Posts Tagged: Strategic Initiatives

Strategic Initiative Brief: Strategic topics for 2021

Unify-Communicate-Advocate

The Strategic Initiatives offer a home for strategic thought - drawing on members of the wider UC ANR community and beyond to identify and address issues of current and emerging importance.  

1. Expected Growth in Strategic Topics for 2021

The SI leaders continue to lead discussion on topics of importance for the future of UC ANR. Drawing on the vision of our future (pdf), the SIs are linking to ongoing efforts and leaders within our UC ANR community to create spaces for conversation and explore opportunities.  

• Existing 2-page concept notes. Now available on the SI site. 
• Fire: Concept Note Fire Advisors Network (draft). Kudos to Yana and others for their work on this concept paper.
• Food Systems: Concept Note Food systems (draft). Concepts here are emerging in part from the Food Systems Spotlight Webinar series led by Deanne Meyer and Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty.
• Urban extension/DEI: Concept Note Building California's Urban Community (draft). This and associated initiatives are benefiting from input by Keith Nathaniel and Frank McPherson.
• Extension of the Future: Concept Note Building California's Urban Community (draft) and Concept note working cross state and cross institute (draft). These are the latest as discussion evolves around opportunities to grow our presence throughout the state and across state lines. What could post-COVID tertiary education look like? What could be the role of UC ANR (i.e. working with community colleges, CSUs, UCs, internships…)? What other Funding & Incomes models are there?
• Health: Health Resilience Network Concept Note (draft) and Prop 63 - Mental Health Services Act Concept Note (draft). There is a growing emphasis on how UC ANR can support community health efforts.  
• DEI: The Program Teams recently provided input on some of what is happening in relation to DEI in our programmatic work. We are seeing growth in the number of DEI (and justice) related initiatives. The SI's will be looking at how we can help build synergies and a shared vision.
• Reach: We will be looking more at how to help people feed in to the Integrated Web Platform project.   

Feedback and suggestions welcome! 

 

2. Sustainable Natural Resources SI Leader position open - join the SI team

Want to make a difference at the UC ANR program and policy level? Check out the opportunity as the Sustainable Natural Resources Strategic Initiative leader. In transitioning the leadership, many thanks to David Lile for his commitment to our Sustainable Natural Resources work. David was the Strategic Initiative leader for 3 years.

 

3. Ways to contribute

Here's how you can connect and contribute:

Learn more about our Workgroups and Program Teams.
Submit a Knowledge Stream "news you can use" post here. 
Build your skills using the Learning and Development site.

 

For more on the SIs and their activities, contact:

Jim Farrar: Pests (EIPD)

David Lile: Natural Ecosystems (SNE) (departs role this month - thanks for all he has done!)

David Lewis: (Water)

Deanne Meyer: Food Systems (SFS)

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty: Families and Communities (HFC)

Mark Bell: Vice Provost (Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs)

 

Strategic Initiative Brief: Crystal ball, SNE leader, webinars

Unify-Communicate-Advocate

The Strategic Initiatives offer a home for strategic thought, drawing on members of the wider UC ANR community and beyond to identify and address issues of current and emerging importance. 

1. Major Initiative Themes - Summary of Progress

The SI leaders have been pursuing topics of importance for the future of UC ANR. Drawing on the crystal ball paper, the SIs are linking to ongoing efforts and leaders within our UC ANR community to create spaces for conversation and explore opportunities. 

Existing 2 page concept notes are now available on the SI site. These papers are being used to work with interested partners to pursue funding. 

Fire: Concept Note Fire Advisors Network (draft). Kudos to Yana Valachovic and others for their work on this concept paper.

Food systems: Concept Note Food systems (draft). Concepts here are emerging in part from the Food Systems Spotlight Webinar series led by Deanne Meyer and Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty.

Urban extension/DEI: Concept Note Building California's Urban Community (draft). This and associated initiatives are benefiting from input by Keith Nathaniel and Frank McPherson.

Extension of the future: Concept Note Building California's Urban Community (draft) and Concept note working cross state and cross institute (draft). These are the latest as discussion evolves on opportunities to grow our presence throughout the state and across state lines. 

Feedback and suggestions welcome! 

2. Sustainable Natural Ecosystems SI Leader position opening

Want to make a difference at the policy level? Check out the opportunity as the Sustainable Natural Ecosystems Strategic Initiative leader.  

In transitioning the leadership, many thanks to David Lile for his commitment to our Sustainable Natural Resources work. David was the Strategic Initiative leader for 3 years.

3. Strategic Initiative Spotlight Webinar Series Continues Strong

3.1 Building Resilient Food System

The food systems series being coordinated by the Healthy Families and Communities and Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiatives continues to explore how to re-imagine our food systems. Sign up below and join us for the remaining webinars on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month to continue the discussion. Please let us know if you're interested in providing leadership or participating in a webinar for this series.

Contacts: Deanne Meyer (SFS SI leader) and Lynn Schmitt McQuitty (HFC SI leader). 

Visit the Spotlight webinars page to see recordings. 

3.2. Our virtual reach continues to grow. 

SI partial funding support for webinars: The SIs are offering partial webinar support (up to $200) for webinars on topics consistent with the major SI strategic themes. Learn more here. 

Ever wondered about adult learning principles and how they can help you in your job? Learn more here.

Other resources: 

• Check out the recently developed Checklist: online course minimum standards
• Develop your "How-to" video-making skills 
• Get some Virtual consultation tips  
• Pick up some pointers from the engaging webinars checklist or explore deeper to develop your webinar skills 
• Online on-demand programmatic Online Orientation materials 

Comments/feedback welcome

All these materials have been developed with input from many, many colleagues. Please let us know what skills or tips you found useful and what more you'd like to learn. 

4. In the pipeline

In the discussion pipeline, we have

• Remaining relevant; Extension of the future. How do we meet the needs of all Californians? How do we address urban and DEI needs? What could postpandemic tertiary education look like? What could be the role of UC ANR (re: working with community colleges, CSUs, UCs, internships …)? What other Funding & Incomes models are there?
• Disaster response. How to contribute and position ourselves for broader impact, recognizing the tremendous progress made by the Fire group. 
• Engaging Program Teams and the wider body of UC ANR

For more on the SIs and their activities, contact

• Jim Farrar (EIPD)
• David Lewis (Water)
• David Lile (SNE)
• Deanne Meyer (SFS)
• Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty (HFC)
• Mark Bell (Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs)

Sustainable Natural Ecosystems SI leader position opens for applications

UC ANR academics are invited to apply for the Sustainable Natural Ecosystems Strategic Initiative leader position. The position plays a key role in helping us connect by unifying, communicating and advocating to strengthen UC ANR's research and outreach agenda and as a participant in Program Council. 

Given the evolving role of the UC ANR Strategic Initiatives (SI), we will again conduct an open search from across the breadth of expertise in the division.

“The SI leader position for Sustainable Natural Ecosystems is becoming available as our current leader David Lile is scheduled to rotate off at the end of 2020,” said Mark Bell, vice provost of Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs. “David has been a valued team member and contributor and has helped the SIs significantly evolve in their role.” 

Who can apply? The positions are open to all UC ANR academics, including Agricultural Experiment Station faculty and Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists as well as academic coordinators and administrators. Strategic Initiative leaders are appointed by the Associate Vice President on a rotating basis for three years, with the possibility of extension. 

Current SI leaders 

• Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases: Jim Farrar 
• Sustainable Food Systems: Deanne Meyer
• Sustainable Natural Ecosystems: David Lile (through 12/31/20)
• Water Quality, Quantity and Security: David Lewis 
• Healthy Families and Communities: Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty

Role of the SIs. The SIs help us make connections. They lead efforts to Unify, Communicate and Advocate for what we do. See UC ANR Strategic Initiatives for more information. SI leaders are increasingly leading discussions on critical topics important to the future of UC ANR – both the focus of our work and how we implement our work. They are also decision-making members of Program Council. 

How to apply. To apply for the SI leader position, complete the form at https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=32332.

Applications will be accepted until Nov. 20.

Applicants will be contacted for interviews in late November or early December.The target date for Zoom interviews is Monday, Dec. 14 (morning). The new leader is anticipated to start Jan. 4, 2021.

For information regarding the roles and responsibilities of the Strategic Initiative leader position, see the Terms of Reference for Strategic Initiative Leaders. If you have questions, contact Mark Bell or one of the SI leaders.

 

Strategic Initiative Brief: Small grants for webinars

Unify-Communicate-Advocate

The Strategic Initiatives offer a home for strategic thought - drawing on members of the wider UC ANR community and beyond to identify and address issues of current and emerging importance.

Strategic issues Spotlight webinar series going strong

Building Resilient Food Systems

The food systems series being coordinated by the Healthy Families and Communities and Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiatives continues to explore how to re-imagine our food systems. Sign up below and join us for the remaining webinars on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month through at least November to continue the discussion. Please let us know if you're interested in providing leadership or participating in a webinar for this series.

Contacts: Deanne Meyer (SFS SI leader) and Lynn Schmitt McQuitty (HFC SI leader)

July | Webinar #1 - Food Safety and COVID-19 (video) Slides (PDF) Resource Kit (PDF)

July | Webinar #2 - California Food Systems: Partnerships and Resources (video) Slides (PDF) Resource Kit (PDF)

August | Webinar #3 - The Ins and Outs of Niche Marketing Meat (video) Slides (PDF) Resource Kit (PDF)

August | Webinar #4 - Beef Supply Chain and Market Disruptions (video) Slides (PDF) Resource Kit (PDF)

September | Webinar #5 - Thinking Inside the Box: Farm Boxes and Local Supply Chain Resilience During the Pandemic(video) Slides (PDF) Resource Kit (PDF)
September | Webinar #6 - Victory Gardens Then and Now (video) Slides (PDF)

Oct. 13, 2020 | Webinar #7 - Increasing Resiliency of Farmers' Markets and Equitable Access to Fresh, Local Produce  Register here

Oct. 27, 2020 | Webinar #8 - Re-imagining Food Systems: Emerging Strategies for Regional Food Systems Resulting from COVID-19  Register here
Nov. 10, 2020 | Webinar #9 - Farm Labor During the Pandemic: Critical links between Essential Work, Farmworker Health and Food System Resiliency  Register here

Nov. 24, 2020 | Webinar #10  Register here

Visit the Spotlight webinars page to see recordings. 

 

Managing Invasive Pests (in the pipeline) 

Invasive pests can affect almost all aspects of our lives - our gardens, our communities, our food systems, our natural ecosystems. The Endemic and Invasive Pest & Diseases SI (EIPD) is in the process of designing a multi-part webinar series to help us understand pest quarantine regulations and reporting processes, permit requirements for moving pests, and extension's role in working with regulators and clientele. Stay tuned to hear more. 

Contact: Jim Farrar 

Our virtual reach continues to grow

SI partial funding support for webinars: The SIs are offering partial webinar support (up to $200) for webinars on topics consistent with the major SI strategic themes. Learn more here:  Funding opportunities

Ever wondered about Adult learning principles and how they can help you in your job? Learn more here:  Adult learning principles

Other resources 

Online courses: Check out the recently developed Checklist: online course minimum standards

Video: Develop your "How-to" video making skills

Virtual Consultations: Get some Virtual consultation tips  

Webinars: Pick up some pointers from the engaging webinars checklist or explore deeper to develop your webinar skills. 

Online on-demand programmatic Online Orientation materials. Comments/feedback welcome.

All these materials have been developed with input from many, many colleagues. Please let us know what skills or tips you found useful and what more you'd like to learn. 

In the pipeline

In the discussion pipeline, we have: 

Remaining Relevant - Extension of the future: How do we meet the needs of all Californians? How do we address urban and DEI needs? What could post-COVID tertiary education look like, and what could be the role of UC ANR (re: working with community colleges, CSUs, UCs, internships…)?  What other Funding & Incomes models are there?

Disaster response: How to contribute and position ourselves for broader impact - recognizing the tremendous progress made by the Fire group. 

Engaging Program Teams and the wider body of UC ANR

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 is having us explore our virtual delivery options.

 

For more on the SIs and their activities, contact

Jim Farrar (EIPD)

David Lewis (Water)

David Lile (SNE)

Deanne Meyer (SFS)

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty (HFC)

Mark Bell (Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs)

 

 

 

Strategic Initiative Brief: Spotlight webinar series, invasive pests, virtual reach

Unify-Communicate-Advocate

SI Spotlight webinar series continuing strong: Building resilient food systems and managing invasive pests

The food systems series being coordinated by the Healthy Families and Communities and Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiatives teams continues to explore how to reimagine our food systems. Sign up below and join us for the remaining webinars - on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month through at least November - to continue the discussion. Please let us know if you're interested in providing leadership or participating in a webinar for this series.

Contacts: Deanne Meyer and Lynn Schmitt McQuitty 

Webinar #1 - Food Safety and COVID-19 (video) Slides (PDF) 

Webinar #2 - California Food Systems: Partnerships and Resources (video) Slides (PDF) Resource Kit (PDF)

Webinar #3 - The Ins and Outs of Niche Marketing Meat (video) Slides (PDF) Resource Kit (PDF)

Webinar #4 - Beef Supply Chain and Market Disruptions (uploaded soon)

Sept. 8, 2020 | Webinar #5 - Farm Boxes and Food Hubs: Building Local Food System Resilience During COVID-19 register here

Sept. 22, 2020 | Webinar #6 - Victory Gardens Then and Now register here

Oct. 13, 2020 | Webinar #7 - Increasing Resiliency of Farmers' Market & Equitable Access to Fresh, Local Produce register here

Oct. 27, 2020 | Webinar #8 - Re-imagining Food Systems: Emerging Strategies for Regional Food Systems Resulting from COVID-19 register here

Nov. 10, 2020 | Webinar #9 - date available

Nov. 24, 2020 | Webinar #10 - date available

Visit the Spotlight webinars page for recordings. 

 

Invasive pests can affect almost all aspects of our lives - our gardens, our communities, our food systems, our natural ecosystems. The Endemic and Invasive Pest & Diseases (EIPD) SI is in the process of designing a multipart webinar series on managing invasive pests to help us understand what's the problem along with what we can and should do. Stay tuned to hear more. 

Contact: Jim Farrar 

 

Virtual reach continues to grow

Across the organization, people continue to explore and improve their skills to develop and deliver our educational content. An example of success is the 40% increase (around 300,000 views) in video viewing across UC IPM and UC Master Gardener channels. For the first time, the number of views topped 1 million. In another development, CalFresh Healthy Living, UC compiled some 20+ lessons online for virtual access and use through school curricula. 

See how you can improve your skills - visit the UC ANR Learning & Development Site (UCANR.edu/L&D) to learn more about: 

Apps. Information on some of the emerging tools, including how to access GSuite.

Online courses. Check out the recently developed Checklist: online course minimum standards.

Video. Develop your "How-to" video making skills. 

Virtual Consultations. Get some Virtual consultation tips.  

Webinars. Pick up some pointers from the engaging webinars checklist or explore deeper to develop your webinar skills. 

All these materials have been developed with input from many, many colleagues. 

 

What's in the pipeline

The SIs offer a home for strategic thought, drawing on members of the wider UC ANR community and beyond as we seek to address issues of current and emerging importance. In the discussion pipeline, we have: 

Disaster response - How to contribute and position ourselves for broader impact, recognizing the tremendous progress made by the Fire group. 

Funding models

Engaging AES and Program Teams

Being relevant 

• What might/should the Extension of the future look like? How do we stay relevant - e.g., addressing urban extension needs. What could we look like? What partnerships to pursue? 
• What could post-COVID-19 tertiary education look like? What could be the role of UC ANR (re: community colleges, CSUs, UCs, internships…)?
• Virtual tours

Let us know what skills or tips you found useful and what more you'd like to learn.

For more on the SIs and their activities, contact:

Jim Farrar (EIPD)

David Lewis (Water)

David Lile (SNE)

Deanne Meyer (SFS)

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty (HFC)

Mark Bell (Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs)

 

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