San Mateo & San Francisco Counties

Agricultural Research Plot Commemoration

UC Cooperative Extension SMSF welcomed friends, county partners, supporters and family to the commemoration of the  new Hank Sciaroni Agricultural Research Plot at Elkus Ranch on July 10 th. 
Attendees commemorated Hank Sciaroni's legacy with speeches. Fred Crowder, San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner, was one of the key presenters.
Attendees commemorated Hank Sciaroni's legacy with speeches. Fred Crowder, San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner, was one of the key presenters.
 
Maggie Gunn, Elkus Ranch (interim) Director, coordinated and emceed the event.
Maggie Gunn, Elkus Ranch (interim) Director, coordinated and emceed the event.
 
Hank Sciaroni's granddaughter cut the ribbon to the new research plot!
Hank Sciaroni's granddaughter cut the ribbon to the new research plot!
We were touched and encouraged by the presence of Hank Sciaroni’s family, including his wife, kids, and grandkids! Hank Sciaroni served as a Farm Advisor and County Director in San Mateo County for over 40 years. More can be read about his life and legacy  here.
Hank Sciaroni's family, including his wife, children and grandchildren, were in attendance for the commemoration ceremony.
Hank Sciaroni's family, including his wife, children and grandchildren, were in attendance for the commemoration ceremony.
 
Hank Sciaroni served as a Farm Advisor and County Director in San Mateo for 40+ years.
Hank Sciaroni served as a Farm Advisor and County Director in San Mateo for 40+ years.
The new research plot currently hosts a coastal grain variety trial led by UC Master Food Preserver volunteer Jeff Crofton and Whole Grain Connection founder Monica Spiller, and is contributing data to a statewide grain cropping systems research project led by UC Davis plant breeder  Allison Krill-Brown and UC Cooperative Extension Specialist  Mark Lundy. Two of Elkus Ranch's baby goats ( for sale!) were transported to the plot in the back of an employee's car for the ceremony.
Baby goat goes for a ride
Baby goat goes for a ride
 
Ideas for future potential research projects that would be of interest to the local agricultural community are welcome: send an email to Interim Elkus Ranch Director Maggie Gunn at mlgunn@ucanr.edu.