ASI Blog

Picnic Day -- Saturday

ehightow — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 07:00:00 -0700

The Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis and its programs are at two locations at this year's Picnic Day at the UC Davis campus Saturday, April 20, 2013.

The institute is sharing organic pepper plants grown by students at the UC Davis Student Farm. Visit the ASI booth at Robbins Hall along California Avenue from 10 a.m. until we run out of plants.

Learn how to care for your pepper plants.

Also, stop by the Memorial Union booth, where we are handing out samples of Russell Ranch Dried Tomato pesto, cream cheese and julienned dried tomatoes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Picnic Day. The booth is directly outside the bookstore in the courtyard next to Freeborn Hall.

Learn more about Russell Ranch Dried Tomatoes.

New video lecture from Tom Tomich on global agroecology

Aubrey White — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:50:56 -0700

In 2012, ASI Director Tom Tomich co-authored an article with ASI Affiliated faculty members and UC Davis faculty about Agroecology from a global perspective in the Annual Reviews and Environment and Resources.

The Annual Reviews has added a video lecture from Tom as a way to share more broadly the messages of this article. In this video lecture, he discusses the agricultural challenges brought on by a world population that could surpass nine billion individuals by 2050, as well as water scarcity, climate change, pests, nitrogen prices, and geopolitical factors. An important question will be how to feed nine billion people and do it in a sustainable way. He stresses the importance of approaching agroecology from an scientific perspective, integrated across disciplines, from economic and social sciences to entomology and genomics.

The entire article can be found here
(though access may require a subscription).

Is there a sustainability science?

ehightow — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:55:00 -0800

The first in a series of webinars focused on the science of sustainability at the University of California is now available. Watch the video by clicking the image below.

**Is there a sustainability science?**

Sustainability: What does it mean?
Is there a “sustainability science”?
What is at stake?

Speaker: Tom Tomich

Director of the Agriculture Sustainability Institute at UC Davis (ASI)
Director of the UC ANR Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (SAREP)
W.K. Kellogg endowed Chair in Sustainable Food Systems at UC Davis
Professor of Community Development, Environmental Science & Policy
Master Advisor of the newly established Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems major at UC Davis

Presented by the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), the Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI) at UC Davis and the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (SAREP)

The full webinar took place:
Friday, Feb. 15

Details to follow about additional webinars in the series.

Give the gift of sustainability this holiday season

ehightow — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:30:55 -0800

Harold McClarty wants to feed the world while teaching his grandson about the importance of giving back.

by Courtney S. Miller

While many grandparents will be giving a bike or doll to their grandkids this holiday season, Harold McClarty is giving his grandson, Reed, a more unusual gift.

Through the Adopt-an-Acre program at the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis, McClarty recently made a donation to “adopt” an acre at UC Davis’ Russell Ranch Sustainable Agricultural Facility in honor of Reed McClarty, the youngest member of the McClarty family. McClarty, who is a prominent Central Valley farmer, said he made the gift because he wants to teach his one-and-a-half year old grandson and the entire McClarty family about the importance of agricultural sustainability while supporting a program that coincides with the family philosophy of giving back.

“Purchasing this acre is a legacy to Reed,” McClarty said. “We’re giving him something for the rest of his life.”

ASI-affiliated faculty position available

ehightow — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:43:47 -0800

The UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences seeks to hire an assistant Professor in Plant Sciences who would be affiliated with ASI.

The successful candidate’s research will focus on agricultural systems and how management practices affect the use and quality of natural resources. Possible topics might include cropping systems analysis and research to attain sustainable production of irrigated annual and perennial crops (e.g.: resource cycling (nutrients, carbon, water), energy flows, climate change, agrobiodiversity, agroecosytem services. Creativity in collaborative research using field station and farm locations is expected. The appointee will collaborate with other scientists at UC Davis including staff and faculty affiliates of the Agricultural Sustainability Institute, Cooperative Extension specialists, advisors and researchers from other universities and agencies to address important agricultural/environmental issues in California. Interest in international agriculture is desirable. Teaching is assigned by the department chair and will include responsibilities in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems undergraduate major and include courses in sustainable agriculture systems, agroecosystem management and crop ecology.

Learn more about the position.

Terroir of Russell Ranch

Aubrey White — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:20:00 -0800

Russell Ranch recently participated in the Robert Mondavi Institute's 2012 Terroir Event . The event, focused mostly on wine grapes, examined the current understanding of terroir -- the concept that soil, climate, topography and similar elements of a local environment affect the quality and taste of the foods we grow.

So much of the focus at Russell Ranch is on soils, we thought it appropriate to share a bit about our own terroir with an infographic.

Click to learn a bit about what makes the Russell Ranch tomatoes so tasty.

Russell Ranch digs deep

Aubrey White — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:24:13 -0800

Approximately every ten years, the research team at the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility gets the chance to dig deep into their research material to help answer questions about the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems.

With a steel probe attached to the back of a tractor, the team digs three meters deep to take soil samples at 432 different points around the 72-acre field. The initiative takes the team nearly a month to complete, and the information in each soil core can answer major research questions about the long-term effects of different farming methods on soil health and help inform year-round research efforts at the ranch.

“The effort that has gone into collecting this unique set of samples will pay off in figuring out agricultural impacts on processes happening not only in plain sight, but also out of view, buried deep in the soil,” said Russell Ranch director Kate Scow.

The sampling effort is part of the Century Project, Russell Ranch’s 100-year-long experiment. The project divides 72 acres of land into individual one-acre plots, with each plot given different treatments throughout the year. Some plots are irrigated; other plots are farmed without added water. Some plots are treated with compost; others are treated with synthetic fertilizer. Each individual plot demonstrates how a combination of different practices can affect crop yield, soil health and the health of surrounding ecosystems.

Read more about the 10-year soil sampling at UC ANR's Green Blog.

ASI's 2012 Strategic Snapshot and Director's Message

Aubrey White — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:47:47 -0800

In anticipation of our fifth annual External Advisory Board meeting, we are pleased to share our 2012 Strategic Snapshot and message from ASI's Director, Tom Tomich.

Learn about ASI's Sustainable Sourcing project

Aubrey White — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:05:00 -0700

In collaboration with the Information Center on the Environment at UC Davis (ICE), ASI's initiative on sustainable sourcing seeks to enhance the sustainability of how we source raw materials from around the world. The project seeks to create a scientifically-validated framework that food companies and other stakeholders can use when making decisions about agricultural sourcing.

ASI's director Tom Tomich and academic coordinator Sonja Brodt recently presented a webinar on the Sustainable Sourcing Project to interested stakeholders. The webinar is available on the Sustainable Sourcing Web page.

Learn more about the project.

Learn more about Russell Ranch's long term agricultural research efforts

Aubrey White — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:55:00 -0700

Located in one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, Russell Ranch seeks to answer the question: Can we increase sustainability as we increase food production?

Russell Ranch operates as a commercial scale farm under strict research parameters, seeking to better understand long-term trends in ho changes in farming practices affect yield, profitability, resource-use efficiency and environmental impacts.

Visit Russell Ranch's Web page to learn more about research efforts, and how you can support this long-term initiative through our Adopt an Acre campaign.

New UCTV web series featuring the work of ASI

Aubrey White — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:25:00 -0700

UCTV Prime, the YouTube channel for the University of California, is now airing a series of short videos in a series called The Future of Farming. The series was produced by UC Davis Director of campus communications Mitchel Benson with the help of several faculty and staff affiliated with ASI.

This four-part series examines the challenges of reforming our food production to meet the needs of a growing population, and demonstrates how UC Davis is leading the way in developing sustainable, high-tech agriculture practices and training the next generation of farmers.

A teaser video and the first video in the series – which mentions the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems major, the Student Farm, Russell Ranch, and more – can now be seen here: http://www.uctv.tv/farming/

Episodes three and four will be released Nov. 6 and 13.

Student farmer awarded Switzer Fellowship

ehightow — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 09:15:00 -0700

: Photo by John Stumbos / UC Davis

Ildi Carlisle-Cummins, a UC Davis graduate student pursuing her passion for sustainable agriculture, has been awarded a $15,000 fellowship from the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation.

As part of her graduate studies, Carlisle-Cummins works on a chile pepper project at the UC Davis Student Farm to teach fellow students and the public about the importance of plant diversity and breeding.

Read the full story.

Celebrating the excellence of staff member Israel Herrera

Aubrey White — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:11:20 -0700

Israel Herrera, facility manager at the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility at UC Davis, was awarded a Citation for Excellence by Chancellor Linda Katehi and the UC Davis Staff Assembly this month. The award recognizes outstanding achievements by UC Davis staff.

The Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis nominated Herrera out of appreciation for his overall positive attitude, generosity, intelligence and integrity.

Herrera has been an integral part of Russell Ranch’s success. He has designed farming equipment for better cover crop incorporation with a local equipment manufacturer. In order to improve water research and water monitoring capabilities, Herrera negotiated the repair of two on-site wells with campus Utilities that included adding automated controls and remote access for system monitoring. Herrera advocated for switching from contract-based farm labor to hiring two permanent, fairly paid farm laborers for the ranch. Herrera also keeps strong ties with the local farming community through personal visits and by assisting them with new equipment in conservation tillage and cover crop management.

Herrera remains steadfast in his devotion to both the research and practical needs of Russell Ranch, working long hours and weekends during peak seasons. He has skillfully managed a complex research station with limited resources and support for many years. His leadership, creativity and outreach to the community have created long-lasting relationships within and beyond the university community.

Thank you for all you do, Israel!

Congratulations, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems graduates.

Aubrey White — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:45:00 -0700

On Sunday morning, June 17, thousands of students marched through UC Davis' campus in caps and gowns to receive their diplomas. That afternoon, we gathered at the Ecological Garden to celebrate with Genna Lipari and Alannah Kull, the two students who make up the first graduating class of the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Major (SA&FS).

The SA&FS major, officially launched at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, integrates multiple subjects to provide students with a thorough understanding of the many issues facing modern farming and food systems, including production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management.

The degree was created with the goal of instilling in students the ability to step back and see the big picture, said Professor Ryan Galt, who teaches a core course in the major.

For Genna Lipari, that goal was met. "I'm well positioned," she said. "I think I get the big picture a little better than most [new graduates]. It's a valuable perspective to have in the work force."

We want to congratulate Genna and Alannah on their accomplishment, and wish them the best of luck as they head out into the work force. New students are frequently showing interest in the SA&FS major, so we look forward to future graduation ceremonies and the chance to celebrate the work of our students.

ASI Picnic Day booth: Learn how to care for your basil plant

ehightow — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 11:30:00 -0700

The UC Davis campus is the place to be Saturday, April 21.

Join the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis for one of the largest student-run events in the nation – Picnic Day.

The institute will be giving out organic basil plants grown by students at the UC Davis Student Farm – a campus-based program within the institute that was founded in 1978.

Drop by the institute’s booth at Robbins Hall. Take home a basil plant, and learn more about food sustainability.

ASI Blog

Picnic Day -- Saturday

New video lecture from Tom Tomich on global agroecology

Is there a sustainability science?

Is there a sustainability science?

Give the gift of sustainability this holiday season

Harold McClarty wants to feed the world while teaching his grandson about the importance of giving back.

ASI-affiliated faculty position available

Terroir of Russell Ranch

Russell Ranch digs deep

ASI's 2012 Strategic Snapshot and Director's Message

Learn about ASI's Sustainable Sourcing project

Learn more about Russell Ranch's long term agricultural research efforts

New UCTV web series featuring the work of ASI

Student farmer awarded Switzer Fellowship

Celebrating the excellence of staff member Israel Herrera

Congratulations, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems graduates.

ASI Picnic Day booth: Learn how to care for your basil plant

Learn from a student at the UC Davis Student Farm how to care for basil here.

**Is there a sustainability science?**