cows

September 10, 2015

A Message from Dean Helene Dillard: Come join the festivities at the 27th College Celebration

It’s time for our favorite gathering of the year. College Celebration is an opportunity for the CA&ES family to acknowledge our accomplishments and the people who help make the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences a great global asset. College Celebration will be held Friday, October 2, in the ARC Pavilion.

The fun begins at 5:30 p.m., when we will honor seven people with an Award of Distinction, the highest recognition given by our college to alumni, friends, faculty, and staff. The 2015 recipients are:

  • Jacqueline Beckley (alumni)
  • Chuck Nichols (alumni)
  • Tom Smith (alumni)
  • John Meyer (friend)
  • Jeff Smith (friend)
  • Chris van Kessel (faculty)
  • David Ginsburg (staff)

After the awards ceremony, we’ll enjoy some great food, wine, conversation, and camaraderie. At the end of the evening, everyone is invited to fill a bag of California agricultural products from our farmers market display.

This will be the 27th year for College Celebration and my second as dean. I am looking forward to it and hope you will join us for the festivities. Ticket prices are $20. Students can register for $10.  Please visit the registration website to learn more.

The ARC Pavilion, where commencement is held, is located on the southeast corner of La Rue and Orchard roads. Parking is nearby. See you there!

Helene R. Dillard,
Dean
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
hrdillard@ucdavis.edu 

 

Who

 

Agricultural and Resource Economics faculty honored by professional society

Several Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics faculty members were honored in July at the annual meeting of the most prominent professional association for agricultural economics and related fields. The 2015 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association award and fellows recognition ceremony was held in San Francisco. Award winners include: 

  • Richard Sexton—graduate teaching, 10 or more years
    Richard Sexton
    Richard Sexton
    J. Edward Taylor
    J. Edward Taylor
     
    Colin Carter
    Colin Carter
     
  • J. Edward Taylor—quality of communication
  • Colin Carter—quality of communication (honorable mention)
  • Alan Olmstead—quality of communication (honorable mention)
  • Julian Alston—publication of enduring quality
  • Aaron Smith, Daniel Sumner—outstanding American Journal of Agricultural Economics award

Several ARE doctoral graduates were also honored at the event.

Alan Olmstead
Alan Olmstead
Julian Alston
Julian Alston
Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith
Daniel Sumner
Daniel Sumner
 

 

Richard Sexton
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
530-752-4428
rich@primal.ucdavis.edu

 

 

 

 

Jan Hopmans appointed CA&ES associate dean for International Programs

Jan Hopmans
Jan Hopmans

Department of Land, Air and Water Resources professor Jan Hopmans has been appointed CA&ES Associate Dean for International Programs. He will serve a five-year term effective September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2020.

His goals include improved campus partnerships for international activities and moving into new, unexplored areas. Hopmans previously served as an associate dean in the college, covering the environmental and human/social sciences portfolio and previously served as LAWR department chair.  Most recently Hopmans served in the Office of Global Affairs as interim associate vice provost.

Hopmans succeeds Cooperative Extension rice specialist emeritus Jim Hill, who served as Associate Dean in the International Programs Office (IPO) since the position was created in 2005.

Jan Hopmans
CA&ES International Programs Office
530-754-0275
jwhopmans@ucdavis.edu

 

What

 

cowsRustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment proposals

The Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment has put forth a request for proposals (RFP) for University of California personnel to support problem-solving research that will benefit California range cattle producers and provide practical answers to critical issues and challenges facing the industry.

The goal of this program is to promote collaboration and strengthen the network among research faculty, Cooperative Extension specialists and advisors, and range cattle producers. Funding opportunities are available for collaborative research, workshops, conferences, and symposia. Three to four research proposals will be awarded with annual budgets not exceeding $60,000 per year.

The deadline for submission is Friday, October 16, 2015. See the full RFP here.

Randy Dahlgren
Department of Land, Air and Water Resources
530-752-2814
radahlgren@ucdavis.edu

 

Arboretum and Public Garden events

For more information, visit the arboretum website: http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

Folk Music Jam Session
Friday, September 11, 25, noon–1 p.m., Wyatt Deck
Folk musicians are invited to bring their acoustic instruments and play together informally over the lunch hour. All skill levels are welcome, and listeners are invited.

Butterfly Talk and Tour
Sunday, September 27, 10 a.m., Wyatt Deck
Join naturalist Steve Daubert in the arboretum to explore the ecology and evolution of butterflies and learn how the arboretum functions as a butterfly preserve. All ages are welcome to this free event.

Public Plant Sales
Saturdays, October 10, 24, and November 14, 9 a.m. to 1p.m., Arboretum Teaching Nursery
The UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery opens its doors to the public for three plant sales this fall. The arboretum has a large assortment of regionally adapted, water thrifty, and beautiful plants that would help spruce up the yard. The nursery is located toward the west end of the arboretum on Garrod Drive. Arboretum members receive 10 percent off plant purchases. To learn more about plant sales at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery.

 

When

 

Seed Central networking event: September 10, 2015

Seed Central hosts speakers and networking events that bring together seed and food professionals, UC Davis faculty, scientists, and students. The September 10 event will be held in the UC Davis Conference Center.

Networking runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m., followed by featured speaker Jose Kawashima, CEO of MiCafeto Coffee Co. Kawashima has been involved with projects covering Jamaica Blue Mountain, Hawaii Kona, Sumatra Mandheling, and others. He has written several books, including “Coffee Hunter: Rebirth of the Legendary Bourbon and Pointu.”

Recently hired faculty are encouraged to attend a special session between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. to learn more about Seed Central and how it facilitates communication and research collaboration between the seed industry and UC Davis scientists.

On October 8, the featured speaker is David Clifford, lead quantitative researcher for The Climate Corporation. At a joint Seed Central and Food Central forum in Salinas on October 22, UC Davis food toxicologist Carl Winter will be the featured speaker.

These events are free but an RSVP is requested. To register and learn more.

Kathleen Bess-Esparza
Department of Plant Sciences
530-754-2162
klesparza@ucdavis.edu

 

International Conference on Fresh-cut Produce — Maintaining Quality and Safety: September 13–18, 2015

Registrations are being accepted for the third International Conference on Fresh-cut Produce — Maintaining Quality and Safety. The conference will be held on the UC Davis campus, September 13–16, with an optional two-day technical tour, September 17–18. Conference attendance is limited to 200 registrants.

The conference is hosted by the Postharvest Technology Center at UC Davis and is being organized by UC Cooperative Extension specialist Marita Cantwell under the aegis of the International Society for Horticultural Science. Internationally known experts in fresh-cut processing technologies and research will be giving presentations. General topics include quality and product development, temperature and handling logistics, preparation and processing, packaging and modified atmospheres, food safety and sanitation, and marketing and consumer acceptance. An industry–academia panel also is planned, focusing on future industry needs and emerging technologies in fresh-cut products.

Register and learn more. The conference will take the place of the annual fresh-cut workshop in 2015.

Penny Stockdale
UC Davis Postharvest Technology Center
530-752-7672
pastockdale@ucdavis.edu

 

Open House at the Bohart Museum: September 20, 2015

The Bohart Museum of Entomology will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, September 20 in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, Crocker Lane.

The theme of this free open house is dragonflies. Dragonfly expert Rosser Garrison, senior insect biosystematist for the Plant Pest Diagnostics Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture, will share his expertise.

Kathy Keatley Garvey
Department of Entomology and Nematology
530-754-6894
kegarvey@ucdavis.edu

 

UC Master Milling Certificate Course: October 1–4, 2015

The UC Davis Olive Center will hold a Master Milling Certificate Course at the Silverado Vineyard Sensory Theater in the Robert Mondavi Institute on October 1–4.

The four-day course will be led by Leandro Ravetti, a leading expert in olive oil processing, growing, and standards in Australia. Included in the course will be a field trip to three olive oil processors in Yolo County. Past attendees of the Master Milling Short Course have made immediate improvements in the quality and profitability of their oil processing operations.

The course has attracted attendees from throughout the world. Instructors include Ravetti, Olive Center director Dan Flynn, and Olive Center research director Selina Wang. Registration is $1,225. To learn more and register.

Dan Flynn
UC Davis Olive Center
530-752-5170
jdflynn@ucdavis.edu

 

CA&ES College Celebration: October 2, 2015

The 27th annual CA&ES College Celebration will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015 in the UC Davis ARC Pavilion. The event honors seven people who will receive an Award of Distinction, the highest recognition presented by the college. After the awards ceremony, guests will be served hors d’oeuvres, wines, beer, and other refreshments. The evening culminates with the dismantling of the farmers market welcome display, where attendees are invited to take home a bagful of fresh California produce and grains.

The 2015 CA&ES Award of Distinction honorees include: 

  • Alumni — Jacqueline Beckley, Chuck Nichols, Tom Smith
  • Friends of the College — John Meyer, Jeff Smith
  • Outstanding staff — David Ginsburg
  • Outstanding faculty — Chris van Kessel

Online registration is open. Tickets are $20. Link to the College Celebration website to learn more about the event. Link here for a location map of the UC Davis ARC Pavilion. Parking is in the adjacent visitor parking lot #25.

Carrie Cloud
CA&ES Dean’s Office
530-204-7500
crcloud@ucdavis.edu

 

Water Policy for Food Security — a Global Conference: October 5–6, 2015

The World Food Center at UC Davis and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) will host a conference October 5–6 on water policy and planning for food security. “Water Policy for Food Security — a Global Conference” will address key issues at the national level, using case studies and a breadth of experience to inform policy and investment options.

The conference will be held at the UC Davis Conference Center and will bring together policymakers, researchers, development investors, and industry leaders. The goal is to advance solutions to the global challenge of reconciling the growth of food with the demands of urban, industrial, and environmental needs for freshwater supplies — all against a backdrop of higher energy prices and climate change.

Registration is $50 for students, $250 for academics, and $350 for others. The registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch each day and an evening reception on October 5. A limited number of grants for developing country participants will be available. For additional information and to register online.

Julie Kaye
UC Davis World Food Center
530-752-7172
jlkaye@ucdavis.edu

 

UC ANR Joint Strategic Initiative Conference: October 5–7, 2015

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources will hold its first Joint Strategic Initiative Conference on October 5–7 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. The five initiatives include: 

  • Endemic and invasive pests and diseases
  • Healthy families and communities
  • Sustainable food systems
  • Sustainable natural ecosystems
  • Water quality, quantity, and security

Advisors, specialists, AES faculty, program directors, and academic coordinators are encouraged to attend. In addition to highlighting the impacts of current initiatives and assessing future directions, there will be a number of opportunities for in-service training and workgroup and program team meetings.

Two poster sessions are planned. To learn more and register.

Sherry Cooper
UC ANR Program Support
530-750-1256
slcooper@ucanr.edu

Saundra Wais
UC ANR Program Support
530-750-1260
sjwais@ucanr.edu

 

H2O Hackathon, a water challenge: October 9, 2015

A conference aimed at solving California water challenges will be held October 9 at the Robert J. Cabral Agricultural Center in Stockton. Organizers of the H2O Hackathon, a water challenge, want UC Davis students to participate.

Students with skills or interests in programming, engineering, and software development will participate in a daylong competition to create apps or programs that could help solve water challenges. Students from the University of the Pacific, San Joaquin Delta College, Stanford University, and Mills College will join in the challenge. The best ideas will receive cash prizes.

The event is presented by iHub San Joaquin, University of the Pacific, and San Joaquin Delta College. Registration is free. Deadline is September 15.

Brent Holtz
UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
209-953-6124
baholtz@ucdavis.edu

 

CA&ES Fall Faculty Social: October 14, 2015

All college faculty members are invited to attend the CA&ES Fall Faculty Social on October 14, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Buehler Alumni Center, AGR Room. Wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Please RSVP by October 7 to lafulton@ucdavis.edu.

Carrie Cloud
CA&ES Dean’s Office
530-204-7500
crcloud@ucdavis.edu

 

Restoring American leadership in the age of the long war: October 19, 2015

The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation will host a seminar — Fixing what’s broke: restoring American leadership in the age of the long war — on October 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the UC Davis Conference Center.

The speaker is Rosa Brooks, a nationally known commentator on foreign policy, national security, politics, and the law. She is a senior fellow at the New America Foundation and a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center. From 2005 to 2009 she wrote a weekly column for the Los Angeles Times, and currently writes a column on war, politics, and the military for Foreign Policy magazine.

The seminar is free and open to alumni, industry, friends, faculty, staff, and students. RSVPs should be sent by October 1 to jsparacino@agleaders.org or call 831-585-1030. A reception follows the presentation.

Carrie Cloud
CA&ES Dean’s Office
530-204-7500
crcloud@ucdavis.edu

 

Produce Safety — a Science-based Framework Workshop: November 3–5, 2015

The UC Davis Postharvest Technology Center is offering a workshop, November 3–5, on developing a scientific framework for produce microbial safety systems and preventive controls. The course is designed primarily for entering and junior-level produce safety professionals and others with an interest in produce safety education.

Course content will provide participants with a basis for decision making on topics common to industry guidance standards, as well as federal regulatory compliance. The curriculum is a blend of fundamental, applied, and practical information. The course includes formal lectures, group assessments, and break-out groups. The curriculum includes the scientific basis for audit standards and preparing for using audits and targeted microbiological testing to improve performance.

The course will be held in the ballroom at the UC Davis Conference Center. Enrollment has been reduced to $750 and includes instruction, course material, a networking reception, and two lunches. For additional information and to enroll, visit the course website. Enrollment is requested by October 23, 2015.

Penny Stockdale
Postharvest Technology Center
530-752-7672
pastockdale@ucdavis.edu

 

Graduate student coffee with the dean: November 4, 2015

All graduate and Ph.D. students in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are invited to join Dean Helene Dillard for coffee on November 4 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in MUII, Memorial Union.

The event will provide the opportunity for students to share their thoughts and ask questions about plans for the college.  Please RSVP for this free gathering by October 28.

Carrie Cloud
CA&ES Dean’s Office
530-204-7500
crcloud@ucdavis.edu

 

Identifying and mitigating unintended consequences of restoration activities: November 5, 2015

An inaugural “Do No Harm” conference will focus on identifying, preventing, and mitigating the spread of pests, plant pathogens, and diseases through restoration. It will be held at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Center on November 5 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

A primary objective of this conference is to identify the stumbling blocks to achieving ecologically and economically successful restoration of disturbed lands in California. The conference will bring together experts, practitioners, suppliers, and policymakers to develop best management practices. Others who may want to attend include landowners, conservation organizations, agencies and jurisdictions managing open space or rights-of-way, nurseries, seed collectors and distributors, consultants, researchers, and other practitioners of restoration. The event is being sponsored by UC Riverside, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Davis, Dominican University of California, and the Center for Conservation Biology.

Registration is $45 ($25 for students). Continuing education units are available. The UC Riverside Palm Desert Center is located at 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive. To register and learn more.

Elise Gornish
Department of Plant Sciences
530-752-6314
egornish@ucdavis.edu

Travis Bean
UC Riverside Department of Botany and Plant Sciences
951-205-3974
travis.bean@ucr.edu

 

mead makingIntroduction to Mead Making: November 13–14, 2015

The Honey and Pollination Center will hold a workshop, Beginner’s Introduction to Mead Making, November 13–14 at the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science.

Explore this fermented beverage—from its rich history to its recent rebirth in the United States. Participants will taste and learn the styles, ingredient selection, and steps to making good mead. This short course is coordinated with four of the leading mead makers in the United States, along with faculty and staff from the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology.

Registration is $575. To register and learn more.

Amina Harris
Honey and Pollination Center
530-754-9301
aharris@ucdavis.edu

 

UC Soil and Water Short Course: November 17, 2015

The UC Vegetable Research and Information Center will sponsor a UC Soil and Water Short Course on November 17 at the Buehler Alumni Center.

This short course will focus on the practical aspects of soil fertility in an era of escalating fertilizer costs and increasing government regulation of on-farm nutrient management. The topics covered will include getting the maximum value from soil and water testing, comparing fertilizer sources, irrigation effects on soil nutrient management, and fertilizer management and environmental protection. Although the focus will be on nutrient management in annual cropping systems, much of the material presented will be relevant to perennial crops as well. Presentations will address fertility management issues for both conventional and organic production. The content will be geared toward commercial-scale production, and will assume attendees have a working knowledge of basic soil science.

Growers, consultants, government agency personnel, and others involved in soil fertility management will find this course valuable. Attendance would be useful for anyone preparing to take the California Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) exam. This course is approved for six hours of CCA credit (3.0 nutrient management, 3.0 soil and water management.) This course is not appropriate for home gardeners.

Early registration is $160 and will rise to $180 on October 30. The registration fee includes lunch, light refreshments, and study materials. To learn more and to register.

Gale Pérez
Department of Plant Sciences
530-752-1748
gperez@ucdavis.edu

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Visit CA&ES Currents online at http://www.caes.ucdavis.edu/news/publications/currents.

CA&ES Currents, the faculty/staff newsletter of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis, is published monthly. Send news items to editor, jdstumbos@ucdavis.edu.

Editor: John Stumbos
Writing: Helene Dillard, John Stumbos
Editorial review:  Robin DeRieux, Julie Fritz-Rubert, Thomas Kaiser, Christine Schmidt

To be added to or deleted from this electronic newsletter list, please send an e-mail to: caeseditor@agdean.ucdavis.edu.

The University of California does not discriminate in any of its policies, procedures, or practices.

The university is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.