UC ANR's research and extension efforts are oriented around six thematic Program Areas that serve as unifying structures that bring together similar focus areas to address shared challenges, opportunities, and programmatic goals. Program Areas are further organized into Program Teams, which provide a platform for UC academics, staff, and external partners to convene, collaborate, share knowledge and experiences, and drive research and extension efforts.
Program Areas
Program Areas draw on the collective expertise and relationships within broad disciplinary themes to help people connect and identify and address issues of current and emerging importance. Research and extension activities within each Program Area are conducted to unify, communicate, and advocate for the work we do.
Each Program Area Chair represents their Program Area through service on UC ANR's Program Council.
Agronomy and Horticulture | Animal Production Systems | Community and Economic Development |
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Program Area Chair: Tom Turini Vegetable Crops CE Advisor | Program Area Chair: Dan Macon Livestock and Natural Resources CE Advisor | Program Area Chair: Keith Taylor Livestock and Natural Resources CE Advisor |
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Integrated Pest Management | Natural Ecosystems and Working Landscapes | Youth, Families, and Communities |
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Program Area Chair: Jhalendra Rijal Integrated Pest Management CE Advisor | Program Area Chair: Jeff Stackhouse Livestock and Natural Resources CE Advisor | Program Area Chair: Natalie Price Community Nutrition and Health CE Advisor |
Program Teams
Within each Program Area, there are several Program Teams, which provide a platform for UC academics, staff, and external partners to convene, collaborate, share knowledge and experiences, and drive research and extension efforts. While Program Teams are oriented around disciplines, they also play a crucial role beyond a single discipline, especially when they support multiple Workgroups and are well positioned to collaborate with UC ANR administration, UC campuses, and partners. To encourage collaboration and integration across the UC ANR network, each Program Team is co-chaired by one field-based and one campus-based academic. To join a Program Team, contact the listed Program Team leaders.
Program Team Name | Program Team Leaders |
Agronomy and Horticulture Program Area: |
| Agroecology, Organic, and Regenerative Systems | Crystele Leauthaud Sonja Brodt |
| Agronomic Crops | Jackie Atim Nick Clark |
| Environmental Horticulture, Floriculture, Berries, and Nurseries | Vacant Mark Bolda |
| Fruit and Nut Tree Crops | Giulia Marino Franz Niederholzer |
| Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens | Alda Pires Lucy Diekmann |
| Vegetable Crops | Alex Putman Brenna Aegerter |
| Viticulture | Matthew Fidelibus Shinjian Zhuang |
Animal Production Systems Program Area: |
| Aquatic Food Production Systems | Jackson Gross Vacant |
| Dairy Production | Noelia Silva Del Rio Randi Black |
| Meat Production | Gaby Maier Theresa Becchetti |
| Specialty Livestock and Poultry | Roselle Busch Julie Finzel |
Community and Economic Development Program Area: |
| Agri-Food Technology and Innovation | Ali Pourreza Grant Johnson |
| Biobased Products and Bioeconomy | Dan Sanchez Cindy Chen |
| Disaster Preparedness and Response | Lais Rodriguez Costa Tracy Schor |
| Food Systems, Food Waste, and Business Support | Selina Wang Michael Cohen |
| Labor and Workforce Development | Ali Hill Aaron Wilcher |
Integrated Pest Management Program Area |
| Entomology, Arthropod, and Vertebrate Pests | Matt Baur Cindy Kron |
| Plant Pathology and Nematology | Akif Eskalen Ana Maria Pastrana Leon |
| Weed Management | Brad Hanson Thomas Getts |
Natural Ecosystems and Working Landscapes |
| Biodiversity Conservation and Stewardship | Vacant Greg Ira |
| Climate Science and Ecosystems Impacts | Tapan Pathak Andy Lyons |
| Fire Management, Policy, and Resiliency | Kristen Shive Alison Deak |
| Forest and Upper Watershed Systems | Vacant Ricky Satomi |
| Human-Wildlife Interactions | Roger Baldwin Niamh Quinn |
| Rangeland and Grazing Systems | Leslie Roche Josh Davy |
| Soil Health and Management | Sutie Xu Michelle Leinfelder-Miles |
| Water Quantity, Quality, and Security | Safeeq Khan Ali Montazar |
Youth, Families, and Communities Program Area: |
| Community Nutrition and Health | Susana Matias Natalie Price |
| Native American Community Partnerships | Adina Merenlender Chris McDonald |
| Positive Youth Development and 4-H | Kali Trzesnewski Nate Caeton |
| Science Literacy and Critical Thinking | Vacant Steven Worker |
| Systemic Inequalities | Karina Diaz Rios Chandra Richards |
Workgroups
Workgroups are research and/or extension based sub-team where individuals come together to plan, conduct, and implement projects and function as part of a Program Team to address critical and emergent needs on an ad-hoc basis. UC ANR's Workgroups are currently under revision.
