On November 5^th SFREC held a day-long forum on two of the most serious rangeland weeds confronting the California rangeland community. Over 110 people from a diverse background, experience and interests in these weeds attended this event. For many, it was the first time visiting SFREC and even the first time experiencing what the UC Research and Extension Center had to offer. Some attendees travelled more than 6 hours to get to the Center. 

The forum organized over 20 UC academics, graduate students and cooperators researching medusahead and barb goatgrass management across the state. Given the broad knowledge base and the complex nature of these invasions, SFREC used a “lightening presentation” approach. Each speaker was given 5 minutes to outline their core research findings. This format encouraged presenters and attendees to get to the nuts and bolts of the issues on hand and provide a large amount of time for discussion among attendees.   Each presenter put together a one-page handout that summarized their main points.  This handout can be accessed (here) and a webcast of the day's event will be uploaded (here).  Please contact the SFREC Director Jeremy James if you want additional information about the day.

Excitement is rising amongst rangeland weed managers, researchers, and conservationists as the date approaches for a forum on The Ecology and Management of Medusahead and Barb Goatgrass. Next Tuesday, November 5^th, professionals across California and beyond will unite at the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center under a common interest with these rangeland invasive species.

The agenda with information on the specific topics and knowledgeable speakers is available. Staff and researchers associated with UCANR and UCCE will be speaking alongside other various professionals to discuss important topics. Seed dispersal, community dynamics, grazing, prevention, and NRCS programs available are a few of the targeted concepts that will be covered regarding medusahead and barb goatgrass invasions. Field visits and a free lunch are additional compelling components of the day.

Around 100 people are expected to attend. Jeremy James, Director of the Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center, and Elise Gornish, UC Davis Plant Sciences Postdoc, among others, have been focusing their efforts on planning and organizing this regional educational effort. 

On Tuesday, September 10^th, community leaders representing multiple agriculture and conservation groups met at the Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center to help structure a forum to be held in February 2014. Advisory members include staff from multiple organizations and agencies, including NRCS, Farm Bureau, UCCE, and Cattlemen's. Additionally, individual producers, business owners, RCD administrators, teachers, and entrepreneurs involved with local agriculture have contributed input to ensure this forum will provide meaningful information in a useful format.

In a nutshell, SFREC aims to bring together past, present, and future agriculturists and conservationists in the region who have an interest in discussing the opportunities and challenges associated with farming and ranching in this area and where the industry is headed in the coming years. The intended outcomes include:

• A compelling contribution to the existing extension efforts to create connections and interest in agriculture
• A tool to promote and enable the transfer of knowledge and skills from seasoned professionals to those entering and planning a career pathway in farming and ranching
• An enhanced awareness of the role of local agriculture in a broader sense

The involvement of youth is a central component of the forum. Through collaboration with farmers, ranchers, and agency representatives, high-school aged students from adjacent counties will learn and share information about specific topics under the theme of “The Future of Farming and Ranching in the Sierra Foothills”.

“As a retired ag teacher, I have seen the struggle that students experience between simply having the desire to go into farming or ranching, and grasping the realistic details involved with that livelihood. Working with local producers who have the first-hand experience and know-how will be a great learning opportunity for our future agriculturists,” said Karen Henderson, advisory committee member and Live Wire Products representative. 

Be on the lookout for more information and marketing flyers for this inaugural event at the Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center.

   Just keep swimming… just keep swimming… is the imagined mantra for the anadromous salmonids that are currently making their way up waterways statewide. However, many of these hardy fish struggle to find adequate spawning ground when they reach their final destination due to a lack of coarse sediment build-up. This process typically occurs when dams block the resupply of sediment, exposing bedrock reaches that are unfavorable for spawning. An example of this problem exists on portions of the lower Yuba River below Englebright Dam, which borders the Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center.

   Dr. Gregory Pasternick, UC Davis professor and researcher of watershed hydrology, geomorphology and ecohydraulics, is currently working on a “river rehabilitation” project at the Yuba River through SFREC. This has been an extensive effort involving the collaboration of researchers, the Army Corps. of Engineers, and the Fish and Wildlife Service to study and implement more suitable spawning conditions for the natural Chinook salmon and steelhead trout making their way up the river. Since 2007, nearly 15,500 short tons (361 cubic yards / 1 short ton) of gravel and cobble (sized 1-3 inches) have been injected into the reaches of the lower Yuba River below Englebright Dam. In the long-run, this project aims to inject a total of 60,000 - 80,000 short tons for maximum success. Prior to the efforts of the Pasternick Lab, zero salmon were spawning in the Yuba stretch above Deer Creek to the dam.

   The significant outcomes of this project will be seen years down the road when the river will serve thousands of Chinook salmon. “The population will at least have the spawning habitat to be able to grow over time, especially spring-run, which is the run that is most impacted right now in the Yuba,” shared Pasternick.

   Indicative advancements have already been made with the documentation of healthy spawning occurring over the past several years. In the coming months, the Yuba - along with rivers statewide - will be shining as resolute salmon and trout make their way “home”. While the inborn instincts push the anadromous fish up the rivers, efforts on behalf of researchers and managers help enable the successful regeneration of these vulnerable species.