Gobernanza y Medio Ambiente

The Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) is a statewide network of UC researchers and educators dedicated to the creation, development, and application of knowledge in agricultural, natural, and related human resources. ANR’s mission is to maintain and enhance connections that fully engage UC with the people of California and achieve innovation in fundamental and applied research and education that supports sustainable, safe, nutritious food production and delivery systems; economic success in a global economy; a sustainable, healthy, productive environment; and science literacy and youth development programs. ANR is unique in its three- way partnership with federal, state, and county

governments to provide local and statewide research and extension programs that address critical issues of California. ANR’s research and public service programs are delivered through two organizational units: Cooperative Extension (CE) and the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES, described in more detail in the Research chapter of this document.). While both conduct research, CE is also ANR’s outreach arm, extending ANR research to communities across the state.

CE links educational and research activities to the resources of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), land grant universities, and county administrative units to solve local issues in agriculture, natural resources, and human development. Over 300 CE academics (specialists and advisors) partner with AES faculty, state and federal agencies, and local clientele in 57 of California’s 58 counties. CE specialists (housed in ANR’s four colleges/schools on the Berkeley, Davis, and Riverside campuses) conduct research, develop new technologies, transmit results to communities statewide, and serve as the campus link to county CE advisors. Academic CE advisors are situated in local communities to conduct applied research and translate and test campus research findings into solutions for local problems. This statewide network of local CE sites is often the face of UC to local clientele and stakeholders who may never set foot on a UC campus. CE advisors work with teams of staff and volunteers to deliver applied research and science-based education programs in the areas of agriculture, natural resources, nutrition and

Public Service

related human resources. Collaboration with citizen volunteers is an integral part of educational efforts in the 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardener, and Master Food Preserver programs. Advisors provide local residents and industry groups with science-based information through workshops, demonstrations, field days, classes, print and other media, and websites.

Statewide programs, such as Integrated Pest Management; Youth, Family, and Communities; and the Agriculture Issues Center focus on specific issues that engage ANR academics and faculty from all UC campuses, allowing teams to work on complex issues that require multi- disciplinary approaches. In addition, nine research and extension centers (RECs), located in a variety

of ecosystems across the state, provide a core research and extension base.

In 2013-14, the CE base budget is $76 million and is composed of State, federal, county, and other funds. Through its partnerships and collaborations, CE is able to generate additional extramural grant funding, further increasing its ability to address local and statewide issues. ANR continues to invest its resources to reduce

administrative overhead while focusing on ANR programs and people in the future through its 2025 Strategic Vision. Efforts continue to focus on reducing ANR’s administrative footprint by forming multi-county partnerships, rather than single county units, in order to administer UC’s research and educational programs more efficiently and effectively. ANR has refocused resources, including existing

competitive grant funds and endowment income (as appropriate), to support five strategic initiatives: Sustainable Food Systems; Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases; Sustainable Natural Ecosystems; Healthy Families and Communities; and Water Quality, Quantity, and Security. ANR continues to explore potential private- public partnerships to support CE programs, including funding of new, high priority positions to complement the agreements already established.

Following are just a few examples of scores of CE

programs working to address challenges and inform policy:

Healthy Food Systems. Led by a CE farm advisor in Monterey County, plant pathology research garnered

national and industry recognition—receiving the 2013 Excellence in Extension Award given by the American Phytopathological Society. The research involves dozens of host crops, and many causational factors, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, studies on disease development, and management options for growers. This research program prioritizes meeting the needs of the industry. For example, in response to the 2006 E. coli outbreak on California spinach, studies were conducted on E. coli and Salmonella ecology and survival under field conditions. CE resources on coastal plant pathology are being leveraged by Salinas Valley growers to assist in the identification of new plant diseases and control outbreaks.

Healthy Environments. Recent studies found widespread nitrate contamination in some of California’s groundwater systems. ANR scientists quickly reacted by providing leadership in a joint university/agency/industry effort to reduce this agricultural pollution and maintain the vibrant statewide agricultural industry. ANR scientists are working with multiple agencies to create a curriculum and training to assist certified crop consultants and growers with their management of nitrogen fertilizers and irrigation water.

Healthy Communities. ANR manages the California 4-H Youth Development Program – one of the largest such programs in the nation – now celebrating its 100th

anniversary as an innovative, research-based youth development program. In 2011-12, dedicated adult volunteers provided over one million volunteer hours, the equivalent of over 480 full-time positions, engaging youth (ages 5 to 19) in every California county across rural and urban areas. The program reaches youth through after- school and classroom enrichment programs, science literacy activities, and traditional livestock and leadership club programs. The program serves as a driving force to position California as a leader of science and technology. Through the statewide Master Gardener Program, ANR academics train local community members with research- based information on landscape management and horticulture, including plant selection, reduced pesticide use, water conservation, and implementation of “green” practices. In 2011-12, over 5,400 UC Master Gardeners volunteered more than 356,500 hours, the equivalent of 171 full-time positions.

Public Service

Healthy Californians. To address critical nutrition issues that are having global impact, ANR is launching the Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI). This unit will work closely with ANR’s Youth, Families, and Communities Statewide Program, which implements CE education and research programs systemwide, integrating with ANR’s Strategic Initiatives. NPI will provide nutrition policy leadership built from numerous ongoing research and education activities. This group will work in synergy with research and outreach efforts being conducted in Davis and Berkeley campus departments and colleges and throughout the UC system.