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Posts Tagged: August 2018
In memoriam: Doug Gubler
Gubler was born on Jan. 28, 1946, in St. George, Utah, and raised in Santa Clara, Utah, where he graduated from Dixie High School in 1964. He graduated from Southern Utah State College with a B.S. in botany (1970) and received an M.S. in plant pathology from the University of Arkansas (1974). From 1974 to 1982, he was a postgraduate research plant pathologist working with Prof. Ray Grogan at UC Davis. During this period, he began his studies towards a Ph.D. in plant pathology, which he received in 1982.
Gubler worked as a research scientist with the Campbell Soup Company at their West Coast research facility in Davis for a year before joining the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Davis in 1983 as a UC Cooperative Extension specialist.
Upon assuming his role as a CE specialist, Gubler established a productive and vitally important program on diseases of small perennial fruit crops. His research emphasized pathogen biology and epidemiology, with overarching goals of improved disease control and reduced pesticide usage.
He and his group made seminal discoveries that deepened the understanding of the etiology, epidemiology and management of diseases affecting grapes, orchards and other small fruit crops. Major thrusts of his research were powdery mildew diseases of grapevines and strawberries, and the etiology of new diseases of grapevines and strawberry in California. These included innovations in management of Botrytis bunch rot, development of the Gubler-Thomas risk assessment model for powdery mildew, and characterization of the complex etiology of canker and vine decline diseases in grapes.
What underscored the success of many of these projects was a firm understanding of the biology of the host-pathogen system under study, a principle that he reinforced with those who worked with him.
Gubler mentored many graduate students, postdocs, and other researchers, providing opportunities for professional growth. Many of his team have become key players in the field, with influence far beyond the California border. His dedication to his extension responsibilities is evident from his broad engagement with growers, pest control advisers and UCCE personnel in production areas throughout the state. He was highly respected for his expertise throughout California, as well as the nation and the world.
Although Gubler formally retired from UC Davis in 2016, he remained active in research and consulting. He and his wife Carol were on their way back to California from their new home in Utah when he died. He was planning to evaluate grape powdery mildew trials the next week in Napa and Sonoma.
Gubler had one of the most distinguished and robust programs of information extension within the UC system. During his career, he presented hundreds of talks throughout California, the nation and the world. He was recognized as an international authority on grape diseases, and his expertise was in great demand from grape industries all over the world. His oral presentations were complemented by many extension publications that drew on the results of his mission-oriented research program. Related to his extension work was his diagnostic support for UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors, faculty colleagues and growers. In 1998, Gubler received the American Phytopathological Society (APS) Extension Award in recognition of his accomplishments in extension and outreach.
Gubler was very active in the APS. He served on many APS committees, including the APS Intellectual Property Rights Committee, Graduate Travel Awards, Extension Committee, and New Fungicides/Nematicides Committee. He was especially active in the APS Pacific Division, serving as an elected officer for many years, including President of the Division in 2007. He received the APS Excellence in Extension Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the APS Pacific Division, and was elected an APS Fellow in 2009. Gubler was a recipient of the Chevalier de L'Ordre des Coteaux De Champagne in France (1995), recognized as an honorary member of the Pesticide Applicators Professional Association (PAPA, 1992), and bestowed the Southern Utah University Eccles Foundation Alumni Award (2003).
While Gubler loved his career, nothing came close to his love and appreciation for his family. He was proud of each of their achievements, and he was quick to let them know. He enjoyed golfing, listening to talk radio, telling jokes, playing cards and games with his grandchildren, and spending quality time with his friends and family. His family (and his colleagues) will miss his great sense of humor.
Gubler is survived by his wife, Carol; son Curtis; daughters Kirsten Stevens (Lance), Sherie Linford (Fred), Andrea Carter (Brent), Natalie Jeffs (Randy); and 18 grandchildren. His surviving siblings include Ward Gubler (Judy), Pat Clove (Sheldon), Duane Gubler (Bobbie), Muriel Blake, Murray Gubler (Jane) and Jeff Gubler (Angela). Memorial services and tributes were held in Santa Clara, Utah, on July 30, 2018, and in Davis on Aug. 17, 2018.
In memoriam: Chuck Ingels
Chuck Ingels, longtime UCCE advisor in Sacramento County, lost his battle with cancer Aug. 12.
Ingels joined ANR in 1989 as a tree and vine information analyst for the statewide Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program in Davis. In 1996, he became a UC Cooperative Extension advisor for Sacramento County, specializing in tree crops, grapes and environmental horticulture. He actively supported the UC Master Gardeners, giving workshops on urban horticulture. He gave a workshop on espalier fruit trees as recently as May.
His research and extension focused on IPM, evaluation of sustainable products and practices, water conservation and deficit irrigation, home orchards and vineyards, sustainable landscaping, alternative turfgrass species, and tree training, pruning and grafting.
“Chuck's absence leaves an enormous void in all of us who knew and worked with him,” said Morgan Doran, UC Cooperative Extension director and livestock and natural resources advisor for the Capitol Corridor. “His kindness was without boundaries and he exuded an incredible energy for living a life close to nature, especially plants, staying fit, being near people he enjoyed, and doing what he felt was right. Chuck will be dearly missed.”
His expertise was often sought after by journalists for a wide range of topics, from when home gardeners should spray fruit trees, to brown marmorated stink bug, to sugar accumulation disorder in grapes for growers.
“Chuck was more than just a farm advisor,” said Farmer Fred, who devoted a segment of his KFBK Garden Show on Aug. 19 to remembering Ingels. “He was a scientist. He was a researcher. He was an engineer. And he was a communicator. He could take all the jargon of science and tell a farmer, tell a gardener, exactly what the problem is and how to treat it.”
Pam Bone, former UCCE farm advisor in Sacramento County who was a search committee member for the UCCE advisor position, told Farmer Fred, “Right away, Chuck stood out to me. He was dynamic, his presentation was very interesting and informative, but he was down to earth, too, and I think that was the thing that impressed me the most. I said, ‘This is a farm advisor. This is the type of person who can work with the growers.' He also had the responsibility of working with the Master Gardener Program and the landscapers and other people who work in the ornamental horticulture industry.”
Of his many publications, "The Home Orchard: Growing Your Own Fruit and Nut Trees," remains a UC best-selling book.
Ingels, who was born in 1956 and raised in Merced, earned his B.S. in fruit science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his M.S. in horticulture at UC Davis.
Ingels is survived by his wife, Tracy Lesperance, his son Joshua Ingels, and his siblings Carol Green, Biff Ingels, Gary Ingels and Becky Ingels.
Sympathy cards may be addressed to the UCCE office in Sacramento County at 4145 Branch Center Rd., Sacramento, CA 95827. Plans for an enduring tribute to Ingels at Fair Oaks Horticulture Center will be announced at a later date. Donations in Ingels' memory can be made to the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center through the UCCE Master Gardeners of Sacramento County website http://sacmg.ucanr.edu.
A celebration of Ingels' life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, Family Life Center/Conference Room A, 11427 Fair Oaks Blvd., next to the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center in Fair Oaks.
Ingels' obituary was published in the Sacramento Bee https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?n=charles-ingels-chuck&pid=189967920.
Needs assessment workshops offered Sept. 7 and 14
UCCE advisors, UCCE specialists and academics coordinators are invited to attend a training workshop on conducting a needs assessment.
Vikram Koundinya, UCCE evaluation specialist in the Department of Human Ecology (Community and Regional Development) at UC Davis; Chris Greer, IPM area advisor in UCCE San Luis Obispo County; and Katherine Webb-Martinez, associate director of UC ANR Program Planning and Evaluation are hosting training workshops in two locations – Davis and Parlier.
Friday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UC ANR Building, 2801 Second Street, Davis
Featuring roundtable discussion sharing UCCE examples with
- Betsy Karle, area dairy advisor & county director, Glenn County
- Susie Kocher, forestry/natural resources advisor, Central Sierra and El Dorado counties
- Steven Worker, 4-H youth development advisor, Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties
Friday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 9240 South Riverbend Ave., Parlier
Featuring roundtable discussion sharing UCCE examples with
- Ramiro Lobo, small farms and agricultural economics advisor, San Diego County
- Fadzayi Mashiri, livestock and natural resources advisor, Mariposa and Merced counties
- Deepa Srivastava, nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor, Tulare and Kings counties
The interactive training will help answer questions such as: What exactly is expected for a needs assessment? What is the benefit? When should I do this? How often should I do this? How do I use the information to design my program?
It will include basic, practical how-to steps, approaches, methods and how to write clear and concise questions.
Participants will engage in a roundtable discussion with UCCE advisors, who will share their needs assessment experiences and lessons learned.
Participants will gain...
- understanding of position description needs-assessment expectation
- understanding of the what, how, when of needs assessments
- understanding of and practice writing good questions
- awareness of UC ANR needs assessment examples and resources
- a draft needs assessment plan
Register at https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=25314.
For more information, contact Katherine Webb-Martinez, Katherine.webb-martinez@ucop.edu, (510) 987-0029.
Post-fire research opportunities available at Hopland REC for limited time
On July 27 and 28, the River Fire burned approximately two-thirds of the Hopland Research and Extension Center's 5,358 acres.
“While this was a dramatic event that did damage parts of the center, none of the main buildings, livestock nor staff were hurt by the fire,” said John Bailey, Hopland REC interim director.
“This event has created a unique opportunity for research,” Bailey said. “With Hopland REC's extensive pre-fire historical data, plus immediate post-fire, pre-rain observations that we intend to collect, we have the foundation to support relevant and timely research on the effects of fire and mechanisms of recovery.”
Scientists are invited to learn more about research opportunities this fall, during a webinar on Sept. 7 and a site tour on Oct. 19. The invitation is open to UC scientists and non-UC scientists.
To register for either or both events, visit https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=25451.
“We will offer researchers special rates and access to the site over this brief period,” Bailey said.
Read the Hopland REC blog post at //ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=28037 to learn more about the site and how you can be involved in post-fire research at Hopland REC.
For more information, join the webinar and site visit or contact Bailey at (707) 744-1424 ext 112 or jtbailey@ucanr.edu.
UCCE urged to participate in survey on adoption of new farming practices
Researchers at UC Berkeley are trying to ascertain what motivates California farmers and ranchers to implement farming practices that improve soil health as well as what deters them.
UCCE advisors and specialists and field staff who work with farmers and ranchers are asked to take a few moments to fill out the survey being conducted by Alastair Iles, associate professor of environmental policy and societal change in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, and postdoctoral fellow Joanna Ory.
“The results may help enhance the way we extend knowledge to our clientele,” said VP Glenda Humiston. “Thank you for participating in this important research project.”
The document at http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/290821.pdf summarizes their project and more information introduces the survey at https://berkeley.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9AJ6Jq8d9tfg9Jb.
