Chandra Richards has taken on the role of University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) area director for San Diego and Imperial counties, starting in November. With a background rooted in agriculture from her family’s farm in Jamaica, Richards brings experience in supporting citrus growers and other agricultural stakeholders across Southern California.
Richards emphasized the importance of sharing accurate information with local communities amid global uncertainties. “I want to continue supporting our community and ensuring that they at least feel informed,” Richards explained. “Being informed is something that we have power and control over – if we can provide them with information so that they can make decisions on their behalf and on behalf of their operations or businesses, I feel like then we have succeeded.”
Her academic path began with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and mathematics from Pennsylvania State University, followed by graduate studies at UC Berkeley where she focused on soil science. Under the guidance of soil scientist Céline Pallud, Richards wrote her dissertation examining how soil dynamics affect fish mortality in the Pescadero estuary.
“One of Chandra’s strengths is her unique academic journey,” Pallud said, “in which she started with a focus on fundamental mathematics and chemistry, before moving toward more applied research centered around environmental problems affecting coastal wetlands, at the interface of biogeochemistry and ecology.”
After earning her Ph.D., Richards worked at the Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Greater San Diego County. There she expanded agricultural and conservation programs, secured grants for forest health projects, supported habitat restoration efforts, and addressed public health issues such as hepatitis A along the San Diego River.
Richards joined UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) in 2021 as an agricultural land acquisitions academic coordinator serving several Southern California counties. She played a key role helping potential grantees secure funding through the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation program to protect farmland from being converted to non-agricultural uses.
One notable project involved working with Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians of California during the pandemic to help them obtain a planning grant aimed at advancing tribal food systems using traditional ecological knowledge practices. “They are incredibly excited to support their tribal initiatives, work towards ‘land back’ [a movement to return land to Native peoples] and ensure that their community has a food system space that could be cultivated using their traditional ecological knowledge practices,” said Richards.
With new staff focusing on indigenous food sovereignty within UCCE—including advisor Marisela Chávez—Richards plans to continue building relationships with Tribal communities throughout the region. She also aims to enhance outreach efforts among farmworker populations in Imperial County.
“We need to recognize these people who are working on the ground planting, applying fertilizer, managing the irrigation and making sure that the crops are healthy,” she stressed. “They have such an active role within the larger food system.”
In her recent work as UCCE land equity academic coordinator for Southern California under UC ANR’s Climate Action and Land Equity (CALE) project—funded by the California Department of Conservation—Richards identified barriers facing farmers regarding land access and tenure. Many farmers reported uncertainty about future access to fields due to insecure land tenure arrangements.
“One farmer indicated that they felt every season felt like a gamble, wondering if they’d still have access to their fields next year,” she said. “These experiences underscored that land tenure is more than a policy issue – it’s about their livelihoods and long-term stability too.”
The CALE initiative seeks partnerships aimed at expanding opportunities for land access while promoting sustainable management practices across working lands.
Looking ahead as area director, Richards prioritizes modernizing facilities within UCCE offices, streamlining internal processes, raising organizational visibility locally—and ensuring all team members are well-supported: “I want to make sure that I empower not just our clientele but also the individuals on our team,” she emphasized. “I want to make sure that they feel supported and uplifted and able to function to the fullest extent of their abilities.”
Pallud noted Richards’ leadership skills developed through mentoring undergraduates during her doctoral studies as well as cross-sector collaborations: “Chandra embodies the kind of scientist-leader who connects people, policy and data to achieve tangible outcomes for public benefit,” Pallud said.
As regulatory challenges grow more complex statewide, collaboration between UCCE offices—such as those led by Richards—and initiatives like UC ANR’s Policy Institute will remain important for conducting relevant research intended for practical application.
