UC Agriculture and Natural Resources announced on Mar. 23 that nominations are now open for the 2026 ANR Distinguished Service Awards, which are organized in partnership with the Academic Assembly Council.
The awards aim to recognize outstanding achievement and academic excellence within UC Cooperative Extension, highlighting innovative methods and leadership over a significant period. The program seeks to honor individuals and teams who have made notable contributions in research, extension, new academic work, team efforts, leadership, and programming that reaches new and diverse audiences.
Winners of individual categories will receive a certificate and $2,000 each, while the team award recipients will share $5,000. Complete criteria for the awards and instructions for submitting nominations can be found at http://ucanr.edu/sites/UCAAC. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m., April 20, 2026. For more information or questions about the nomination process, interested parties can contact Daniela Bruno (dfbruno@ucanr.edu), Nicole K Marshall-Wheeler (nmarshall@ucanr.edu), Tracy Schohr (tkschohr@ucanr.edu), Monica Cooper (mlycooper@ucanr.edu), Amrita Mukherjee (amukherjee@ucanr.edu), or Hung Doan (hkdoan@ucanr.edu).
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs, according to the official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices to strengthen resilient ecosystems and economic vitality across California communities. It utilizes nine research and extension centers as laboratories representing California’s diverse ecosystems.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources is recognized for linking university research with community needs through its Cooperative Extension services as part of the University of California system. The organization conducts nearly 34,000 educational events annually and engages over 18,000 volunteers in its initiatives according to the official website.
Operating in all 58 counties of California, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources delivers science-based information via workshops and partnerships to support environmental stewardship and community development. According to the official website, it mobilizes volunteers and research centers to address state issues while enhancing economic contributions.