The Vantage Point



Glenda Humiston 

Vice President

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 

This week, we had a lively and productive VP Council meeting, where UC ANR senior leaders and program directors had the opportunity to connect with deans of UC’s Agricultural Experiment Station (AES, or “agInnovation”) campuses – as well as deans from the California State University’s Agricultural Research Institute. It was exciting to brainstorm how we can further deepen our collaborations between the UC and CSU systems and with California community colleges.

Cross-sector partnerships and novel models of regional governance were emphasized throughout the Food Frontier Innovation Tour in Northern Italy last week. I joined agri-food leaders from across the globe to study the “secret sauce” that has made the region one of the world’s foremost food economies. We had the honor of meeting with farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators from across the food system. After visits to processing and distribution facilities, agritourism operations, and institutions that advance workforce development, preserve cultural heritage and promote community, I came away with a host of new insights to bring back to California.

A highlight was attending Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, the “mother event” of last year’s Terra Madre gathering in Sacramento that brought together producers, policymakers, food leaders and the broader community. I’m excited by all the ways UC ANR can enrich and enliven Terra Madre Americas when this celebration of “slow food” returns to Northern California on Sept. 24-26, 2027!

On Sept. 9-10, members of the UC President’s Advisory Commission on Agriculture and Natural Resources (PAC) and the UC ANR Governing Council enjoyed a sampler of our many research and extension activities in El Dorado, Placer and Yuba counties. Alongside UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons and Rausser College of Natural Resources Dean David Ackerly, I had the pleasure of welcoming the group to Berkeley Forests’ Blodgett Forest Research Station. Rob York, UCCE specialist and Berkeley Forests co-director, provided an overview of the decades of research on forest management and prescribed fire, and then the group heard from UCCE forestry advisors and UC Berkeley scientists on their latest findings in this “working forest.”

We also heard presentations that highlighted the work of UC Master Gardeners in Loomis, UC Master Food Preservers and the Southwest Regional Food Business Center. The next day, we were welcomed at Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center by its director, Dustin Flavell. We got a firsthand look at research projects at the REC, including studies of rock weathering for carbon sequestration, seaweed additives for cattle on rangelands, and changes to forage in a hotter and drier climate. My gratitude goes out to everyone who contributed to this excellent two-day tour (read a full summary) – and a special thanks to all the PAC volunteers and UC leaders for making the time to learn more about how UC ANR helps transform leading-edge science into practical solutions for our state.

One of our finest leaders in strengthening communities through science is Yana Valachovic, UCCE forest advisor and area director for Humboldt and Del Norte counties. At the annual meeting of the Rural County Representatives of California in Santa Barbara, Yana was honored with the prestigious RCRC President’s Award for her immense contributions to community resilience against wildfire. My hearty congratulations to Yana! Not only did we have attendance from some of our Cooperative Extension and Government Relations team (Matthew Barnes, Dustin Blakey, Lauren Cartwright, Shannon Klisch, Nestor Lopez, Karmjot Randhawa, Chandra Richards and Janine Woods), but the agenda also included a presentation from UCCE Community Nutrition and Health Advisor Janessa Hartmann. Janessa spoke on how examples from global “Blue Zones” (areas where people live especially long and healthy lives) can benefit rural California. Thank you to Janessa and all our UC ANR colleagues at RCRC for sharing how we support rural counties with know-how, networks and tools.

Another outstanding example is the newly opened farm equipment “lending library” at Kearney Research and Extension Center, which includes tractors, spreaders, mowers, transplanters and more. The library is a project developed and funded by F3 Local, an initiative working to build a more inclusive and resilient food economy in the San Joaquin Valley.

Last but not least, I want to acknowledge our team at the UC Agriculture Research Briefing for Congress on Sept. 16 in Washington, D.C. In a “Solutions from the Field” discussion moderated by UC ANR Director of Government and Community Relations Anne Megaro, UCCE researchers Cindy Kron, Ali Pourreza and Mark Hoddle showed how USDA capacity grant funds are essential to deliver the solutions our growers need – from AI analysis that reduces fertilizer use to effective responses for agricultural pests. They did a tremendous job illustrating the impact of Cooperative Extension and wonderfully representing UC ANR, UC Davis and UC Riverside! My great thanks to our scientists – and to all of you who support our shared mission of scientific discovery, advancement and application.