- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Following an intensive effort, involving a broad spectrum of members of ANR and our stakeholders, ANR completed a Strategic Vision for the purpose of meeting California’s challenges to ensure a high quality of life, healthy environment, and economic success. The Strategic Vision identified 9 areas of inquiry and is the compass that currently guides our strategic planning and allocation of resources. With the initiation of implementation, in order to make the most of our available resources we are focusing on the following 5 initiatives: Sustainable Food Systems, Healthy Families and Communities; Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases, and Sustainable Natural Ecosystems, and Water.
The ANR Program Council has worked with ANR Senior Leadership diligently to identify resources available to the Division to fund efforts which meet our highest priorities. Among the resources available are endowed funds, including the Kearney Endowment Fund.
With the proceeds of the 1948 sale of property bequeathed to the University of California by Mr. Kearney in 1906, the University established an unrestricted endowed fund, known as the Kearney Endowment Fund. In 1951, at the request of ANR, the fund was administratively allocated by The regents to create the M. Theo Kearney Foundation of Soil Science to support soil science, a priority at the time.
In undertaking an allocation review of the Kearney Fund, ANR complied with University policy and administrative guidelines. After careful consideration of the terms of Mr. Kearney’s bequest, and in consideration of the University’s practice of avoiding the assignment of restrictions on gifts where none otherwise exists, ANR recommended that this fund be released of the self-imposed restriction so that it may be used to support the urgent and pressing needs in agricultural science. Today, the most pressing needs and priorities are identified in our Strategic Vision.
The timing of this administrative change coincides with the end of the current 5-year mission of the Kearney Foundation of Soil Science. As we move forward, the Kearney funds will be available through a competitive grants program open to all members of the ANR community in an effort to meet the needs outlined in the Strategic Vision. These needs may include, but would not be limited to, soil science. The University, as a public trust, is committed to carrying out the terms set by Mr. Kearney in his magnificent bequest and we believe this change not only aligns with University practice, but honors Mr. Kearney’s interest in agriculture.
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