University of California Cooperative Extension is moving to a regional area director model aimed at giving its farm advisers and other academics more time for research and outreach, according to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The change replaces, in many counties, a long-standing structure in which UCCE advisers split their time between running county offices and carrying out the research, education and extension work growers, ranchers and local communities rely on. Under the new model, dedicated area directors will handle administrative duties for multiple counties, including personnel, budgets, facilities, partnerships and strategic growth.
UC ANR says the shift is intended to strengthen collaboration across county lines, make better use of resources and improve administrative efficiency. For agriculture, the more immediate effect could be felt in the field. Advisers who have been pulled into management tasks may have more time for applied research, grower meetings and problem-solving on issues like irrigation, pest management, fertilizer practices, animal agriculture and climate pressures.
“We have world-class scientists,” said UC ANR Vice President Glenda Humiston. “By shifting administrative responsibilities to dedicated regional leaders, we are empowering our UCCE advisers to fully dedicate their time and expertise to their core missions of research and extension.”
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Humiston said some county directors performed well in dual scientific and administrative roles, but UC ANR concluded the structure was not the best fit for serving local communities.
“While some of the county directors didn’t mind holding the dual roles of scientist and administrator — and were very good at both jobs — we determined that being pulled in two different directions was not the best way to serve their communities,” she said.
UCCE offices serve as a link between UC research and local needs, with county-based staff helping farmers adopt more efficient growing practices, address pest issues, develop water use strategies and respond to changing climate conditions.
The area director structure is already being put in place across the state. In the southern San Joaquin Valley, Leonel Jimenez serves as area director for Kings, Kern and Tulare counties, overseeing advisers and staff working on crop diseases, pests, irrigation, fertilizer management, livestock predation and local water policy. In Southern California, Chandra Richards is area director for San Diego and Imperial counties, where UC ANR says she will focus on partnerships and water, land and labor issues.
UC ANR currently lists 20 areas across five regions, with some county directors still being identified in the structure.
