The Vantage Point



Glenda Humiston 

Vice President

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 



In January I’ve been participating in a variety of planning meetings to set priorities and objectives for UC ANR’s work in the new year. One discussion that will have ramifications for many of us, not just in the coming months but for years down the road, is the ongoing dialogue around defining “regenerative agriculture.”

Presently, the term represents a somewhat nebulous but undeniably significant movement toward agriculture that builds soil health, strengthens biodiversity and sequesters carbon for the benefit of people and planet. But more concrete language is necessary to guide future policy, practices and programs; encompass our state’s wide range of ecosystems and soils; and meet the needs of a wide range of stakeholders.

It is imperative we have a sensible, science-based definition. And it needs to work for farmers and ranchers of all sizes, tribes, scientists, businesses and environmental groups – as well as the broader public whose sustenance relies on strong and resilient food systems.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the State Board of Food and Agriculture are collecting comments at RegenerativeAg@cdfa.ca.gov and hosting listening sessions in February, April and May on this crucial topic. I encourage you to attend an upcoming session – and spread the word among your colleagues, clientele and community members to share their feedback – so we can work together to craft a definition that is relevant and useful for all.

Regenerative agriculture was a major theme of this year’s EcoFarm Conference, held Jan. 17-20 in Pacific Grove. In addition to engaging in many lively conversations on the future of organic and regenerative ag, I had the pleasure of presenting on a panel about the current Farm Bill negotiations and meeting with many of the UC ANR academics and staff in attendance.

It was inspirational to hear about the research and extension activities of colleagues who work with diverse communities across the state to make agriculture more sustainable, more productive and more reflective of our state’s population. Congratulations to Manuel Jimenez (UCCE small farms advisor emeritus) and Olga Jimenez on their EcoFarm Justie Award, honoring their work to advance social justice as part of sustainable agriculture and food systems. And many thanks to all the ANR folks for sharing your knowledge, staffing our tables and building bridges with forward-thinking growers across California.

Connecting our communities with the latest innovations drives UC ANR’s ag-tech support network The VINE, which launched a new Q&A series this month. The first installment of “VINE Insider Insights” features CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, who discussed the state’s role in catalyzing partnerships that address challenges facing the ag sector – from workforce development to resource conservation to an array of climate impacts. 

I highly recommend you read the entire interview, but I especially appreciate Secretary Ross’ comments about centering people and communities as we co-create and roll out these solutions. Who will be installing or applying the solutions? Who will be affected by those changes, directly and indirectly? And do they have a seat at the table throughout the process, from ideation to implementation?

Secretary Ross graciously highlighted The VINE’s critical role as a key connector of people and research, and I would just add that our entire organization does the same. In the interview, she pinpointed two pressing emergencies in California, the highly pathogenic avian flu and invasive fruit flies – problems for which Cooperative Extension specialists and advisors are proactively sounding the alarm and offering tips to stem the losses. My thanks, as always, to our amazing academics and staff who work with the public to help protect the resources and systems crucial for our nourishment, security and prosperity!