University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources announced on Mar. 31 several new staff appointments to support its statewide programs, including Cooperative Extension services and research initiatives.
The addition of these professionals reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to extending university research to communities across California through educational programs, workshops, and partnerships aimed at promoting sustainable practices in agriculture and natural resources. According to the official website, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources operates in all 58 counties, mobilizes volunteers, manages nine research centers representing diverse ecosystems, and conducts over 33,810 educational events each year with more than 18,420 volunteers engaged in its initiatives according to the official website.
Summer Cortez has joined the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program as a small farms communications specialist. In this role, she will lead strategic communications for the Small Farms Network. Cortez previously managed program evaluation at UC ANR’s Nutrition Policy Institute. She holds degrees from UC Davis in community development as well as sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Ben Baldi is now serving as horticulture and small farms advisor for Placer and Nevada counties after experience with small-scale farming both domestically and internationally. He plans to implement a needs-based program supporting local producers by building partnerships with growers, agencies, and community organizations.
Lauren Hale was appointed associate Cooperative Extension specialist in organic production at UC Merced. Her background includes soil health research with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service focusing on water productivity through conservation practices such as cover crops. “Although California leads the nation in organic production, this is only the second state-wide position focused on organic agriculture,” Hale said. “Houston Wilson served as the founding director of the Organic Agriculture Institute… I am very excited to build on this work and help bring state of the art research to California growers.”
Other recent hires include Carrie Brown as environmental horticulture advisor for Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Mateo, and San Benito counties; she aims to support greenhouse producers through applied research into efficient resource management strategies. Evan Talmage joined Program Planning & Evaluation as a data analyst focused on improving data collection tools for program outcomes after a decade working with Nutrition Policy Institute databases.
UC Agriculture & Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions according to its official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices that strengthen resilient ecosystems while supporting economic vitality according to its official website. It is part of the University of California system managing Cooperative Extension services according to its official website.
The continued expansion of expert staff positions underscores UC ANR’s recognition for trusted services linking university-led science directly with community needs across California according to its official website. These efforts are expected to further enhance environmental stewardship while contributing positively toward local economies.