Posts Tagged: bell
Powers, Bell announce departures
It is with mixed emotions that we share news of our departures from UC ANR. Our decisions were arrived at independently, but given how closely we have worked with each other, we wish to share our news together.
I, Vice Provost Mark Bell, will be taking on new challenges at the end of June after five years with UC ANR and 15 years, total, with UC. I will return to the international work I am so passionate about and where the needs remain so great – particularly with the recent pandemic and ongoing conflicts. While departing as a UC ANR employee, I hope to engage my colleagues from UC ANR and across UC whenever possible. I thank my many wonderful UC ANR and other colleagues for making these 15 years of service to UC and California so rewarding.
Later this summer, I, Associate Vice President Wendy Powers, will begin a new adventure as the Cashup Davis Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences at Washington State University. I have learned much over the last six years with UC ANR that will guide me in the future. As difficult a decision as it is to leave, especially given the recent successes, I look forward to staying connected as part of the Western Region of the land-grant system. I am particularly excited for my friend and colleague, Mark Bell.
The leadership team is working on interim plans to be in place prior to our departure. More information will be coming over the next month or two.
With great enthusiasm we look forward to the remainder of our time working with each of you. We know UC ANR is on a path toward achieving more great things and are humbled by our experiences and interactions with each of you. Thank you for letting us be a part of UC ANR!
Wendy Powers
Associate Vice President
Mark Bell
Vice Provost of Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs
'Bee Man' Norm Gary Weighs in on 'Blessed Bees in the Bell Tower'
You've heard of "bats in the belfry," right? Well, how about "bees in the bell tower"? The...
Honey bees head into their home in the the bell tower of the Epiphany Episcopal Church, Vacaville. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Street scene of the bell tower at the Epiphany Episcopal Church, Vacaville. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Nightshade, More Than Tomatoes.
By Cindy Watter, UC Master Gardener of Napa County The Solanaceae, or nightshade family,...
Nightshade vegetables. (naturalhealthtechniques.com)
Jimson weed. All members of the Datura genus are toxic. (natureid.blogspot.com)
Tomatoes. (borntogrow.net)
Soil should be 60 F before planting tomatoes. (cooper-atkins.com)
Solanaceae love all-day sun. (designtrends.com)
Plant tomatoes deeply--they grow more roots. (UCANR.edu)
Provide tomatoes with support. (homestead-and-survival.com)
Tomato hornworm, in case you haven't seen one. Looks fearsome, but just wants to eat tomatoes. (UCANR.edu)
Bell peppers. (snaped.fns.usda.gov)
Plant peppers when night temps are reliably over 55 F. (maudesport.com)
Protection, if needed. (almanac.com)
Eggplant flowers. (cultivatetoplate.com)
Potatoes are also in the family. (jessicagavin.com)
Hilling potatoes. (veggiegardener.com)
Solanaceae family characteristics. (slideshare.net)
Help for Californians navigating life during the coronavirus crisis
Find UC ANR community resources for the coronavirus crisis here.
Theories abound as to what life will be like when we come out of our current predicament. And who can say?
However, the focus for many is simply on dealing with the immediate. What can I eat? How do I visit the supermarket safely? Can I drink the water? I want to get outdoors, but is it safe? Can I garden? If so, how? How can I provide my kids meaningful engagement? What resources are available for the agriculture industry? How do I cope?
In response to these pressing needs, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, like many other universities and extension organizations across the country, are moving quickly to get more information online. While I haven't seen the actual numbers, we know millions of students (both high school and university) are quickly transitioning to online classes.
In addition, millions are seeking information on topics from agriculture and food to gardening to nutrition to wellness. The activity behind the scenes is at times frantic. We at UC ANR already have large amounts of credible, practical “how to” information online, but we know we can provide more. Our 12 statewide programs and institutes (links below), along with our network of advisors and specialists, are moving quickly to enhance out virtual connections and getting more useful information online - videos, fact sheets, courses, etc. - to ensure our outreach continues. For example, the UC California Naturalist program already had its first virtual graduation. Advisors are providing virtual consultations to farmers and others.
Do you need help navigating life during the coronavirus crisis? Explore our portal - ucanr.edu/covid19communityresources - to find information on gardening, safe outdoor exploration, food access, water and food safety, nutrition, wellness and more.
Learn about our statewide programs:
Agriculture
California Institute of Water Resources
UC Integrated Pest Management Program (how to manage pests)
UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program
Nutrition, food, water and wellness
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
UC Master Food Preserver Program
Enjoying the outdoors
Informatics and Geographic Information Systems
UC California Naturalist UC Integrated Pest Mangaement - understanding pests of our environment
Engaging youth and adults UC 4-H
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UC ANR working with USDA to strengthen extension and farmer incomes in Guatemala
Two UC Agriculture and Natural Resources emeritus specialists, two UC ANR advisors and a UC ANR vice provost spent a week in March working in Guatemala to help implement a USDA-funded (UC Davis-managed) project that is rebuilding the extension system in Guatemala.
With a population of almost 17.5 million and a per capita income ranked 118th in the world, Guatemala is working to improve the livelihoods and incomes of it's rural population, which represents nearly half of the total population. The project is being implemented in Guatemala with the Universidad de San Carlos. Universidad de San Carlos is the biggest and oldest university in Guatemala and which - when established in 1676 - was the fourth university established in the Americas. The 150,000-student university includes a prominent and well-known agricultural school.
The UC contingent delivered modules on extension and marketing, two of five required for the participants to receive a certificate. Jim Hill, emeritus rice specialist based at UC Davis, is leading the second phase of the project.
The rest of the team for the week were Steve Temple, emeritus agronomy specialist, UC Davis; Jairo Diaz, director, UC Desert Research and Extension Center; Ramiro Lobo, advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, San Diego County; Mark Bell, vice provost, strategic initiatives and statewide programs; and Kate Lincoln, CAES Global Engagement, UC Davis. Bell led the project when he was part of the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
The interactive week-long course worked with 31 participants, mostly from the Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture extension offices, but also included agriculture teachers. The team shared the essential steps and associated skills required for successful extension. The course used the Spanish acronym ASISTE as a framework (previously developed by Mark Bell, Maria Paz Santibanez and Elana Peach-Fine) as an easy way to remember the key steps. ASISTE stands for audience (audience), soluciónes (solutions), información simple (simple information), transferencia (transfer), and evaluación (evaluation).
As part of the course, participants developed and delivered their own mini-workshops using local issues and context to reinforce workshop discussions. As Guatemala has a large indigenous population with more than 20 languages, one of the participants delivered his talk in Tzutuhil, the main language used for his constituents in Santiago Atitlan, Sonora department.