The newly appointed vice president of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, Glenda Humiston, spoke with the media Thursday (Aug. 13) about her vision and plans for her new position.
The press conference was conducted by telephone to accommodate media around the state.
Humiston said she will look for ways to expand economic opportunities for farming industries and increase the number of advisors and specialists in UC Cooperative Extension, reported Tim Hearden in Capital Press.
“I am a long-time, very strong supporter of Cooperative Extension, its mission and what it does for all the people in California,” she said. “We definitely need more advisors in the field as well as specialists on the campuses to find answers to the really complex questions [growers face]."
Humiston said she will be working on funds development and finding new resources for ANR, not just money but also new partners and opportunities for collaboration.
"We've just had some very exciting collaborations with commodity groups," Humiston said. "The rice folks have put together money for a position and we're looking at some endowed chairs. I think you're going to see us partnering more with commodity groups and stakeholders."
Humiston said she met with UC President Janet Napolitano her first day on the job, and was asked to be active on the UC Global Food Initiative, UC-Mexico Initiative and the UC Carbon Neutrality Initiative.
"I suggested I also be active on the UC Technology Initiative because of the way technology and agriculture come together," Humiston said.
