California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • 2023 Cost of Production for Fresh Market Raspberries Report

    The UC Cooperative Extension has released its 2023 Cost of Production for Fresh Market Raspberries report.  The sample costs to establish, produce, and harvest raspberries in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties are presented in the following study. The study is intended as a guide only, and can be used to make production decisions, determine potential returns, prepare budgets, and evaluate production loans. The practices described are based on production and harvest procedures considered typical for this crop and area and may not apply to every farm. Sample costs for labor, materials, equipment, and custom services are based on current figures.

    The hypothetical farm operation, production practices, overhead, and calculations are described under assumptions. For additional information or explanation of calculations used in the study, contact Mark Bolda, mpbolda@ucanr.edu, or Jeremy Murdock, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis, (530) 752-4651. Sample Cost of Production studies for many commodities are available and can be downloaded from the website https://coststudies.ucdavis.edu. Archived studies are also available on the website.

    See the cost study report HERE.

  • CA Dry Bean Advisory Board Accepting Research Proposals for 2024

    The California Dry Bean Advisory Board (CDBAB) is requesting applied research proposals for 2024. This commodity-based research request is sponsored by the California Dry Bean Marketing Order, under the guidance of CDFA (CA Dept Food & Ag). The Board has supported applied research by university programs for many years.

    Please find the grant application as well as a list of the 2024 applied research priorities developed by the CDBAB. The Board is particularly interested in pest management projects to address weeds and insects. Funding is for one year. Proposals for projects extending beyond one year must be re-submitted each year.

    Due to limited research funding, proposals that demonstrate cost sharing are encouraged. Although, there is some flexibility in the budget below, the total amount of funding available for 2024 is as follows:

    Board: $55,000

    Baby lima council: $7,500

    Blackeye council: $10,480

    Garbanzo council: $7,500

    Large lima council: $0

    Common bean council: $0

    Total: $80,480

    For current information on dry bean production in California as well as past reports funded by the board, see the Dry Bean webpage on the Agronomy Research and Information Center. You can search and view previously funded research reports from the online database.

    Please share this call for proposals with colleagues and others who might be interested in dry bean research. Proposals are due by Friday, February 10, 2023. Progress reports for projects funded by the CDBAB in 2022 will also be due Friday, February 10, 2023. See an example progress report.

    Those who submit proposals should be prepared to give a brief presentation to the Board at their first meeting of the year, which usually occurs in early March. Funding decisions are communicated shortly thereafter by Board Manager, Nathan Sano.

    To submit 2024 proposals and 2023 final reports electronically, please email Nick Clark (neclark@ucanr.edu). With questions about this funding opportunity, email either Nick Clark or Michelle Leinfelder-Miles (mmleinfeldermiles@ucanr.edu). Nick and Michelle are UC ANR co-liaisons to the CDBAB.

  • Citrus Research and Field Trials (CA-CRaFT) Program Now Accepting Cycle 2 Grower Applications

    California’s Citrus Research and Field Trials (CA-CRaFT) program is now accepting Cycle 2 applications from commercial growers. This initiative aims to showcase the efficacy of additional control measures against the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the carrier of the Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) bacterium causing Huanglongbing (HLB) disease in citrus.

    Commercial citrus producers in California are invited to apply for the program, and eligibility is open to all.

    For Cycle 2, applications will be accepted until program capacity is reached with priority given to those applications received by March 15, 2024. Applications can be found at  https://citrusresearch.org/growers-application

    CRB’s CA-CRaFT initiative seeks participation from commercially managed citrus groves in California, subject to the implementation of specified mitigations and adherence to the overall experimental design. We encourage both organic and conventional citrus growers to submit applications.

    Grove selection criteria will consider existing management practices, with a preference for those actively utilizing ACP management in accordance with the University of California’s Integrated Pest Management (UC IPM) guidelines. Priority consideration will be accorded to California citrus groves facing sustained psyllid pressures or located in close proximity to significant psyllid risk factors, such as transportation corridors and residential areas. Citrus producers can apply without any limitations on the total acreage, and we welcome applications for multiple blocks or groves.

    Project support is currently being offered for the following mitigations:

    Preventative Mitigations

    • Implementing barrier mesh fencing along grove borders to hinder ACP entry.
    • Creating natural windbreaks using living vegetation along grove borders to mitigate psyllid movement.
    • Cultivating trap crops like the curry leaf tree, to attract and control psyllidpopulations.

    Threshold-based Mitigations 

    • Introducing specific biological control agents as a whole grove treatment to suppress ACP populations, regularly assessing their impact and effectiveness, and encouraging conservation and the release of generalist predators like syrphid flies, lacewings, and lady beetles.
    • Implementing targeted insecticide treatments, such as border sprays for ACP control or whole grove treatments with insecticide-based ant baits for ant control, or utilizing border treatments with psyllid repellents like kaolin clay or diatomaceous earth to make the crop unappealing to psyllids.

    Compensation is exclusively provided to growers implementing endorsed additional preventative or threshold-based mitigations, such as barrier mesh fencing, living windbreaks, trap crops, biological control releases, border sprays, psyllid repellents, or ant control, as outlined above.

    Control plots must refrain from receiving any additional mitigations, be they preventative or threshold-based, recommended by the program, as outlined above.

    Participants will receive annual assistance on a per-acre basis to cover expenses related to data collection and field access for scouts. This applies to both control plots and all plots receiving additional CRaFT-endorsed mitigations as part of the program.

    Growers are allowed to conduct regular scheduled plot maintenance and apply various treatments for pests, including ACP, in all plots, including control plots. However, they will not receive compensation for these routine treatments that fall outside of program priorities endorsed by CA-CRaFT.

    The CRB will be hosting webinars on the CA-CRaFT program and its application process on:

    • February 13 at 2:00 PM – Click HERE to register
    • March 7 at 2:00 PM – Click HERE to register

    For details about the California-focused CRaFT Project, program requirements, and webinar schedule, visit the CRB website at www.citrusresearch.org or contact Ariana Gehrig at craft@citrusresearch.org.

    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.

  • Real California Milk Debuts Great Mozzarella Showdown Foodservice Recipe Contest

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the launch of the 2024 Great Mozzarella Showdown, an inaugural foodservice recipe contest challenging professional chefs and culinary students to develop creative, non-pizza dishes using California’s number one cheese product: Mozzarella.

    The CMAB is hosting this online recipe contest to build on the ongoing popularity of Mozzarella at foodservice and how it can be used in endless menu innovation. The goal is to showcase ideas using two styles of this versatile cheese in a variety of dishes for different dayparts, including appetizers and handheld items.

    The Great Mozzarella Showdown is open to professional chefs and culinary students in the U.S. and offers participants the opportunity to submit creative recipes in two categories: California Mozzarella and California Fresh Mozzarella.

    Influential foodservice judges will select eight winning recipes from the online submissions based on criteria including innovation, use of cheese as a primary ingredient, and flavor expectations. Professional chefs will conduct a cook off of the eight winning recipes and grand prize champions will be named for each category. Each chef finalist will receive $2,000, with the two winning dishes receiving an additional $2,000 for a total of $4,000 to each category champion. In total, the CMAB will award $20,000 in prize money.

    “This recipe contest is part of our continued efforts to partner with chefs and next generation culinary professionals to showcase the versatility and performance of California Mozzarella as a key foodservice ingredient,” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB. “While we’ve done a lot to focus on the use of California Mozzarella in the pizza and entrée space, as the reigning cheese in our foodservice portfolio, the Great Mozzarella Showdown will serve to inspire awareness of the endless opportunities for use in appetizers, handhelds, flatbreads, salads and more.”

    The entry period for submitting recipes is January 8-February 16, 2024. The eight winning recipes/chefs will be announced on February 29, 2024, with the two grand champions named in mid-April. For more information, including entry details, visit greatmozzarellashowdown.realcaliforniamilk.com/.

    California is a reliable, consistent source of sustainable dairy products used by chefs and culinary professionals throughout the world. As the nation’s largest dairy state, California boasts an impressive lineup of award-winning cheesemakers and dairy processors that are helping to drive dining innovation.

    California is the leading producer of fluid milk, butter, and ice cream as well as Mozzarella and Monterey Jack. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with sustainably sourced milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/the California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK), businessdevelopment@cmab.net or RealCaliforniaMilk.com/Foodservice, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  • AI Enables Low-Cost Tracking of Invasive Johnsongrass

    To manage johnsongrass, a noxious weed that crowds out cotton and sickens horses, farmers have tried herbicides, burning and hand-pulling. Now, researchers in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences have developed a more high-tech weapon against the invasive weed: artificial intelligence and machine learning.

    Using photos from Google’s Street View database, the researchers have tracked down more than 2,000 cases of johnsongrass in the Western United States for a fraction of the cost and time that it would take for drive-by or other in-person surveys. They call their tool Google Weed View.

    Johnsongrass identified growing near agricultural land using Google Street View. The yellow boxes were designated by artificial intelligence; the red boxes were drawn by human hand. (Mohsen Mesgaran/UC Davis)

    The advancement could help land managers easily and quickly survey for other problem plants.

    “Once the model is trained, you can just go and run it on millions of images from Google Street View,” said Mohsen Mesgaran, an assistant professor in the department. “We have huge flexibility, and its capability can be scaled up very quickly.”

    The technique can easily be extended to other plant species. All that is needed is to label the new item in Street View photos and train the algorithm to identify that object in the images.

    By providing location information, Google Weed View also offers an opportunity to examine how climate affects the growth and spread of weeds and invasive plants at very large scales.

    “I think it can be both useful for management and for people with interests in more basic questions in ecology,” Mesgaran said.

    Johnsongrass, far left, captured near a construction site using Google Street View. (Mohsen Mesgaran/UC Davis)

    A colleague’s query

    Mesgaran began looking at Google’s photo database of roadways, streets and highways after Kassim Al-Khatib, a professor of Cooperative Extension in the same department, asked if he could survey Western states for johnsongrass.

    Al-Khatib studies where johnsongrass grows, ways to manage it and how this perennial has evolved to be so prevalent and resilient. He’s also working with scientists at the University of Georgia to decode the genome of johnsongrass, which is one of the top 10 most invasive weeds worldwide.

    Johnsongrass can crowd out native plants, harbor pathogens and affect agriculture. It grows up to 7 feet tall with flowers that are green, violet, dark red or purplish brown depending on maturity, according to a UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program briefing page.

    “Johnsongrass is a major weed not just in California but worldwide,” Al-Khatib said. “It’s very difficult to control. It’s a problem on vineyards. It’s a problem for cultivated crops. It’s a problem on orchards.”

    Google Weed View allows for rapid, convenient scanning. It is continuously updated via everyday users with compatible cameras and images collected by Google. “Instead of a day of in-person driving, we can use AI to determine if johnsongrass is in a county or not,” Al-Khatib said.

    Setting the parameters

    To find the weeds, Mesgaran went to Google Street View, which hosts billions of panoramic photos. It didn’t take long to find johnsongrass.

    “The pictures are really good quality,” he said. “You can see plants and flowers.”

    Street View’s photos offer a 360-degree view, so in his request, Mesgaran set parameters, based on street direction (bearing), to only see the side view. He also specified latitude, longitude and other factors. To train the deep, or machine learning, model, he chose Texas, where johnsongrass is prevalent.

    A student sorted through more than 20,000 images from that request to find pictures with johnsongrass, then drew rectangular shapes around the weeds. They located 1,000 images.

    The labeled photos were fed into a computer to train a deep learning algorithm capable of identifying johnsongrass in Google’s images. The model was run again to capture potentially more images containing johnsongrass. These additional images were then labeled and used to further refine the model. With each iteration, the algorithm learned and became more accurate.

    “This deep learning model was trained by these images,” Mesgaran said. “Once we had a semi-working model, we ran it against about 300,000 images.”

    For Al-Khatib’s request, researchers focused on 84,000 miles of main roads in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington states. The team discovered 2,000 locations with johnsongrass.

    Google Weed View cost less than $2,000 to purchase the images and teach the model. A traditional car survey to cover the same area would cost an estimated $40,000 in gas, hotel, food and other costs.

    “In a matter of months, we came up with 2,000 records, and I can do it for the whole U.S.,” Mesgaran said.

    Next up? The whole United States. — By Emily Dooley, UCANR

  • Navigating CARB’s Advanced Clean Fleet Regulation: What Growers Need to Know

    The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has introduced the new Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) Regulation, with a mission to expedite the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) across the state. This regulation affects vehicles with a gross weight rating (GWR) greater than 8,500 pounds which includes some commonly used pickup trucks such as Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500, Ford F-250 Ram 2500 and other models of similar or greater weight.  There are some vehicles that are exempt from this regulation such as historical vehicles, dedicated snow removal vehicles, two-engine vehicles, and heavy cranes. This article tries to give a simple and brief overview of the regulation with exemptions and extensions.

    Who is Affected: The ACF Regulation applies to growers with either $50 million or more in gross annual revenue or owning, operating, or controlling 50 or more vehicles over 8,500 lbs. Hence, many growing operations in the region will fall under the regulation which classifies such growers as “High Priority Fleet”. Growers who fall under this category will need to start complying with the regulation in the upcoming year. Additionally, entities that are engaged in drayage (freight hauling) operations at seaports and railyards, as well as fleets owned by State, Local, and Federal government agencies are also affected by this regulation.

    Compliance Requirements for the Growers:

    a)       The first part of the regulation is submitting a compliance report which includes information about the ownership and of each vehicle in the fleet. The first compliance report needs to be submitted through the Truck Regulation Upload, Compliance, and Reporting System (TRUCRS) by February 1, 2024, and subsequently it should be uploaded each year until 2045. The report should contain information about

    • Fleet ownership details
    • Details about each vehicle in the fleet such as VIN, make, model, weight, etc.
    • Selection of ZEV transition option (discussed below).

    b)      The second part of compliance is choosing a pathway to transition to zero-emission fleets. There are two possible pathways:

    1.  Model Year Schedule Option:
    • Starting January 2024, any new vehicles with a gross weight over 8,500 lbs. (eg.  Ford F-250, Ram 2500) must be a ZEV.
    • However, if the new gasoline/diesel-powered were ordered for purchase before October 1, 2023, can be added to the fleet.
    • Further, existing gasoline/diesel vehicles must be removed from the fleet when mileage exceeds 800,000 miles or when it exceeds a lifespan of 18 years.
      1. ZEV Milestones Option:

    This option allows fleet owners to gradually introduce ZEVs into their fleets between 2025 and 2042, depending on the type of vehicle and its usage. Under this option, the entire fleet is categorized into three vehicle groups:

    • Group 1: Includes box trucks such as refrigerated vans and trucks, vans, buses with two axles, yard tractors, light-duty package delivery vehicles (means a vehicle with a gross weight equal to or less than 8,500 lbs. with equal to or greater than 100 cubic feet of cargo-carrying volume).
    • Group 2: Includes work trucks, day cab tractors (on-road tractor without a berth designed for resting or sleeping), pickup trucks, buses with three axles.
    • Group 3: Sleeper cab tractors (a tractor with a berth designed for resting or sleeping at the back of the cab) and specialty vehicles.

    Each group of vehicles must transition to ZEV by the dates and milestones indicated in the table below.

    Here’s the table that shows ZEV Fleet Milestones that a grower must achieve by group and year.

    Here is an example calculation for a fleet for the calendar year 2030: Let’s say a fleet has 100 Group 1 vehicles, 50 Group 2 vehicles, and 30 Group 3 vehicles. By 2030, the fleet must have 25% ZEVs for Group 1, 25% for Group 2, and 10% for Group 3 (from the above table). Number of ZEVs required would be as follows:

    Group 1: 100 vehicles x 25% = 25 ZEVs

    Group 2: 50 vehicles x 25% = 12.5 ZEVs

    Group 3: 30 vehicles x 10% = 3 ZEVs

    So, the total ZEV Fleet Milestone for that year is 40.5 ZEVs, which rounds up to 41 ZEVs needed.

    A crucial point to keep in mind is that the ZEVs do not need to be in a particular group (1,2,3).  It is the total number ZEVs purchased that CARB is going to consider for compliance.  As long as the ZEVs added have a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 8,500 lbs., it can count towards compliance regardless of the three groups. Thus, a fleet owner can use any combination of ZEVs from the three groups to comply. For more information, please visit Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation Zev Milestone Option

    b)      Exemptions and Extensions: Presently the number of models of ZEVs that are suitable for on-farm use is limited and the supply of these types of vehicles has not ramped up yet. Also, it would take time and significant investment before there is a substantial charging infrastructure in place to support a fleet of ZEV. Fortunately, there are exemptions and extensions for specific circumstances. For example, if you have an old vehicle that is rarely used (less than 1,000 miles a year), you might not have to get rid of it. And if you can’t find an electric replacement for your aging vehicle, you can ask for permission to buy a similar non-ZEV. If setting up charging stations is going to delay the transition to ZEV, you can also ask for more time. The same goes for delays in purchasing new electric vehicles due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a shortfall in supply. If you can’t find an electric replacement, you might be able to buy regular gasoline or diesel engine vehicle.

    To apply for exemptions or extensions, growers must email the supporting documents as evidence for the exemption or extension to TRUCRS@arb.ca.gov.

    Here’s an example situation where one could apply for an extension due to a delay in the electric vehicle delivery. If you ordered a ZEV at least one year before the compliance date, but the delivery of the vehicle was delayed, you can keep using your old vehicle until the new ZEV arrives by qualifying for an extension. The fleet owner must email following information to TRUCRS@arb.ca.govduring the annual reporting period:

    • VIN of the combustion engine vehicle for which the extension is being requested.
    • A written, signed, and dated legally binding purchase document that provides information about the owner’s commitment to purchase the ZEV, date of the purchase, and that the purchase is for immediate delivery to the owner.

    c)       Enforcement and Penalties

    • Penalties may be imposed on individuals or entities failing to comply with the Advanced clean fleet requirements, including submitting false information.
    • Penalties also apply for missing reporting deadlines, beginning January 1, 2025.
    • CARB agents have the right to verify compliance records through inspections.

    Concluding Remarks

    The ACF Regulation marks a substantial shift towards zero-emission vehicles in California. For growers, staying in the loop, submitting compliance reports on time, and figuring out the best path for your fleet is key. Following these rules isn’t just about compliance; it’s a step towards a greener, more sustainable future for the Salinas Valley and beyond. Growers with hauling operations or High Priority Fleets need to be aware of the compliance requirements and available options.

    Navigating this new regulation can be a bit of a puzzle. At first glance, it seems strict and challenging, especially for growers being asked to electrify commonly used pickup trucks starting next year. However, there’s a silver lining – plenty of exemptions and extensions exist for growers to meet the electric vehicle replacement requirements over a longer period than is indicated in the timetable. Still, it’s no walk in the park; it’ll demand a chunk of your time and effort, thanks to the paperwork, monitoring, and reporting that comes with it.

    The primary goal of this article is to connect with growers, sparking a conversation about this regulation. We want to field your questions, uncover the main obstacles you might face in compliance, and, just like UCCE did with the Ag Order on Water Restrictions, convey these challenges and feedback to the regulatory authorities Our goal is to ensure your voice is recognized in this ever-changing landscape, reassuring you that, as always, UCCE is here to provide any help or assistance you may need. — By Paramveer Singh, UCANR

  • Maps Reveal Biochar’s Potential for Mitigating Climate Change

    Biochar, a charcoal made from heating discarded organic materials such as crop residues, offers a path to lowering atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) at a time when climate scientists warn that urgent action is needed limit CO2 in the atmosphere.

    New maps, made from a first-of-its-kind high-resolution global dataset of crop residues, reveal areas where the residues may be sustainably used to produce biochar.

    The research finds that 12 countries have the technical ability to sequester over 20% of their current total greenhouse gas emissions by converting crop residues to biochar. Bhutan leads the way with the potential to sequester 68% of its emissions in the form of biochar, followed by India, at 53%. The study, “Potential for Biochar Carbon Sequestration from Crop Residues: A Global Spatially Explicit Assessment,” published Oct. 13 in the journal GCB Bioenergy.

    “We are entering an unprecedented era in which even a rapid and profound reduction in fossil fuel use will not be enough to avoid severe harms to both humans and ecosystems from climate change,” said co-lead author Dominic Woolf, a senior research associate in the School of Integrative Plant Science Soil and Crop Sciences Section in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

    “We also need to draw down excess CO2,” he said. “Making biochar from crop residues is one of the few tools we have that can do this at scale without competing for land.”

    Biochar improves soil fertility and benefits plant growth, while also offering a way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. When added to soils, biochar sequesters carbon in the soil for centuries.

    The study finds that, theoretically, if the total amount of crop residues generated by agriculture globally were converted into biochar, it would sequester a maximum of one billion metric tons of carbon stored annually. Three-quarters of that carbon would remain sequestered after 100 years, which represents enough to offset about 80% of all greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.

    “Even when considering limitations on sustainable residue harvesting and competing usage for crop residues – such as livestock feed – the global biochar production potential is approximately half of that amount,” Woolf said.

    When considering these limitations, potential global biochar production amounts to 510 million metric tons of carbon per year, with roughly 360 million metric tons remaining sequestered after 100 years.

    “The high-resolution maps of crop residue production and biochar sequestration will provide valuable insights and support decision-making related to biochar production and investment in biochar production capacity,” Woolf said.

    Shivesh Kishore Karan, a researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, is the joint lead author of the paper. Coauthors include Stephen Wood, a senior scientist at the Nature Conservancy, and Elias Azzi and Cecilia Sundberg, both at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

    The study was funded by the Nature Conservancy and the Bezos Earth Fund. — By Krishna Ramanujan, Cornell University

  • John Harris & Bob Smittcamp Honored With Top Valley Business Awards

    The Fresno Chamber of Commerce proudly announced the distinguished recipients of the Valley Business Awards, including the 2024 Leon S Peters recipient, John Harris, owner of Harris Ranch and the first-ever legacy recipient, Bob Smittcamp, renowned philanthropist and former CEO of Lyons Magnus, who passed away in 2021. The announcement was made by Fresno Chamber President & CEO Scott Miller at a surprise press conference held at Harris Ranch Resort in Coalinga.

    “The 40th Anniversary of the Leon S. Peters Award adds a special significance to this year’s presentation. The decision to honor Mr. Smittcamp with the first every legacy presentation of the award is a special tribute, emphasizing the historical importance of the occasion. The fact of the matter is that this award represents the Central Valley’s greatest examples of people who have used significant success in business to benefit the whole community. Mr. Smittcamp’s name absolutely belongs on that list with Mr. Harris and the other legendary individuals who came before,” said Scott Miller, President & CEO of Fresno Chamber of Commerce.

    The 2024 recipient of the prestigious Leon S. Peters Award is John Harris, owner of Harris Ranch, a well-known agribusiness and horse racing figure. Harris, born into a farming family, graduated from UC Davis in 1965 and later served as a U.S. Army officer. As owner of Harris Farms since 1981, he has overseen various entities, including the Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant and Harris Farms Thoroughbred Horse Division. Mr. Harris has made a personal commitment to California State University, Fresno, including his philanthropic support for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Craig School of Business, Bulldog Foundation, Henry Madden Library, Kremen School of Education and Human Development, and has served on the Kenneth L. Maddy Board of Directors and is a part of the President’s Circle of Excellence.

    As a special tribute for the 40th anniversary of the Leon S Peters Award, the past LSP award recipients have decided to recognize the exceptional achievements of respected community businessman and leader Bob Smittcamp and award him with the 40th Anniversary Legacy Leon S. Peters Award as a posthumous recognition for this legacy. Smittcamp, a prominent figure in the business and philanthropic community, co-owned Wawona Packing Company and served as the former chairman and CEO of Lyon Magnus.

    In addition to donating $10 million to advance neurosciences at Community Medical Centers in 2018, Smittcamp was an avid supporter of Fresno State, his alma mater, benefitting various types of programs and scholarships, and giving generations of students the opportunity for excellence in higher education.

    The Fresno Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest business organizations in the Central Valley, with approximately 1,200 member businesses representing over 78,000 employees. The Chamber’s mission is to “promote and support the success of the regional business community through effective advocacy, education, and relationship building.”

  • Helene Dillard to Retire as UC Davis College of Ag & Environmental Sciences Dean

    Dean Helene Dillard is retiring in 2024 as leader of the University of California, Davis, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, or CA&ES, after 10 years of service. A national search for a new dean will begin in December, and Dillard will retire once her successor is in place.

    During her tenure as dean, Dillard established several key initiatives, engaged many internal and external partners, and led the college’s efforts to improve the lives of Californians and people around the world. Her legacy and commitment to the college, its mission and campus is expansive and transformative. Throughout her tenure, she has championed and embodied the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration to address the most pressing issues facing agriculture, the environment, and human and social needs.

    Comfortable around students, industry players and stakeholders, and government and international leaders, Dillard is an adept listener who has a knack for finding common ground and bridging the gap between disparate communities and setting a path forward to success.

    “Dean Dillard is an Aggie through and through, and she exemplifies all that is best about our campus,” said Mary Croughan, provost and executive vice chancellor. “She is a two-time alumna, a brilliant researcher, an internationally recognized leader in her field, and as kind and compassionate a person as you could ever hope to meet. She is nearly synonymous with the campus, and it is hard to imagine UC Davis without her. Dean Dillard will be dearly and deeply missed.”

    Her departure from the college is bittersweet — while she has deeply treasured her role as dean, she is looking forward to spending more time with family and enjoying the outdoor spaces she helped steward.

    “It has been an incredible honor to lead such an amazing college — I am so proud of the faculty, staff and students who remain dedicated to our mission, working to serve California, the nation and the world. Every day they show up committed and engaged, and I feel privileged to have played such a pivotal role in advancing and growing the college and UC Davis these past 10 years,” says Dillard.

    A broad portfolio

    As leader of the agricultural school ranked No. 1 in the nation and No. 2 in the world, she has served as the chief academic and administrative officer of the college, which includes 14 departments, 29 centers and institutes, more than 7,600 undergraduate students, approximately 320 faculty and 585 staff. She also manages programmatic responsibilities for the college’s Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension.

    She supported leadership and staff through several renovation and infrastructure projects, such as six new greenhouses, including a 14,400-square-foot greenhouse to safeguard an important grapevine collection from red blotch disease and other pathogens; new irrigation and water management initiatives; major upgrades to the Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture; the installation of a new indoor vertical farm to develop innovative solutions for food security and improved water use; and a new and innovative goat dairy and creamery.

    During the pandemic, Dillard navigated a reduction in federal funding and unavoidable budget cuts while still managing to overhaul teaching spaces to facilitate better online learning and remote work environments. She also oversaw the implementation of safety measures to support staff and faculty who attended to the immediate needs of several thousand animals and acres of research fields and orchards.

    A focus on student success

    Dillard has remained incredibly dedicated to student success throughout her tenure. In partnership with the associate dean of undergraduate academic programs, she improved academic advising services and increased the ratio of students to advisors within the college and embedded a mental health counselor in the program. She elevated experiential learning both in and outside the classroom and expanded dean’s circle funding to provide financial support for field trips, service learning and external research at the Bodega Marine Laboratory.

    Dillard’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is extensive. She led the campus pilot to incorporate diversity statements into faculty hirings; created and co-leads the college-level DEI committee; and supported the launch of Aggie Jumpstart, a program that promotes inclusive academic excellence and student success among first-generation, low-income and underserved students. She remains a tireless advocate for listening and amplifying the voices of all faculty, staff and students.

    Over the past decade, the college has received more than $442 million in private philanthropic support. This includes the largest gift ever from an individual donor to UC Davis, $50 million, which paved the way for the establishment of the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation to help shape the future of sustainable food production.

    A career of accolades and history of research

    A scientist and educator, Dillard is recognized widely for her contributions in plant pathology research, inclusive teaching and fostering diversity. She is a fellow of the American Phytopathological Society where she received the Excellence in Extension Award and was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2021. Dillard also received the Walter A. Robinson Community Champion award from the African Continuum at UC Davis in recognition of her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion at UC Davis and received the New York Farmers Medal and the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Cornell College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

    Prior to her appointment at UC Davis, Dillard was a professor of plant pathology, a Cooperative Extension specialist and associate dean of two colleges at Cornell University. Her research focused on the biology, ecology and management of fungal pathogens that cause diseases in vegetables. Her research interests included sustainable disease management strategies, integrated pest management, epidemiology, and host, pathogen and environmental actions.

    Working with industry, communities

    As a former CE specialist, she understands the deep value of listening to and working directly with communities and industry in the field. She was instrumental in securing the working title of Professor of Cooperative Extension, and she supported the creation of the Making Connections program, which provides opportunities for faculty and industry to foster a greater understanding of how research and applied work intersect and benefit each other.

    “Dean Dillard’s experience as a professor and researcher with an extension assignment made her uniquely qualified to serve as dean of this country’s top College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She came to the position with a deep understanding of the importance of the public service mission of land grant universities and building relationships with stakeholders for real-time feedback to enhance the value of research to solve the most critical issues of our times,” said California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. “Since then, she has embraced a vision for research and education that leaves her organization in a better position to generate the talent and tools that California needs. As a colleague, as a friend, and as a leader, Helene has been engaged, thoughtful and committed, even through the most challenging of circumstances. She has distinguished herself and honored California’s agricultural community with her service.” – By Caren Weintraub, UC Davis

  • Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit: Ready, Set, Solve!

    The Partnership’s Amanda Lucey to moderate event focused on advancing animal ag

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance has opened registration for its 2024 Stakeholders Summit, themed “Ready, Set, Solve! Advancing Animal Agriculture.” The 2024 Summit is set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Mo. Register by March 8 for the lowest rates offering savings up to $100. Register here!

    Dozens of speakers. Hundreds of perspectives. Countless ideas. And that’s just at the starting line of the 2024 Summit. It’s going to take a team to drive our future forward. It’s going to take you, running alongside fellow stakeholders from across the food chain who know that putting in the work is the only way to transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s solutions. Are you ready? Then take your spot at the 2024 Summit.

    “The annual Stakeholders Summit is unique in its ability to bring together each link of the food supply chain to discuss emerging issues facing everyone from farmers and ranchers to retailers and food brands,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “No matter where you sit in the supply chain, we’re all seeking ways to advance animal agriculture and getting our goals across the finish line. There’s no better place to discuss these challenges and opportunities than at the 2024 Summit where you’re surrounded by peers and stakeholders.”

    Amanda Lucey, CEO of The Partnership, a marketing and brand communications agency, will serve as moderator throughout the event. In her 20-year career, Lucey has personal experience in strategic public relations, marketing, branding, and corporate communications for clients, companies, and government institutions at a national and international level. She previously served as the director of communications and public relations for Dairy Alliance. She has held executive roles with U.S. and U.K. governments as vice consul, head of political, press and public affairs for the British Consulate General and as a media correspondent and director of communications for the U.S. government.

    Get involved: 

    Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For more information on 2024 sponsorship opportunities still available, contact Logan Hall at lhall@animalagalliance.org.

    Help us spread the word about Summit! If you refer a friend to attend the 2024 Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card! Each referral will count as one entry and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. We will give away two $100 gift cards during the Summit – one drawing for referrers and one drawing for those who were referred. All registrations for the in-person event with a referral listed made until online registration closes on May 3 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.

    Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA24 for periodic updates about the event on social media. For general questions about the Summit, email summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

    About the Alliance:

    The Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.