Coordinating UC’s efforts in sustainable agriculture

As emphasized in comments in this newsletter from our new program leader Maxwell Norton, sustainable agriculture is a priority for UC’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR).

The overall UC ANR effort in sustainable agriculture generally, and organic agriculture in particular, is substantial. The UC Davis campus is moving to create an Agricultural Sustainability Institute and will be seeking to recruit an internationally recognized scientist to lead it. UC SAREP will be closely coordinated with that effort to help extend the benefits around the state.

UC SAREP recently initiated a survey of ANR personnel working in organic agriculture. Authors include Chulgoo Kang, a visiting scholar at UC SAREP and administrator at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Republic of Korea; Jenny Broome, former SAREP associate director now on academic leave in Scotland; David Chaney, UC SAREP education coordinator; and Sean Swezey, former UC SAREP director. Their survey identified 77 respondents who estimated they spend an average of 22 % of their time on organic farming research and extension. (The report will be posted on the SAREP Web site.) This is an underestimate of total UC effort in organic agriculture because many people working in that arena have not yet responded to the survey. Still, the survey indicates that at least at least 17 full-time UC staff equivalents are engaged in research that supports organic agriculture.

A key problem in the UC efforts on sustainable agriculture is the coordination of research and outreach to make sure benefits reach the maximum number of people. State budget cutbacks have severely stretched (and stressed) staff to the limit, leaving little time for additional commitments. My priorities in the next several months include helping organize UC efforts in sustainable agriculture, and promoting more collaboration among those working in that area. In particular, I’m interested in recruiting new leadership for UC efforts in Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) and organic agriculture. Strong leadership from our staff, in support of ANR administration, will help ensure our success.

—Rick Roush, interim director, University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.