Facebook
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
Delicious
LinkedIn
StumbleUpon
Posts Tagged: May 2022
New California Organic Research Agenda available online
Organic Farming Research Foundation has published the new California Organic Research Agenda (CORA), a comprehensive report that examines current needs and challenges of organic farmers and ranchers across California and provides policy and research recommendations to address producer-identified issues.
The CORA report is a companion to OFRF's 2022 National Organic Research Agenda. The national organic survey data boasts responses from over 1,100 producers and 16 listening sessions held across the U.S. Using the California subset of the national survey data, the CORA report highlights the top production and non-production challenges cited by California's organic farmers and ranchers.
“Organic farming has been historically under-invested in, in terms of research, education and extension,” says OFRF Executive Director Brise Tencer. “Both the new California Organic Research Agenda and the 2022 National Organic Research Agenda present incredible feedback directly from organic farmers and provide a compelling roadmap for how to best support the growth of this important sector of agriculture.”
Report findings indicate that managing production costs is a substantial challenge for 71% of producers surveyed, and accessing labor proved to be the leading non-production challenge. An overwhelming number of state producers (76%) expressed substantial need for technical assistance with the organic management of weeds, pests, and disease. In addition to detailing farmer challenges on and off the field, OFRF's CORA report provides a comparison analysis of farmer responses based on commodity and farming experience. National and state comparisons are also included in the report.
Production of the CORA report was supported in part by the University of California Organic Agriculture Institute (UC OAI), a new statewide program within the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), as well as the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology.
“One of our primary activities is to generate new research and extension programs focused on organic agriculture,” says Houston Wilson, director of the UC OAI. “The CORA report provides an excellent roadmap to guide and prioritize our efforts, we're really excited to turn this information into action.”
According to the California Department of Food & Agriculture, state farmers and ranchers were responsible for 40% of all organic agricultural product sales in the country. Data from a 2019 USDA organic survey concludes California has 965,257 acres in organic production, which is approximately 17.5% of all organic acreage in the country. OFRF's California Organic Research Agenda examines grower needs in the nation's top-producing state of organic agricultural commodities and specialty crops, paving the way for future research and investment.
"This report will benefit organic growers in California by playing a role as a critical reference to increase public support and develop research projects targeting specific needs that diverse organic growers in the state are facing," says Joji Muramoto, UC Cooperative Extension organic production specialist.
Each report is available online (www.ofrf.org/research/nora/) free of charge to farmers, policymakers, ag suppliers, seed companies, and the general public.
Names in the News
Hollingsworth named UCCE table grape advisor
Joy Hollingsworth began working as the new UCCE table grape advisor serving Tulare and Kings counties on May 16.
Prior to becoming a table grape advisor, Hollingsworth served for three years as the UCCE nutrient management/soil quality advisor for Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare counties. In that position she worked on research and extension projects in a variety of agricultural systems, including work on dairy manure, cover crops and biostimulants in raisin grapes.
Previously, Hollingsworth spent six years working as a research associate for the University of California on agronomic cropping systems, including sugar beets, canola and sorghum.
She earned a master's degree in plant science from California State University, Fresno, and a bachelor's degree in communication from UC Davis.
Hollingsworth is now based in Tulare and can be reached at (559) 684-3313 or joyhollingsworth@ucanr.edu. Follow her on Twitter @ucce_joy.
Zuercher joins NPI as assistant project scientist
The Nutrition Policy Institute welcomed Monica Zuercher on Feb. 1 as an assistant project scientist. Zuecher will work on NPI projects related to national school meal programs.
Zuecher is a nutritional epidemiologist with experience in teaching, health research, data analysis, scientific communication and nutrition interventions.
She holds a Ph.D. in epidemiology from UC Davis, M.S. in nutritional epidemiology from the Research Center for Food and Development, Sonora, Mexico and a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Sonora in Mexico.
Zuecher is based at UCOP in Oakland and can be reached at mdrobles@ucanr.edu.
Carmignani joins UCCE as fire advisor
Luca Carmignani joined UCCE as a fire advisor for Orange and Los Angeles counties May 2. His research interests include image analysis, computer programming and scientific outreach.
Prior to joining UC ANR, Carmignani was a postdoctoral researcher in the Berkeley Fire Research Lab at UC Berkeley. His research has focused on fire and combustion applications, from wildland fires to material flammability.
He earned his Ph.D. in engineering sciences from the joint doctoral program between UC San Diego and San Diego State University after obtaining his bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Pisa in Italy.
Carmignani is based at South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine and can be reached at carmignani@ucanr.edu and (949) 237-2956. Follow him on Twitter @l_carmignani.
Feenstra honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Gail Feenstra, director of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, has been honored as the 2022 recipient of the Richard P. Haynes Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award in Agriculture, Food and Human Values.
The award recognizes outstanding contributions towards realizing the goals of the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society (AFHVS) through research, teaching, extension, public service or public policy.
“Much of her work has centered on the unique circumstances, challenges and opportunities of California food and agricultural systems, but the impact of her work is in no way confined to California alone,” Clare Hinrichs, professor of rural sociology at Pennsylvania State University, wrote in her letter nominating Feenstra for the award. “The fruitful insights and applications of Gail's work have traveled well beyond her home state. Her cogent thinking and practical frameworks have inspired and guided others from across the U.S. and other countries engaged in research and practice to enhance community and regional food systems.”
In addition to her academic work, Feenstra served as AFHVS president in 2000-2001 and has served on the board twice.
“With great skill and persistence, and with much passion, energy and humility, Gail Feenstra has achieved a lasting impact on the field of sustainable food systems,” said Kim L. Niewolny, chair of the AFHVS Professional Awards Committee for 2021-2022. “Overall, she has graciously crafted and lived a career that fully embodies the values and spirit of the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society.
Feenstra accepted the award during the AFHVS meeting held in Athens, Georgia, May 18-21.
Tsai receives emerging leader in nutrition science award
Marisa Tsai, a research data analyst with the Nutrition Policy Institute and a doctoral student at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, has been named as a finalist for the Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Abstract Recognition Award Program, a program of the American Society for Nutrition that recognizes the highest quality research presented by students and young investigators at Nutrition 2022 Live Online.
Tsai's abstract is titled “Larger WIC Cash Value Benefit for Vegetables and Fruit Is Associated With Lower Food Insecurity and Improved Participant Satisfaction in WIC Families With Children.”
More than 700 abstracts were submitted by students and postdoctoral fellows and the award program aims to recognize the top 15% highest scoring abstracts. Abstracts were rated by more than 400 nutrition scientists. Finalists will be recognized during the Nutrition 2022 Live Online conference that will be held virtually June 14-16.
Avoid copyright infringement for photos and other images
To use a photograph, illustration, chart or other graphic image that you didn't create, you may need to get permission.
Using copyrighted material without permission is copyright infringement or copyright violation and can result in costly legal penalties.
You can avoid copyright infringement by getting written permission from the copyright holder to use copyrighted materials, such as a non-UC photo, drawing, table, or other material for your manuscript.
While UC employees don't need permission to use material that is copyrighted by The Regents of the University of California, it is professional courtesy to credit colleagues if you use their photos or graphics. The University of California has published a helpful website on copyright basics.
Permission isn't needed to use photos, video or other material produced or published by the U.S. federal government or any of its agencies because they are in the public domain. There may be exceptions, for example, the 4-H name and emblem.
You can also learn the basics of copyright, when you can and cannot use images or tables, as well as how to protect your own material. Cynthia Kintigh, permissions officer and publications marketing director, and Robin Sanchez, director of policies, compliance and programmatic agreements, present best practices in a 53-minute webinar at https://youtu.be/J6O6TjreTy4.
Over $70,000 donated on UC ANR Giving Day 2022
At the conclusion of UC ANR Giving Day, 354 generous donors helped raise $72,342 for UC Cooperative Extension and the statewide programs, institutes and research centers. We welcomed 70 first time donors to UC ANR!
This show of support demonstrates the impact UC ANR is having in communities and the value that donors place on our work.
An additional $7,500 was made available to incentivize giving to our programmatic and research initiatives at the state and local levels. These funds were raised throughout the year for the ANR Incentive Fund, which is used to encourage donor engagement and increased giving to all ANR programs.
Many thanks to our UC ANR colleagues who got creative and put the extra time into successful fundraising campaigns for the event. Now, it's time to steward our donors. Reach out to learn more about why they gave and how we can continue to engage them. Strengthening our relationships is an investment in building lasting support!
Donor reports by county and program will be available in the next issue of The Scoop. Email eddelk@ucanr.edu to be added to the distribution list.
Shout Outs for Best Original Social Media Content (in no particular order):
L&D - Community resilience, project incubation, wake to woke, personal leadership, UC career
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
ANR Learning & Development
Home | Upcoming Webinars & Recordings
Check below for upcoming opportunities and other resources.
Extension Methods & Delivery
Building Support
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Office, Team and Personal Management
_________________________________________
Extension Methods & Delivery
_________________________________________
June 9, 2022
1-2 p.m. Pacific Time
Click here to register.
Have you ever thought that something beyond your current programming is needed to address issues impacting those you serve? Ever wondered how you could engage more people in understanding and acting on issues affecting their lives? Are you looking for specific guidance for how to increase engagement and build resilience through your programming?
A community issues forum is a tool you can use. By attending this session, you'll better understand types of forums and their respective outcomes. You'll leave with a set of tools to host an issues forum and strategies to name and frame issues to encourage participation. You will also become familiar with the 2022 Extension Foundation e-book publication: “Engaging Communities through Issues Forums."
Innovation Skill-Building Experience ePub: A Guide for Project Incubation and Tools for Success (Connect Extension, article & eBook)
Click here to read more.
If you've participated in an Innovation Skill-Building Experience (ISBE) before, you'll know Impact Collaborative Innovation Facilitators and Extension Foundation team members provide a hands-on introduction to the ISBE workbook. This workbook and related tools is the start of your team's collaboration in imagining something extraordinary, experimenting to make it great, and then turning your team's vision into actuality. We are excited to announce a new iteration of our ISBE workbook – a new interactive ePub to better utilize all the workbook's tools in a more user-friendly, easy to share and printable format!
Building a Well-being Economy: A Future Role for Cooperative Extension? (Connect Extension, article)
Click here to read more.
Over the past several months, I've been involved with a group examining the notion of well-being economies. Seeking a deeper understanding of the concept, I came across a 2020 article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review by Anna Chrysopoulou that posed a compelling vision for what a well-being economy might look like. Click here to read the Stanford Article.
To top of page.
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
__________________________________________
Building Support
__________________________________________
June 22, 2022
9:30 -10:30 a.m.
Once a sponsor elects to fund a proposal, the review, negotiation and award acceptance process begins. This webinar walks you through what is happening in the Office of Contracts and Grants, and what to do when the accepted agreement arrives in your office. Presenters are Kim Lamar and Heidi Von Geldern.
Zoom webinar: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/751701428?pwd=Q1ZrbUtoQVJwMXJVRkQydUlwNytJQT0
Password: 4Learning | +1 669 900 6833 | Webinar ID: 751 701 428
Post Award Process
July 27, 2022
9:30 -10:30 a.m.
Fiscal management of grants, contracts, and other funding agreements is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator and the Administering Unit. Learn more about how to successfully manage your project finances, adhere to University policies, adhere to the Sponsor's terms and condition, and how to monitor your subawardees. Presenters are Lenora Bruce (UC Davis) and ANR Business Operations Center.
Zoom webinar: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/751701428?pwd=Q1ZrbUtoQVJwMXJVRkQydUlwNytJQT0
Password: 4Learning | +1 669 900 6833 | Webinar ID: 751 701 428
To top of page.
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
___________________________________________
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
___________________________________________
June 23, 2022
11 a.m.-Noon Pacific Time
Click here to register (even if this page shows another topic and choose the June 23 event)
This dynamic discussion centers on what it means to move from being "awake" to issues of racial equity, to operationalizing it in your teams, departments, and with community partners. We will explore what are the opportunities for an honest talk on racial equity, and the barriers that inhibit it. Hosted by Carolyne Abdullah from Everyday Democracy.
Be an Inclusive Organization People Won't Leave (LinkedIn Learning, Course)
Click to read more.
In recent years, organizations have faced an unprecedented amount of talent loss. While there are numerous external forces that may cause employees to leave a company — opportunities for advancement, more flexible schedules, better pay — you also need to look at the possibility that biased practices in your organization are pushing employees to leave. In this course, Jodi-Ann Burey shows how an approach rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) best practices can help your company leverage inclusion practices to get at the business of truly caring for employees, provide an equitable workplace for all, and retain your valuable workforce.
To top of page.
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
_____________________________________________
Office, Team, and Personal Management
_____________________________________________
June 2, 2022
11 – 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time
You need a LinkedIn Learning Account to register. Request one from ANR IT at help@ucanr.edu.
- Click here to read more and register.
Join Jessica Chen, founder & CEO of Soulcast Media, as she chats with the managing director at ZRG Partners, LLC, Summer Anderson. They'll be sharing all their tips and tricks to becoming an impactful, trustworthy communicator.
-Building trust through excellent communications skills
-Communications habits to advance your career
-Building trust with your team to spark innovation
-The communications building blocks to become an impactful leader
Leading Through Stressful Times (Connect Extension)
June 8, July 6, August 10, 2022
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Pacific Time
Click here to read more and register.
Join this summer series for conversations with special guests to get wisdom on turning volatility into vision, uncertainty into understanding, complexity into clarity and ambiguity into agility. Series led by Karl Bradley, Extension Foundation leadership development specialist. Only Extension Foundation members can participate in this event; UC ANR is a member.
New (or old) to Supervision? Tips from colleagues on being a good supervisor
June 16, 2022
Noon-12:30 p.m.
Be you an experienced supervisor or new, come and share and learn practical tips from your colleagues about what makes and how to be a good supervisor. Be you a leader, a manager or simply someone who oversees (or wants to oversee) others, come and learn. Presented by Mark Bell.
Zoom Meeting: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/5307501239?pwd=WDI3U2g5cXRvWUhVUlY3MitJWkVVUT09 Meeting ID: 530 750 1239 | Phone +1 669 900 6833 US | Password: 4Collab
Personal Leadership Bootcamp (Connect Extension)
June 9, 16, 23, 2022
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Pacific Time
Click here to read more an register.
New in 2022, this three-part series invites individuals to really get to know themselves, choose a path and take action with the power of their own personal leadership philosophy! Who you are, what you hold dear, what upsets you, and what underlies your decisions, are all connected to your personal values. Your values reflect what is important to you. They are a shorthand way of describing your motivations. Together with your beliefs, they are the causal factors that drive your decision-making. When you register for this course, you will receive a personal values assessment to fill out to find out what is important to you. This assessment provides a wealth of information about why you do what you do.
My UC Career (UCnet)
Click to read more.
This online development portal is available to all UC faculty, academic personnel, staff and students seeking to advance their career. Six self-paced modules help users discover their internal UC career mobility options, highlight accomplishments, and identify how they can achieve their career goals within UC.
Registering for an account provides instant access to the following six self-paced modules: Begin Career Discovery, job search, resume building, telling your story, networking and research and more.
To top of page.
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
____________________________
Everyone can learn something new.
ANR Learning & Development
Find webinar announcements and recordings here.
