California Ag Network

Tag: UC ANR

  • SNAP-Ed-Supported Program Energizes Older Adults Through Gardening

    “I not only live here, I garden here,” said Karen Smulevitz, a resident of Palo Vista Gardens, a public housing complex for older adults in East Oakland. She was wearing sunglasses and sporting a white bucket hat, a red leather jacket over a red t-shirt and white pants as she roamed the community garden.

    “This is my plot behind the mesh,” Smulevitz said, gesturing to the tall plants growing behind a chicken-wire screen in a raised bed. “I grow tomatoes, Italian parsley, rosemary. My doctor told me to eat more leafy greens.”

    She’s growing vegetables and herbs with help from a “garden club” organized by CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California Cooperative Extension in Alameda County. Growing her own leafy greens makes it easy for Smulevitz to add them to her daily meals.

    “I can come out here every other day and pick some chard and some kale, throw it in some soup or stir-fry or whatever it is I’m cooking,” Smulevitz said. “I add kale to almost everything. I’m trying to get my leafy greens in.”

    CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE provides free nutrition and wellness information to help people eligible for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) develop healthier habits.

    Palo Vista Gardens is one of a few Alameda County partners enlisted by Mary Blackburn, UC Cooperative Extension nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor emeritus, to reach older Californians. “It was really her pioneering efforts that inspired UCCE to work with seniors,” Tuline Baykal, CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE supervisor for Alameda County, said of Blackburn, who recently retired from her 35-year UCCE career.

    Growing greens and a sense of community

    For the past 20 years, the CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE team has provided nutrition classes and gardening classes for Palo Vista Gardens residents, according to Araceli Tellez, resident services portfolio manager at Oakland Housing Authority.

    “In my role for the past eight years, I’ve seen how the partnership we’ve had has provided our residents the knowledge to eat healthier, to save money, to socialize with their community while gardening, and it has allowed them to grow as individuals so they can be healthier and live a longer, healthy life,” said Tellez.

    Max Fairbee, a CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE community nutrition educator for Alameda County, launched the garden club with Palo Vista Gardens residents. He specializes in serving older adults who live in public housing and adults living in transitional housing. In addition to providing them with nutrition advice, Fairbee shares tips to stretch their food dollars and meet goals for physical activity.

    “I love working with these residents,” said Fairbee. “Over the past 8-9 years, I’ve connected with each of them through this garden.”

    “When I first came to Palo Vista, it was as a nutrition educator and a few of the residents who garden came to my classes but not all,” he said. “You see, the residents speak at least six languages in the garden – English, Chinese, Spanish, Khmer, Vietnamese and Lao – and gardening is a way to communicate without words. Whenever I stop to see the garden, the residents take me to their plot to show me the produce they’ve grown or if there is a pest. Gardening is a common thread. They feel connected to each other even though they are from different cultures. I see how they light up and smile.”

    SNAP-Ed funding to end Sept. 30

    The federal reconciliation spending bill, signed into law on July 4, eliminates funding for SNAP-Ed beyond Sept. 30, 2025. CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California is one of the organizations implementing SNAP-Ed in California.

    Over his eight years of connecting with Palo Vista Gardens residents, CalFresh Healthy Living UCCE community educator Fairbee has left a positive impression.

    “Max is a part of our community,” said Olympia Vizcaino, assistant property manager at Palo Vista Gardens. “He has a wealth of information not only for our residents, but our staff as well. He always conducts nutrition classes, gardening classes, cooking classes. He’s constantly bringing supplies to our site, like Sluggo to keep the bugs away so that our plants can thrive. He brings us soil, he brings us calendars and he brings us baby plants, too, to plant in there.”

    The Harvest of the Month calendar contains images of colorful, seasonal fruits and vegetables highlighted each month with suggested recipes.

    According to Vizcaino, older people may forget to spend time outdoors, but gardening with Fairbee can be a powerful motivator.

    “He brings people out into the sun,” Vizcaino said. “Some people forget and don’t go outside. They’re elderly so when they have something to do, to come out into the garden to be with other people, to be in the sun, it makes them happy.”

    ‘I depend on Max’

    Recently participants who have worked with Fairbee reflected on how they have benefited from the CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE program.

    “I depend on Max and his knowledge of gardening and food,” said Geneva Moore, who has lived at Palo Vista Gardens for eight years. She said Fairbee is a tremendous resource for the community.

    When she goes to the grocery story, Moore takes time to carefully read ingredient labels on food packages before buying a product – a skill she learned from Fairbee. Her awareness of nutritious fruits and vegetables has also expanded over the years.

    “I got mustard greens, tomatoes and all kinds of things going on right now,” said Moore, pointing to the raised garden plot behind her while steadying herself with a walking stick.

    Nutrition lessons learned in the garden follow participants into the kitchen. To encourage Moore to make use of her abundant, home-grown vegetables, Fairbee suggested a vegetable soup, a simple recipe that’s easy to digest.  “One good way for seniors to eat their vegetables is to make a soup,” Moore said. “You’re always going to drink that soup. And, whoo, you got vegetables!”

    Besides rewarding seniors with delicious meals, gardening pays off in terms of their physical health and mental health.

    “I always loved to garden. I used to garden when I owned my own house. I missed it, then I come to Palo Vista and Max,” Moore said. “He brings all these good things for me. He helps me. He helps us all the time.”

    Smulevitz listed many ways that the garden club enhances the quality of life for residents.

    “I just love gardening; we get so much aid from UC and from Max,” she explained. “He supplies us with soil and compost and all kinds of things. Gardening lifts one’s spirits a lot. Our particular garden helps to enhance our sense of community because we often work together. We share our crops with each other, like I’ll give some kale away or somebody will give me something else that they grew and it just strengthens those bonds we have as neighbors here.”

    “Max is the face of CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE to them,” said Baykal, CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE supervisor.

    Fairbee said, “It’s obvious to me, by the way they light up, that being here in the garden is good for their well-being. And it’s good for me too! It feels really rewarding to help them grow their own food.”

    Leaders at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, which oversees CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE in 34 counties in the state, are reimagining the future of nutrition education and how the work of Fairbee and his colleagues can continue helping older Californians.

    “I can’t even put a price on what Max does,” Vizcaino said. “It’s so invaluable to our community. To watch our residents thrive in that manner makes us happy as well.”

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

    To read more UC ANR news, visit our newsroom at  http://ucanr.edu/News.

  • UC Releases Costs of Growing Cilantro, Parsley

    For commercial growers considering planting cilantro or parsley, the costs and returns of producing in Ventura County are outlined in a new study by the University of California Cooperative Extension, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Institute, and UC Davis Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics.

    “These studies provide growers with a baseline to estimate their own costs, which can help if they need to apply for production loans, project labor costs or market their crop” said Etaferahu Takele, UC Cooperative Extension farm management advisor and agricultural economist and study co-author.

    The UC Cooperative Extension cost and return estimates are based on cilantro and parsley grown in Ventura County. Each study describes the cultural practices used for establishing, producing and harvesting the herbs, including land preparation, soil fertility and pest management, irrigation and labor needs.   

    Ventura County produces a diverse mix of vegetables and herb crops. Lately, the acreage in cilantro production has been increasing. Between 2002 and 2022, the cilantro acreage almost quadrupled from 1,257 acres to 4,065 acres, reflecting increases in demand for the herb often used in Latin American and Asian recipes.

    The total cost to produce cilantro in 2025, using a yield of 1,200 cartons per acre, is approximately $7,316 per acre. Sold for $9 per carton, profit for cilantro before paying management is estimated at $3,480 per acre.

    The total cost to produce parsley in 2025, using a yield of 2,200 cartons per acre, is approximately $14,759 per acre. Using a price received of $8.60 per carton, profit for parsley before paying management, is estimated at $4,713 per acre.

    The researchers based their studies on an 800-acre farm, which was the average farm size of the growers they interviewed. Double cropping is common in Ventura County so the total land farmed for this sample is about 1,600 acres per year. Because growers produce multiple crops each year, planting and harvesting vegetable crops are year-round activities.

    “Cilantro Production Costs and Profitability Analysis” and “Parsley Production Costs and Profitability Analysis” can be downloaded for free from the UC Cooperative Extension Ventura County website: https://ucanr.edu/county/cooperative-extension-ventura-county/vegetable.

    Government agencies such as the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture can use the information when developing and implementing agricultural policies and programs.

    The cost estimate studies were coauthored by Oleg Daugovish, UC Cooperative Extension strawberry and vegetable crop advisor in Ventura County; and Karen Jetter, research economist and associate director; Donald Stewart, staff research associate; and Fiona Ogunkoya, survey researcher, all of the UC ANR Policy Institute.

    For more information about cost studies, contact Takele at ettakele@ucanr.edu.

    These studies were funded by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Thelma Hansen Trust. — By Pamela Kan-Rice, UCANR

  • Questions about Growing Agave in California?

    Agave may be a slow-growing plant, but the rush to farm the drought-tolerant crop in California has been rapid. Since 2023, agave acreage has quadrupled in the state, from 50 acres to over 200.

    Photo Caption: Yessica Fernandez Galicia is a researcher who’s organizing a webinar series to meet the most pressing questions from California agave growers. Photo by Rob Padilla

    With all those new agave farms popping up, more farmers are seeking advice to best care for this hardy succulent. To meet that need, agricultural experts from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and UC Davis surveyed English-speaking and Spanish-speaking agave growers on their top concerns. So far, they’re received over 50 responses and counting.

    “With this survey, we’ve identified 30 farmers that we didn’t have on our radar before,” said Yessica Fernandez Galicia, a UC ANR and UC Davis agave researcher.

    Growers’ responses focused on many of the same themes: How much should you water an agave plant? Which pests and diseases affect agave? Can you get certified for growing agave sustainably?

    Those survey results have been put to good use. Based on grower input, UC ANR has developed a series of free, virtual webinars about agave, offered every month from August to December. The sessions are open to all, but please register ahead of time:

    Regenerative Agave and Certification — Aug 28, noon-1 p.m.

    Rodrigo Mestas – Agave grower in Jalisco, Mexico. Mestas is the owner of the first Regenerative Tequila Certificate, which was awarded to his business, Tequila Torrente.

    Cooperatives and Collective Action — Sept. 25, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

    Deborah Yashar – Agriculture and food co-op specialist in the California Center for Cooperative Development.

    Agave and Dry Farming Practices — Oct. 16, noon-1 p.m.

    Steve Sanchez – California farmer and consultant who promotes agave and cactus cultivation through sustainable practices and dry farming. Sanchez hosts the podcast Agave & Cactus Talk.

    Cultural Appropriation: The Significance of Maguey and Mezcal to Zapotec People — Nov. 13, noon-1 p.m.

    Fabiola Santiago – Activist, researcher, and cultural entrepreneur, originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, and raised in California. Proudly Zapotec, she dedicates her work to defending and preserving Oaxacan culture.

    Photo Caption: Agricultural experts from UC ANR and UC Davis surveyed new and long-time agave growers as the drought-tolerant crop gains popularity in California. Photo by Rob Padilla

    The webinars cover multiple topics, including grower certification and irrigation practices. According to Fernandez Galicia, attendees will leave with economic and environmental takeaways.

    “We are trying to educate people that the agave doesn’t need a lot of water. If you give them a lot of water, they don’t generate the adequate quantities of sugar,” she said.

    That means overwatering could make the agave unusable for commercial products like alcohol or biofuel. Cutting water use also can be a cost-saver and environmentally responsible in this drought-prone state.

    “The principal goal is to encourage practices that care for the earth and make farming more sustainable,” said Fernandez Galicia. — By Caroline Champlin, UCANR

  • Not a Peep — Bird Flu Silences Poultry Competitions at Fairs

    Summertime at California county fairs usually brings a barnyard chorus of oinks, neighs and bleats from livestock. But in California, cock-a-doodle-doos are missing from that chorus. A statewide ban on bird exhibitions, due to highly pathogenic avian influenza, has left empty cages and disappointed young 4-H members who spent months raising chickens for competition.

    “Fowl News: Bird Flu Ruffles Feathers at the Fair,” is the latest episode of Unfold, a UC Davis podcast. In this episode, guest host Caroline Champlin, with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, explores how 4-H programs are keeping poultry education alive amid the ban. At the Orange County Fair, kids compete in the “avian bowl,” a quiz game designed to test knowledge of poultry science. You also can read an in-depth article on the topic at UC ANR’s Green Blog.

    UC Davis veterinary epidemiologist Maurice Pitesky, also with UC ANR, explains why the ongoing bird flu outbreak may be here to stay. He discusses how the virus spreads, the risks of bringing animals together, and innovative approaches to teaching about the bird flu, including a cooperative board game about stopping disease spread.

    In this episode:

    Maurice Pitesky, associate professor, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension specialist

    You can listen to episodes of the Signal Award-winning podcast Unfold, on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, your smart speaker or wherever you get your podcasts. Original music for Unfold comes from UC Davis alumnus Damien Verrett and Curtis Jerome Haynes. Follow us on X at @unfoldpodcast or Bluesky at @unfoldpodcast.bsky.social. — By Amy Quinton, UC Davis

  • Growers & Landscapers Invited to California Nursery Conference Sept. 10-11

    Nursery owners and landscapers – do you know about the latest invasive pest lurking in greenhouses? Are you getting the most efficiency out of your irrigation systems? What are you doing to protect your plants from the next record-breaking heat wave?

    Scientists from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources will address these pressing questions and other research findings at the 2025 California Nursery Conference on Sept. 10-11 at the Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula.

    For more than 40 years, this conference has assembled UC researchers to catch horticultural business owners up to speed on science that can influence their bottom line.

    The first day of the conference will feature seminars, demonstrations and poster sessions in English and Spanish. Day two will offer hands-on experiences, with attendees invited to tour local nurseries, greenhouses and landscapes. Stops will include Seaside Gardens, Boething Treeland and more.

    To see the agenda and register, visit https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/events/california-nursery-conference-2025.

    During last year’s California Nursery Conference, growers demonstrated plant propagation and pest management practices in greenhouses. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    Photo Caption: During last year’s California Nursery Conference, growers demonstrated plant propagation and pest management practices in greenhouses. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    Tapping into low-water landscaping

    Nursery agriculture is a billion-dollar industry in California, generating more value than processing tomatoes or broiler chickens. It’s also diverse in its products, including backyard citrus trees, flower bouquets or native plants used for habitat restoration.

    Despite the industry’s size and broad offerings, there are some challenges all nursery growers must contend with, says UC Cooperative Extension horticulture advisor and conference organizer Gerardo Spinelli. Water is at the top of that list.

    “Whether you grow a dieffenbachia in a big greenhouse, or you grow an agave outdoors, you need to irrigate it. There’s no way out of it in California,” Spinelli said. “Irrigation efficiency is something that is relevant for everybody.”

    “Low-water” plants and landscapes are a hot topic for discussion in this drought-prone state, and this conference taps into the issue. Seminar topics will include water retention in various substrates, managing pathogens in recirculating irrigation systems and advice on successfully managing a low-water landscape.

    Knowledge exchange goes both ways – input shared by horticultural professionals may inspire the next research projects taken on by UC scientists. Spinelli is looking forward to this social aspect of the conference and hopes to understand the market pressures growers may be facing. For example: which flowers are selling well this year? Which are out of fashion?

    “Nursery and floriculture is an industry that is always very dynamic…the trends are fast,” Spinelli said. “You are more picky when you choose something that has to do with beauty.”

    The event is intended to meet growers’ specific needs, while offering broad value to more general audiences as well. In fact, the conference agenda was developed to include issues facing landscaping professionals, according to Natalie Levy, UC Cooperative Extension soil health and organic materials management advisor.

    Levy is looking forward to the landscaping session, which will include a talk highlighting the market demands and extreme climate conditions weighing on nursery growers and landscapers alike. Growers may want to consider selling plants that have been evaluated through research as being high performing under low-water treatments, such as those Blue Ribbon Winners identified in the UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials. That recognition from scientists could be a marketable quality.

    “This information just gives another edge of marketability to the grower,” Levy said.

    The California Nursery Conference 2025 will have hands-on learning components, including demonstrations and field trips. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    Photo Caption: The California Nursery Conference 2025 will have hands-on learning components, including demonstrations and field trips. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.

    To read more UC ANR news, visit our newsroom at ucanr.edu/News.

    Follow @UCANR on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (Twitter), Bluesky, Threads and Facebook.

  • Startups to Showcase Irrigation, Robotics, Pest-Detection Tech June 26

    Six innovative ag tech startup companies have been selected to participate in VINE Connect, a program that vets and connects emerging agricultural technology with growers who can put it to use. California growers continue to face pressing issues, from persistent drought and limited labor to crop pest concerns. These startups were chosen for their promising solutions to key challenges in California agriculture, including water, labor, disease management and pollination.

    The program – run by UC ANR Innovate, the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, in partnership with Farmhand Ventures – will host a free public Field Day on Thursday, June 26, at the UC West Side Research and Extension Center in Fresno County, where the selected companies will demonstrate their technologies.

    “VINE Connect is about ensuring California farmers have access to new technologies that solve real problems on the farm,” said Gabe Youtsey, UC ANR’s chief innovation officer. “These six startups are developing solutions for challenges like water conservation, labor shortages, crop disease and more. We believe that by testing their innovations with growers, we can help make sure the technology truly works for farmers’ needs.”

    The six ag tech startups participating in the VINE Connect Field Day are:

    • HotSpot AG – A California-based company making irrigation management smarter and simpler. HotSpot AG’s system allows farmers to remotely monitor and control irrigation pumps, engines and valves via cloud-based technology, use real-time field data to schedule watering, and receive alerts to issues.
    • Spornado – Creators of an early-warning disease detection device. The Spornado sampler is a passive spore trap that detects crop disease pathogens in the air long before symptoms appear on plants. Farmers place the inexpensive device in the field, send in the collected filter for analysis, and get timely alerts if threats like mildew or late blight spores are detected.
    • Edete Precision Technologies – An ag tech firm addressing the pollination crisis with mechanical pollination services, currently offering its first commercial service for pistachios. Edete allows growers to manage pollination with the same control as irrigation by delivering precise amounts of pure, genetically fit pollen at optimal bloom times. Edete plans to expand its services to provide solutions for bee-pollinated crops like almonds and cherries, offering an alternative or supplement to natural pollination, reducing dependence on bees and helping stabilize crop yields amid growing pollination challenges.
    • CropVue Technologies – A provider of integrated pest and crop monitoring tools. CropVue deploys networks of “smart traps” and in-field climate sensors to give growers daily data on insect pest pressure and crop conditions. High-resolution cameras and AI software identify pests caught in traps (such as moths in a vineyard), while canopy-level weather units track temperature, humidity and microclimate trends. The system delivers real-time pest counts and microclimate data to a web app, helping farmers anticipate pest pressure and make informed IPM decisions with less manual scouting.
    • Verdi – Developer of a precision irrigation and farm automation platform. Verdi combines easy-to-install hardware (wireless valve controllers and sensors) with a farmer-friendly software app to automate irrigation at scale. The technology enables precision water delivery by zone, monitors system performance (detecting leaks or blockages) and integrates with soil moisture data.
    • Bonsai Robotics – A startup bringing autonomy to farm equipment. Bonsai Robotics retrofits orchard machinery (like nut tree shakers and sweepers) with advanced vision and control systems, turning them into self-driving machines. Their autonomous equipment can operate 24/7 in orchards, even in dusty or GPS-denied environments, to shake trees or clear orchard floors without a person at the wheel.
    HotSpot AG’s system allows farmers to remotely monitor and control irrigation pumps, engines and valves. Photo courtesy of HotSpot AG

    The VINE Connect program supports these startups by facilitating direct engagement with farmers and real-world field trials. Participants benefit from expert-led business development and field trial workshops, grower feedback, networking opportunities, and guidance from UC ANR and industry experts to refine their products and accelerate the path from early-stage development to market adoption.

    “Each of these companies has proven technology that could make a real difference for growers,” said Hannah Johnson, industry lead for UC ANR Innovate. “Demonstrating their solutions on the farm and hearing directly from growers give them an opportunity to refine their innovations to better serve farmers’ needs. It’s a two-way street: startups get priceless feedback to improve their products, and farmers get a sneak peek at tools that might improve their operation’s profitability and sustainability.”

    “Startups need direct engagement with growers to make sure their solutions fit the realities of the farm,” said Connie Bowen, founder of Farmhand Ventures, which co-runs the VINE Connect program. “This program is designed to bridge that gap by bringing technology developers and farmers together on the ground. By testing new ag tech in real farming conditions, we’re encouraging collaboration that speeds up adoption of the most useful innovations.”

    The six companies will showcase their innovations during the VINE Connect Field Day on June 26, 2025, at the UC West Side Research and Extension Center in Five Points, Fresno County. The field day will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and feature live demonstrations of each technology in a farm setting. This free, public event offers growers, agricultural professionals, media and community members an opportunity to see the latest ag tech solutions working in the field and to interact directly with the startup teams and UC ANR researchers.

    This field day is sponsored in part by F3 Local, a regional initiative committed to strengthening California’s food and farming economy through practical, farmer-focused innovation. Their support helps ensure that growers in the Central Valley have early access to new tools and technologies aimed at improving resilience and profitability.

    To attend, please register at https://bit.ly/VINEconnectJune2025.

    UC ANR Innovate is the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, dedicated to driving agriculture, food and biotechnology innovation in California. We connect people, ideas and resources to tackle real-world challenges and drive progress that empowers entrepreneurs, strengthens industries and secures a thriving, inclusive future for California’s agriculture, its workers and its communities.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

  • UC ANR Policy Institute Launched to Inform Policymaking, Implementation

    University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has formally launched the new UC ANR Policy Institute, envisioned as a “one-stop shop” for policymakers to find and easily access scientists and research on a host of critical issues in California. Available expertise encompasses agricultural topics, wildfire and forestry, water and pest management, public health and nutrition, and community and youth development, among others.

    “This institute couldn’t come at a more critical time; as policies and regulations increase in complexity, so too does the need for data and science to be at the decision-making table,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources.

    “Researchers are prime resources for everyone engaged in policymaking – legislators, nonprofits, industry and individual community members – and by increasing capacity to engage in this space, UC ANR will help communities across California craft policies that are practical and produce desired results,” Humiston explained.

    In addition to connecting affiliated researchers across specialty areas and serving as a resource for academics interested in expanding policy-relevant work and communications, the institute also will conduct original research and real-time economic analyses.

    Building upon the foundational work of the former UC Agricultural Issues Center, the institute will focus on the “Regulations, Policy and Compliance” challenge identified in the UC ANR Strategic Vision 2040.

    “The UC ANR Policy Institute will be transformative in delivering the UC ANR mission by increasing science-based communications and community engagement to inform policy decisions and implementation,” Humiston said.

    Anne Megaro has been named interim director of the UC ANR Policy Institute, alongside two associate directors: Karen Jetter, research economist with the former UC Agricultural Issues Center, and JoLynn Miller, area director and 4-H youth development advisor in the Central Sierra. All three will serve in part-time interim roles for three years.

    Anne Megaro

    “I’m honored to work with a strong team to stand up the UC ANR Policy Institute,” said Megaro, UC ANR’s government and community relations director. “We are building an incredible resource that will have lasting, positive impacts. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together to further science-to-policy communications.”

    She said the institute will provide training to UC academics about legislative processes and expand their capabilities to inform the policymaking process beyond the scope of government relations and advocacy in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

    “This new institute will empower and collaborate with researchers to develop data-driven solutions for today’s critical issues, develop audience-friendly communications and amplify the work of UC academics in the policy arena,” Megaro said.

    Interim Associate Directors Karen Jetter and JoLynn Miller serve crucial roles heading up distinct issue areas identified by UC ANR’s Strategic Vision 2040. Jetter, an agricultural economist, will lead “Agriculture and Food Systems” and Miller, a 4-H youth development advisor, will lead “Thriving People and Communities.” A third Interim Associate Director heading the “Natural Ecosystems and Working Landscapes” area will be announced in the coming months.

    For more information about the UC ANR Policy Institute, contact Anne Megaro at ammegaro@ucanr.edu.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.

  • UC ANR Receives Nearly $1M to Spur Ag Innovation with Construction of “The Plant”

    UC ANR Innovate, the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, has received a significant grant award through the California Jobs First initiative to establish The Plant, a facility designed to support agrifood innovation and sustainable agriculture in the Sacramento Valley. This funding will jump-start development for the facility and is part of a broader regional initiative to spur economic growth and sustainability in the Greater Sacramento region.

    The $974,855 Catalyst grant is awarded by the California Jobs First “We Prosper Together” collaborative and administered by Valley Vision, a regional civic leadership organization. The grant will fund early-stage development activities and planning to prepare for construction of The Plant.

    These include feasibility studies, architectural and engineering designs, site evaluations, environmental assessments and preliminary permitting. The grant also funds project management and partnership development to strengthen long-term implementation. By covering these early-phase requirements, the funding reduces project risk and helps accelerate the timeline, making The Plant more competitive for additional public and private investment.

    “This Catalyst grant is a game-changer for The Plant and for agricultural innovation in our region,” said Gabe Youtsey, UC ANR’s chief innovation officer. “It provides the vital resources we need to accelerate this project from vision to reality. The Plant will fill a critical gap by linking UC research and startup ingenuity with the growers, processors and communities who can put new innovations into practice.”

    “By fast-tracking The Plant’s development, we can more rapidly drive new discoveries from lab to field, support a new generation of agrifood entrepreneurs and ultimately grow a stronger, more resilient food system for California,” Youtsey added.

    The Plant will be designed to accelerate solutions in agriculture, food and climate. Its core mission is to harness advanced technologies – notably artificial intelligence and biotechnology – to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in these sectors, from sustainability to food security.

    The Plant aims to bridge the innovation gap between advanced research and real-world application, fast-tracking the commercialization of innovations that address climate change, strengthen food systems and improve human health.

    The heart of The Plant lies in industry-academic collaboration. By bringing together universities, corporations and government (the so-called “triple helix”), the project strives to invent, pilot and rapidly scale solutions for global challenges in agriculture and health.

    Located in Northern California’s Greater Sacramento region, The Plant builds upon California’s unique strengths – from world-class university research to the state’s status as an agricultural powerhouse – to drive economic development and food system resilience on a global scale.

    “California’s farmers and ranchers are facing complex challenges – from drought and climate extremes to supply chain disruptions,” said Glenda Humiston, University of California vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “The Plant will be a cornerstone for developing the next generation of ag technologies and practices to meet these challenges. Thanks to the Catalyst funding, we can accelerate this project and, ultimately, help ensure California remains the ‘go-to’ region for agricultural innovation.”

    With the Catalyst grant, UC ANR Innovate and its partners in industry and academia and across the community will embark on the next steps for The Plant. Over the next year, the grant will fund critical pre-construction work, operational planning and partnership-building activities.

    Meeting these milestones will lay the groundwork for The Plant to move into its construction and implementation phase. By being “shovel-ready” for future investment, The Plant will be well-positioned to attract additional state, federal and private funding to fully realize the innovation campus .

    For more information about The Plant or to learn how you can get involved, please contact UC ANR Chief Innovation Officer Gabe Youtsey at gdyoutsey@ucanr.edu or (530) 750-1314.

    UC ANR Innovate is the innovation arm of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, dedicated to driving progress in agriculture, food and biotechnology. UC ANR Innovate connects researchers, startups, farmers and policymakers to transform ideas into practical solutions that strengthen industries, empower communities and ensure a sustainable future for California’s agriculture. Through collaboration, funding support and real-world application, UC ANR Innovate turns innovation into impact.

    Conceptual illustration of the Plant Innovation Center from street view.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

  • New Report on Intersection of SGMA and Cover Crop Water Use in California’s Central Valley

    A multi-disciplinary authorship group of over 30 individuals has published a report comprised of literature review, policy analysis, and recommendations pertaining to the water impacts of cover crop practices in California’s Central Valley under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

    The report, entitled “Cover Cropping in the SGMA Era,” is the product of a convening process jointly developed by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Natural Resources Conservation Service of California (NRCS-CA), and University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) and assembled by Sustainable Conservation.

    Cover Crops and their Potential

    Cover crops are non-income generating crops that are used to protect and improve the soil between regular annual crop production (such as tomatoes), or between rows of perennial tree and vine crops. The benefits of cover cropping include improved pollinator habitat, infiltration, water storage, carbon capture, and soil health, as well as decreased runoff and erosion – all vital factors in California’s changing agricultural context. These potential benefits are especially salient in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), where groundwater challenges are more acute. Thus, this report evaluates the water implications of cover cropping practices to lay the groundwork for their adoption in the context of SGMA.

    Report Findings and Recommendations

    To understand the potential of cover cropping under SGMA, the report’s authors came together to answer the following questions:

    1. What are the impacts of cover crops on water cycles (both benefits and use) for California farms?
    2. How does SGMA management account for cover cropping and is it capturing cover crop benefits alongside their water use?
    3. How can we ensure that this practice remains available to growers where and when it makes sense?

    This report synthesizes the learnings from the collaborative initiative including 100+ multidisciplinary experts, a policy analysis, interviews with Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) staff and consultants, and the expertise contributed by its 30+ authors. In light of these findings, the report advances a series of recommendations aimed at bridging critical knowledge gaps, enhancing the integration of cover crops into policies and incentive programs, and bolstering data infrastructure and other mechanisms to support sustainable groundwater management initiatives. One vital throughline is the need for additional guidance from the state to support local GSAs in facing the complex challenges of developing and implementing groundwater management strategies for their local watersheds. These measures aim to maximize the water benefits of cover crops within SGMA frameworks and promote sustainable water management practices crucial for the region’s agricultural resilience and environmental health.

    Side-by-side of Donny Hick’s almond orchard without (left) and with (right) cover crops after a big rain event

    Testimonials

    “Cover crops are one of the most popular practices we see farmers employ through our Healthy Soils Program,” said Karen Ross, Secretary of the CDFA. “Cover crops supply a host of benefits, such as helping to protect against soil erosion, improving soil health, crowding out weeds, controlling pests and diseases, and increasing biodiversity; and they can bring increased profitability as the number of other inputs are reduced. They also provide water benefits such as improved infiltration and reduced runoff. Yes, cover crops require a nominal amount of water to establish – and sometimes rainwater is sufficient — but the myriad co-benefits are worth it.”

    “This report is unique because the University collaborated closely with state agencies and private sector partners to ensure that the different perspectives provided both the best science available as well as viable policy options,” said Glenda Humiston, University of California Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). “By taking a comprehensive view, we can advance recommendations for cover crop policy that help us meet multiple goals, manage our natural resources more effectively, and avoid unintended consequences.”

    “Cover crops are a valuable soil health practice that can help ensure the resilience of California farms to climate extremes,” said Sarah Light, UC Cooperative Extension Agronomy Farm Advisor. “As we balance the complexities of water and soil management, it is important to understand the role that cover crops play in an annual water budget so that they are not disincentivized in certain parts of the state. UC ANR expert participants provided science-based information during the convening sessions and co-authored the white paper. This paper can provide guidance to GSAs and policy makers who are charged with implementing SGMA in their regions.”

    View the Executive Summary

    View the Full Report

  • 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.