UC Agriculture & Natural Resources

Bittersweet milestones like this remind us how long readers like you have been part of the journey. Thank you!

CDFA, UC ANR and partners introduce California Agricultural Research and Innovation Roadmap | ANR News Releases Guided by farmer and rancher input, CDFA, UC ANR and academic and industry partners have developed a blueprint to accelerate scientific discovery and the adoption of next-generation tools.

We join the #CDFA & partners to launch the California Agricultural Research & Innovation Roadmap, which guides research, innovation, & the adoption of next-gen tools for farms & ranches. @calcommcolleges.bsky.social
More here ▶️ ucanr.edu/blog/anr-new...

Tree School covering forestry, wildfire resilience offered in Butte, Humboldt counties | Green Blog Learn about forestry, fire and natural resources concepts in Paradise in Butte County on April 18 and in Eureka in Humboldt County on May 2.

Ready to learn about forestry & wildfire resilience? Join California Tree School this spring!
Paradise (Butte Co.) – April 18
Eureka (Humboldt Co.) – May 2
Hands-on classes w/ experts from UC ANR, @calfire.bsky.social & partners
Register ➡️ https://ucanr.edu/blog/green-blog/article/tree-school-2026

Hot in the City: Bay Area, Sierra Nevada Brace for Unusual March Heat Wave | KQED Forecasters said an early heat wave in California could break Bay Area records and threaten the state’s fragile snowpack.

Daniel Swain says “there will be no Miracle March,” or when a dry winter turns into a snowy one with late-season storms. “We’re going to get to April 1st, and we’re going to have some scary snowpack numbers..." @climatedaddykqed.bsky.social @weatherwest.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/science/2000...

Invasive beetle infests dozens of Ventura County oak trees This small invasive beetle has infested dozens of Ventura County oak trees. Here's what to know.

Goldspotted oak borers can kill trees. @ucanr.edu asks people in Ventura County to avoid moving firewood & report signs of decline in local oaks. @vcstar.bsky.social
www.vcstar.com/story/news/s...

Heavy rains threaten homeless people living in Bay Area stream corridors | Green Blog Rainstorms are increasingly dangerous for homeless people living near rivers and streams, according to University of California scientists.

Heavy rainstorms are becoming more frequent in the #BayArea, raising flood risks for homeless people living near creeks & rivers. UC scientists mapped where vulnerable communities overlap with storm hazards to help cities plan. @ucdaviscaes.bsky.social
ucanr.edu/blog/green-blog/article/flooding

TODAY 3pm Join @weatherwest.bsky.social, climate scientist @ucanr.edu, to discuss the impending heatwave headed to California & Southwest 🥵

Tune in tomorrow (3/10) at 3 pm! @weatherwest.bsky.social

Now hiring: Specialist in Cooperative Extension – Groundwater Quantity & Quality. This role advances science-based solutions to address groundwater, salinity, and water challenges facing the San Joaquin Valley #agriculture.
Apply ➡️ recruit.ucanr.edu/JPF00373

An individual wearing a hard hat and backpack stands pointing at a large pine tree with a charred section. The scene is outdoors in a forested area, with clear blue skies.

A person is holding a black cow with a halter in a covered show area, while another individual stands beside them, smiling and holding a clipboard. The cow is facing the camera. There are spectators in the background behind a fence.

Two individuals are smiling outdoors. One is wearing a purple hoodie and has a visible name tag. The other is wearing a colorful hat, sunglasses, and a dark jacket with "UCCE" on it. The background features trees and buildings.

A person stands in a field of lettuce, wearing a plaid shirt, blue jeans, and a cap with a logo. They are holding lettuce leaves and appear to be examining them. The sky is partly cloudy.

In celebration of #InternationalWomensDay, we’re highlighting the incredible women whose leadership, innovation, and dedication are advancing science and strengthening communities.
Explore their stories on our blog: ucanr.edu/blog/employee-spotlights and follow along throughout the year.

A group of cattle stand among trees in a dry, grassy landscape.

a woman speaking

A person stands in front of a large metal mobile unit labeled "Smart Feed," pointing towards it. The unit has compartments and two wheels visible. The setting is outdoors on a sunny day.

A person stands beside an open contraption on a trailer in a dry, grassy area. The contraption appears to be a small, enclosed space with a green interior and a padded section. The person gestures towards the opening.

#UCANR researchers are testing whether red seaweed can reduce methane from cattle grazing on rangelands. At the Sierra Foothill REC, scientists are using new feeder tech to track cattle diets & emissions in real-world conditions. @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social
➡️ bit.ly/4lxSKtP

Cindy Chen, me, Lenya, Katie Low, Ricky Satomi, Mike Jones.

The #UCANR Fire Network joined leaders and experts at the Forestry Strategies and Innovations Conference 2026 to discuss the latest research, technology, and partnerships advancing wildfire resilience in California. #Wildfire #Forestry @lenyaqd.bsky.social @ucanrfirenetwork.bsky.social

“That snow pack on the ground, even if it’s discontinuous in patches in between trees and the open gaps, it’s serving as a nice time-release storage mechanism of water,” Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social @ucanr.edu told @mrmattsimon.bsky.social @grist.org

Agriculture, natural resources sectors support California’s rank as world’s fourth-largest economy | ANR News Releases California landscapes are diverse, featuring conservation lands, productive farms and innovative renewable-energy projects. A new report from UC ANR quantifies their value.

Analysis by Cooperative Extension Professor Ali Hill and collaborators at @ucanr.edu indicates that California's working landscapes—the farms, ranches, mines, forests, renewable energy installations, and fisheries—generated $404 billion in sales income in 2024.

Screening of Weathered: After the LA Firestorms, brought together leaders & community experts to discuss wildfire risk solutions. Thanks to co-hosts @senbenallen.bsky.social @asmstevebennett.bsky.social Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez. Panel included #UCANR's Yana Valachovic. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiX9...

“The full 3-month period, winter 2026, was in fact record warm throughout a majority of the Sierra Nevada,” said @weatherwest.bsky.social @ucanr.edu
Around Lake Tahoe, the area’s warm temperatures were “truly snow-eating.”
“Literally feet of the snow went away." @climatedaddykqed.bsky.social

In Compton, urban agritourism opens new opportunities for small farms | Noticias UC ANR programs help urban farmers diversify income through agritourism, education and community engagement initiatives in Southern California

In Compton, urban farms are building resilience through #agritourism. With support from #UCANR, farms like Alma Backyard Farms are diversifying income through workshops, tours & community events, strengthening local food systems and economic opportunity.
ucanr.edu/blog/noticia...

Pests of Backyard Chickens: Your Questions, Answered! | Pests in the Urban Landscape Dr. Amy Murillo an Assistant Professor at the University of California Riverside specializing in veterinary entomology, answered questions from our webinar attendees.

Got backyard chickens? @ucipmurban.bsky.social provides an excellent overview of identification, prevention and management of common ectoparasites found in backyard chicken flocks
ucanr.edu/blog/pests-u...

If you missed Daniel Swain's livestream today about the ridiculously warm weather in the West, snowpack, water supply, and wildfire implications, the recording is now available at the same link below.

A record warm winter in the Western U.S. : What does it mean for snowpack, water supply, & wildfire? - YouTube The latest in a recurring series of live, virtual, & interactive #weather and #climate-focused "office hours" hosted by Dr. Daniel Swain. 3/2/2026 topic: I'l...

I'll host a short-notice livestream later this afternoon (Mon, 3/2, at 2pm PT) to discuss recent news that winter 2025-2026 was the warmest on record--by far--across the Western United States. I'll discuss snowpack, water supply, and wildfire implications.

Leading Fermentation Scientist David E. Block Earns ASEV's Highest Honor Press Release - UC Davis researcher honored for advancing modern fermentation science and winery practice

Congrats to David Block @ucdavis.bsky.social, who will receive the American Society for Enology and Viticulture Merit Award to recognize his career achievements turning "science into better tools and practices for winemakers."

@viticulture.bsky.social www.winebusiness.com/news/article...

Californians! Get ready for a warm weekend, says Daniel Swain, our climate scientist @weatherwest.bsky.social

Video Series on Roof Rat Damage in Orchards: What Growers Need to Know - CDFA's Planting Seeds Blog Focusing on solutions for growers for Invasive Species Awareness Week, February 23-27 Orchard systems across California—particularly nut orchards in the southern San Joaquin Valley—have seen a signifi...

🐀 UC ANR's Dr. Roger Baldwin teamed up with @CDFA to create a free 20-video series on roof rat management in orchards. Look for his updated UC ANR pub, Effective Management of Roof Rats in Nut and Fruit Orchards, coming soon— stay tuned! #UCANR #OrchardManagement

How wildfires can be leveraged to increase forest resilience | Green Blog New research recommends that forest managers work in and adjacent to recent wildfire footprints to increase the pace and scale of fuel treatments.

“Modern wildfires have many tragic effects—particularly the loss of lives, homes and... forest, @natureatcal.bsky.social @ucanr.edu. However, we have a valuable opportunity to capitalize on some of the good work that wildfires do, but we must act fast. ucanr.edu/blog/green-b...

Three rows of lettuce grow in field. Signs labeled "Lettuce" mark each row. Photo from Fox40

Amador County students are growing lettuce, broccoli, carrots, sugar snap peas, radishes, beets and tomatoes at school farm with help from @ucanr.edu farm advisors.
fox40.com/news/amador-... @jolynnmiller.bsky.social

Amador County Unified School District opens first district-wide farm YouTube video by FOX40 News

#UCCE has been partnering with the local school district in #AmadorCounty to launch a school farm. The goal is to provide locally grown produce to K–12 cafeterias while providing students with hands-on learning. Ceremony TODAY in Jackson from 4–6 p.m.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE8T...

Butte County

Rice growers: Join the 2026 Rice Production Workshop, hosted by UC Cooperative Extension in collaboration with #UCDavis & the California Rice Experiment Station. Covers rice growth, varieties, water & fertility management, pests & more.

Register by 3/15: ucanr.edu/blog/food-bl...

Hopland: A tiny town packed with 15 tasting rooms and zero pretense Mendocino’s gateway town offers relaxed wine tasting, farm-to-table dining, animal encounters and breathtaking estate hikes

Hopland may be tiny, but it’s packed with charm.
Just 5 miles east of town, Hopland REC spans 5,300 acres and has served the region since 1951, offering hikes, wildflower walks, sheep-shearing workshops, lambing tours, and more. @eastbaytimes.com
www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/02/23/h...

Virtual Fence Workshop at Hopland Research & Extension Center - March 2, 2026 | On the Range Image Please join UC Cooperative Extension for a workshop on virtual fencing!

Ranchers are invited to Virtual Fence Workshop at @ucanr.edu's Hopland Research & Extension Center on March 2
For more info and to register ucanr.edu/blog/range/a...

after the fire webinar

Join the UC ANR Fire Network for our upcoming webinar on Rebuilding & Structure Loss, the fourth & final session in our After the Fire: Understanding Challenges to Post-Fire Recovery in California series.
Feb. 23
5:30–7:00 PM
Register ➡️ ucanr.edu/blog/green-b...