Announcements

Workplace Inclusion and Belonging postcard winners announced

UC ANR colleagues voted and chose their six favorite designs from among the 18 workplace inclusion and belonging postcard designs submitted.

“I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the creativity and artistic abilities of our UC ANR colleagues,” said Elizabeth Moon, director of workplace inclusion and belonging.

“These postcards will be used to help develop our new website focused on the work in Equity Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, as well as being printed as logo items to provide as gifts to our external partners.”

The postcard contest winners, in random order, are:

1. Thomas Harter, UC Cooperative Extension specialist, Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources. Picture: Muted colors of browns and blues
2. Matthew Rodriguez, 4-H youth development advisor for Nevada, Placer, Sutter and Yuba counties. Picture: Heart with the words “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion”
3. Elizabeth Bezark, customer service & project assistant, Business Operations in Davis. Picture: Two trees in yellows and blues with roots intertwined with the words “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion”
4. Bridgette Alvarez, program and events specialist, Program Support Unit. Picture: Earth with many people holding hands
5. Kelsey Dugan, 4-H community education specialist, UCCE San Luis Obispo. Picture: Ink drawing of crops with the words Diversity & Inclusion not just for enhancing our crops & soil
6. Saoimanu Sope, digital communication specialist, Strategic Communications. Picture: A variety of hairstyles with vibrant blues, yellows, pink, brown and black

To stay current on workplace inclusion and belonging news, subscribe to Together@Work at https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Together.

RREA Program extends call for proposals to July 7

The University of California's Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) Program is soliciting project and student intern proposals.

Project Proposals that will develop and/or support new or existing Cooperative Extension projects and/or activities that address the educational and extension needs in the management of California's valuable renewable resources on forest and rangeland. The primary purpose of this program is to promote the proper management of these resources, especially on private lands, and to provide the information/education/training needed by Extension personnel, landowners, land managers, and natural resource professionals.

Maximum award is $15,000 per project.

Student Intern Proposals that will use the services and talents of student interns. Internships are open to undergraduate or graduate students from any institution of higher education in California, particularly the University of California and the California State Universities. Principal investigators will not be granted additional RREA funds to pay for supplemental costs associated with the project. Student interns are expected to work on projects or activities that address educational and extension needs in the management of California's renewable resources. Intern proposals must demonstrate the connection to Cooperative Extension (county or campus office).

Interns will be funded up to $6,000.

The submission deadline has been extended to July 7, 2023.

Program Background

The Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA), Public Law No. 95-306, was passed June 30, 1978, to address educational needs in managing the nation's renewable resources. Funds are appropriated annually by the Congress and allocated to the various states by U.S. Department of Agriculture under an established formula. The national RREA program is administered by USDA-NIFA Extension and the California component by the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). The available annual funding is unknown for 2023-24, but has been approximately $90,000-$95,000 over the past few years.

California RREA Program

California's program for RREA funding over the past years has been administered through competitive mini-grant awards. The awards facilitate interdisciplinary cooperation and expand the capacity of natural resource Extension educators to deliver current and relevant research-based programs to address the multiple management issues facing California's diverse natural resources. California RREA awards help forest and rangeland owners and managers, policymakers, communities, and the general public make informed decisions regarding the sustainability of natural lands and resources that are of critical importance to the ecological, social, and economic well-being of California. Logic Model: California RREA programs logic model focuses on the aspects of the national RREA strategic plan most relevant to the state and also makes the connection between RREA projects intended outcome and UC ANR's Condition Changes and Public Value Statements. Download the UC ANR RREA Program Logic Model  for guidance in the development of proposals and completing final project reports.

Objectives of the California RREA program

1. Maintain strong renewable resources programs within UC Agriculture and Natural Resources by focusing on integration of disciplines and management of the total landscape.
2. Enable landowners, managers and communities to clarify goals and objectives for owning and managing renewable resources, evaluating natural resources in a holistic manner and utilizing integrated management approaches.
3. Conduct educational programs for landowners and managers to identify, plan and apply integrated renewable resource management practices for conservation and profit.
4. Provide objective, reliable information to public interest groups and to policymakers about renewable resource issues.
5. Inform landowners, managers and communities of land-use policy decisions and provide objective analysis of the available management methods and their impacts on ranch or forest operations.
6. Promote the use of “best management practices” on public and private wildlands through educational programs utilizing workshops, field demonstrations, training sessions and published information manuals.
7. Demonstrate relevance to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Strategic Vision, Public Values and Condition Changes and connection to the 2018-2022 RREA Strategic Plan.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

A Technical Advisory Committee will review proposals. Education and Extension must be the main goal of the proposals. Research proposals cannot be considered. Reviewers will use the following criteria when evaluating and ranking the proposals:

• Does the project address the objectives of California's RREA program?
• Is the budget appropriate?
• Rate the capabilities and experience of the person(s) responsible for the proposal.
• Does the project address an RREA critical issue area(s) and associated California RREA goal(s) (see UC ANR RREA logic model), and clearly document the relevant inputs, outputs and outcomes? 

Inputs

• How does this project relate to other similar projects? (applicant's own, subject matter and/or geographic)
• Does the project duplicate or work in conjunction with similar projects?
• Does the project demonstrate a level of initial or continued support; Advisors, communities, agencies, etc., including financial support?
• Are the project goals/objectives reachable given the described methods?
• Are the methods clearly stated and justifiable?
• Is the work plan capable of reaching the stated goals/objectives?
• Is the proposal clear and complete?

Outputs

• How will the information generated by this project be extended (to whom and how)?
• Are activities and stakeholder participation clearly described?
• Does the proposal clearly describe methods to measure and evaluate outcomes and impacts (short- and long-term) relevant to California's renewable resources?  

Outcomes 

Does the proposal clearly describe methods to measure and evaluate outcomes and impacts, short and long-term, relevant to California renewable resources? 

Who can apply?

One of the primary purposes of the California RREA program is to build internal capacity of Cooperative Extension Advisors and Specialists to respond to renewable resource issues. Both Cooperative Extension Advisors and Specialists are eligible to apply. Agricultural Experiment Station and other researchers and faculty are also eligible for funding when collaborating with Cooperative Extension Advisors or Specialists. A second purpose of RREA funding is to build natural resource programming capacity within Cooperative Extension. To this end, the resulting projects funded by RREA should result in CE advisors and specialists engaged in natural resource programs. Projects that result in this kind of involvement will receive priority for funding. Using RREA funds for outside consultants or projects where the major effort is not from CE is not permitted.

Application Procedure                                                                                     

Download the application and apply through the Universal Review System in the ANR Portal; click on the 2023-2024 RREA Project & Student Intern Grants link. Please carefully read the instructions at the top of each section of the application. If the application is for a continuing project that received 2022-23 RREA funding, the applicant must submit a progress report, formatted similar to UC Delivers, with their 2023-24 RREA proposal. Student Intern applicants: Indicate type by checking the Student Intern checkbox located at the top of page one in the RREA Proposal Application document.

Funding Period

Proposal submitters will be notified of funding decisions by the first week of September 2023 and the project performance period will be Oct. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2024. Funds must be expended by Aug. 31, 2024. Funds are available for both short and multi-year projects. For multi-year projects, funds will be awarded on a yearly basis subject to availability, satisfactory progress report and continuing need of the project. 

Budget Considerations

1. The budget must be complete, including a detailed narrative that describes the proposed costs, such as type and duration of positions, type and location of travel, and type of supplies. A complete explanation of all current and pending support (cash or in-kind) listing the source, amount and effective dates should also be provided.
2. Indicate what, if any, other organization(s) this proposal has been submitted to.
3. Many RREA projects result in products such as publications, videos and other communication media related to natural resources. Development costs and production costs can be included in RREA proposal requests however, UC ANR Publications must be consulted regarding costs and timeline. The UC ANR publications process, including peer review by the program identified Associate Editors, is encouraged and this will be considered when funding decisions are made.  UC ANR Publications will provide estimates regarding printing and other cost estimates. These should be included in the proposal with a clear indication of their purpose and how they were derived. Note that printing and other associated production costs will not be included in funded proposals but will be set aside for direct billing with UC ANR Publications. If production outside of UC ANR Publications is necessary, a strong justification should be included in your proposal. For additional information please contact Rachel Lee, Director, UC ANR Publishing.
4. Some RREA projects include costs for meetings, including room rentals, AV equipment, speaker travel, etc. and it is expected that a reasonable meeting fee should be charged to recover these costs; however, if RREA funding will be used for meeting expenses a clear justification of need should be included in your proposal.

Additional Considerations

• The maximum available for a funded project is $15,000; $6,000 for student interns.
• Projects that include matching funds or funds from non-UC ANR other sources are encouraged.
• Equipment purchases are not generally allowable. If equipment is essential for this project, a complete justification, including disposition of equipment at the end of the grant, must be included.
• Funds used for salaries must cover employee benefits associated with general assistance hire.
• All allocated grant funds must be expended by August 31, 2024, and no-cost extensions for RREA awards cannot, and will not, be considered.  Multiple year projects will be considered. Projects requiring multi-year funding must submit a proposal application and project progress report each year.

Budget Restrictions

1. USDA-NIFA RREA Prohibited Expenses:

• Food & beverages
• Prizes & promotional materials
• Student tuition reimbursement

2. Fund transfers from RREA-funded project accounts are not allowed and will not be approved.

3. Funding cannot be used for research-related activities.

4. RREA funds cannot be used for outside consultants if the project's major effort is not from CE. 

Reporting

A final report will be required upon completion of the project. The national RREA Program requires state RREA programs to submit an annual report that includes detailed project data. All projects funded by the UC ANR RREA Project & Student Intern Grants Program will be required to submit an accurate and detailed final project report.

Submit your completed proposal in the URS by 5 p.m. on July 7, 2023.

For questions about the submission process, please contact Andrea Rayray, research administrator in UC ANR Program Planning and Evaluation.

 

Rachael Long retires as UCCE farm advisor after 37 years

Rachael Freeman Long grew up in Berkeley but was fascinated by farming. The UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor has spent the past 37 years doing research on crop production, pollination and pest control and collaborating with farmers.

Long worked with UCCE in Sonoma and San Joaquin counties as well as at UC Berkeley, before settling in Yolo County as a farm advisor in 1992. She has focused on field crops including alfalfa hay and other forages, dry beans, and hybrid seed crops such as sunflowers, melons and onions.

She plans to retire July 1 after serving growers in Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties for 31 years. 

Long's pest management studies highly influential

“Rachael has been a wonderful addition to our life in Yolo County, as well as to the whole farming community throughout the UCCE,” wrote walnut growers Dan and Sarah Hrdy. “Her enthusiasm and dedication to bees, birds and bats is wonderful.”

To produce practical research results, Long has collaborated on studies with the Hrdys and many other growers over the years. Her field studies informed the sunflower, alfalfa, onion seed and dry bean production manuals that she co-authored with UC ANR colleagues.

Cost-of-production reports on alfalfa, sunflowers, lima beans, common beans and garbanzo beans that she co-authored have been used by growers for obtaining farm loans. Since 2014, her cost studies have been used over 50,000 times.

Long's research and extension of integrated pest management practices have resulted in enhanced biodiversity, reduced pesticide use, higher crop yields, healthy soils and carbon sequestration, and greater farm productivity and profitability. Her research papers have been cited by scientists over 1,200 times. She was the recipient of the Bradford Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award in 2019.

Adoption of new farming practices 

Her work in the late 1990s documented how pesticides were transported offsite from farm fields in surface irrigation water. At the time, the agricultural industry was concerned the results would prompt increased regulations and restrictions on farming practices. But she persisted and her research led to the development and adoption of practices – such as pesticide choice and vegetative filter strips including cover crops – that are now commonly used to protect surface waters from pesticides used on farms. 

“I'm proud of my community and appreciate the opportunity to work with farmers and the privilege of conducting research on farms,” Long said. “I'll forever be grateful to landowners for their support of my projects, even ones that seemed so far out there, like studying bats and pest control in walnut orchards!”

Her research has shown that bats, as well as insectivorous birds, help control insect pests on farms, which helps growers reduce their reliance on pesticides.

As scientists look for ways to slow climate change, one of Long's recent studies revealed that hedgerows sequester 36% more carbon than farmed areas. 

“I loved working with students and postdocs on hedgerows,” she said. “We found that field edge plantings of native plants provide floral resources for natural enemies and bees that move into adjacent crops for enhanced pollination and pest control services in adjacent crops, reducing pesticide use and boosting yields. I'm proud that many have gone on to pursue careers in agriculture and natural resource conservation.” 

Hedgerows become conservation practice

Mary Kimball, CEO of the Center for Land-Based Learning in Woodland, was Long's field assistant in 1996. Kimball, who worked for the Yolo Resource Conservation District, was the project manager for the first hedgerow project that Long led. 

“Over the years, Rachael has strategically and methodically tackled every question, concern and potential barrier for on-farm hedgerow installation – not only disproving all of the myths about pests, but showing the dramatic importance of these native plant hedgerows to everything from wildlife habitat, insectary value, use by bird species, and most recently, carbon sequestration,” Kimball said. 

“As a result, hedgerows are now by far the most applied-for conservation practice by farmers and landowners through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service cost-sharing programs across the state,” Kimball added. “Her impact and the way that she went about doing this research – in collaboration and with all needs and concerns of the farmer in mind – show us how to tackle new ideas and ensure their sustainability over time.”

Lifelong interest in agriculture evolves with technology

The daughter of a UC Berkeley biology professor and graduate of UC Berkeley with a B.S. in biology and UC Davis with an M.S. in entomology, Long always had an interest in wildlife, conservation and exploring the natural world.

“I've always been interested in agriculture, probably from spending summers as a kid with family in Sonoma County,” she said. “However, what totally sparked my interest in crop production was hearing a farm advisor talk about integrated pest management when I was in college. I found that so inspiring that I changed my major from pre-med to agriculture, a great decision, not only for my career, but I met my husband through work and we currently live and farm here in the Woodland area.”

Since her start in 1986, technology has changed rapidly. Calling it “challenging and exciting,” Long said, “I'm proud of the opportunity to work with farmers to learn about global positioning systems, subsurface drip and healthy soils practices that were so helpful in my research and outreach programs.” 

For a recent project addressing labor shortages, she developed research-based guidelines for growers to use spray drones to control pests in alfalfa hay production.

As a mother and a scientist, Long is committed to piquing children's interest in science. She has published three children's books chronicling a boy's adventures with wildlife, based on stories she told her own son, Eugene. Long recently published “See You Later Alligator,” an online children's book. 

In retirement, Long is looking forward to having more time to write kids' books focusing on science literacy and “sharing more about how to respect and live with wildlife for everyone's safety – animals and people.”

“Next is a high adventure story that brings kids into a world of bees!” Long said. “I'm super excited with this ArcGIS storymap format to share online with kids! It's a great teaching opportunity maps, illustrations, and a storyline, along with discussion questions to engage kids!” Long and colleagues recently created a storymap on Native Bees. 

Long, who received prestigious emeritus status from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, will also finish up some research projects.

 

Kathleen Patrocinio retires after 32 years of UC service

Kathleen Patrocinio, finance and business manager of the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP), will retire on July 1. Patrocinio has worked extensively in business, financial and policy administration at UC. She joined UC SAREP in 2017 when the program was located at the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis and moved with UC SAREP to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2020. 

Patrocinio started her university career in 1990 as assistant to the director and manager of administrative support services in hospital administration at the UC Davis Health System. In this role, she managed the chief executive officer's correspondence and a team responsible for writing and maintaining hospital policies and procedures. She later held business administration positions in the UC Davis Health System's Design & Construction department and the Cancer Center. 

At UC Davis, Patrocinio managed proposals and grants at the Office of Research and worked as assistant director and business manager in University Relations. Continuing to provide high-level financial administration, she served as budget and finance director at the School of Education and Financial Services Unit head at the UC Davis Library. In her work in the Physics and Astronomy Department, she managed multimillion-dollar research proposals, grants and special projects.

“I've had the unique and fulfilling experience of serving in acting assistant dean and executive director positions on several occasions,” Patrocinio said.

Patrocinio also served on campus committees to develop and implement financial system transitions from historical systems to the Kuali Financial System. She was also involved with personnel and payroll system transitions as well as creating and presenting user training.

Working for the university, she has enjoyed “the opportunity to meet and work with such a diverse group of many talented people over 32 years at UC and getting to know the organization from so many different perspectives. You might say that this vantage point was from a 360-degree perspective, having worked in academic, professional degree, administrative and centralized support departments on both executive and departmental staffs.”

“Most significantly fulfilling has been the privilege of mentoring others, seeing them grow professionally and achieve some amazing career successes,” Patrocinio said.

As UC SAREP finance and business manager, Patrocinio was recently awarded a Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Award for her sustained, exceptional performance and organizational success. “Kathleen has been the glue that has held our program together for the last three years as we have experienced disruptions in our operations due to the pandemic, an administrative and physical move, and multiple personnel changes,” said Sonja Brodt, UC SAREP associate director. “Her utmost professionalism, extensive UC network and knowledge base from over 30 years of working at the university and her own very high standards for her work have all made a big difference in helping SAREP navigate through numerous uncertainties.”

In retirement, Patrocinio is looking forward to traveling to a large three-day family reunion in Hawaii later this year, volunteering and spending time on some long-overdue home and garden projects.   

Central Valley agrifood initiative F3 receives major boost

The Fresno-Merced Future of Food Innovation Initiative (F3) – of which UC ANR is an anchor institution – took a big step forward during the UC Regents meeting May 18.

The Regents unanimously approved the formation of F3 Innovate – a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit that will raise funds for the partnership initiative that also includes the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF), California Department of Food and Agriculture, UC Merced and CSU Fresno.

Largely funded by a $65 million Build Back Better grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, F3 aims to advance innovation and entrepreneurship in agrifood technology, strengthen food systems, bolster local and regional economies, and bring greater prosperity to the San Joaquin Valley and beyond.

The new F3 Innovate nonprofit will focus on agrifood systems research and commercialization, services for micro-enterprises and small businesses in under-resourced communities, ag-tech innovation seed funding, and building a talent pipeline to sustain these efforts.

“This 501(c)(3) is critical to all of that, because it really lets us bring together the public and private partners, and ensures that broader stakeholder participation and benefit,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources, during her presentation to the Regents (view recording of the meeting).

UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and CVCF President and CEO Ashley Swearengin also spoke passionately during the meeting about the need to form the nonprofit as a key connector and catalyst for the F3 initiative.

F3 – and the new F3 Innovate – will continue to take shape through the work of Gabe Youtsey, UC ANR chief innovation officer; Josh Viers, associate dean for research of UC Merced's School of Engineering; and many other academics and staff across UC ANR and UC.

"Establishing F3 Innovate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is a strategic move designed to unlock and accelerate agriculture technology from lab to market. It will pave the way for a wider range of collaboration opportunities between the UC and industry, and ensure the inclusion and representation of all our stakeholders, from small and socially disadvantaged farmers to startups and corporates," said Youtsey, who is also founder of The VINE, UC ANR's Innovation & Entrepreneurship program that is co-leading F3.

"The UC Regents were enthusiastic about this partnership as it aligns perfectly with our mission of transforming cutting-edge agricultural research into practical, market-ready solutions while doing the hard work of engaging our local workers, communities and farmers to adopt these new technologies," Youtsey added. "It enables us to foster deep and meaningful collaborative relationships with industry partners, advancing technology commercialization that is inclusive and truly beneficial to all involved."

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