The University of California division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Horticulture and Small Farms Advisor at the Assistant Rank, serving Placer and Nevada Counties. This position will focus on the commercial organic and conventional production and marketing of existing and emerging annual crops, orchard crops (including citrus), grapes (wine and table), berries, cut flowers, and other horticultural crops. Specific areas of focus include production practices, irrigation and nutrient management, soil health, integrated pest management, small farm economics and business strategies, and mitigating the impacts of climate change in these production systems.
UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are the educational practices Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities to increase their knowledge and understanding of science-based research results to support and promote the adoption of practices and technologies to solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organization of educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, farm calls, and site visits. Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, such as newsletters, articles for the popular press, curriculums, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications. Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding and adoption of new skills, practices, changed attitudes, policies, and improved environmental, health, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: extending knowledge, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity, and University and public service.
Location Headquarters: This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Office in Placer County, and is located at 2855 2nd Street, Auburn, CA 95603 (Building #210, Dewitt Center).
Position Details
The Area Advisor will extend research-based knowledge by leveraging experience and knowledge of the network of advisors and specialists working in horticulture and small farms, integrated pest management, irrigation, nutrient management, agroecology, and agricultural economics. However, because of the unique nature of specialty crop production in Placer/Nevada Counties, a locally focused UCCE Horticulture and Small Farms program is critical to addressing the region-specific needs. The Advisor will work with growers, campus faculty and researchers, including, potentially, Plant Sciences, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Land Air and Water Resources, and Agriculture and Resource Economics personnel to develop workshops, extension materials, and applied research focused on foothill specialty crop production.
There are excellent opportunities for extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators. The distinctive characteristics of foothill crop production make it vital for an on-the-ground advisor to be embedded within the local agricultural community. The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within the communities and throughout California. There is excellent potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system.
The Area Advisor will serve approximately 1,000 specialty crop farmers who operate from the edge of the Sacramento Valley to approximately 3,000 feet above sea level. About 35% of these growers are beginning farmers with less than 10 years of production experience. Crops include citrus, pome fruit, stone fruit, wine grapes, specialty fruit (e.g., persimmons, pomegranates, kiwis, etc.), cool and warm season vegetables, cut flowers, and ornamentals. The Advisor will develop applied research projects locally and in partnership with the other ANR academics.
Counties of Responsibility: This position will be headquartered in Placer County and will serve Placer and Nevada counties.
Reporting Relationship: The Horticulture and Small Farms Advisor will be supervised by the Area County Director for Placer, Nevada, Plumas, and Sierra Counties. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the Area County Director.
Qualifications and Skills Required