UC Cooperative Extension Area Food Systems Advisor

The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), a statewide program with local development and delivery, is seeking an academic advisor to conduct a multi-county-based extension, education and applied research program to optimize agricultural sustainability and diversification, regional food systems land use and public policy. The assignment area has a $1.3 billion annual agricultural production value, with Napa and Sonoma wine grape production accounting for $1 billion of this value currently.

CLOSING DATE: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by May 5, 2013   (open until filled)

The area is characterized by 5,700 family farms that raise livestock and/or dairy, or grow tree and row crops. These operations are underpinned with off-farm incomes and include small-scale, peri-urban farms close to the Bay Area.  A host of issues face these farmers, including zoning and planning policies related to high agricultural land values, taxation and inheritance, succession, and varying capacities, skill levels and experience. Farm diversification is one option, but it requires changes in county development codes and county general plans, development of processing and distribution infrastructures, and willingness on the part of local agriculture to experiment. Greater education and awareness by county residents, schools, institutions, and consumers is also necessary in order to build and retain a competitive, productive and ultimately sustainable food economy.

Working with county and regional partners, the Area Food Systems Advisor will address these critical issues with an integrated approach. Critical areas to be addressed include providing local farms with the tools needed to adapt to local marketing opportunities, building direct market infrastructures (e.g. local harvest facilities, processing hubs), and facilitating community partnerships. These areas would form the primary disciplinary focus of the North Bay Food Systems Advisor and will make significant contributions to the food system in this area thereby increasing the viability and profitability of the small and mid-scale farm sector.

The expansive agricultural land base and numerous family farms in close proximity to the Bay Area consumer base provide an ideal opportunity for delivery of an impactful research and extension program in Sustainable Food Systems. There is a demonstrated and growing need for this type of position from all levels and partners in such a system.  Agricultural producers are increasingly calling for the kind of information and expertise this position will provide.  County governments and other policy makers have formally established goals for sustainability in their respective general plans with support and development of vibrant agricultural production explicitly integrated with those goals.  Other non-profits and agricultural industry groups are actively seeking models and solutions to marketing, processing infrastructure, and policy obstacles to connecting local producers and local consumers. This is an area position working with clientele in Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma counties. 

Because of the importance of these agricultural industries to local economic sustainability and the overall viability of the industry, this Advisor position is well supported—not only by industry, but also by local growers, the community, and county governments. Proximity to the UC Davis campus and a network of colleagues affords the Advisor the ability to develop strong ties and work closely with Extension Specialists, Agriculture Experiment Station faculty, and graduate students to leverage cutting edge research in solving local problems. This includes strong working relationships with several community colleges and CSU Sonoma.

Advisors enjoy a mixture of job tasks and settings: research in the field, conducting educational outreach for clients, and collaborating with academic colleagues on projects. UC Advisors are encouraged to pursue individual as well as team research projects.  Only at UC ANR do individuals have the ability to pursue research projects relevant to UC ANR’s mission, vision and established priorities, with access to research facilities and partners at a world-class university system, while working with some of the most productive farmland in the world.

Our Culture:

Working at UC ANR offers a career with a history and a future.  Since the first Advisors were hired in California almost 100 years ago, we have maintained our central purpose as stewards, problem-solvers, catalysts, collaborators, and educators.  Academics in UC ANR enjoy a network of colleagues across our system of local offices, statewide programs, 3 colleges and 1 professional school in the UC system. Our culture is characterized by collaboration and entrepreneurship in a vibrant working environment. New academic staff are mentored and supported by this network of colleagues.

The UC ANR vision guides priorities in research, education, service, and resource allocation.  ANR envisions a thriving California in 2025 where healthy people and communities, healthy food systems, and healthy environments are strengthened by a close partnership between the University of California and its research and extension programs and the people of the state.  The University remains connected and committed to the people of California, who enjoy a high quality of life, a healthy environment, and economic success in a global economy. The full Strategic Vision is available at:  http://ucanr.edu/About_ANR/Strategic_Vision/.

North Bay: The North Bay includes the counties of Marin, Sonoma, and Napa that border the north end of San Francisco Bay. Mendocino County, while not bordering the Bay, is closely tied to the region. The Bay Area consumer base (8+million) provides a unique opportunity for both agriculture production and food processors and purveyors to deliver high quality food and fiber products. These local economies are rooted in agriculture and agricultural-related businesses. The North Bay is home to the largest concentration of artisan cheesemakers in the state, and is long famous for its world-renowned wineries and unique wine growing appellations. Strong land protection programs & policies in these counties make land available for new producers as well as protecting current agricultural lands. The average age of a farmer in California is 57 and USDA expects 500,000 farmers will retire in the next 20 years. Building entrepreneurial and business skills is another area of need and opportunity. A young farmer program is starting up in Santa Rosa, and sustainable agriculture programs at three campuses of local community colleges in the region are gearing up to transfer students to 4-year colleges.

Additionally, there is strong interest in developing sustainable food systems that contribute to food security. This is evidenced by the agriculture and food summits held in Sonoma (2011), Marin (2010), Napa (2009), and Mendocino in 2012. A 2010 report from the American Farmland Trust outlined Bay Area opportunities for direct marketing and food system development and reinforces the need for regionwide solutions to infrastructure problems. Despite the recent economic difficulties, there is strong demand for sustainably and regionally produced food products in the Bay Area; however, the lack of appropriate processing and distribution infrastructures and various regulations are significantly limiting the supply.  A broad-based approach is needed to ensure that economic, social and environmental interests are addressed comprehensively as the region’s food system is restructured. A North Coast Regional Food Systems Network is already in place. The group is composed of representatives from five northern California counties including three county supervisors, producers, farm bureau leaders, retail food outlets, local government departments, the financial sector, and underserved communities. The advisor would tap into this and other various food systems networks already in place in most counties.

Please visit the following websites for more information regarding UC Cooperative Extension in Marin, Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties:

• http://cemarin.ucanr.edu
• http://cenapa.ucanr.edu
• http://cesonoma.ucanr.edu
• http://cemendocino.ucanr.edu

NATURE AND PURPOSE:

Extension:

Extension activities will deliver needed information and analysis to a diverse clientele related to food systems including agricultural producers, retailers, community service organizations, and policy and decision makers with the goal of building and coordinating sustainable food system partnerships. Specifically, the advisor will deliver marketing, business, and enterprise transition management (succession/regulatory) extension programs for producers, processors, and related groups. The advisor will provide agricultural value chain and regional economic data and analysis to county governments, business councils and leaders, and other organizations to improve and coordinate policies and programs that facilitate production of value-added agricultural products and therein the development of sustainable food systems.  The advisor will provide information and analysis on the levels and trends in consumer demand for agricultural products to assist retailers and agricultural producers in their decision-making about product market development, processing, and distribution.

The advisor will work with a diverse group of colleagues and clientele to provide local leadership in planning and developing educational programs to address the needs of clientele in Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma Counties and manage an ongoing extension education program using a mix of traditional and emerging outreach tools including individual consultations, field days, tours, meetings, web conferences, ANR publications, peer-reviewed journals, online learning, web content systems and repositories, social media, impact and evaluation tools, along with specialized and public media outlets appropriate to the clients.

Research:

The advisor will contribute regional agricultural production system analysis and development with a network of scientists and collaborators. The area advisor will make significant contributions to the study of sustainable food systems through science and policy analysis support on market opportunities, scale of production, and infrastructure requirements. Partners and clientele in the program area and region will benefit from extension and research on the concepts of a “sustainable food system” and the appropriateness of scale for building and managing the different system components such as production, processing, packaging, and distribution. The advisor will work collaboratively to provide local leadership for planning, coordinating and conducting applied research activities related to food systems in Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino Counties.   The academic in this position will be expected to interact with UC ANR program teams, specialists, advisors and others within the research/extension network to develop, strengthen and expand the local delivery of statewide programs.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct and report regular needs assessments to identify priority issues or problems relevant to the local clientele groups being served.
• Develop and implement effective UC ANR Cooperative Extension applied research and educational programs to address the identified priority needs of the clientele that are consistent with ANR’s Strategic Vision and ANR initiatives http://ucanr.edu/files/906.pdf.
  
  • Conduct applied research designed to monitor changes and solve locally relevant problems.
  • Disseminate useful, science-based information to inform clientele, using extension methods that are responsive to clientele needs and appropriate for the audience and situation.
  • Maintain and promote Cooperative Extension’s credibility by providing science-based knowledge and skills independent of personal or parochial interests.
  • Evaluate programs and report accomplishments, results, and potential or actual impacts to scientific and lay audiences.
  • Develop collaborative teams with other UC ANR academics, campus-based specialists and faculty and/or others, to address priority issues for UC ANR.

RELATIONSHIPS: The Advisor is administratively responsible to the UCCE Marin Director.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: An understanding of and commitment to UC ANR’s affirmative action goals and commitments is expected of all advisors.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  A minimum of a Master's Degree is required, though other advanced degrees are encouraged, in disciplines such as agricultural, natural resource, and community economics and development, business and marketing development, and agricultural production science.  An educational background and/or work experience in agricultural production, and food processing, land use policy development, and marketing and business planning is desirable.  A demonstrated ability in applied agricultural research and extension of information is desirable.  Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills are required.  Skills to communicate effectively in a second language are desirable.

SALARY:  Beginning salary will be in the Cooperative Extension Assistant Advisor Rank and commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications.  For information regarding Cooperative Extension Advisor salary scales, please refer to the University of California, ANR website:  http://ucop.edu/academic-personnel/_files/1112/table28.pdf.

If the successful candidate is currently a UCCE Advisor, the candidate will be offered the position as a lateral transfer, retaining their current rank, step, salary, and definite or indefinite status.

BENEFITS: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and approximately thirteen paid holidays per year.  Sabbatical leave is available to qualified academics.  ANR is part of UC’s Family-Friendly Policies. A variety of health and dental insurance plans are available, with employer contributions to the premiums. In addition, the University provides basic life and disability insurance, which may be supplemented at group rates. Workers' Compensation Insurance is provided.  An excellent UC Retirement System is coordinated with social security, and optional annuity plans may supplement retirement. Automobile insurance is available. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu.

HOW TO APPLY:  To be considered, applicants must submit the following four components of the Application Packet to anracademicsearch@ucop.edu:

1. Cover Letter
2. ANR Academic Application Form— from the ANR website at: http://ucanr.edu/academicapplication
   • Please include a list of potential references. If you are selected for an interview, the search committee will contact the references you listed on the UC ANR application form (a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of six (6) names, current addresses, phone numbers and email addresses).  Please do not send letters of reference.
3. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
4. College Level Transcripts: Original transcripts preferred, however, legible photocopies of original transcripts will be accepted.

Application and associated materials will not be returned to the applicant.

A search committee will review all applications, interview candidates, and recommend individuals most suitable for the position.

The University of California prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (covered veterans are special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era  veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized) in any of its programs or activities. University policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws.  Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action/Academic Personnel Executive Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, One Shields Avenue, DANR Building, Hopkins Road, Davis, CA 95616