UC Blog
State budget puts Williamson Act in jeopardy
Enacted in 1965, the Williamson Act has allowed many of the state's farmers to stay in the agriculture business instead of selling their property for development. Under the act, rural land owners commit to keeping their property in farming for 10 years and, in exchange, receive a property tax break. The state reimbursed county governments from the state general fund for money lost to the tax break.
However, because of the budget crisis, the state is considering suspending the reimbursements, according to an column by freelance writer Don Curlee. In the story, Curlee outlined an article that appeared recently in California Agriculture journal by UC Davis Cooperative Extension public policy specialist emeritus Alvin Sokolow titled "Outlook: Budget cuts threaten the Williamson Act, California's longstanding farmland protection program."
Sokolow, who has monitored the effect of the Williamson Act since its inception, considers the legislation a successful case of converging public and private interests, achieving long-term land conservation while helping the economic bottom line of farmers and ranchers.
Sokolow believes time for resolving the issue by preserving the state's participation is running out. Without fiscal assistance, most counties with substantial acres in the program probably would pull out through contract nonrenewals. If the contracts aren't renewed, urban development on Williamson Act lands may begin in nine years.
The Williamson Act has protected farmland from development for 45 years.
Teen volunteers sought for 4-H educational program
Teens throughout Solano County are invited to participate in a youth science education program sponsored by the University of California 4-H program.
Trained teen educators will teach hands-on science activities to elementary school children in after-school settings, using curriculum developed by the University of California. No previous experience is necessary. Interested volunteers are asked to respond by Oct. 1. The 4-H SET (Science, Engineering, and Technology) program is designed to stimulate children's natural curiosity, increase their awareness of the environment, and improve their understanding of the world around them. Teen SET educators will be presenting the 4-H National Youth Science Day Experiment at the Tremont Elementary School Fall Festival in Dixon on Oct. 2. For more information or to volunteer contact Sally Moore, sallymoore@underc.com or (530) 758-9344; or Jill Simmons, jcsimmons@rocketmail.com, or 548-5234. Read the full article at http://www.eveningsun.com/news/ci_16070187?source=rss
ANR seeks proposals for advisor & specialist positions
Advisor and Specialist Position Solicitation
Dear Colleagues,
ANR is soliciting proposals for new advisor and specialist positions. These positions should address critical gaps in ANR’s programmatic and geographic coverage. Proposals must include: a general description of the position; a statement of the relevance to the ANR Strategic Vision; a description of the issues to be addressed (including key extension and research programs); identification of the current ANR continuum and the role this position will play in strengthening/building the continuum; and the support that will be provided. Specific guidelines are outlined in the New ANR Position Template (please see download attachment).
Position proposals will be accepted via a Web-based submittal site beginning September 20 and closing on November 15. Proposals may be forwarded by ANR workgroups, county Cooperative Extension offices, campus departments, and ANR strategic initiative panels. Only the strategic initiative leaders, associate deans of the colleges, county directors and workgroup chairs will have access to submit position proposals, so it is strongly encouraged that you communicate with your colleagues to provide your input during this process.
The designated representatives will gain access to the restricted site through their ANR portal and can submit proposals by completing the template, which is intended to create a two-page (maximum) position proposal. County directors, strategic initiative leaders, associate deans and workgroup chairs will receive additional communication with instructions in the coming days.
These proposals will be provided to ANR’s Program Council for review and discussion. Program Council will begin reviewing proposals during the January meeting and develop recommendations to the vice president by March. The criteria for evaluating the positions have been addressed in the headings and instructions in the proposal template.
It is anticipated that the advisor and specialist hiring will need to be staggered over a 24-month period. During this period, it is expected that ANR will be able to fund approximately 20 new positions, with the intent of continuing the process and additional hiring quickly following this initial round.
Barbara Allen-Diaz
Associate Vice President
Academic Programs and Strategic Initiatives
View or leave comments for the Executive Working Group
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.
Governor wants more trade with South Korea
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, on a trade mission in Asia, signed an agreement with South Korea yesterday to increase collaboration on trade and technology, according to a San Francisco Chronicle column by Andrew S. Ross. Today the governor was scheduled to call for ratification of the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement.
The state's current trade relationship with South Korea includes exports of $500 million in California agricultural products - beef, rice, nuts, oranges. UC Agricultural Issues Center, Dan Sumner, told Ross South Korea is an ideal export market for the state.
Fall is the perfect time to plant native perennials
There are many good reasons to plant California native plants in the landscape, and right now is a good time to do so, according to an article that ran over the weekend in the Sacramento Bee.
Native plants attract beneficial insects and birds, use up to 75 percent less water than conventional shrubs and lawn, require less work and are resistant to pests.
In September and October, the soil is warm enough in most parts of California to encourage native plant's root growth and winter rain will irrigate the new plants. The plants will be ready to produce abundant flowers in the spring, the article said.
Gardeners worried that native plants could appear weedy may wish to visit one of the University of California's native plant displays, including:
- The Honey Bee Haven on the UC Davis west campus
- The UC Davis Arboretum
- Garden of the Sun in Fresno
- Fair Oaks Horticulture Center
A number of UC training sessions about incorporating native plant's in California landscapes are planned:
Napa County, Sept. 15
Sutter-Yuba counties, Sept. 15
Placer-Nevada counties, Sept. 18
Fresno County, Oct. 2
Honey bee on tidy tips, a native California wildflower. (Photo by Kathy Garvey)