UC Blog
Message from VP Dooley
Dear Colleagues:
Last week marked the anniversary of the Statewide Conference and the release of the Strategic Vision. Earlier last week, I had a candid conversation with members of the Executive Working Group to take stock of what has been accomplished and the work that still needs to be done. As a benchmark, we referred to my closing presentation from the conference summarizing what we heard and the recommendations that came out of the working sessions. If you want to review the presentation, it is on the Web at the bottom of this page - http://ucanr.org/swcpresentations.
At the close of the conference, the recommendations and concerns we collected fell into five broad categories: Organization, Partnerships, Marketing/Branding, Internal Reward System, and Teams and Collaborations.
Organization
The changes we have made have been extensive. The Regional Offices and a number of Statewide Programs have been or will shortly be closed, with administrative tasks shifting to the Program Support Unit and the Business Operation Centers. While adjustments are still being made, these actions have generated administrative savings that have helped us meet budget targets and preserve more of our academic core. Programmatically, four Strategic Initiatives are operating and their leaders have been appointed to Program Council so that program and resource allocation decisions are aligned with our objectives. We also consulted with a number of key external stakeholders and experts to incorporate fresh perspectives on our organization and operations.
We have acted to broaden the utility of the Research and Extension Centers and their potential to serve as focal points for integrated research and extension activities. Joint appointment positions have been developed for new directors. At Kearney, the process to initiate a search is under way for a Kearney director who will have responsibilities for the REC as well as the academic group known as Kearney Agricultural Center. These important steps will lead to improved linkages and collaboration across the organization.
Partnerships
We are at a key moment regarding our partnerships with county government. Looking ahead, we face critical decisions to build efficient administrative structures while strengthening the local program delivery that is the core of UC Cooperative Extension. To start, we must initiate a contemporary model for our partnership with the counties. Don Klingborg and I will meet with county directors on June 8 to discuss this effort and expect to move quickly to plan implementation in time for the FY 2011-12 budget cycle.
Marketing/branding
We’ve taken a significant step forward by designing an identity system that is based on the Strategic Vision and emphasizes the UC brand. The Strategic Vision Toolkit contains a growing suite of tools and templates to build our brand, communicate more effectively, and to demonstrate our impact.
We have also made progress in developing a strategic advocacy capacity. ANR’s advocacy is a long-term effort aimed at creating and nurturing relationships at the local level with current and emerging policymakers. We have included a number of key division supporters in the high level group of advocates upon whom President Yudof relies. We have also taken steps to improve our internal communication tools and timeliness.
Internal reward system
Aligning our internal reward system with our Strategic Vision is a major challenge. The Academic Personnel unit has been charged to lead our efforts to develop a consistent merit and promotion system, appropriate and transparent criteria, and a more efficient and streamlined process that reduces reporting burdens while improving the value of the collected data. We will complete this effort with no interruption in the merit and promotion process.
Teams and collaborations
The Strategic Initiatives are working to build new connections and collaborations across the continuum, while also aligning leadership, resources and operations with our Strategic Vision. As the four Strategic Initiatives gain momentum and identify innovative research and extension projects, the Strategic Initiative leaders and their panels share an explicit commitment to fostering and supporting teams and collaborations that cross boundaries and build new relationships both within UC and with our external partners. We have also been working at all levels to break down barriers and encourage multidisciplinary collaboration. This will include reworking our internal reward system.
Next steps and summary
The above are just a few examples of the significant progress we have made on a wide range of recommendations from the Statewide Conference. The Strategic Vision has guided these changes and I'm pleased by our progress, but much remains to be done.
To show ANR’s direct and indirect impact, we are planning to build an expanded suite of tools and resources. We will be developing materials that can be tailored to demonstrate local impact to help build and maintain support.
Moving ahead on our internal reward system, Academic Personnel will be working with all of you to develop a proposed plan of action in this critical area.
On the administrative side, we will evaluate our actions to ensure that critical services are in place, staffed, and efficiently organized.
ANR has accomplished a great deal over the past 12 months. Many of the steps we’ve taken, and the recommendations on which they were based, have been discussed and debated for years. The resulting changes have not been easy, but they have laid a solid foundation for a more agile, sustainable, effective organization that can deliver policy-relevant science and effective solutions to Californians.
In the coming weeks, I will be in touch to discuss more specific steps we will be taking and about the goals and objectives we have set for the coming year.
Warm regards,
Dan
View or leave comments for the Executive Working Group
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.
Town hall set for May 25
VP Dooley will host a 60-minute town-hall meeting on Adobe Connect on Tuesday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m. PDT. Please mark your calendar to join the discussion. He will discuss the governor’s “May Revise” and implications for UC and ANR’s budget, and thoughts on progress towards our Strategic Vision.
The town hall link will be https://admin.na4.acrobat.com/anrtownhall.
Small-scale lamb producer featured in Sac Bee
Dan Macon, a Placerville lamb rancher who last year received UC's Pedro Ilic Award for outstanding farmer, was the subject of a human interest feature in today's Sacramento Bee.
The article said Macon is among Placer County's most successful and sustainable meat purveyors. He sells his product to local restaurants and as part of the Sierra Foothills Meat Buyers Club.In addition to producing meat, Macon contracts with other farmers to "mow" their cover crops.
Director of UC Cooperative Extension in Placer and Nevada counties, Roger Ingram, told reporter Niesha Lofing that such sustainable farming efforts are what set Macon apart.
"He thinks of the community even before himself," Ingram was quoted. "I think that Dan symbolizes that there is potential out there (for small farm operations)."
Another example of the rancher's innovation and diversification is classes he offers to the community. On May 23, a half-day class at the ranch includes lessons in pasture management, livestock handling and predator protection. Also, local chefs will teach Argentine asada-style cooking. The class is $30 per person, dinner is $50 per person and the package can be purchased for $75. Reservations, required by May 13, may be made on Macon's Flying Mule Farm website.
Dan Macon, with Shermain Hardesty of the Small Farm Program, receives the Pedro Ilic Award.
House Ag Committee hears from valley farmers
California farmers would like the 2012 farm bill to provide help for struggling dairies, incentives for reducing air pollution and support for a legal farm work force, according to testimony at a House Agriculture Committee hearing yesterday at Fresno City Hall reported in today's Fresno Bee.
The story, written by Robert Rodriguez, said an almond grower who requested help for purchasing new tractors that meet state air quality regulations heard from Rep. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, that it may be a tough sell in the nation's capital.
"We can't drive public policy on what one state does," he said. "We are going to have to make some tough choices."
Speakers at the meeting said low dairy prices have hurt California dairy operators and that a significant majority of people willing to do farm work lack proper immigration status.
Van Konynenburg suggested the 2012 legislation should build on the parts of the 2008 farm bill that promoted healthy foods for schoolchildren and other consumers.
Many schools cannot handle large amounts of fresh produce, so the programs should include products such as "peach snack cups or a box of raisins," he said.
"Tree fruits and nuts are vital to the good health of the American diet," Van Konynenburg was quoted. "The next farm bill should support foods which the nation's medical community believes will enhance health and help fight disease."
Van Konynenburg also urged support for research that reduces labor needs in orchards, such as a mechanical peach thinner being tested by the University of California Cooperative Extension, said the Modesto Bee version of the story.
Mechanical peach thinning research by UC Cooperative Extension.
European grapevine moth found in Mendocino
As authorities collaborate on a battle plan to combat European grapevine moth, the pest has been detected in a new area.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported last week that 13 moths were found in a North Ukiah chardonnay vineyard, the first evidence the pest has reached Mendocino County. The discovery of the moths means that a quarantine with a three-mile radius around the vineyard will be established.
Mendocino County Ag Commissioner Tony Linegar believes the moth was transported on winegrapes from Napa County, where infestations are high, the story said. European grapevine moth, a native of the Mediterranean region, was first detected in California's wine country last September.
Meanwhile, the Napa Valley Register reported today that USDA is forming a technical team with experts from Italy, Chile and the University of California to determine the next steps in an effort to eradicate the new pest.Napa County Ag Commissioner Dave Whitmer, speaking to the Napa County Board of Supervisors last week, outlined a control strategy that includes additional trapping, working with growers where the pest has been found, maintaining quarantine standards and doing educational outreach, according to the article, written by Mike Treleven.
Grape industry leader Jon Ruel applauded the the efforts of the ag commissioner and UC Cooperative Extension for jumping on the issue early, Treleven reported.
“Dave (Whitmer) has done a good job to get state and federal agencies involved ... for getting money and a Technical Task Force, which drew the best scientists in the world,” Ruel was quoted.
Earlier stages of EGM larvae are tan to yellow-brown (top). Later stages are brown.