Posts Tagged: FOOD IT
UC ANR identifies its priority areas in new Strategic Vision 2040
Document includes refreshed vision and mission, outlines challenges where UC ANR can make impact
Vice President Glenda Humiston and the Strategic Visioning Committee are pleased to announce the release of the UC ANR Strategic Vision 2040, which will guide our work, structure and resource allocation to optimize and align our research, programs and partnerships over the next 15 years.
The document is the result of a 15-month process, during which the committee synthesized thousands of comments and feedback from hundreds of UC ANR employees and community members, including agency staff, elected officials, nonprofit groups, California Tribes, industry partners, farmers and producers.
“The Strategic Vision 2040 represents a reaffirmation of UC ANR's commitment to serve as a catalyst for positive change – cultivating, co-creating and sharing science-based solutions on a wide range of issues,” Humiston said. “I want to personally thank the Strategic Visioning Committee and everyone who contributed to creating this truly grassroots document that shows where we can make a real difference for our state, nation and world.”
The visioning process produced a refreshed vision and mission for UC ANR:
Our Vision: UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive impact in people's lives.
Our Mission: UC ANR cultivates thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California through development and sharing of equitable and collaborative science-based solutions that have national and global impact.
In addition, the extensive community input helped the committee identify seven distinct California challenges as priority areas in which UC ANR can make a significant impact.
On top of our core areas of Agriculture and Food Systems, Natural Ecosystems and Working Landscapes, and Thriving People and Communities, the Strategic Vision 2040 document lists four issues that overarch all our research and extension work: Climate Change; Innovation; Regulations, Policy and Compliance; and Systemic Inequities.
The Strategic Vision 2040 document is not intended to be a full strategic plan. This week, a new committee kicked off a series of meetings to develop UC ANR's 2025-2030 Strategic Framework with specific goals, objectives, metrics and deliverables designed to operationalize the Vision.
/h3>Southwest Regional Food Business Center holds virtual open house on Nov. 14
Please join the Southwest Regional Food Business Center (SWRFBC) for an all-UC ANR Virtual Open House at 10:30 a.m. on Nov 14. They will introduce the center's goals, short-term successes and upcoming opportunities.
UC ANR is leading the SWRFBC, which is comprised of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. The SWRFBC is one of 12 USDA Regional Food Business Centers developed across the nation in 2023. Its purpose is to build a more resilient food system by providing technical assistance and capacity building for small to mid-size farm and food businesses, with a priority on businesses owned and operated by underserved communities.
County, regional or statewide colleagues who work with any aspect of food businesses including food hubs, cottage (homemade products) or value-added foods, procurement, aggregation, farm to table or any work along the food supply chain are encouraged to attend. Colleagues who work with small farmers, ranchers, fish or seafood are also encouraged to attend.
"Learn how the SWRFBC can support your clientele through our network of partners by offering business development technical assistance, and/or grant funding,” said Tracy Celio, Southwest Regional Food Business Center program manager.
Register at https://bit.ly/SWRFBCopenhouse. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
For more information, visit www.swfoodbiz.org and sign up for the SWRFBC quarterly newsletter at bit.ly/SWRFBC-Newsletter.
Webinar series covering food-waste topics, ‘farm to corrections’ projects now online
The Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative Panel hosted a free, two-part webinar series in February on emerging issues within the food system. If you missed them, you can view the recordings.
“Harvesting Solutions: A Trio of Perspectives on Addressing Food Waste from Field to Fork” explored global perspectives on food waste within the food distribution chain, innovative food waste recycling and statewide consumer education programs. Mary Lu Arpaia, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in subtropical horticulture at UC Riverside, moderated the session.
Deirdre Holcroft of Holcroft Postharvest Consulting gave an overview of food waste in fruits and vegetables.
Michael Cohen, UCCE organic materials management and agri-food systems advisor in Santa Clara County, discussed extracting embodied energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions through food waste recycling.
Yu Meng, UCCE youth, family and community advisor for Riverside, Imperial and San Bernardino counties, discussed opportunities to reduce household food waste.
“Farm to Corrections: Cultivating Justice through Nutrition and Gardening Initiatives” delved into initiatives for justice-involved individuals' access to local produce and nutrition and gardening education. Danielle Lee, a registered dietitian and NPI public health nutritionist, moderated the session.
Carolyn Chelius, a project policy analyst at the Nutrition Policy Institute; Heile Gantan, a senior program associate with the Food in Prison Project; and Lance Eshelman, departmental food administrator for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; discussed increasing justice-impacted individuals' access to California-grown produce and nutrition education.
Missy Gable, director of the statewide UC Master Gardener Program, discussed Master Gardener prison garden projects.
View the recordings at https://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/Sustainable_Food_Systems/Events/Past_Events.
Apply to join Sustainable Food Systems SI panel
The Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative (SFS) panel has openings for two new members.
The SFS Initiative is one of five UC ANR Strategic Initiatives that help unify, communicate and advocate for the work we do across UC ANR. The Sustainable Food Systems SI encompasses our work in sustainable production, intensive ag systems, safe food processing, and enhanced food access.
SFS Initiative panel tasks include contributing to UC ANR's strategic plan, identifying themes and priorities for the future, identifying research and extension gaps, providing input on staffing, and highlighting important work iacross UC ANR related to sustainable food systems. Panel members identify time-sensitive opportunities based on strategic priorities, convene meetings, engage stakeholders and foster dialogue.
Appointments to the panel are for two- or three-year terms. The two individuals appointed will start their term in June 2024.
Anyone within ANR (academics or staff) or with an Agricultural Experiment Station appointment is eligible to apply.
Applications are due by May 1, 2024. Please apply at https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=39314.
If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Sowerwine,UC ANR Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative Leader,at jsowerwi@berkeley.edu.
Share your favorite Extension methods March 27
Academics and staff who want training, networking and new extension ideas are invited to join the Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative panel for a webinar featuring lightning presentations by UC ANR colleagues showcasing valuable extension tools. They will provide practical demonstrations and explain how they use the tools to engage with clientele.
When: Wednesday, March 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: The webinar will be via Zoom. Login details will follow registration.
Register at https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=42298.
Why: To generate durable and accessible resources for professional development of extension and outreach methodology skills. To cross-pollinate ideas between academic discipline social circles within the broader ANR community.
Who should attend:
- New academics for training and networking
- Seasoned academics who want new ideas
- Community educators engaging with Californians through UC ANR's statewide programs
If you are interested in presenting or have ideas for presentations, please submit your ideas at https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=42272.
“My Favorite Extension Methods” webinar will be recorded and posted at https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/Webinar_Archive/#Spotlight.