This week, like many, has been full of meetings, though they have been by Zoom or phone. We are preparing for the workshop to identify condition changes that reflect the draft public value statements. The workshop will be a good opportunity to think about what we do and why. I suspect the work will be more of a challenge than framing our impact, at a 30,000 ft level, because it forces us to have data to support the condition changes and moves us past the behavior changes many already measure. But we are up to the challenge. It will be a good workshop.

There's a lot of activity going on with hiring academics; very exciting! It seems every time I look at my calendar there is a new note on it about a start date for a new Advisor or Specialist. There are some departures, too, including some big gaps that need to be worked through. But it is particularly nice to talk with the campuses about 2 searches will be soon underway for economists – something in short supply and much needed. One is a hire from the 2014 position call and the other is a yet-to-be-released position from the 2016 positions.

This week I've been working from home quite a bit so I feel like I am missing out on all of the adventures going on in UC ANR. It turns out I don't really care to stay home and work and actually miss the commute (crazy, I know!). Next week I head to Long Beach for the triennial Master Gardener Conference. I'm not sure how many of the 6,000 California Master Gardener Volunteers plan to attend but I look forward to interacting with the group. Thinking about the meeting had me realize how many of the photos I have posted on this blog are the result of the efforts of Master Gardeners. I'm better suited for taking the photos than I am for caring for the plants, I'm afraid. I'm even slowly killing my favorite succulent! Okay all you Green Thumbs - let me know if you think if the photo suggests too much water. It sits right next to a peony so I can't decide how much water to give it. I'm hoping to hear back that these just go dormant this time of year - wishful thinking? I'm definitely better with livestock but hope to learn a few things at the meeting next week.

I'm still working on completing promotion assessments for faculty other universities. I need to get this off my to-do list this weekend. Then there are the manuscripts from my graduate students at Michigan State, that are piling up awaiting my read through. Without the cold winter nights it's tough to just stay in and read.