The Vantage Point



Glenda Humiston 

Vice President

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 

At the beginning of a new year, as we take stock of the state of our field, I am thrilled to report that the agricultural and natural resources sectors in California continue to thrive. California is the No. 1 ag-producing state in the U.S., and that strength is vividly illustrated in a new report from UC ANR, “California’s Working Landscapes: Evolving Contributions to National, State, and Regional Economies.”

Agricultural distribution, processing, production and support activities are the largest contributors to the state’s working landscape economy. All told, working landscapes – including farmlands, rangelands, forests and areas used for activities like mining, fishing and outdoor recreation – supported nearly 1.5 million jobs and 75,500 businesses while generating $404 billion in sales and providing $103 billion in worker earnings in 2024.

The report also highlights key trends, such as the spike in agricultural support jobs and the surging growth of renewable energy in California. That sector, comprising the fastest-growing working landscape chronicled in the report, has made California first in the U.S. in renewable energy sales and earnings.

My gratitude goes out to the report’s authors – Alexandra Hill, assistant professor of Cooperative Extension at UC Berkeley, and UCCE advisors Alec Dompka and Aaron Wilcher on UC ANR’s Community Economic Development team. I strongly recommend you read and circulate the report, which updates the first edition from 2019.

The report reiterates the powerful case for supporting the work of UC ANR academics and staff (check out our 2025 year-in-review video for just some of their accomplishments!). Indeed, investment in agricultural research and development is needed more than ever. An eye-opening paper published in Nature last month (see blog post for summary) noted that even as the world’s population boomed from 1980 to 2021, the rate of spending on agrifood R&D slowed significantly and even declined in many countries. The authors write that this downward trend will “mean higher food prices for decades to come” – as well as environmental harm and socio-political strife – and they call for the global community to double spending on agricultural R&D in the next five years.

One key to making the most out of research dollars is to cultivate and share knowledge with partners working on similar problems. Earlier this month, I participated in a launch event in Mexico City for a Binational Agriculture Working Group, which brings together experts from California and Mexico to address the common challenges our communities face – from ag tech to water issues to farm labor.

It was an honor to join California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross and Secretary Julio Berdegué Sacristán of Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as we identified research priorities for mutually beneficial future collaborations. Our thanks to the Mexican Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation; University of California Alianza MX; and the Berkeley Food Institute at UC Berkeley for hosting these productive meetings.

Another fantastic example of this vital knowledge-sharing is the annual EcoFarm conference, Jan. 21-24. Once again, I was so impressed and inspired by the practical expertise offered by farmers, academics and community members on a host of topics related to organic and regenerative ag practices. A special shout-out to the entire UC ANR team at EcoFarm, especially Margaret Lloyd, Richard Smith and Katharina Ullmann for moderating excellent conversations, as well as to Ngodoo Atume, Steve Fennimore, Lindsey Klein, Patricia Lazicki, Joji Muramoto, Yu-Chen Wang and Yonatan Weinberg for their presentations.

I am also deeply appreciative of our UC ANR Native American Advisory Council, which met in-person for the first time this week in Davis. We are grateful for volunteer council members A-dae Briones, Shasta Gaughen, Holly Hensher, Vincent Medina, Lena Ortega, Lorelle Ross, Alexii Sigona, Jose “Moke” Simon and MK Youngblood as they offer important insights on the Native American experience and perspectives on Tribes’ history with the UC. 

The council continues to provide essential guidance on how UC ANR advisors and staff can co-develop true partnerships with Tribal members that lead to meaningful impact. As with all communities across California, we strive to work together on nurturing authentic, enduring partnerships that make a positive difference for people, prosperity and planet.

Lastly, a fun note from the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics: Matteo Garbelotto, UC Berkeley professor and UCCE specialist, was an Olympic torchbearer this week, alongside his service dog S’Abba! Read his remarkable story. Go Matteo, and go Team USA!