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The Vantage Point
Glenda Humiston
Vice President
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
During Ag Day at the Capitol on March 19, it was fitting that, for this annual celebration of California agriculture, abundant warm sunshine graced this year’s event. The future indeed looks bright, with a host of innovations – many sparked by UC ANR research and extension efforts – poised to meet the ever-evolving challenges of climate change, emerging pests and diseases, and market dynamics. I was excited to see California officials, legislators and their staffs, and many members of the public see first-hand the vibrancy and progress of the state’s ag sector.
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, State Senator Melissa Hurtado, Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria and ag education leader Judy Culbertson all spoke eloquently on the theme for Ag Day: “Next-Gen Tools, Talent and Tech.” Together, they emphasized the importance of accessible, healthy, sustainably grown food – and the people who grow and produce it – to secure prosperity for our state, vitality for our nation and the best possible future for this and coming generations.
I was so impressed by Laurelyn Roeser, one of our outstanding 4-H State Ambassadors, who served wonderfully as co-emcee for the ceremony. She and fellow State Ambassador Benjamin Salters – and the energetic young people with the Sheldon and Sloughhouse 4-H clubs who shared their animals and experiences during Ag Day – truly inspire hope for California’s future.
Anne Megaro and Sheron Violini did a phenomenal job coordinating UC ANR’s presence at Ag Day, working alongside the event co-hosts, California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Women for Agriculture, and the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.
A big kudos to everyone who represented our many impactful programs so beautifully: ANR leaders Brent Hales and Susan Ellsworth; 4-H youth, volunteers and staff; UC Master Gardener staff and volunteers from Sacramento County; UC Cooperative Extension advisors; The VINE staff; and Strategic Communications and News and Information Outreach in Spanish teams. (Also, check out Brent’s ANR Adventures blog post for his thoughts on his first California Ag Day.)
The amazing breadth of UC ANR’s science-based, community-centered know-how also helped support the California Small Farm Conference, Feb. 25-March 1. Organized by our friends at California Alliance with Family Farmers, the conference featured more than 60 workshops and events, online and at sites across the state.
My thanks to ANR-affiliated advisors, specialists and staff who spoke during that tremendous conference: Ellie Andrews, Alicia Baddorf, Carolyn Chelius, Chris Chen, Linda Harris, Lindsey Kelley, Margaret Lloyd, Amrita Mukherjee, Darlene Ruiz and Eddie Tanner. They shared their knowledge on a wide range of topics crucial to California small farmers – from strawberries and wine grapes to soil toxicity and disease management, and from food safety to promising marketing opportunities.
And thank you to all our academics and staff who, every day and in every county, show that UC ANR is a trusted partner in advancing and amplifying practical solutions that improve the lives of Californians in countless communities across the state.
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