Area Agronomy Advisor; AP

Position Overview

The Area Agronomy Advisor will conduct a multi-county extension education and applied research program focused on agronomic cropping systems to increase crop production efficiency and profitability, protect natural resources, and increase economic prosperity in California. Important agronomic crops in the region include corn, wheat and other small grains, safflower, hybrid seed production, alfalfa, dry beans, and other crops as needs arise.

Program leadership may be provided through research and extension to increase crop production efficiency, profitability and sustainability to support a diverse and resilient agricultural industry in the Sacramento Valley. Potential focal issues for the program may include nutrient management, healthy soils, integrated pest management and irrigation management. Building climate-resilient communities and ecosystems is critical for farmers in the Capitol Corridor to ensure their farms remain viable in the face of climate extremes.

The CE Area Agronomy Advisor will develop an applied research program to address critical issues facing agronomic cropping systems in the three counties. The focus of the applied research program will be based on clientele needs assessments and partnerships with campus and county-based colleagues to address topics related to nutrient management and soil fertility; water quality and water use efficiency; integrated pest management (IPM) including insect pests, weeds, and diseases;

field crop variety trials for yield and quality improvement; and other issues related to field crop production in conventional and organic systems. Additional focal areas may include projects to help farmers remain profitable in the face of climate change and to address new State policies such as the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap. The CE Advisor will have opportunities to secure support funds for research and extension activities from various sources and may partner with other colleagues to secure research funds.

The Advisor will be expected to collaborate in knowledge creation and extension with key clientele including growers, farm managers, and pest control advisers. Other key clientele may include allied industry partners, commodity groups, seed companies, irrigation districts, resource managers, conservation/environmental groups, and state or federal agencies. Science-based research results and other educational information will be disseminated using a variety of methods including individual consultations, presentations at grower and industry meetings, workshops, short courses, field demonstrations, UC ANR publications, peer-reviewed journals, newsletters, technical reports to commodity boards/funding agencies, various web-based tools (e.g. online classes, informational repositories, social media), and public media outlets.

Programs will be developed and conducted in collaboration with other UC ANR academics including Advisors, Specialists, the Agronomy Program Team, Pest Management Program Team, related Work groups, UC IPM and UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP). The proposed position benefits from proximity to the UC Davis Campus, allowing additional opportunities to network with Specialists and faculty as well as the chance to collaborate with students and Post Docs from all around the world, thereby strengthening our connections, outreach, and inclusivity to reach diverse clientele.

Recent prior agronomy collaborations include projects with the following researchers, highlighting the strong network in place to help mentor and support the new advisor in this position: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Conservation Districts, Certified Crop Advisors, Pest Control Advisors, and seed and chemical companies, all of which have deep knowledge of crop production in the area and have historically been supportive of UCCE.

Additional partners for outreach include non-government organizations, and farmer-to-farmer learning networks such as the CA Farm Demonstration Network.

Education:

A minimum of a Master’s degree related to agronomy or crop science, nutrient management, soil fertility and nutrition, pest and/or disease management, weed management, crop water use, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.

• Key
  
  Qualifications:
  
  Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Must possess a valid California Driver’s License to drive a County or University Vehicle.

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources