ANR Update

COVID-19 is still affecting our lives

Dear Colleagues,

It has been over four years since the COVID-19 pandemic has started, and while nearly all of us have returned to in-person work and activities, COVID-19 is still having an impact on our lives in a much different form than at the beginning. ANR Risk & Safety is continuing our efforts to prioritize the health and safety of the ANR community, and we are issuing this reminder regarding the importance of taking proactive measures if you are feeling unwell.

We are still monitoring the COVID-19 cases notified by the employees who report their positive cases. To help us protect each other, we ask you to please submit a Screening Report Survey if you have tested positive for COVID-19. The Survey is checked daily by our team, and one of our team members will reach out to gather more information, including the date of the symptom start, the last date of in-person presence at your respective office or event, and close contacts if there are any. We ask that you complete the questionnaire honestly.

Per Cal/OSHA Regulations, employers are still required to notify all employees who had close contact with a COVID-19 case. Your survey will help us identify the close contacts and reach out to those who may be impacted as soon as possible. In addition, if you require assistance with COVID notifications for non-ANR affiliated attendees at a recent event, please reach out to Rachelle Ghadamy (rghadamy@ucanr.edu) at Risk & Safety, and we will provide a letter draft to share with everyone. We will also provide a letter if we determine that a group notification would be necessary.

We are continuing to provide masks, including N95, and COVID tests if you are experiencing symptoms or suspecting that you may have COVID-19. Please reach out to Duwon Choi (dwchoi@ucanr.edu) at Risk & Safety if you need them for yourself, your location, or upcoming events.

Per CDPH recommendations, we ask that you stay home if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to prevent the spread. You are welcome to use your sick days or coordinate with your supervisor to work remotely until your symptoms improve. You are advised to stay remote until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication AND other COVID-19 symptoms are mild and improving. You will be required to wear a mask until your Day 10 (Day 0 is the start of your symptoms or your testing positive, whichever one was sooner). You may remove your mask when you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart.

We strongly recommend everyone to receive booster shots. CDC recommends that everyone ages six months and older get the 2024-2025 vaccine. This includes people who received a COVID-19 vaccine before and people who have had COVID-19. Vaccine protection decreases over time, and the updated vaccine will give you the best protection from the currently circulating strains. One dose of 2024-2024 Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is recommended. If you are immunocompromised or have other health conditions, consult your physician.

Even though many of the COVID-19 preventative measures have been eased, it's crucial that we remain vigilant and considerate of one another's well-being. Please help us create a safer, healthier workplace environment for everyone.

For more information on ANR's COVID-19 Guidelines, please visit ANR EH&S COVID-19 page.

Duwon Choi
Environmental Health & Safety Specialist
ANR Risk and Safety

Nominations for UC ANR DEI Advisory Council due Oct. 20

The UC ANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council is currently seeking nominations to fill several open positions.

The DEI Advisory Council has played a crucial role in shaping the policies and initiatives that have enhanced the hiring process and addressed pay equity within UC ANR. As a council member, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the organization, including Employee Resource Groups, to develop recommendations for senior leadership that foster inclusivity and equity.

You may nominate yourself, a colleague or any UC ANR staff or academic member.

Membership criteria:

- Demonstrated experience and/or interest in advocating for change and advancing DEI initiatives.

- Experience or willingness to engage in efforts to drive organizational change within UC ANR.

- The council seeks to represent the diverse communities of UC ANR and California, prioritizing inclusion of individuals from underrepresented racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and ability groups.

- Membership includes a balance of staff and academics from a variety of UC ANR offices and programs, with geographical representation from both northern and southern California, as well as urban and rural areas.

Before submitting a nomination, please confirm that the nominee is interested in serving on the council.

For details on member responsibilities and the council's mission and vision, visit:

DEI Advisory Council Mission Statement and Vision (https://ucanr.edu/sites/PSU/files/358281.pdf).

Submit nominations to deiadvcouncil@ucanr.edu following the attached form with the subject line: "Nomination for DEI Advisory Council."

Nomination timeline:

Deadline for nominations: Oct. 20

Application review: Oct. 21-28

Council recommendations: Oct. 29

Final recommendations to UC ANR leadership: Oct. 30-31

We look forward to receiving your nominations and continuing our collective efforts to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive UC ANR.

For further information, please contact:

Jairo Diaz, DEI Advisory Council Chair: jdiazr@ucanr.edu

Ricardo Vela, DEI Advisory Council Chair-elect: rvela@ucanr.edu

Keith Nathaniel, DEI Advisory Council Past Chair: kcnathaniel@ucanr.edu

Elizabeth Moon, Director of Workplace Inclusion & Belonging: emoon@ucanr.edu

UC ANR Interpretation and Translation Services

In support of our employees and program participants who may require reasonable language accommodations, we are delighted to announce that UC ANR Human Resources has established agreements with new vendors to enhance our interpretation and translation services. This will enhance our ability to support units/departments, organizations and programs hosting UC ANR-sponsored events and providing information. Our aim is to ensure that our services and communications are accessible and inclusive, fostering an environment where our employees and participants can engage fully and meaningfully.

Translation involves converting text from one language to another while preserving the meaning, whereas interpretation involves conveying spoken words or signs from one language to another in real-time or after a brief pause. Translation is typically written, while interpretation is usually spoken or signed.

Please review our Interpretation and Translation Services Support site for additional information on process, contact information and fees.

Interpretation services fees may be covered by Human Resources through Dec. 31, 2024.

Interpretation Fees

Phone Interpreting: $0.74/per minute

Video Interpreting: $1.25/per minute + $30 app fee

Video ASL: $2/per minute + $30 app fee

ASL Interpreting – Eaton Enterprises: $140 per interpreter first 2 hours flat rate

Translation Fees

Translation fees vary, depending on the scope and type of document being translated. Language Line will review documents and provide a quote.

To use these interpretation or translation services, request assistance in adding language access services into contracts and grants, or for further information, please reach out to Jodi Rosenbaum, UC ANR's dedicated Accommodation Coordinator, at disabilitymanagement@ucanr.edu.

In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applicable federal and state law, UC ANR is committed to providing persons with limited English proficiency with meaningful access to University programs and activities and that university policy does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, including language proficiency.

Thank you for your continued commitment to creating an inclusive work environment within the UC ANR community.

Bethanie Brown
Interim Executive Director of Human Resources

UC ANR's commitment to helping youth thrive

Dear Colleagues,

As you've undoubtedly seen in news reports for the past several months, our society continues to become more polarized. One aspect of that has been a back-pedaling by many corporations from expanded goals related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). One of those companies is a long-time partner that is a major supporter of youth development programs nationwide, including 4-H. Tractor Supply Company, Inc., recently issued a statement expressing a new focus on “activities and giving” connected to their mission and away from other initiatives.

In response to this statement, and amidst concerns expressed by some members within the communities we serve, UC ANR and our 4-H Youth Development Program affirm our mission to serve all youth in every county in the state of California as well as our commitment to DEI goals. We also recognize that every business has the right to conduct its business affairs in a manner consistent with their needs and goals so long as they are within the law and common decency. Although Tractor Supply's action is disappointing to many in our community, UC ANR joins with the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees in maintaining our relationship with the company at this time.

The challenge we face is that this is a very polarizing issue and there is no position we can take that will satisfy everyone. Questions have been raised as to why are we taking this position and how is it different from the decision we made to sever relationships with the National Rifle Association (NRA) in 2018? While both issues fall into how best to adhere to our belief in the First Amendment guarantee of free speech, the key difference between the two falls into a careful balance of how to also live up to our values, particularly our UC ANR Principles of Community.

In 2018, our decision was to “…part ways with the NRA now because they have become a polarizing, divisive force across the U.S. and their recent treatment of young adults does not align with 4-H values on civic engagement.” Contrary to the violent rhetoric that NRA leadership was using, the recent message from Tractor Supply emphasized their ongoing commitment to their corporate values and was offered in a courteous manner.

I believe we should view this as a teachable moment for ourselves, for the 4-H program, and all others who may be affected. A great article in The Conversation recently highlighted that Americans love free speech, survey finds − until they realize everyone else has it, too:

“As the founders knew, a respect for diverse viewpoints and the ability to express those views – good, bad and harmful alike – in the public sphere are essential to a healthy democracy.”

As one of the nation's largest youth development programs, California 4-H continues to stand behind the integrity of our research-based resources that produce hands-on learning in science, agriculture, health and well-being, leadership development and civic engagement. 4-H does not endorse or oppose any legislation or political stance. The challenge and the opportunity we face is how to best instill critical thinking among our youth as part of helping them grow to their fullest potential and to develop as leaders.

The best way we move forward to a more positive future for all is to engage with those we may have a difference of opinion with; we need to build community, not cut off those with different positions. Toward the shared goal of seeing our young people thrive, I hope we can continue to find the common ground upon which we can nurture and support all California youth. For more information, visit the California 4-H website using https://4h.ucanr.edu/contactus/County/.

Sincerely,

Glenda Humiston
Vice President

Reminder: Science-to-Practice Grant Program 2024-25 request for proposals

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources is accepting proposals to the Science-to-Practice (S2P) Grant Program through Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. Full proposals must be submitted as a single PDF by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2024. Proposals are to be emailed to Brent Hales, Associate Vice President, at bdhales@ucanr.edu and to Kathryn Stein at kathryn.stein@ucop.edu. Please see original message below for full details.

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) invites proposals to the Science-to-Practice (S2P) Grant Program for new projects that integrate research and extension. The S2P program provides funding to support the formation and development of teams proposing to explore innovative methods, structures and projects that foster the translation of research into programs and outputs for dissemination and implementation.

Interdisciplinary teams of eligible participants can apply for grants up to $10,000 for one year, renewable as funding permits for up to three years. In addition, UC ANR's Research and Extension Center System will match funding levels awarded, up to $10,000 per year, to offset the cost of any research and extension conducted at one of its nine Research and Extension Centers.

The S2P program's purpose is to foster integrated research and extension teams to address pressing, complex challenges requiring multiple perspectives and modes of knowledge. The S2P supports applied research-based activities that prioritize the development of collaborative networks in the UC ANR system across research and extension faculty, specialists and/or advisors as well as engaging partners beyond, such as practitioners, decisionmakers and thought leaders in the field.

Eligibility

The team must be composed of a research leader and an extension leader, both of whom will serve as the principal investigators co-leading the project. Team leadership must meet the following criteria:

1. Research PI must be a faulty member (tenured, tenure-track or non-tenure-track) with a research appointment in one of the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) designated campuses and have an active Hatch or USDA multistate project.

2. Extension PI must be a Cooperative Extension specialist or advisor.

Additional participants are encouraged and may be from UC ANR, from other UC-affiliated campuses or from outside the university. All funds must be used to directly support UC ANR activities and personnel. Funds cannot be used to support graduate students, employees or other persons not employed by or not enrolled in a UC ANR program.

Proposal Requirements

The full proposal will be submitted online as a PDF. The required components are outlined below with page limits and guidelines.

Proposal information:

A. Project Participants

1. Designate only the research and extension principal investigators who will co-lead the project. Refer to the eligibility requirements stated above.

     i. Applicant may be either research or extension lead; include the other project lead in the “Co-Applicant” field.

     ii. Include the two project leads and all other team participants in the Team Roles section.

B. Summary (300 words maximum)

1. Summarize the integrated project, including the primary stakeholders or clientele standing to benefit by the project, a brief statement of the goal(s) and the integrative strategy.

C. Total Research and Extension Budgets

Unified PDF must contain all the following components:

D. Title and Project Narrative (90 points)

Three pages maximum for new proposals does not include team roles, budget and justification or references.

1. Research Component (20 points)
• What is the research problem, defined in the context of a field of research or discipline?
• What are the gaps in data or knowledge that make this project significant?
• What is this project's potential to impact knowledge advancement in a particular research field/discipline/area?
• Identify research-specific activities required to advance the integrative strategy outlined below, including defined research-related deliverables (e.g., publications, grant applications, etc.) and expected outcomes and impacts.
2. Extension Component (20 points)
• What are the learning objectives that will deliver the science-based knowledge generated through the research component?
• What is the significant public benefit of this project?
• Who will benefit from or be affected by this project?
• Identify education-specific activities required to advance the integrative strategy outlined below, including defined extension-related deliverables and expected outcomes and impacts.
3. Integrative Strategy (40 points)
• What is the strategy that combines the generation, translation, and transfer of technology and/or knowledge into practical applications or practices?
• How do the research and extension components complement one another?
• Why does this project require an integrated approach and interdisciplinary team to create societal value through research-based education relevant to identified stakeholders' needs?
• How will the identified stakeholders be engaged in the research and extension activities?
4. Project Timeline (10 points)
• Outline significant benchmarks along this project's timeline that can illustrate the team's vision and trajectory during and beyond this proposal's timeframe. The benchmarks should align with the objectives described above in the research, extension and integrative strategies.
• Identify all approvals required to complete the project (e.g., IRB, IACUC, etc.) and the timeline for obtaining them.
• This may be presented as a diagram or table.

E. Team Member Roles (10 total points)

1. Briefly describe the roles and expertise of the research and extension PIs.
2. Include a coordination plan for integrating team members across UC ANR functions and units and university and external partners.
3. List all team members with their affiliations. Describe the role and responsibilities of each member, including how the expertise of each will contribute to the research, extension or integrated activities. A balanced team representing both research and extension is important.

F. Budget and Justification

1. Provide a two-column budget, dividing research and extension expenses.
2. Successful projects will be awarded up to $10,000, with the funding period beginning on Jan. 1, 2025.

          i. All budgets should be constructed so that up to $5,000 in expenses support research activities and up to $5,000 support extension activities.

          ii. If the project's research and/or extension will be conducted at a Research and Extension Center, a budget should be developed in collaboration with the specific REC Director to ensure funding levels requested are aligned with the Center's recharge rates and do not exceed $10,000 for the funding period.

          iii. Please note that submissions to this internal competition do not require the budget to be created through the UC ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OGC).

1. Include a detailed budget justification, providing a brief description and explanation of need for costs associated with project activities.
2. Funds used to pay part-time wage-payroll must be for activities outside of any job description currently paid for by UC ANR, or it must support work on a new activity.

          i. Part-time wage-payroll must be paid through the UC ANR system (funds cannot be transferred to county systems).

    5. All other project costs typically allowed by federal extramural sponsors are allowed in this program.

    6. Funds cannot be used for the following:

            i. Faculty salaries (including supplemental) or standing appointment salaries

           ii. Travel to professional meetings

           iii. Out-of-country travel

           iv. Equipment purchases exceeding $5,000

           v. Support of non-UC ANR personnel

     7. Funds to support personnel outside the UC ANR must be obtained from other units and require a letter of commitment from the non-UC ANR unit, submitted with the proposal as a supplemental document.

     8. Budgets are constructed for a maximum of one year and must be expended by Dec. 31, 2025. No carryover is allowed.

     9. Funded projects can be competitively renewed up to two times, for three years of support; unexpended funds in one year will not carry over. Extensions for unexpended funds are not allowed for any projects.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated and scored on the following criteria:

• Presents a clear plan for building or supporting an interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrates the potential for effective strategies to integrate research and extension activities
• Proposes activities that help to initiate, advance and strengthen teams and projects to obtain extramural support
• Defines both research and extension deliverables and provides clear benchmarks for achieving expected outcomes and impacts
• Incorporates audiences traditionally not targeted
• Projects that demonstrate considerable opportunities to achieve the UC ANR mission and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion are especially encouraged
• Identifies outcomes that are easily measurable and scalable
• Contributes to the knowledge base through distribution of results that benefit other efforts.

Submission and Review Process

Full proposals must be submitted as a single PDF by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2024. Proposals are to be emailed to Brent Hales, Associate Vice President, at bdhales@ucanr.edu and to Kathryn Stein at kathryn.stein@ucop.edu.

Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers established by the Associate Vice President. Applicants will be notified of decisions by mid-November 2024.

Please direct any questions regarding your proposal to Brent Hales at bdhales@ucanr.edu.

Reporting Guidelines:

The period of performance for S2P grants will begin Jan. 1, 2025, and terminate Dec. 31, 2025. Projects may be renewed for up to three years of support. Proposals for renewal can

Be submitted in the next cycle for the S2P grants. An interim report for all awarded proposals will be due on July 15, 2025. Final reports will be due Jan. 15, 2026.

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