UC ANR participates in California Economic Summit

UC ANR at California Economic Summit Summit. Standing from left, Ashley Hooper, Anne Megaro, Kathy Eftekhari, Glenda Humiston, Olivia Henry and Keith Taylor. Sitting from left, Alec Dompka, Cindy Chen and Rita Clemons. Photo courtesy of Keith Taylor

UC ANR was well-represented at the California Economic Summit in Bakersfield on Oct. 27-28 to find new ideas and partners for economic development projects. The annual event is held to identify economic opportunities, improve state and regional competitiveness and generate jobs.

“This year's California Economic Summit really highlighted the need to invest in our working landscapes and harvest the huge opportunities for jobs and economic growth throughout the state if we do,” said Glenda Humiston, vice president. “I'm really excited to see state and regional leaders recognizing the critical role that UC ANR and UC Cooperative Extension can play in supporting those initiatives.”  

Humiston was joined at the event by Anne Megaro, director of government and community relations; Keith Taylor, UC Cooperative Extension community economic development specialist; Julia Van Soelen Kim, UCCE food systems advisor; Olivia Henry, UCCE food systems advisor; Cindy Chen, UCCE woody biomass and forest products advisor; Ashley Hooper, UCCE urban community resiliency advisor; Alec Dompka, UCCE rural community and economic development advisor; and Rita Clemons, director of UCCE for San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties. 

While attending the California Economic Summit, Olivia Henry tweeted, “Listening in to the Community Economic Resiliency Fund (CERF) workgroup this afternoon. Learning so much from @Tahoeprosperity!"

“We have too many people that are working every single day and they're not making it,” said Antonio Villaraigosa, infrastructure advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom, told attendees on the first day.

Another speaker, Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers, called for equitable pay for farmworkers.

On the second day of the summit, Governor Newsom joined the event. He chatted on stage with Ashley Swearengin, former mayor of Fresno, noting that California is now the fourth largest economy in the world, surpassing Germany. He complimented the San Joaquin Valley for its economic development efforts.

The 2023 California Economic Summit Summit will be held in the Coachella and Imperial valleys.

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