California Agriculture SPECIAL SECTION 2014

100 Years of Science and Service

University of California | Peer-reviewed Research and News in Agricultural, Natural and Human Resources Smith-Lever Act of 1914: An Act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States receiving the benefits of an act of congress approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and of acts supplementary thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Editorial ANR and Cooperative Extension touch people’s lives

uring my first months as president of the devotee of the California food and wine revolution contributions to California. In these pages, you can related to diet. These efforts benefit University of California, I traveled around or someone who simply strives to put nutritional read how a Fresno County CE advisor helped alfalfa all Californians by helping curb ris- Dthe state, educating myself on the workings meals on the table, chances are you have benefited seed growers stave off infestations of Africanized ing health care costs. and wonders of the UC system. One of my goals was from ANR, its research stations and the thousands bees and increase crop yields. Critical responses to learn how the university serves the people of Cali- of Cooperative Extension staff operating throughout In another example of the value of partnerships, fornia and what we can do to enhance the state. you can learn how an advisor, a grower, an agricul- With every crisis California faces, that public service. ture commissioner and a retired army officer teamed UCCE comes through with practical, Moving forward At every stop, I saw outstanding up to create a popular tourist destination and apple- on-the-ground solutions. With our examples of the ways UC enriches the I am proud to be a part of this great enterprise of growing region in a Northern California community state now facing a drought, ANR is lives, and livelihoods, of Californians. public service, especially during the centennial year whose orchard livelihood once faced extinction. committed to using its expertise to I visited labs where they’re mapping of the founding of the national Cooperative Extension These are just two examples of how UCCE has help our agriculture industry survive. the human brain, developing new system. As our nation celebrates this milestone, it is come through in a crisis. Every day, its researchers We all know California is no stranger battery technologies for electric and an appropriate time to honor the history of UC’s agri- and advisors apply scientific innovations to the chal- to the cycles of dry years and water hybrid cars and studying ways to cultural roots and to move forward with new ways of lenges of increasing yields, battling invasive pests rationing. ANR advances in irriga- eradicate malaria. I was impressed serving California. and diseases, reducing energy use, conserving water, tion, plant breeding and conservation with how UC’s research discoveries not To that end, I am making a change that will ac- breeding new crop varieties and developing sustain- methods helped our state survive only drive the state’s economy but also complish both at once. Historically, the ANR vice able farming methods. droughts of the past. And we can do create opportunities for people who president reported directly to the UC president, just Over the years, the Cooperative Extension mission it again. live far beyond California’s borders. I as the campus chancellors do. In recent years, the has evolved with the times, and it will keep evolv- Climate change is the latest chal- developed a motto to capture the es- division was put under the umbrella of the Office of ing. For example, during World Wars I and II, UCCE lenge in the water shortage difficul- sence of what UC does: “Teaching for the Provost. It is time to restore ANR to its traditional helped Californians plant victory gardens to increase ties facing our state. The effects of a California, researching for the world.” place in the administrative structure of the university. the wartime supply of fresh produce. Today, UCCE warming environment on California’s UC’s Division of Agriculture and Accordingly, ANR will once again report directly to runs Master Gardener programs in 45 counties, teach- fields, forests and wildlife has Janet Napolitano President, University of California Natural Resources (ANR) has its the president. I believe this change properly reflects ing people to enrich their homes and communities risen to the top of the University’s own mantra: “California roots, global the importance of the work ANR does for the UC sys- with sustainable, edible and ornamental gardens. research concerns. While UC scien- reach.” They both promote the same principle — we tem and the state of California. It will ensure that agri- California 4-H still provides young people with the tists study the causes and effects of are dedicated to serving California and that service cultural issues remain front and center to the work of opportunities to raise livestock and compete at county climate change, UCCE will be ap- has impacts throughout the world. the University of California and will allow me to stay fairs. Now, its programs have expanded to include plying that knowledge to technological innovations One of the most profound ways in which UC in better touch with the agricultural community. technical knowledge with robot-building competi- that will supply California with the latest drought touches people’s lives is through the work of ANR and tions and computer training classes. survival strategies. Deep roots Cooperative Extension. Whether you are a backyard Particularly noteworthy is the role UCCE and ANR Advocating gardener or a major grower in the Central Valley, a As a land-grant university, UC has always had a play in building healthier communities. Through mandate to educate people in the latest agricultural nutrition programs in underserved rural and urban A few months ago, I met with the President’s methods. From the earliest days of the university, that neighborhoods, UCCE is fighting obesity, diabetes, Advisory Commission on Agriculture and Natural was part of our mission. high blood pressure and other chronic conditions Resources for the first time, When the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 created the na- and I’m looking forward to tional Cooperative Extension system, UC’s mission meeting with that group again I am proud to be a part expanded. The name Cooperative Extension itself em- in April. I plan to work closely of this great enterprise of bodies what that mission was intended to be and what with its members to ensure it has evolved into. that ANR has the tools to meet public service, especially “Extension” in this sense means reaching out and the needs of California. during the centennial sharing the scientific knowledge of the university When I was appointed UC’s year of the founding of with the public. “Cooperative” is the key concept 20th president, I pledged to be that makes these endeavors successful. With federal the best advocate possible for the national Cooperative support, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) thrives the University of California. I Extension system. as a partnership of growers, ranchers, state and local am eager to be a partner with government and a committed community of ANR — and advocate for — ANR scientists, educators and employees. Together, this and all its valuable programs. In essence, that means I partnership has built California agriculture into a $45 will be an advocate for California agriculture. billion industry. I’ll be looking for opportunities to talk about In celebration of the 100th anniversary of all the ways the ANR family makes life better for Cooperative Extension, this issue of California California families. Don’t be surprised if I call on you Agriculture highlights some of the many UCCE to help spread the word.

2 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years • Twitter: @UCANR CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • Special Section 2014 3 Smith-Lever Act of 1914: An Act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States receiving the benefits of an act of congress approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and of acts supplementary thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture. OutlookOutlook Rebuilding for the next 100 years

Barbara Allen-Diaz • researching how to make safe, affordable food Vice President available to the world’s 7 billion people; Replenishing ANR’s Cooperative Extension academic ranks Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources • protecting scarce natural resources; The following academic personnel have joined UC ANR since July 2012. University of California • building healthy, prosperous communities; and • educating our future leaders to meet these and to- Oli Bachie Latonya Harris Lorrene Ritchie morrow’s challenges. n 2014 our nation commemorates the 100th anni- Advisor; Imperial, Riverside and San Diego Academic Coordinator; Youth, Families and Specialist and Director; Nutrition Policy versary of the founding of Cooperative Extension. In many ways ANR functions as UC’s 11th cam- counties Communities Statewide Program Institute For the University of California’s Division of Ag- pus. We don’t grant degrees, but we educate more I Rob Bennaton Russell Hill Drusilla Rosales riculture and Natural Resources (ANR), this is both a than 150,000 California young people every year in year for celebration and for renewal. the California 4-H Youth Development Program. Advisor; Alameda, Contra Costa, San Advisor; Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Advisor; Los Angeles and Orange counties As California’s land-grant research university, UC, One of the original Cooperative Extension programs, Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara Stanislaus counties Samuel Sandoval Solis in 1914, was given the task of building the Extension 4-H teaches science, engineering, nutrition, ecology counties Anne Iaccopucci Specialist and Assistant Professor; system that the Smith-Lever and good citizenship. By participating in 4-H, young Director; Alameda and Contra Costa Academic Coordinator; 4-H Healthy Living Department of Land, Air and Water Act envisioned would pro- people increase their likelihood of graduating from counties Initiative Resources, UC Davis pel U.S. agriculture into college fivefold. For 100 years, UC Cooperative Dustin Blakey Jeremy James Noelia Silva-del-Rio the modern era. UC ANR ANR doesn’t operate medical centers, but we work Extension has served as ANR’s Advisor and Director; Inyo and Mono Specialist and Director; Sierra Foothill Specialist; Department of Population embraced that vision with a every day to fight childhood obesity and poor nutri- counties Research and Extension Center Health and Reproduction, UC Davis School “community ambassador.” prophetic belief that scientific tion. Our Extension nutrition programs reach more Virginia Bolshakova of Veterinary Medicine knowledge could, indeed, than 222,000 adults and children in 33 counties. Shimat V. Joseph Advisor and Director; San Francisco and transform California into the Through UC Cooperative Extension’s efforts, Advisor; Monterey, San Benito and Santa Christopher Smith San Mateo counties world’s most successful agri- over the past three decades California’s milk produc- Cruz counties Director; Ventura County Director; Elkus Ranch cultural producer. tion has increased 44%; its processing tomato yields Susie Kocher Director; Hansen Research and Extension For 100 years, UC have increased 69% and almond yields have risen Gurreet Brar Advisor; Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado and Center Cooperative Extension has by 122%. Advisor; Fresno and Madera counties Tuolumne counties Martin Smith served as ANR’s “commu- Using ANR-developed technology, California grow- Lyn (Rebecca) Brock Igor Lacan Specialist; Department of Human Ecology nity ambassador,” deliver- ers save 100,000 acre feet of water a year. Academic Coordinator; UC Nutrition Advisor; Alameda, Contra Costa, San and UC Davis School of Veterinary ing research and education When invasive pests like the Asian citrus psyllid Education Professional Development Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara Medicine programs in every California attack crops, ANR fights back with scientific advances Program counties Katherine Soule county. During this centen- in pest management and ongoing research to eradicate Sandra Derby Advisor; San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara nial year, we have much the threat. Michelle Leinfelder-Miles Academic Coordinator; California Project counties to celebrate, thanks to our Even in times of severe budget cutbacks, ANR con- Advisor; Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Learning Tree Program storied history and the sistently fulfills its public service responsibilities. The Joaquin, Solano and Yolo counties Alex Souza 1,350 dedicated individuals university and ANR have suffered through chronic Ryan DeSantis Dani Lightle Advisor; Kern and Tulare counties who make UC Cooperative funding declines that have threatened the quality of Advisor; Shasta, Siskiyou and Trinity Advisor; Glenn County Jeffery Stackhouse Extension and all of our programs and ability to serve the state. Now that counties Bruce Linquist Advisor; Del Norte and Humboldt counties ANR thrive. California’s finances are improving, we must focus Dorina M. Espinoza Specialist; Department of Plant Sciences, Kristen Stenger Today, we operate nine on renewal. Advisor; Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake and UC Davis Advisor; Fresno and Madera counties Research and Extension Among my highest priorities as vice president is Mendocino counties Centers, 60 county offices and to rebuild the academic footprint of UC Cooperative Mark Lundy Andrew Sutherland Jim Farrar three administrative centers, Extension. To sustain UC’s credibility with the people Advisor; Colusa, Sutter and Yuba Counties Advisor; Alameda, Contra Costa, San Director; Western IPM Center with more than 11,000 acres, it was created to serve, we must continue to replen- Fadzayi Mashiri Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara 320 Extension researchers ish our ranks (see next page) and revitalize programs Julie Finzel Advisor; Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties and 650 campus-based aca- trimmed during lean budget years. Advisor; Kern, Kings and Tulare counties counties Kris Tollerup Jack Kelly Clark Jack Kelly demics devoted to sustaining We also must forge new public-private partnerships Lisa Fischer Director; Mariposa County Advisor; Kearney Agricultural Research and UC ANR researcher and improving California’s and strengthen the ones we have to attract diversified checking codling Associate Director; Research and Extension JoLynn Miller Extension Center agricultural and natural resources. funding sources to our programs. moth trap in a walnut Center System Advisor; Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado and Julia Van Soelen Kim tree at sunrise Through this vast statewide network, ANR deliv- And we must build collaborations within the UC Missy Gable Tuolumne counties Advisor; Marin, Mendocino, Napa and ers practical, science-based information to California campuses to take advantage of the multidisciplinary Director; Statewide Master Gardener Sonoma counties growers, ranchers, decision makers and, perhaps most nature of transformative research. Maurice Pitesky Program importantly, the people of California. These are some of the challenges that keep me Specialist; Department of Population Guangyao “Sam” Wang Through our partnerships with the agricultural awake at night. We must accomplish these goals and Health and Reproduction, UC Davis School Specialist and Director; Desert Research community; state, local and federal agencies; and the more if UC Cooperative Extension and all of ANR are of Veterinary Medicine and Extension Center California State University, we address some of the to contribute another 100 years to the health and vi- most pressing problems of our day, including brancy of the California we all treasure.

4 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years • Twitter: @UCANR CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • Special Section 2014 5 Smith-Lever Act of 1914: An Act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States receiving the benefits of an act of congress approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and of acts supplementary thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture. OutlookUC Cooperative Extension history

A century of science and service The presidential roots of Cooperative Extension ver the course of more than half a century, Presidents Abra- creating a federal-level agency (the USDA, what Lincoln termed “the Rose Hayden-Smith, UC Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth, Family management in the North. Yet there was no consis- Oham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson signed bookend legislation people’s department”) to manage agriculture, of opening up land to and Community Development Advisor, Ventura County tent or efficient way to deliver important knowledge that created the land-grant institutions and Cooperative Extension. settlers by means of the Homestead Act, and of creating a transna- Rachel Surls, UC Cooperative Extension Sustainable Food Systems from the university campuses to the communities that Despite very different backgrounds and political ideologies, they tional railroad system to promote commerce. Advisor, Los Angeles County needed it. Passage of Smith-Lever launched a century reached very similar conclusions about the vital nature of agricultural A Democrat, Wilson was born in Virginia. At the end of the Civil of innovation in U.S. education that continues to this education to U.S. prosperity. War, when he was only 8 years old, he watched the former Confeder- day. In California, the educational model born out of President Lincoln, a Republican, who signed into law the Mor- ate president, Jefferson Davis, brought through his community in n a warm Friday, May 8, 1914, in Washington the legislation is UC Cooperative Extension. For 100 rill Act, creating the nation’s system of public higher education and chains. As a youth he saw how local farmers struggled after the war. D.C., two pieces of new legislation awaited years this statewide network of UC researchers and land-grant institutions, and President Wilson, who signed the Smith- He attended elite educational institutions, including the University OPresident Woodrow Wilson’s signature: a educators has developed and provided science-based Lever Act, which created the Cooperative Extension service, were of Virginia and the College of New Jersey (later renamed Princeton proclamation establishing the second Sunday each information to solve locally relevant challenges in the both shaped by the American Civil University), and received a doctor- May as Mother’s Day, and the Smith-Lever Act. The areas of economics, agriculture, natural resources, War. Lincoln experienced the war ate from Johns Hopkins University. honoring of mothers dominated the news that day, youth development and nutrition. firsthand, serving as president of Wilson was the first president but Wilson recognized the importance of the Smith- the United States when the South to ride to his inauguration in an

Progressive roots Library of Congress Library of Congress Lever Act, calling it “one of the most significant and seceded from the Union, and automobile. He never forgot his far-reaching measures for the education of adults ever Agriculture has always been vital to America. In brought the nation intact, although firsthand observations of the adopted by government.” 1860, at the outset of the Civil War, farmers made up battered, through 4 grueling years economic challenges Southern Sponsored by Sen. Hoke K. Smith and Rep. Asbury 58% of the U.S. labor force. It was that demographic of war. Lincoln was born and raised farmers faced in the post-Civil War F. Lever, the bill was the result of national efforts to that created the impetus behind the 1862 Morrill Act, on a farm, and his lack of formal ed- era; these experiences strongly create a new educational model for U.S. agriculture. which gave each state a grant of land to establish a ucation influenced his ideas about influenced his ideas about scientific At that time, land-grant universities ran farmers in- college that would teach practi- educational access for Americans. agriculture and the importance of stitutes and short courses taught by lecturers, and cal subjects such as agriculture Life on the farm also influenced Extension education. the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offered and engineering (see California President Abraham Lincoln his ideas about the importance of President Woodrow Wilson its own form of Extension work that focused on pest Agriculture, April–June 2012, control field demonstrations in the South and farm pg. 42). A key role of those Continued on page 10 1924 California milestones Extension workers help bring an outbreak of foot and mouth 1913 disease under control Andrew Hansen Christiansen named 1887 1920 1925 California’s first Extension Hilgardia, a Hatch Act establishes federal 1919 Crocheron establishes week-long 1929 farm advisor, placed in monographic funding for agricultural B.H. Crocheron recruited to direct state’s traveling conferences where Humboldt County series of Extension provides emergency research in state land-grant Agricultural Extension Service, which he caravans of farm advisors and assistance when St. Francis Dam colleges agricultural Library of Congress does for next 35 years Farm Bureau representatives break inundates portions of travel for hundreds of miles science, begins 1862 1912 Ventura and Los Angeles counties UC agricultural clubs formed 1918 viewing selected farms. President Lincoln signs Extension Director Crocheron in Ferndale and Fortuna; 1922 Morrill Act, authorizing First UC Extension specialist, a poultryman, Farm Bureau centers established embarks on fact-finding tour these early clubs evolved into hired with goal to double egg production in more than 500 rural Growers begin acquiring 1927 development of agricultural tractors; UC Extension holds in Asia to investigate potential today’s 4-H program from 80 eggs per hen per year average communities Extension academics begin “land-grant” colleges in one-week schools in 12 counties markets for California specialty specializing in poultry, dairy, each state 1900 teaching growers how to adjust crops; his outlook is not optimistic citrus, walnuts, agricultural 1880 and repair their new machinery engineering, etc. 1860 1920

1914 1917 Congress passes the 1886 Emergency war Smith-Lever Act, making appropriations 1921 University of California founded federal funds available for provide Volunteer leader concept 1923 to teach “agriculture, mining extension work growth for UC implemented for high school Extension completes 1926 1928 and the mechanical arts” Agricultural boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs first decade with First Agricultural Extension “4-H” appears for circulars published the first time in 1915 Extension as organized by farm advisors, 40 farm advisors, “food for victory” forming the basic structure and 33 assistant farm California reports UC Agricultural Extension Service (later becomes national philosophy for today’s 4-H Youth advisors and 21 home on youth work renamed “Cooperative Extension”) Library of Congress priority Development Program demonstration agents appoints farm advisors in Glenn, in county offices Solano, Stanislaus and Placer counties The Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley Bancroft Library, The

6 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years • Twitter: @UCANR CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • Special Section 2014 7 Smith-Lever Act of 1914: An Act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States receiving the benefits of an act of congress approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and of acts supplementary thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture. OutlookUC Cooperative Extension history

colleges was to develop knowledge that would help farmers Extension system and land-grant education, and created a fed- produce enough food and fiber to meet the needs of a growing eral, state and county funding formula for it that persists to this A profile in excellence nation. day. n the late 1930s and early 1940s, a young UC-trained agronomist named In 1887, the Hatch Act was passed to further this mission; it The intent of the Smith-Lever Act, like earlier agricultural leg- IMilton D. Miller worked as an assistant farm advisor in the UC Cooperative provided land-grant colleges with funds to develop agricultural islation, was broadly democratizing. Initially, Extension focused Extension office in Ventura County. When the United States entered World experiment stations, where research was conducted. Passage of on improving and reforming rural life, partly in response to the War II, Miller enlisted in the U.S. Army as a captain and was deployed to the the Adams Act in 1906 doubled funding to the research stations, findings of the Country Life Commission, created by President Pacific theatre. He worked for the U.S. Subsistence Procurement Branch in while requiring a new funding commitment from state sources. Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. The Smith-Lever Act was rooted in Australia, where he helped farmers transition from hand-hoeing vegetable The infusion of federal and state capital facilitated agricultural the Progressive philosophy of helping people help themselves, fields to using mechanical weeders, as part of the effort to boost Allied war- research, education and innovation, and generated increasing a philosophy that continues to inform Cooperative Extension’s time food production. An engaging writer, Miller corresponded regularly with interest in U.S. agriculture among policymakers concerned about work today, and it demonstrated Progressive Era beliefs in the the Cooperative Extension staff in Ventura, exchanging news and thanking UC Davis General Library, Special Collections, food security and increasing economic opportunities. value of public-private partnerships and shared funding models. them for gift packages that included fruitcake, handkerchiefs and tobacco. Five years of debate had preceded the Smith-Lever legisla- In the case of Cooperative Extension, the model included After the war ended, Miller returned to service with UC Cooperative Exten- tion. The McLaughlin Bill, proposed in 1909, left no clear role in federal (USDA), state (land-grant universities) and local sion, working as an Extension specialist from what eventually became the UC Extension work for the USDA. Opponents of that bill were famil- support (county funding, and the organization of a local Farm Davis campus. His notable career spanned more than 50 years, and his work in iar with the work of early Extension educator Seaman A. Knapp Bureau to sponsor the work). This relationship with the Farm rice, cereal and oilseed crops, and food procurement had local, state, national and argued for his model, which emphasized demonstration Bureau was a vital component and international impacts. Producers here and all over the world benefited work on farms. The final Smith-Lever legislation was a compro- in Cooperative Extension’s from his research on rapidly developing technologies to improve practices Milton Miller (right) in a Tasmanian carrot seed production field mise, facilitated by USDA Secretary David Houston, that pro- formation and identity; their and increase production. during World War II, 1944. posed a single Extension service from the USDA’s agricultural growth and partnership has been Continued on page 12

1948 Extension Director Crocheron dies suddenly, ending an era; 1956 acting director Chester Rubel writes “. . . a deep understanding UC Davis scientists and of rural problems, a genius for organization, and a devotion Extension farm advisors develop to agriculture and to rural people . . . made [Crocheron] an tomato varieties around state, 1934 outstanding leader. . . . The foundations which he laid are

National Archives National identifying three new hybrids Severe drought hits California: 18 California sound and enduring . . . His work will go on.” counties declared emergency areas eligible with superior yields for federal funds; farm advisors serve as government agents in purchasing livestock 1950 in the hardest-hit areas 1943 Extension reorganizes to better cope with scientific and technical advances and with California’s rapidly increasing population; home 1930 Extension asked to administer Emergency Farm Focus turns to practical application of 1938 demonstration agents become home advisors; county director Labor Project to assure adequate supply of positions created to coordinate local farm and home advisor science to agriculture, with progress on soil Federal-state agreements establish pilot workers for wartime agricultural production programs fertility and new dusts and sprays to control land-use planning program in U.S. counties; crop diseases UC Extension monitors programs in 1942 New specialist positions added in range management, ornamental Riverside, Kern, Sonoma and Yuba counties horticulture, subtropical horticulture, plant pathology, vegetable In response to Pearl Harbor, Extension agents crops, deciduous fruits and nuts, agricultural engineering, organize Emergency Farm Fire Protection 1934 marketing, extension education, 4-H, home economics, youth Project, forming more than 2,000 volunteer fire Extension tapped to help federal 1945 counseling, apiculture, biometrics, climatology, crops processing, 1937 companies in 42 counties to thwart possible government implement and forest products, nematology, parasitology, enology, pesticide 1957 George B. Alcorn joins Extension incendiary attacks In response to newly formed administer Agricultural Adjustment as agricultural economist; he Forest Service grazing safety, consumer marketing, wildlife management, public affairs, Extension farm Administration programs to help will become third director of Director Crocheron organizes California Minute restrictions, Extension advisors radio-TV, dairy products and soil and water salinity advisors work on growers stabilize their incomes California Agricultural Extension Men rural militia; 20,000 men sign up through help ranchers determine improving irrigation Service in 1956 county Extension offices to serve on reserve duty most efficient locations and 1955 efficiency by applying water based on specific methods to feed cattle Extension staff totals 549, more than soils and crop needs 1940 double 1940’s Extension workers 1930 1935 1936 With encouragement from a UC Congress approves 1941 1950 Extension forestry specialist, Soil Conservation 1940 Victory gardens and rural 2,000 miles of windbreak planted and Domestic Farm advisors and fire protection become to effectively protect Southern 1947 1932 Allotment Act home demonstration important Extension topics California citrus districts Seventy-eight new 1953 “Cal-Approved” to conserve soil agents lead wartime 1958 Extension agents hired Extension researchers study air seed program and prevent committees, conduct pollution damage to various crops in UC Extension entomologists begins to ensure erosion; Extension war bond campaigns Los Angeles Basin and San Francisco release guidelines for quality seed for agents given and organize state 1946 Bay Area growers on minimizing standard and responsibility militia that recruits Sixty new effects of pesticides on bees improved varieties of carrying out more than 23,000 Extension 1954 1959 organizing work volunteers appointments UC Extension specialists coordinate Extension agricultural economists made with USDA to develop new shade study challenges and opportunities in

Anaheim Public Library Public Anaheim California structures for livestock in hot weather California’s rural-urban transition Agriculture journal begins 8 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years • Twitter: @UCANR publishing CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • Special Section 2014 9 Library of Congress Smith-Lever Act of 1914: An Act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States receiving the benefits of an act of congress approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and of acts supplementary thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture. OutlookUC Cooperative Extension history

extraordinarily successful in advancing American populations. U.S. naval forces landed and occupied agriculture. Local farmers and Cooperative Extension Veracruz, Mexico, bringing the two countries to the May 8, 2014: Day of citizen science shared ownership in this shared model and the brink of war. By August, World War I had started, and he real strength of UC Cooperative Extension is its ability to scientific research by contributing their own knowledge, observa- knowledge produced, and they still do. U.S. agricultural products were sorely needed to feed Tfacilitate and build networks of knowledge that include scien- tions and intellectual efforts, often using social, web-based technolo- What is difficult to comprehend today, 100 years and support our allies. Efficient agriculture backed by tists, producers, community members and practitioners. We learn gies or mobile applications. later, is the sense of urgency surrounding the need scientific solutions became a national priority. together. This engaging process by everyone, not just the profes- On Thursday, May 8, 2014, the Division of Agriculture and Natural to improve U.S. agriculture in 1914. sional experts, has been an important part of our national history. Partners in California Resources (UC ANR) will celebrate the 100th birthday of UC Coop- The nation’s agricultural sector faced Before the formalization of higher education and the specialization erative Extension with a citizen science Passage of Smith-Lever difficulties in a number of areas, Even before passage of the Smith-Lever Act in of scientific disciplines, much of our scien- event – the Day of Science and Service. UC including production, yield, labor 1914, efforts were already under way to create an tific knowledge was gathered by citizens launched a century Cooperative Extension will crowd-source sources and distribution. Rural areas agricultural Extension system in California, building through trial and error and then passed data for citizen science projects about wa- of innovation in U.S. were depopulating, and the number on the success of the state’s land-grant college, the along to others. Presidents George Wash- ter, food and pollinators. Every Californian is education. In California, of farmers was dropping. At the same University of California. The first UC campus, at ington and Thomas Jefferson shared their invited to participate in this free celebration time, an inexpensive, secure and Berkeley, had agriculture as an important early focus. knowledge of agricultural science in their the educational model of science. ordered food supply was believed In 1907, a university research farm was opened in correspondence and at agricultural fairs born out of the legislation essential for civil order and national Davisville to serve Berkeley students. That site grew and meetings. Benjamin Franklin published UC ANR is developing data collection is UC Cooperative progress. into a new campus, UC Davis. The same year, UC scientific discoveries that provided a foun- maps, and participants will be able to ac- 1914 was a momentous year. The established the Citrus Experiment Station in Riverside, dation for future technological innovation. cess them through their computers or Extension. Panama Canal opened. Ford Motor which was instrumental in helping California emerge John Bartram, a self-trained botanist and smartphones and add their data directly to Company established an 8-hour as the nation’s premier citrus producer, creating a explorer, presented his plant knowledge in the maps. After adding data, they will be workday and increased wages. The National Guard second Gold Rush of sorts, as thousands flocked to the Philadelphia by making a garden, considered by many to be the na- taken to a landing page with more information about why the ques- fired upon striking miners in Colorado. Racial tensions Golden State to capitalize on the opportunities that the tion’s first significant botanical collection. tions are important and links to additional research in these three ran high, as did tensions between rural and urban state’s agricultural and natural resource abundance Citizen science is gaining traction in contemporary communities. areas. After the Day of Science and Service, the data will be tabulated Continued on page 14 Also known as crowd science, crowd-sourced science, networked and analyzed, and the results will be shared with participants. 1970 science or public participation in science research, citizen science For more information about participating, visit 1960 Extension programs begin to is a form of participatory scientific research conducted, in whole or take an international perspective, http://Beascientist.ucanr.edu. Extension efforts in part, by amateur or nonprofessional scientists. Through citizen reflecting concerns about on advancing world food supply 1971 science projects, community members engage and participate in —Marissa Palin Stein production agriculture Programs established in Extension farm improve farm community development, advisors, specialists and Agriculture productivity and 1962 farm personnel management, mechanization integrated pest management Experiment Station Experiment Station researchers and (IPM) and marine fisheries faculty boost Central 1976 1980 1986 specialists study how to protect Home economics Coast production by From 600 pages of state’s redwood trees from soil UC research indicates UC begins two program 1965 conducting mechanical oral history gathered compaction and other damage 1967 that EFNEP improves environmentally oriented reorganized Extension irrigation harvesting trials by UC researchers, from recreation, logging and Extension dietary practices programs: Sustainable as Family and specialist and for Ventura County UCCE studies how development farm advisors of low-income 1982 Agriculture Research and Consumer Sacramento County citrus, demonstrating technology has work with UCD’s populations Peripheral Canal Education Program, to help Sciences farm advisor chemical inhibition changed farms and 1964 Department of referendum fails; California growers practice 4-H programs encourage nurseries of avocado top farm families sustainable production 50th anniversary of to use plastic tubes Vegetable Crops regrowth and assessing UCCE praised developed in Smith-Lever Act; UC to develop new 1977 for providing and marketing systems; with electric timer to lettuce response to and Integrated Hardwood urban, low-income Extension has 532 farm varieties of peppers UC Small Farm Program objective water irrigate containers, soil fumigation for 1980 Range Management areas and home advisors resistant to tobacco established to focus on policy information rather than overhead nematode control UC announces Program, to study and specialists in 50 mosaic virus specialized needs of to public sprinklers the release of six problems facing oak trees subject areas small-scale and limited- new strawberry and other hardwoods resource growers 1970 varieties 1960 1969 1963 Expanded Food and Nutrition 1980 Farm advisors work with rice Education Program (EFNEP) 1961 growers in Butte, Colusa, Glenn, developed to reach low- 1974 UC’s pioneering San Joaquin, Sacramento, Sutter, income families UC changes name of Agriculture Extension Service to UC 1979 biocontrol efforts Yolo and Yuba counties on 1972 Cooperative Extension (UCCE) to reflect its broadening 1981 UC Statewide well under fertilizer efficiency UC conducts drip irrigation social and economic purview Integrated Pest UC survey of agricultural college way; scientists experiments on San Diego 1966 UC explores impacts of Management graduates shows women have not yet release imported County avocados Extension entomologists and Fresno County significant air pollution Program formed to broken barriers in employment, salaries parasitic wasps to farm advisors study impact of insecticides 1973 on Southern California accelerate research and status in agriculture combat specific on beneficial insects in cotton fields, part In response to environmental concerns, UC works leafy vegetables and and education citrus pests UC hires its first affirmative action of UC’s work on pest control methods that with Santa Clara County’s canning industry on on San Joaquin Valley on production officer to encourage more women and utilize beneficial insects, mites and spiders using cannery wastes as soil amendment cotton production alternatives that use minorities to seek careers in CE fewer chemicals

10 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years • Twitter: @UCANR CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • Special Section 2014 11 Smith-Lever Act of 1914: An Act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States receiving the benefits of an act of congress approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and of acts supplementary thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture. OutlookUC Cooperative Extension history

seemed to ensure. The experiment station at Riverside served as Cooperative Extension played a critical role on California’s rural roots, but as the nation has grown and communities the foundation for the UC Riverside campus. home front during World War I, helping farmers to grow have changed, Cooperative Extension has evolved, adapting Suggested reading By the time the Smith-Lever Act became law, new knowledge enough wheat and other crops to meet expanded wartime programs and developing new ones to meet the needs of rural Danbom D. 1979. The Resisted Revolution: Urban America and the Industrialization of and technologies developed by UC scientists were critical to the needs. Extension’s value was quickly established as farmers and nonrural audiences. Since the 1960s, the Expanded Food Agriculture, 1900-1930. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press. growth of farming and allied industries around the state. UC came to rely on having an expert close at hand who was familiar and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) has provided free Hayden-Smith R. 2012. Outlook: UC’s land-grant mission fuels nation’s growth, pros- agriculture faculty were already offering short courses at farmers with local conditions and crops. In addition to addressing the nutrition education classes in urban communities. Thousands of perity. Calif Agr 66(2):42–5. doi:10.3733/ca.v066n02p42. Huffman WE, Evenson RE. 1993. Science for Agriculture. Ames, IA: Iowa State Univer- institutes, but farmers were clamoring for more and eager to needs of farmers, Cooperative Extension soon expanded to urban and suburban residents have benefited from the Master sity Press. have a Cooperative Extension educator, known as a farm advisor, provide educational opportunities for their families. Female Gardener program, which offers workshops and advice to home, Rasmussen WD. 1989. Taking the University to the People: Seventy-five Years of Coopera- assigned to their community. extension agents — home advisors — were hired; they taught community and school gardeners; currently, more than 5,400 tive Extension. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press. Anticipating passage of Smith-Lever, UC officials required food preservation and nutrition and ran other programs for master gardener volunteers serve California communities. The Scheuring AF. 1995. Science and Service: A History of the Land-Grant University and Agriculture in California. Oakland, CA: UC ANR Publications. each county government that wanted to participate in a rural women and activities for local youth. This new generation Master Food Preserver program teaches Californians to safely Stage S, Vincente VB. 1997. Rethinking Home Economics: Women and the History of a Cooperative Extension partnership to allocate funding to help of college-educated female home economists increased the preserve the healthy foods we produce. A new Master Naturalist Profession. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. support Extension work in that community. Additionally, it contact and interchange between urban and rural communities, program is training volunteers to help communities respond to Surls R, Hayden-Smith R. 2013. UC Cooperative Extension’s collaborations grow with was required that a group of farmers in participating counties especially on social and domestic issues. Cooperative Extension complex issues in sustainable natural ecosystems; observations the centuries. Calif Agr 67(3):118. doi:10.3733/ca.v067n03p118. organize into a Farm Bureau to help guide the Cooperative also reached thousands of young people who would learn about by volunteers in the community are recorded using mobile Extension farm advisor on the issues of local agriculture. (These food production, animal husbandry, cooking, science and more technologies so the data can be studied by scientists, who then grassroots groups later evolved into the California Farm Bureau through participation in 4-H clubs. respond to and help solve community problems. Federation.) The first California county to sign up, Humboldt All of Cooperative Extension’s activities are grounded in UC Cooperative Extension today County, had its farm advisor in place by July 1913, before university research and developed in partnership with local passage of the federal legislation. Seven more counties came on UC Cooperative Extension, part of UC Division of Agriculture communities. After a century of service, UC Cooperative board in 1914, and in the following years 41 of the 58 California and Natural Resources (UC ANR), is comprised today of 320 Extension continues to deliver practical, trusted, science-based counties secured Cooperative Extension farm advisors. locally based Cooperative Extension advisors, 650 campus- solutions to Californians. based Cooperative Extension specialists, 2005 1988 60 county offices throughout the state, and Kearney Agricultural Research and UCCE reorganized, making nine research and extension centers. It has Extension Center celebrates 40 years campus-based specialists integral partnering with UCCE on research part of academic departments 2014 2013 UCCE celebrates 2007 UC ANR holds 100 years of UCCE develops and Global Food bringing science tests IPM program Systems Forum, and service for cut roses, the attracting viewers to California California Roots communities 1993 largest component of Global Reach from more than UCCE helps small-scale growers by providing California’s cut-flower 70 countries workshops for Southeast Asian immigrant 2003 industry growers in Central Valley 2001 To help California 1989 UC scientists cheesemakers 2010 2011 California 4-H club members 1996 develop integrated develop successful Four UC ANR strategic initiatives Strategic initiative 1999 number about 76,000; more than UCCE begins using World Wide approach to marketing established: Sustainable Food for Water Quality, 40% live in large cities or suburbs Web and email to conduct UCCE team documents managing sudden strategies, UCCE Systems, Healthy Families and Quantity and Security and 55% are girls outreach significant benefits from oak death, a disease studies shopping Communities, Endemic and established agritourism to growers and Invasive Pests and Diseases and 1992 Spanish-language UCCE specialist that has killed habits of specialty Collaborative UCCE communities in San Diego and millions of oak trees cheese consumers Sustainable Natural Ecosystems Experts from UCCE analyze begins using radio to teach other metropolitan counties and UCD study on economic impact of sweet nutrition to Latino families UCCE study finds Southern nitrate levels in potato whitefly in Imperial Valley California nurseries adopting groundwater released best practices for reducing water to State Water Board 1990 2000 runoff from their facilities and governor

2000 2010 1991 Study by UCCE 1990 UCCE specialists share researchers 2004 finds that school Money Talks program potential impacts of fair UCCE 2009 2012 trade agreements on popular gardens teach nutritional developed by UCCE 2006 UC ANR introduces its Strategic UC ANR internal grants program home economists commodities children healthier research Vision through 2025 eating habits finds link UCCE study finds funds research and extension to help low-income 1994 between decreasing size of 2008 education in new areas of families improve their Study by UCCE scientists 1995 1998 biofuels and local food systems food grape harvest baskets Sonoma and Napa UCCE study biocontrol financial situations documents trend of growers With help from UCCE In response to dust pollution concerns, insecurity leads to healthier in vineyards as part of CE’s work on making using more sustainable researchers, almond growers UCCE scientists collaborate to stabilize and obesity farm workers and viticulture more sustainable farming practices in Merced County reduce soil and reduce windblown dust in in Latino fewer back problems pesticide use Antelope Valley families —Rose Hayden-Smith, Rachel Surls and Marissa Palin Stein

12 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years • Twitter: @UCANR CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • Special Section 2014 13 Smith-Lever Act of 1914: An Act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States receiving the benefits of an act of congress approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and of acts supplementary thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Outlook100 ways UC Cooperative Extension changed California OutlookResearch news Developing Northern California’s first ranch marketing program UCCE’s connection to the community continues

alifornia’s El Dorado County was once part of SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE a thriving commercial pear-growing region. In Introduction Beginning growers and ranchers C1958, its growers produced more than 52,000 Clark Jack Kelly Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) tons of pears on 3,400 acres. The local Placerville arming as a way of life is waning in Sonoma research — on campuses, at research and extension Fruit Growers Association, established in 1915, was a UC FCounty, as agricultural land is converted to busy pear-packing cooperative. But in the late 1950s, centers and in Cooperative Extension offices throughout the housing and the average age of growers nears 60 pear decline disease invaded California and nearly state — focuses on critical issues in California’s agriculture, natural years. “We need to bring new farmers into the busi- destroyed nearly all of El Dorado’s premium Bartlett resources, youth development and nutrition. Five strategic initia- ness,” says Stephanie Larson, director of UCCE pear orchards. By 1964, the county’s production had tives in UC ANR provide collaborative opportunities for addressing Sonoma County. dropped to 8,435 tons. Farmers were devastated, and these issues: Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases; Healthy To do just that, she launched a Beginning Farmer their families at risk. Families and Communities; Sustainable Food Systems; Sustain- and Rancher program with a 3-year grant from the The late Dick Bethell was UC Cooperative United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) able Natural Ecosystems; and Water Quality, Quantity and Security. Extension pomology advisor in El Dorado, San Luis beginning in 2011. The program includes hands-on These initiatives look for new approaches, new resources and new Obispo, Santa Cruz and Sonoma More than 750,000 visitors tour the Apple Hill area each year to experience in production and business planning counties but he lived in Placerville. buy fresh apples and apple products. partnerships within and outside UC to identify, communicate and (including marketing, organic certification, per- He couldn’t stand watching his solve these problems. The five Cooperative Extension projects mitting and regulations, and lending) as well as community suffer, and he got to Apples aren’t the only crop El Dorado visitors now highlighted in this article represent these five strategic initiatives. mentoring by local master growers and ranchers. work restructuring El Dorado’s “Farming is challenging,” Larson says. “People enjoy, and UCCE’s Bethell had a hand in that as well. Today, in its 100th year of service, UC Cooperative Extension entire growing industry. Bethell en- Once a thriving wine country, with early settlers sup- can have a great idea but often fail due to the (UCCE) is as connected to California communities as ever. UCCE couraged local growers to diversify plying Gold Rush communities with spirits and fruit, business end.” into stone fruits, wine grapes, ber- El Dorado’s wine grape industry suffered during advisors provide expertise and practical, science-based solu- Just as importantly, participants get access to ries and, most of all, apples. Prohibition and from grape phylloxera. tions on a wide range of subjects — from family health to food land. They can lease vacant county land, and can In the 1960s, after a visit to Oak In 1965, Bethell oversaw the planting of several production to water quality to invasive pests — and have a keen use a website that matches new growers and ranch- Glen, a successful apple-growing wine grape test plots at various foothill elevations in understanding of local issues because they live and work in the ers with private landowners who want to lease region in Southern California’s the county. The wines produced from these plots were communities they serve. The following are just a few examples of acreage. In addition, a training farm — known as an San Bernardino Mountains, Bethell evaluated by the UC Davis Department of Enology, the many ways UCCE benefits Californians now. incubator farm — is in the works, which will help and his partners envisioned a which confirmed the suitability of the region for qual- participants get started by, for example, providing similar agritourism industry in El ity wine grapes. The re-emerging industry grew from shared equipment, mentoring, and a lower initial Dorado County, based on apple 6 acres to more than 2,000 acres of vines and 50 winer- lease rate. production. Bethell, grower Gene ies during Bethell’s tenure. The county was officially “We have folks who already have land and are Will Suckow Will

Bolster, agricultural commissioner designated as an American Viticultural Area in 1983, Linda Peterson hoping to reinvent and save their family farms, Apple Hill has Ed Delfino, and retired army officer and today, thanks to the early encouragement by Dick or who are switching careers to grow local food,” the largest Bob Tuck formed the Apple Hill Growers Association, Bethell, El Dorado produces some of California’s top says Linda Peterson, UCCE Beginning Farmer and concentration of apple growers in all based on the Oak Glen model and its agritourism by- wines and most beloved apples. Rancher program coordinator. About half of the 43 of California. Above, laws. The following summer, in 1964, they held their — Marissa Palin Stein participants to date are minorities, women or low- Boa Vista Orchard in first Apple Hill picnic for the news income, and most are now working in the agricul- Placerville. media, and not long afterwards they tural field. “They’ve increased production, started recruited visitors at the California farms or are working on farms,” she says. Their State Fair. operations include local hard cider, dry-farmed Will Suckow Will Today, the Apple Hill Growers tomatoes, sheep and goat cheese, and agricultural Association has grown from 16 tourism. farmer members to over 55, and Now, Larson and Peterson are integrating their Apple Hill has the largest concen- Beginning Farmer and Rancher program into the tration of apple growers in all of sustainable agriculture program at Santa Rosa California. Their efforts have paid off: Junior College, which will ensure that the program Apple Hill has become a very popu- continues long after the USDA grant is finished. lar tourist destination in Northern California. More than 750,000 visi- HEALTHY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES tors tour the area each year to visit STRATEGIC INITIATIVE you-pick farms; buy fresh apples and Eating Smart, Being Active apple products; chop Christmas trees; eat lunch; and stop at a local brewery, ost of us know the basics of a healthy lifestyle Since the planting of wine grape test plots in 1965, the wine industry in El Dorado Beginning Farmer and Rancher (BFR) participant Kelly Osman tags the ear of a spa and wineries. County has grown to more than 50 wineries and produces some of California’s top pregnant Black Angus cow, with help from Denner Ranch owner and BFR mentor M— eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercise wines. Above, Boeger Winery vineyard in Placerville. Terry Lindley (front) and ranch hand Joey Howard (back). regularly, and so on — but knowing what do to and

14 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years • Twitter: @UCANR CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • Special Section 2014 15 Smith-Lever Act of 1914: An Act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States receiving the benefits of an act of congress approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and of acts supplementary thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Research news Research news

actually doing it are far from the same thing. To help Califor- then, it looked like the region’s grazing would soon While leafcutting bees were already widely used

nians make healthy choices that stick, UC ANR administers and Scot Pipkin be a thing of the past. “There were concerns that cattle in Canada and the Pacific Northwest, no one knew UCCE delivers the federally funded Expanded Food and Nutri- were a vector for pathogens in drinking water,” says how they would survive the hot temperatures and low tion Education Program (EFNEP) statewide. Sheila Barry, UCCE livestock and natural resources humidity of California’s interior valleys. Moreover, an Peggy Greb, USDA ARS USDA Greb, Peggy As part of the program, UCCE nutrition educators teach adult advisor for the San Francisco Bay Area. “The San Fran- alfalfa seed company had already tried to introduce classes with the Eating Smart, Being Active curriculum, which was cisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) wanted to them to California without success. “It was called a developed by EFNEP and UCCE staff at UC Davis and Colorado get rid of grazing on 40,000 acres in the East Bay.” million dollar mistake,” Mueller says. State University. Used by Cooperative Extension nationwide, Ranchers, some of whom had worked this land But this time it worked. Why? “The growers and the curriculum consists of eight 1-hour classes that help people for three generations, asked Barry for help. “We seed companies all sat down at the same table with make healthy lifestyle choices. Sessions include “Get Moving!,” had just 60 days,” Barry says. Coincidentally, UCCE UCCE as the conduit, sharing research-based informa- “Vary Your Veggies, Focus on Fruit,” and “Make Half Your had just finished a statewide survey on cattle and tion on what did and didn’t work,” Mueller says. “We Grains Whole.” Cryptosporidium, a fecal pathogen. “This was the learned how to manage the leafcutting bee for our Alfalfa leafcutting bee on an In 2013, this program reached more than 9,000 low-income key,” she says. “We had the data to help answer conditions.” This was essential because while honey alfalfa flower families in California. “Half of participants now eat three or the SFPUC’s questions about grazing and drinking bees are managed by beekeepers, leafcutting bees are more servings of vegetables and two or more servings of fruit water safety.” managed by growers and seed companies. per day,“ says Connie Schneider, director of UC ANR’s Youth, The survey showed that Cryptosporidium shedding Today, the combination of leafcutting bees and Families and Communities statewide program, which includes was most common in calves younger than 4 months, European honey bees is a standard in California’s EFNEP. “This is a remarkable improvement.” helping Barry and her collaborators develop a grazing alfalfa seed industry. Besides giving growers an ad- Juana Gonzalez of Colusa is a standout EFNEP graduate. plan for the SFPUC land. For example, calving has to ditional pollinator, the leafcutting bee increased She went from eating hardly any produce to enjoying two cups be done by the beginning of November. “This way the yields by about 300 pounds an acre. This is partly each of vegetables and fruit a day, and now seasons her food young cattle are old enough not to shed by the time because the bees pollinate alfalfa more efficiently and with herbs and spices instead of salt, and drinks water instead it rains enough for runoff to load water with patho- partly because they complement honey bees. For ex- of soda. She also bumped up her daily exercise from less than gens,” she says. ample, irrigation discourages honey bees but not the half an hour to more than an hour. Her reward? Gonzalez has Another facet of the grazing plan is keeping cattle leafcutting bees. lost weight and no longer needs high blood pressure medication. away from waterways. “We sat with the ranch- “Growers have said that without the alfalfa leaf- “I feel better and, best of all, my teenage daughter is making ers and went over their riparian areas and streams, cutting bee, they wouldn’t be in the alfalfa seed healthy lifestyle changes with me,” she says. and fine-tuned cattle’s access to these waters,” business anymore,” Mueller says. “This was a phe- Chuck Deatherage Besides embracing her new lifestyle, Gonzalez inspires oth- Barry says. Ongoing monitoring ensures that ranch- nomenal project — it’s a standout in all my years in of Seed Services, ers to do the same. “Now Juana comes to the first class of my ers maintain the fences that keep herds where they Cooperative Extension.” Inc. in Fresno checks other sessions to say, ‘Look what this did for me,’” says Sonia should be. —Robin Meadows the flight and Rodriguez, EFNEP nutrition educator at the Altami Learning Buy-in was also critical to the plan’s success. “We nesting activity of alfalfa leafcutting Center in Colusa. “She’s a great advocate.” included all stakeholders from the beginning, taking bees, which nest in them on rangeland tours and explaining the man- this trailer. SUSTAINABLE NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE Tejon Ranch Conservancy volunteer Deonsa Taylor measures residual dry agement,” Barry says. Based on the UCCE plan, in Training conservation volunteers matter on rangeland, which will help manage grazing on this working 1999 the SFPUC adopted best management practices cattle ranch. (BMPs) for grazing watersheds. Besides preserving ust an hour’s drive north of Los Angeles, the Tejon Ranch Con- the livelihoods of the ranchers who came to Barry for Jservancy was overwhelmed with requests to visit the 240,000 curriculum so they were excited to have a UC-vetted, science- help, the BMPs set the stage for continued grazing on acres of oak woodland, desert, fir forest and chaparral that it based stewardship education program already available.” public lands throughout the Bay Area. manages. This range of habitats makes the ranch a hotspot of The curriculum includes 40 hours of class time and field biological diversity, with big draws such as condors, pronghorn, training, as well as individual capstone service projects. The first ENDEMIC AND INVASIVE PESTS AND DISEASES mountain lions and stunning wildflower displays. “This is a Tejon Ranch class was held in the fall of 2013, and many of the STRATEGIC INITIATIVE huge piece of land that is really unique in California because projects — which included acorn monitoring, pronghorn sur- Preparing for Africanized bees there has been no intensive recreation — ranching can be more veys, a weather station and a camera network to monitor wildlife compatible with endangered species than a lot of people tromp- — are ongoing. Training will continue yearly, and graduates will nother UCCE project in the 1990s has had lasting ing around,” says Sabrina Drill, UCCE natural resources advisor also guide wildflower and natural history tours, and, ultimately, Abenefits for the alfalfa seed industry. California is in Los Angeles County. “Because this is still working land, all staff the ranch’s nature center. among the nation’s top producers of alfalfa seed, with public access needs to be guided, and they couldn’t keep up with “We have 20 graduates who are already providing valuable 38,000 acres in the Central and Imperial valleys that the demand.” citizen science work,” says Scot Pipkin, public access coordina- yield 11,000 tons of seed per year. Drill is also co-director of UC ANR’s new California tor of the Tejon Ranch Conservancy. “This program provides an At the time, alfalfa seed growers were worried Naturalist Program, which partners with local organizations excellent foundation for our volunteers.” that the extremely defensive Africanized honey bee statewide to engage the public in the study and stewardship would soon reach the San Joaquin Valley. So they of California’s natural resources. This makes the program a WATER QUALITY, QUANTITY AND SECURITY STRATEGIC INITIATIVE asked Shannon Mueller, UCCE farm advisor in Fresno perfect fit with the Tejon Ranch Conservancy. “They need help Balancing grazing and watersheds County, to help them start using the alfalfa leafcutting with monitoring and restoration projects, and with allowing bee. Unlike the European honey bee, the alfalfa leaf- the larger community to come and enjoy the land,” she says. oday’s harmony between grazing and public lands in the Bay cutting bee does not breed with Africanized bees and “They thought they were going to have to develop their own TArea stems from UCCE work that began in the 1990s. Back so cannot inherit their aggression. Shannon Mueller

16 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years • Twitter: @UCANR CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • Special Section 2014 17 Historical research From The Yearbook of Agriculture (USDA 1959), “The Nutriture of People” alifornia Agriculture journal publishes peer- “. . . Although more Americans over 60 own their own Early conclusions on Pierce’s disease Creviewed research and news for the Uni- 1959 homes than do younger people, versity of California Division of Agriculture and institutions for older persons also are increasing “The newly discovered Pierce’s disease bacterium Natural Resources. In the journal’s January–June more rapidly than for any other age group. 1974 could destroy large numbers of grapevines and 2014 issue, the following three historical side- Early grain storage research “Institutional food service generally is planned render parts of California unfit for the culture of common grape to provide approximately the amounts of nutrients recommended varieties. bars accompanied three contemporary research “Many insects that infest grain in farm storage are for the largest group in the institution. Several studies between “Since 1884, this disease has been periodically investigated small. Some are smaller than a grain of wheat. In fact, articles. The “Early grain storage research” 1947 1948 and 1956 of older groups in institutions have indicated how- with the belief that it was caused by a virus. . . . This study with some species, a single kernel of grain furnishes sufficient food sidebar was paired with the article “Survey of ever, that the daily meals, as served, may provide recommended reports for the first time the isolation of a rod-shaped, gram- for the development of from one to several individuals. rice storage facilities identifies research and amounts of nutrients, but the actual nutrient intake levels of the positive bacterium from the disease-spreading leafhopper “Among the more important pests are the granary weevil, rice older individuals often are below the recommended amounts. Draeculacephala minerva. education needs.” “The Nutriture of People” ac- weevil, lesser grain borer, Angoumois grain moth, confused flour “This situation is not unlike comparisons of intake levels of fami- “A group of noninfective leafhoppers were fed on healthy companied “Seniors, and their food handlers beetle and the saw-toothed grain beetle. The first four mentioned lies as a whole and of the individual members of families. Among grapevines, Vitis vinifera cv. Mission, then they were transferred are capable of attacking and destroying sound grain. The others and caregivers, need food safety and nutrition the groups in large institutions, however, there is less consideration to plants with Pierce’s disease. Excreta (spittle) of 10 leafhop- generally feed upon broken grains, particularly the finer particles. education.” And “Early conclusions on Pierce’s of individual food habits and food preferences in planning menus pers was collected after they were fed at first on healthy plants, disease” sat alongside “Pierce’s disease costs “Where the environment is favorable, these insects cause se- than there would be for family groups. and then additional excreta samples were taken from the same rious damage and under extreme conditions the grain may be “Studies by the California, Florida, and Rhode Island Agricultural vectors after they had fed on diseased plants. Each sample of ex- California $104 million per year.” completely destroyed. Most of the important grain pests are wide- Experiment Stations between 1950 and 1956 indicated that the creta was streaked on an enriched bacteriological agar medium. As part of our recognition of UC Cooperative spread throughout California and if nutrient intake levels of older groups in institutions generally are “Bacteria grew as small white colonies on the media streaked grain is not properly protected it is Extension’s Centennial year, California Agriculture substantially lower than the nutrient intake levels of older persons with the excreta of the leafhoppers which had fed on a diseased subject to heavy infestation. will continue to pair short historical sidebars in individual homes. Most of the residents in public institutions grapevine. No such colonies appeared on media streaked with with current research articles throughout 2014. “The development of stored grain consumed considerably less than recommended amounts of all excreta from leafhoppers which had fed previously only on a pests is largely regulated by tempera- nutrients. . . . healthy grapevine. The connections between article and sidebar ture and the moisture content of the “When their intakes of iron and of protein were adequate, some “These experiments have demonstrated that a gram-positive will vary. Some historical sidebars may draw food on which they feed. The most relationship was evident between the intake of iron and protein bacterium is the etiological agent of Pierce’s disease in grape- favorable temperature range is from from the same broad research area, while oth- and the hemoglobin. When intakes of iron and protein are gener- vines, and not a virus, as previously believed. The organism has 80 to 85 Deg. F; while the most ideal ers may discuss earlier studies of a problem still ally high, hemoglobin levels may been successfully cultured on artificial media. By using the leaf- moisture content of the food ranges be rather consistent — an indica- hopper vector injected with the cultured and purified bacteria, being investigated by contemporary scientists. from 13 to 17 per cent.” Problems affecting the state’s resources, com- tion that hemoglobin beyond the disease symptoms can be consistently reproduced in healthy grapevines and the same organism reisolated from clean leaf- modities and people evolve, and research that certain intake levels does not generally increase with higher hoppers fed on these plants At the time of this writing, author Abraham was genuinely new and enlightening at one intakes.” and on naturally infected plants time may now be taken for granted or even E. Michelbacher was assistant professor of from the field.” discounted. The variety of these connections entomology and assistant entomologist at the Agricultural Experiment Station of old and new help to place the university’s Agnes Fay Morgan, co-author of at UC Berkeley. He went on to become a All three authors contributed to Nutritional Science and Toxicology, UC Berkeley Toxicology, and Nutritional Science the essay excerpted above, was a scientific endeavors into a larger context. And full professor and leader in UC Berkeley’s pioneer among women in American the understanding and prevention they remind us how today’s science builds on Department of Entomology, as well as science. Morgan came to UC Berkeley’s of plant diseases throughout their previous knowledge as UC researchers continue a pioneer in the fields of biological pest UC Professor Agnes Fay Morgan. faculty in 1915. The next year, she university careers. Jaime G. Auger control and the specifically targeted use of to work to improve the lives of Californians and became a founding co-chair of the studied plant pathology at UC pesticides. After retirement in 1960, he was the environment in which we all live. Department of Home Economics. Two years later she was sole chair of Davis in the 1970s and went on to a professorship at the Departamento named professor emeritus and continued the new Department of Household Science, within UC Berkeley’s College de Sanidad Vegetal, Universidad de Chile, Santiago. Thomas A. Shalla his research and Extension work for nearly of Agriculture. Her goal was to validate or debunk common household served as professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Pathology. 30 years more. Michelbacher died in 1991, customs of cookery, clean living and good order by scientific means, and Besides his classroom work, he pioneered new electron microscopy aged 92. in that way promote sound practices in this tradition-bound arena. Those techniques for the identification and study of viruses and infected plant who studied under Morgan were well qualified to teach science and cells, and led a task force to research and virtually eliminate pear decline, nutrition courses, along with the cooking and sewing classes one might a serious disease in the state’s pear industry in the 1960s. Clarence I. Kado expect of a home economics graduate. is professor emeritus at the UC Davis Department of Plant Pathology. Morgan’s service to the University has been recognized in many ways, He was a university bacteriologist, both in the classroom and in the including a special symposium held on the 50th anniversary of her joining laboratory, and author of many scientific articles and a major college the faculty and the naming of Agnes Fay Morgan Hall, UC Berkeley’s textbook on bacteriology. nutrition building, in her honor.

18 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years • Twitter: @UCANR CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • Special Section 2014 19 http://ucanr.edu/sites/100years @UCANR

California Agriculture

Reprint of Special Section “UCCE Centennial 100 Years of Science and Service,” Volume 68, Numbers 1–2, pages 4–19

California Agriculture publishes peer-reviewed research and news quarterly by University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ISSN 0008-0845, print; ISSN 2160-8091, online) For free subscriptions, go to: http://californiaagriculture.ucanr.edu/subscribeNew.cfm ©2014 The Regents of the University of California

1301 S. 46th St., Bldg. 478, Richmond, CA 94804-4600 Phone: (510) 665-2163; Fax: (510) 665-3427; [email protected] http://californiaagriculture.ucanr.edu Interim Executive Editor: Ann Senuta Managing Editor: Deborah Thompson Senior Editor: Hazel White Art Director: Will Suckow Administrative Support: Carol Lopez, María Muñoz

California Agriculture is printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council™ as sourced from well-managed forests, with 10% recycled postconsumer waste and no elemental chlorine. See www.fsc.org for more information.