Latest Articles

Carol Hillhouse on gardening during drought

Posted by Aubrey Thompson on September 09, 2015

Carol Hillhouse, School Gardening Program Director and Ecological Garden Coordinator at the Student Farm was recently interviewed by Capital Public Radio on water wise tips for gardening in the drought. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it all starts with building healthy soil!

See the story here.

Student Farm

Viewpoints: Scientists are rising to the challenges of drought

Posted by Aubrey Thompson on September 02, 2015

This week, scientists from around the world are convening in Sacramento for the Ecological Society of America’s annual meeting to discuss cutting-edge research for a sustainable future. The meeting comes at a pivotal time for California, as the three-year drought drags on. According to the latest Drought Monitor report, more than 58 percent of the state is experiencing “exceptional drought,” the most severe classification, characterized by extreme water shortages and crop loss.

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Edible Landscape design photo courtesy of ANR.

UC provides the resources to help Urban Ag succeed

Posted by Aubrey Thompson on August 30, 2015

With a growing interest in gardening, food preservation and livestock, urban agriculture is making its way to the forefront of planning and policy agendas. The UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Division (UC ANR) released a portal for Urban Ag enthusiasts and farmers at the beginning of July. The portal features an array of information for beginning and experiences farmers alike. "The site will be a resource for urban farmers who are selling what they grown, as well as school and community gardeners, and folks who are keeping some backyard chickens and bees.

UC SAREP
Trees

Trees in Crop Fields – boosting a farm’s natural economy

Posted by Sonja Brodt on August 30, 2015

The mid-afternoon sun beats down on the dry earth as Elleman Mumba takes us to the cool shade of his musangu trees – tall 8-year-old trees that he has planted in wide rows in the middle of the crop fields where he grows maize and other annual crops for food and sale. Mr. Mumba is one of a growing number of farmers across Zambia and other southern African countries who are bucking conventional wisdom that planting trees in crop fields creates competition with the standing crop for sunlight, water, and nutrients. 

UC SAREP
Tom Tomich

Director Tom Tomich appointed to global science advisory council

Posted by Aubrey Thompson on August 30, 2015

We are pleased to announce that Thomas Tomich, director of the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis, has been appointed a scientific adviser to the world's preeminent agricultural research system, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.

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Isao Fujimoto to receive 2015 Bradford Rominger Award

Posted by Aubrey Thompson on August 30, 2015

Isao Fujimoto, lecturer emeritus of Community Development and Asian Studies at UC Davis, has been named the 2014 recipient of the Eric Bradford and Charlie Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award for his commitment to California agriculture, rural communities, and social change.

The prestigious award, given each year by the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis, will be presented at a ceremony at UC Davis on April 23. The keynote speaker will be Navina Khanna, a UC Davis alumna and leader for food justice in California. 

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