern and Central California since 2019. The results presented here exemplify the impact of such trainings. Expanding this collaboration to include industry stakeholders reaches other audiences, potentially new participants, and increases the extent of impact. UC ANR will continue to support California agriculture through such trainings and the dissemination of science-based information to promote operational efficiency and profitability.