Workgroups - University of California - Agriculture and Natural Resources

Human Resources
Ag Policy/Pest Management
Ag Productivity
Natural Resources and Animal Agriculture

Human Resources

WG00-232	Adolescence
FY 07-08	$9,300
Chair:	Shelley Murdock
Co-Chair:	Fe Moncloa
Summary	The Adolescent Workgroup seeks to increase members' knowledge of adolescence development and how to build our capacity to more effectively work with adolescents. The workgroup is currently conducting a research project to determine best practices California 4-HYD projects are using to successfully promote youth in governance and youth-adult partnership methodology.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/adol/

WG99-017	After-School Workgroup: Education, Enrichment, Research
FY 07-08	$6,600
Co-Chairs:	Fe Moncloa Keith Nathaniel
Summary	Shared Responsibilities - Before and after school child care programs, parent education and involvement, curriculum development, staff development, program management and evaluation.

WG99-083	Aging Californians in Rural and Urban Settings
FY 07-08	$5,847
Chair:	Mary Blackburn
Co-Chair:	Janet Momsen
Summary	Health(physical & mental) and aging; nutrition and food safety; intergenerational training/instruction, caregiving and social support.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/elderly/

WG99-089	Anemia Prevention for High Risk Groups in California
FY 07-08	$0
Chair:	Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr
Summary	The goal of this workgroup for the 06/07 year was to disseminate current research-based information regarding anemia and iron deficiency prevention. Two research updates are planned for Spring 2007. No further activities from this workgroup are being submitted.

WG02-401	Animals in Educational Settings
FY 07-08	$2,050
Chair:	Martin Smith
Summary	The Animals in Education Settings Workgroup is comprised of campus, county, and community members whose work targets: 1) the development and evaluation of curriculum materials and methods necessary to ensure the effective and appropriate use of live animals in non-formal (e.g., 4-H) and formal (school-based) education settings; 2) the enhancement of volunteer leader and classroom teacher subject matter competence and teaching skills; and 3) the development of a wide range of life skills and increased science and agricultural literacy in youth. The activities initiated by this workgroup address UC ANR Core Issues, needs identified through state and local assessments, and national trends in science and agricultural literacy.

WG99-044	Applied Developmental Science: Taking an asset approach in California
FY 07-08	$3,800
Chair:	Richard Enfield
Summary	Pilot testing a model of proactive university and community collaboration, target and mobilize 4 specific communities and mobilize them to take positive action on behalf of all youth.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/assets/

WG99-084	Body Weight and Health
FY 07-08	$8,682
Co-Chairs:	Margaret Johns Constance Schneider
Summary	Research and Extension of topic areas related to body weight, its relationship to health and promotion of a healthful lifestyle.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/bdh/

WG99-072	Building Food Security
FY 07-08	$2,070
Chairs:	Christy Getz Diane Metz
Summary	Some issues this group is interested in addressing include the following: availability of nutritious foods in low-income neighborhoods; evaluation of community food security projects; causes of food insecurity; impact of welfare reform on former food stamp recipients; community needs assessment of resources to strengthen food security; and trends in the usage of community emergency food services. We intend to build a collaboration of Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists, Agricultural Experiment Station faculty, and community organizations.
Website:	http://nature.berkeley.edu/bfswg/

CC99-102	California Communities
FY 07-08	$10,000
Chair:	Dave Campbell
Summary	Provide visibility for widespread issues that do or will affect California communities, and a venue for focusing academic attention on study and/or intervention related to these issues.
Website:	http://www.ccp.ucdavis.edu/

WG99-053	Families with Young Children
FY 07-08	$9,000
Chairs:	Cathi Lamp Lenna Ontai-Grzebik
Summary	Research and extend best practices in parenting education programs, focusing on programs that are culturally appropriate to address the needs of California's diverse population.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/kids/

WG05-417	Farm to School
FY 07-08	$5,600
Chair:	Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr
Co-Chairs:	Karrie Heneman Marilyn Johns
Summary	An interdisciplinary county and campus-based academic group with external partners focused on building connections and establishing collaborations that influence the education and research continuum from food production to consumption. Emphasis is on building networking capabilities between ANR’s program areas in agriculture, youth development, and nutrition education to develop and implement effective models and practices for farm to school and local food system programming. Subject specific sub-committees work on identified research and extension project activities.

WG99-026	Food Safety
FY 07-08	$8,090
Chair:	Christine Bruhn
Co-Chair:	Maria Giovanni
Summary	This workgroup focuses on consumer information and education in food safety areas including home food preparation. Additionally safe food handling education is provided for commercial food handlers and DANR staff and volunteers involved with University of California programs. Conferences provide a venue for the exchange of science-based information on food safety issues in California as well as development of strategies to maintain or enhance food safety. Publications related to food safety and safe handling are available through DANR. Courses in food preservation for the public are provided by Master Food Preservers; courses for those starting a specialty food business are available through University Extension. Applied research projects relate to consumer safe food handling, and communication strategies to enhance public understanding of food safety aspects of agricultural production and food processing technologies.

WG99-034	Garden- Based Learning
FY 07-08	$3,750
Chair:	Rose Hayden-Smith
Summary	GBL and school gardens hold great potential for academic and social development for youth. Research has proven that GBL provides a vehicle for improving nutrition, reducing obesity, contributing to positive youth and community development, promoting social development, and increasing academic performance, among other things. There are many models, programs, and products that demonstrate how GBL can help achieve a wide array of educational goals and outcomes, be successfully integrated into other kinds of programs, and serve as rich, multi-disciplinary programs in and of themselves. Our workgroup investigates issues related to gardening with children and the use of gardening as a vehicle for youth education in a variety of disciplines.

WG99-117	Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
FY 07-08	$3,550
Chair:	Anna Martin
Co-Chair:	Dorothy Smith
Summary	General topics covered include: food consumption patterns in different ethnic and socio-economic groups; appropriate education and other community interventions that modify lifestyle factors; food patterns related to diabetes and other chronic disease; health beliefs and attitudes related to diabetes and other chronic disease; and development of curriculum and programs for specific categories of at-risk populations that will promote behavior change for diabetes and chronic-disease prevention.

CC05-415	Human Resources Coordinating Conference
FY 07-08	$10,000
Chair:	James Grieshop
Co-Chair:	Karen Varcoe
Summary	The Human Resources Coordinating Conference Workgroup seeks to fulfill its long-term roles through work that contributes to the creation of an ever increasingly more skilled ANR staff and responsive programs. The Workgroup for 2006 focused its efforts on work, programs and training targeted at cultural competence. The major effort was the hosting of a conference meant to highlight promising new practices, the identification of new challenges, and the opportunities for learning new skills to become more effective educators and researchers. For 2006-07, a Human Resource Program Combined Coordinating Conferences Update will be held. The Conference should serve several ends including showcasing the connections across the youth development, community development, and nutrition education areas as well as connections to agricultural and natural resources. Emphasis will also be placed on partnerships between the University and the community.

WG99-021	Money Talks
FY 07-08	$4,850
Chair:	Shirley Peterson
Summary	Money Talks offers teens the opportunity to learn money management techniques in three different formats: magazine-style teen guides, classroom curriculum, and interactive web site. All the materials are available in English and Spanish. Magazine-style Teen Guides - A series of ten teen guides have been developed with topics based on the responses from our needs assessment of teens in Southern California. The topics include: money personality, easy ways to save money, shopping skills, car costs, buying snacks, savings accounts, checking accounts, e-banking, obtaining credit, and credit cards. Classroom Curriculum - Leader's guides accompany each of the teen guides. Included in the leader's guides are learning objectives; background information; discussion questions; activities with handouts, visuals, and links to the web site; a glossary of important terms; and additional resources. Interactive Web Site - The Money Talks web site contains downloadable versions of all the teen guides, videos on simple ways to save and credit, interactive games and quizzes, links to other sites, and an Ask $am segment that allows teens to ask questions of our in-house expert.
Website:	http://www.moneytalks4teens.org

CC99-110	Nutrition Coordinating Conference
FY 07-08	$17,000
Chair:	Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr
Summary	Efforts (and all funds) this year have been directed towards organizing the combined HR coordinating conference update. The Human Resources conference-planning group included representation from the Nutrition Coordinating Conference, and Human and Community Development. As planning progressed, the collaboration expanded to include the California Communities Program. The conference, “DANR Communities and Sustainability” is planned for June 4-6, 2007 at the UC Davis Alumni Center. The conference theme is building and celebrating connections for sustainable, healthy, and just communities. The vision for the conference is that participants from all sectors of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and their community partners can share successes, resources, and challenges in the work for community sustainability. The conference will provide an opportunity to strengthen and inspire new collaborative partnerships.

WG05-416	Positive Youth Development through 4-H Camp Experiences
FY 07-08	$4,800
Chair:	Marianne Bird
Co-Chair:	John Borba
Summary	Thousands of young people spend time in camp settings each year. Only recently have researchers begun to explore the impact of these programs on youth and to question how elements in the camp environment influence social, emotional, intellectual and psychological development. In the 2005-06 fiscal year, the California 4-H Camping Task Force successfully completed the first stage in a statewide study to measure the impact of 4-H camp programs, and to contribute to our understanding of camp’s role in positive youth development. The team also developed the Camp Risk Management Workbook, a comprehensive document to insure safe, well-run camp programs. The Task Force will share this Risk Management Workbook and 2005 California 4-H camp evaluation findings with 4-H staff, volunteers and youth at two training conferences, the first to be held May 5-7 at Grizzly Creek Ranch in Portola. A second training is slated for November at Lake Arrowhead in Southern California.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/%5F4Hbaseca/

WG99-051	Science Technology and Environmental Literacy
FY 07-08	$4,000
Chair:	Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty
Summary	Bring together a variety of non-formal science, technology, and environmental education projects and programs. Plan and coordinate research and extension program activities.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/STEL

WG00-413	Test Workgoup
FY 07-08	$0
Chairs:	Karl Krist Robert Sams
Co-Chair:	Valerie Griffith

WG06-422	Formative Volunteer Leader Development
FY 07-08	$2,700
Co-Chairs:	Mignonne Pollard Carla Sousa
Summary	Based on the latest research in youth development, the Volunteer Leader Development Workgroup aims to provide consistent, ongoing training to 4-H volunteers in California through the use of the 4-H Project Leader Digest. The digest provides volunteers with the foundational components necessary to be effective volunteers in the 4-H Youth Development Program. The components of the digest include: • Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development • Citizenship, Leadership and Life Skills • Experiential Learning • Learning Styles • Learning Strategies • Youth Characteristics • Teaching Opportunities • Youth-Adult Partnerships • Safety with Working with Youth In addition, research suggests that training is essential to 4-H Youth Development Programs (Snider, 1985; Hoover and Conner, 2001; Van Winkle, et al, 2002; Smith et al, 2004). However, providing written materials such as the digest without effective training will not fully develop the capacity of volunteers to implement youth development principles. Therefore, to insure the optimal benefit of the digest, the goal of the workgroup is to develop, test and evaluate a series of independent learning modules on the digest topics for use in a variety of settings.

Ag Policy/Pest Management

WG99-027	Agricultural Management and Economics
FY 07-08	$0
Chair:	Karen Klonsky
Summary	Decision making at the firm level which includes, but is not limited to, farm and ranch management, financial and risk management, and related business issues.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/Ag%5FManag/

WG02-400	Avocado Pest Management
FY 07-08	$1,000
Chair:	Ben Faber
Summary	Identifies new directions for pest monitoring, detection and management in California avocado production.

WG99-040	Biological Control
FY 07-08	$2,400
Chair:	Kent Daane
Co-Chair:	Mark Hoddle
Summary	Discusses key issues that affect biological control in California. Determines pre-release requirements for natural enemies, effects of natural enemies on non-target organisms and improves communication between insectary and quarantine managers.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/Biocontrol/

WG99-050	Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS)
FY 07-08	$4,070
Chair:	William Horwath
Co-Chair:	Janet Broome
Summary	Participants involved in BIFS projects or allied research, or persons seeking support for BIFS-related projects can communicate, prioritize research needs, organize in-service training, and coordinate fundraising efforts.
Website:	http://bifs.sarep.ucdavis.edu

WG01-303	Biometrics and Computer Software
FY 07-08	$0
Chairs:	Shu Geng Richard Plant
Summary	Familiarize with appropriate analytical tools in decision making and problem solving including what are the most currently useful statistical tools for designing experiments and for data analyses and how to evaluate to usefulness and appropriateness of a model in extension and policy applications.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/bcs/

WG02-402	Exotic Fruit Fly
FY 07-08	$1,050
Chair:	Marshall Johnson
Co-Chairs:	Ted Batkin Susan Opp
Summary	Coordinates the Annual Exotic Fruit Fly Research meeting bringing international research participants together from industry, academia and government research and regulatory agencies. Develop annual priorities for fruit fly research and improved coordination between researchers, industry, and regulators. The workgroup also contributes to facilitating discussions on olive fly management and biology among various institutions, agencies, and organizations within California. Management guidelines are updated annually so growers can better control this new invasive species.

WG00-220	Formative Integrated Management of Soilborne Pests
FY 07-08	$500
Chair:	James Stapleton
Summary	Our provisional workgroup organized and conducted two workshops/training sessions in 2005 and have another planned prior to the end of the 2005-06 fiscal year. Also, the acting chair made formal presentations at both the 2005 Weed Workgroup meeting and the 2006 Nematology Workgroup meeting to gauge their interest in supporting ratification of the Integrated Management of Soilborne Pests Workgroup. Although broad support for this group was not strongly expressed by other existing workgroup memberships, it may be useful to propose its continuation under the umbrella of the Pest Management in ANR continuing conference. This is the only workgroup where those working in the areas of managing soilborne nematodes, pathogens, and weed propagules, soil disinfestation methods, and/or methyl bromide alternatives could communicate and interact in a multidisciplinary and integrated fashion.

WG99-073	Integrated Pest Management of Glassy Winged Sharpshooters and the Diseases they Vector
FY 07-08	$3,880
Chair:	Carmen Gispert
Co-Chair:	Richard Redak
Summary	Provides a mechanism by which individuals involved in GWSS/PD research and extension can learn about and discuss research and extension programs of participating scientists and discuss possible collaboration / coordination of such programs. Serves as a clearinghouse for RFPs dealing with GWSS and Xylella diseases. Develop GWSS Pest Management Guidelines for citrus, almonds, nurseries, and grapes and a GWSS Pest Note for homeowners.
Website:	http://gwss.ucanr.org

WG99-054	Linking Research & Education in Agricultural & Environmental Biotechnology
FY 07-08	$1,000
Chair:	Peggy Lemaux
Co-Chairs:	Kent Bradford Alan McHughen Shannon Mueller Alison Van Eenennaam
Summary	Provide resources and information to foster involvement of campus and county faculty and outside clientele in education and decision-making related to agricultural biotechnology through, for example, publications, videos, workshops and an informational website.
Website:	http://ucbiotech.org

WG00-209	Mosquito Research and Extension
FY 07-08	$0
Chair:	Gregory Lanzaro
Summary	Explores opportunities to enhance research efforts addressing mosquito resistance, Culex genetics and control, and the comprehensive training of young vector biologists.

WG99-090	Nematology
FY 07-08	$5,800
Chair:	J. Ole Becker
Summary	This WG brings together professionals from UC, CDFA, USDA, commodities and industries who are interested in Nematology. Its purpose is to report and discuss new advances, coordination of activities, research and extension needs, and training programs. It manages a database system that includes reported associations between nematode species and host or crop species. WG members coordinate collaborative projects.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/nema

CC99-029	Pest Management in ANR
FY 07-08	$4,340
Co-Chairs:	Larry Godfrey Peter Goodell Marshall Johnson Lucia Varela
Summary	Provide a forum for proposing, reporting, extending and evaluating integrated pest management research and educational activities in ANR.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/pm/

WG00-208	Pesticide Resistance Management
FY 07-08	$0
Chair:	Dr. Richard "Rick" Roush
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/IRM/

WG02-403	Pesticide Use Report
FY 07-08	$0
Chair:	Joyce Strand
Summary	The workgroup brings together people who share common interests in pesticide use issues to promote effective communication and interaction among the members. These include faculty, extension specialists, and farm advisors in the UC, and PUR analysts in state agencies and commodity groups. The specific objectives of the PUR workgroup are: 1. Form a network to discuss the PUR in research, government regulations, and the public awareness, and exchange the best way of using the PUR for various purposes. 2. Provide a forum for members to exchange insights and experiences in PUR analysis in their work and research. 3. Discuss specific measures of pesticide use, pounds applied, acres treated, number of applications, weighted index of use, and other potential measures of pesticide use and impacts for various purposes. 4. Discuss ways of disseminating PUR-related information such as a website,encourage members to collaborate and publish PUR analysis and methodology.
Website:	http://agis.ucdavis.edu/pur

WG99-118	Postharvest Integrated Pest Management
FY 07-08	$0
Chair:	Elizabeth Mitcham
Summary	Discuss and coordinate alternative means of controlling disease, insects and physiological disorders in harvested commodities.
Website:	http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/Ipm/ipmindex.shtml

WG05-419	Formative Spray Application Technology
FY 07-08	$4,000
Chair:	Franz Niederholzer
Summary	The goal of this workgroup is improved pesticide and nutrient application efficiency in all settings in California. Progress towards this goal will reduce grower/applicator costs and the pollution potential from off-site movement of the spray material.

WGXX-431	Formative VOC Workgroup
FY 07-08	$3,000
Chair:	Stephen Vasquez
Co-Chairs:	Jennifer Hashim-Buckey Michael McKenry
Summary	The workgroup is working on identifying pesticides marked for elimination due to VOC emmissions and gathering data to retain products that do not have an alternative replacement against pests problematic in CA agricultural production systems.

WG99-112	Weed
FY 07-08	$6,800
Chair:	Joseph DiTomaso
Summary	One and a half day annual meeting which brings together extension specialists experiment station and USDA personnel to discuss research updates, major projects, regulatory and concerns impacting Weed Science.
Website:	http://wric.ucdavis.edu/aboutwric/weedworkgroup.html

Ag Productivity

CC99-079	Agronomy Continuing Conference
FY 07-08	$5,850
Co-Chairs:	James Hill Daniel Putnam
Summary	The Agronomy Continuing Conference creates an interdisciplinary, cross-commodity forum for long-term visioning, facilitation of interactions, and educational outreach for agronomic crops.
Website:	http://agric.ucdavis.edu/

WG99-085	Alfalfa and Forage Systems
FY 07-08	$11,250
Chair:	Daniel Putnam
Summary	The California Alfalfa & Forage Systems Workgroup is the key UC contact point for alfalfa and forage crops. We address educational, research, and grower/public issues for the state's alfalfa and forage crops which occupy more than 2 million irrigated acres in CA. The Workgroup is the principal organizor and sponsor of the California Alfalfa Symposium, and has sponsored Western and National Forage Conferences. We provide an interdisciplinary approach to pest management, water resources, irrigation, forage quality, cropping systems, economics, alternative forages, seed genetics, biotechnology, and environmental issues as these relate to forage systems. We seek to envision more sustainable, lower impact forage systems for the future.
Website:	http://alfalfa.ucdavis.edu/

WG99-097	Almond
FY 07-08	$6,000
Chair:	William Krueger
Summary	Develops collaborative research and extension projects and collects and disseminates information on the culture, management, and production of almonds in California.

WG06-430	Formative Bioenergy
FY 07-08	$11,000
Co-Chairs:	Kent Brittan Stephen Kaffka
Summary	The production and use of biofuel crops and biomass for energy will help Californians reduce their consumption of fossil carbon sources for energy and reduce the state’s contribution to global warming. A state-based crop and biomass based industry will develop successfully if crops and other biomass sources can be produced efficiently, profitably and sustainably. We believe it is vital for ANR and the University of California to be centrally involved with the rapidly developing biofuel industry in California. Through a new ANR Bioenergy Work Group (BEWG), we will link county based CE advisors, campus-based specialists, and campus-based researchers at the Davis, Berkeley and other UC campuses with farmers, developing bioenergy industries and policy makers in California. The BEWG will attempt to contribute in a significant way to the successful creation of a new bioenergy sector as part of California’s agricultural portfolio. The BEWG will assess the needs of industry groups for UC involvement and plan, carry out or otherwise help with targeted research to assist biofuel development in California. The BEWG will do outreach, create useful newsletters and publications, create in-service training opportunities and short courses for ANR personnel and others, and seek additional extramural funding to advance the work group’s objectives. By working with farmers and bioenergy industries to help create bioenergy systems through applied research, outreach and facilitation, the BEWG will insure that the University’s exceptional research and outreach capacities are used effectively to advance this important new area of public interest. Because of the urgency and speed with which state and campus-based efforts are developing, we believe it is important for ANR to quickly develop a leadership position and provide service in this important area of agriculture.

WG99-005	Cling Peach
FY 07-08	$1,000
Chair:	Janine Hasey
Summary	Coordinate and target research and educational programs in areas of integrated orchard systems management.

WG99-011	Conservation Tillage
FY 07-08	$9,200
Chair:	Jeffrey Mitchell
Summary	Develops knowledge and exchanges information on conservation tillage production systems, coordinates related research and extension programs, responds to needs for information on reduced tillage production alternatives, and plans and conducts statewide and regional conferences, workshops and training demonstrations as well as produces publications and internet materials that summarize research that the workgroup conducts.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/ucct/

WG99-070	Cotton
FY 07-08	$4,100
Chair:	Robert Hutmacher
Summary	Addresses topics related to cotton production Systems and cotton fiber quality, including production economics and efficiencies, approaches to improve fiber and seed quality, impacts of practices such as nutrient management and defoliation practices on environmental quality and regulatory concerns, impacts of biotechnology and development of resistance management approaches in both insect and weed management, collaborative efforts in plant disease management and host plant resistance issues in cotton in collaboration with UCD, UCR and USDA colleagures, and collaborative efforts related to reduced tillage options research and extension activities in cooperation with the Conservation Tillage Workgroup.
Website:	http://cottoninfo.ucdavis.edu

WG06-426	Formative Desert
FY 07-08	$3,700
Chair:	Milton McGiffen
Summary	The Desert Workgroup brings together the diverse ANR personnel, cooperators from other institutions, and clientele interested in agricultural and natural resource issues in arid climates. In this first year of the new workgroup we will hold two meetings. The meeting at the UC Riverside will include research reports and will focus on future collaborative research and outreach projects. A less structured meeting will be held at this year's Desert Vegetable conference and will focus on outreach and collaborative projects with ANR and other institutions.

WG99-107	European Pear
FY 07-08	$3,000
Chairs:	Rachel Elkins Franz Niederholzer
Co-Chair:	James Adaskaveg
Summary	The European Pear Workgroup continues to focus more on horticulture, particularly new varieties, rootstocks, and planting systems to accommodate labor efficient orchard operations using orchard platforms and other means. There is also new information being developed on using oil to mitigate the effects of poor chilling and increase fruit size and quality. This occurs coincidently with the loss of the Extension Specialist covering pears and downsizing of applied horticulturists at the campus level. County-based advisors are increasingly working with Pacific Northwest colleagues with similar interests and goals. A productive relationship with the Agricultural Ergonomics Research Center has also been established to study platform machines. Pest management activities continue to focus on alternatives to broad-spectrum pesticides, e.g. organic codling moth (CM) control, development of a new bactericide, i.e., kasugamycin, for fire blight management, secondary pests in mating disruption programs etc. Resistance to streptomycin is widespread and terramycin resistance has been recently described in the state for the first time worldwide. Resistance to scab fungicides is also of major concern to growers.Statewide surveys have been initiated in the last two years. A major accomplishment is the release (in spring 2007) of the new Pear Production and Handling Manual.

WG99-024	Floriculture and Nursery
FY 07-08	$7,300
Chair:	J Lieth
Summary	Research and educational activities that address the needs of the floriculture and nursery production industries in California.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/fngroup

WG99-081	Grain Legume
FY 07-08	$3,900
Co-Chairs:	Shannon Mueller Steven Temple
Summary	Support the sustainability of the California dry bean industry.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/beans/

WG99-037	Integrated Grape Production
FY 07-08	$7,380
Chair:	Mark Battany
Co-Chair:	Matthew Fidelibus
Summary	The Integrated Grape Production Workgroup integrates the knowledge of AES Scientists, CE Specialists, CE Advisors, and affiliated USDA Researchers who work in wine, grape or raisin production, with the goal of ensuring the most beneficial and productive collaboration in research and extension to clientele throughout the state.

WG99-043	Landscape
FY 07-08	$2,500
Chair:	A. Downer
Co-Chair:	Lorence Oki
Summary	Coordinate statewide research and education programs addressing issues such as water conservation, water quality, plant materials, management, and environmental quality.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/LSWG/

WG06-423	Formative Organic
FY 07-08	$4,900
Chair:	Glenn McGourty
Summary	The purpose of the Organic Production Workgroup is to: • Educate Farm Advisors, CE Specialists and interested UC persons on organic farming techniques • Create an interdisciplinary forum to share information about ongoing UC organic production research, especially in the areas of disease and pest management, marketing, and community relations • Identify “critical information gaps” that are a barrier to further expansion of organic production in targeted commodities, and help to initiate research to solve these barriers • Provide support to develop ANR publications on organic production practices for selected commodities, prioritizing needs based on grower interest, available knowledge and potential authors willing and able to contribute • Identify funding opportunities for organic production research, and coordinate grant applications when appropriate • In time, to report on UC efforts in organic production with interested industry trade associations and government agencies Activities of the Organic Production Workgroup activities will include: • A yearly meeting in which participants will be able to share brief reports on their research and extension activities • A summer tour of selected areas to showcase organic production and research • An annual report summarizing both individual and OPW efforts and events • Collaboration with other non-UC organizations for research and educational activities when it makes sense to participate

CC99-041	Ornamental Horticulture Ext Cont Confr (OHECC)
FY 07-08	$9,900
Chair:	Donald Merhaut
Summary	OHECC provides a forum for exchange of information among and between the Floriculture & Nursery, Landscape, Turf, and Urban Horticulture Workgroups. The main focus is collaborative planning and coordination of research and extension activities across these and related ANR units.

WGXX-427	Formative Peppers
FY 07-08	$3,800
Chair:	Jose Aguiar
Summary	In 2004, Peppers were one of the top twenty crops produced in California. This workgroup will focus on all pepper types and address regional and statewide problems affecting this crop. Specific issues to be addressed are: a. Breeding and Genetics b. Horticultural Management and Production c. Integrated Pest Management d. Post Harvest and Food Safety

WG00-204	Pistachio
FY 07-08	$5,300
Chair:	Brent Holtz
Summary	Meets biannually to present and evaluate new and ongoing research proposals, plan annual Statewide Pistachio Day and Farm Advisor Training, and discuss developing research and educational needs. Responsible for planning and executing a short course and production manual revision every five years. This was accomplished in 2005. We plan to hold the next short course in 2008, and modify the manual to a UC peer reviewed, online version at that time.

WG06-421	Formative Plant Growth Regulator
FY 07-08	$6,000
Chair:	Carol Lovatt
Co-Chair:	Donald Merhaut
Summary	The purpose of this workgroup includes the following objectives: (1) To develop a communication network and to organize meetings to share information and research experiences with plant growth regulators (PGRs) - their mode of action, efficacy, successful rates and optimal times of application, and negative effects if any. (2) To share information on "biostimulant" PGRs. Some are very good, others are essentially "snake oils". No one researcher can test them all to determine which is effective and which is not. In addition, to guiding growers in the safe and effective use of PGRs, it is our duty to protect them as well. (3) To collect samples of "biostimulant" PGRs for analysis of PGR content and concentration and ability to maintain the content and concentration from lot to lot. (4) To pool efficacy data of the use of PGRs for the various commodities to facilitate the addition of new crops and uses to current PGR labels through Cal DPR. (5) To assist in providing samples for residue analyses and efficacy data to facilitate the registration of new products for use in California. The overall goal of the workgroup is the share information that promotes the safe and efficacious use of plant growth regulators to increase grower income and to ensure the sustainability of California agriculture.

CC99-224	Pomology Extension Coordinating Conference (PECC)
FY 07-08	$16,000
Chair:	R Johnson
Summary	The annual PECC conference was held January 19, 2007 in Davis. It was held the day after the combined plant sciences continuing conference. About forty workgroup members attended the conference. The agenda consisted of three main sessions: 1.) a discussion and prioritization of vacant Pomology Farm Advisor positions and Specialist needs for the future; 2.)a session on approaches to new fruit industry/university partnerships 3.) a tour of labs associated with the Plant Sciences department on the Davis campus. Overall, there was plenty of worthwhile discussion, useful information presented and coordination of efforts towards addressing major pomological issues in California.

WG99-114	Postharvest Technology Research & Info Center (PTric)
FY 07-08	$810
Chair:	James Thompson
Summary	Through the research and extension programs of 12 Extension Specialists, the Postharvest Workgroup provides relevant postharvest recommendations to growers, shippers, marketers, carriers, distributors, retailers, processors, and consumers of fresh horticultural crops. This information is distributed via the Web site, short courses and workshops, publications, industry meetings, newsletters, consultations, and industry liaisons.
Website:	http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu

WG00-203	Precision Agriculture
FY 07-08	$2,125
Chair:	G Pettygrove
Summary	Site specific farming and related geospatial technologies -- workgroup mainly to enhance interdisciplinary and public-private communication and public-private. Annual meeting with individuals reporting is planned for June 2007.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/precag/

WG99-003	Prune
FY 07-08	$5,100
Chair:	Franz Niederholzer
Summary	Sets priorities, plans, executes and integrates research and extension projects related to the California prune (dried plum) industry. Produced a ?reduced environmental risk? system (reduced inputs of pesticides, fertilizers and water) for prune orchard management.

WG99-060	Rice
FY 07-08	$2,000
Chair:	Larry Godfrey
Summary	Facilitates collaborative research and educational activities involving Cooperative Extension and AES personnel that address topics related to rice production, such as sustainable farming practices, management of herbicide resistant weeds, integration of waterfowl into rice cropping systems, application of remote sensing to site specific farming, post harvest technology, food processing, and natural resource management.

WG99-048	Small Farm
FY 07-08	$10,250
Co-Chairs:	Ben Faber Ramiro Lobo
Summary	Small farms issues and research and educational needs of limited resources farmers in California.

WG99-020	Small Grain
FY 07-08	$5,000
Chair:	Lee Jackson
Summary	Exchange information on current and planned research, develop priorities for future research, provide training for farm advisors, and produce needed publications.
Website:	http://agric.ucdavis.edu/crops/cereals/sgwgds99.htm

WG99-104	Strawberry
FY 07-08	$1,400
Chair:	Mark Bolda
Summary	Support the strawberry extension activities.

WG00-225	Sub Tropical
FY 07-08	$3,500
Chair:	Gary Bender
Summary	Develops collaborative research and extension projects and collects and disseminates information in support of production and marketing of diverse specialty crops in California.

WG99-096	Turfgrass
FY 07-08	$4,950
Chair:	James Baird
Summary	Coordinate and target research and education programs in the areas of water conservation and quality, irrigation and pest activity interactions, green waste management, and sustainable turfgrass selection and culture.

WG00-200	Urban Horticulture
FY 07-08	$4,500
Chair:	Pamela Geisel
Co-Chairs:	Mary Flint Darren Haver
Summary	Focus of the workgroup is on facilitating change of home gardening attitudes toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly horticulture methods. This includes addressing the high priority issues of storm water run-off and water quality, water efficient landscapes and the development of a statewide outreach program for the adoption of IPM in home gardens and development of new educational materials and developing and implementing outreach methods via UCTV, internet accessible publications and a Home and Garden webpage. Additionally, the workgroup addresses the needs of the Master Gardener Program on a statewide basis.

CC99-106	Vegetable Crop Coordinating Conference (VCCC)
FY 07-08	$18,000
Chair:	Timothy Hartz
Summary	The workgroup brings together people who share common interests in vegetable crop issues to promote effective communication and interaction among the members. These people include faculty, extension specialists, and farm advisors in the UC. The objectives of the workgroup are to: 1) form a network to discuss research on specific vegetable crops; 2) provide a forum for members to exchange insights and experiences in their work and research; 3) discuss ways of disseminating vegetable-related information such as encouraging members to collaborate and providing information via the Vegetable Research & Information Center Web site.
Website:	http://vric@ucdavis.edu

WG99-015	Walnut
FY 07-08	$7,150
Chair:	Richard Buchner
Summary	Addresses high priority issues including improvement (breeding), integrated pest management (insect, disease, and alternatives to methyl bromide for fumigation for nematodes, etc.), irrigation and efficient orchard management within the walnut industry of California.
Website:	http://fruitsandnuts.ucdavis.edu/crops/walnut.shtml

Natural Resources and Animal Agriculture

WG99-038	Agriculture and Nature Tourism
FY 07-08	$4,800
Chair:	Holly George
Co-Chair:	Ellie Rilla
Summary	Facilitates research and education activities that add value to the rural and agricultural sectors through agritourism and nature tourism.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/Ag_Tour/

WG06-217	Formative Air Quality
FY 07-08	$8,000
Chair:	Frank Mitloehner
Co-Chair:	John Karlik
Summary	The purpose of the Agricultural Air Quality Workgroup is to bring together individuals from diverse commodity areas to participate in a forum on air quality issues as they relate to production agriculture in California.

WG01-312	Anadromous and Inland Fish
FY 07-08	$4,500
Chair:	Lisa Thompson
Summary	Plans activities to address fish-related issues including the impact of dams, forestry, agriculture, water utilization and urbanization of aquatic habitats affecting both the inland and coasts.

CC05-414	Animal Agriculture Coordinating Conference
FY 07-08	$15,000
Co-Chairs:	Daniel Drake Alison Van Eenennaam
Summary	Goals of Coordinating Conference are to: establish genuine connections and cooperative associations among campus and county-based ANR members working in Animal Agriculture; Increase awareness and understanding of significant issues and opportunities for collaboration in research and extension programming; Identify strategies for promoting collaborative relationships and planning joint projects in ANRs animal agriculture programs.

WG99-002	Beef Safety and Quality Assurance
FY 07-08	$8,300
Chairs:	John Maas James Oltjen
Summary	Research and educational programs that provide science based information to animal producers so that they understand and manage cattle production to ensure beef safety and improve product quality.

WG99-067	Conservation Biology
FY 07-08	$13,000
Chair:	Calvin Qualset
Summary	The mission of this multicampus workgroup is to plan and offer opportunities in the multidisciplinary and applied field of conservation biology, including research, education, and service-oriented activities such as organizing a UC Summer Symposium in Conservation Biology, maintaining a UC conservation biology website, and providing expertise for state issues in conservation biology.
Website:	http://www.grcp.ucdavis.edu/projects/CBWGdex.htm

WGXX-424	Formative Dairy Goats
FY 07-08	$2,000
Chair:	Leslie Butler
Co-Chair:	Deborah Giraud
Summary	The Dairy Goat Workgroup consists of UCCE Specialists, Advisors and Faculty working to coordinate research and extension activities such as workshops that benefit the dairy goat industry in California. This rapidly growing segment of the dairy industry is producing fresh milk, dried milk, cheeses of many kinds, and yogurt for consumers throughout the nation.

WG02-404	Dairy Health and Production
FY 07-08	$4,200
Chair:	Gerald Higginbotham
Summary	This workgroup will address the health and production needs of the California dairy industry. The proposed activities of this workgroup will address educational and research requirements of dairy producers throughout California.

WG99-058	Dairy Quality Assurance
FY 07-08	$4,600
Chairs:	Deanne Meyer Michael Payne Carolyn Stull
Summary	The workgroup supports the Regulatory/Industry/UC partnership, the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program. The purpose of the CDQAP is to encourage science-based farming & management practices which promote the health of the consumer, the environment and the animals.

WGXX-429	Formative Environmental Observation Network
FY 07-08	$0

WG01-013	Fire
FY 07-08	$4,750
Chairs:	Max Moritz Stephen Quarles
Summary	Researches wildland fire mitigation and wildland fire use including UWI fire behavior modeling, fire effects research, decision support tools and helping communities with planning for the UWI.

WG99-059	Forest Ecosystems and Communities
FY 07-08	$2,000
Chair:	Gary Nakamura
Summary	Understanding California conifer forest ecosystems and the communities of place and interest associated with them and extending that understanding to natural resource professionals, landowners, and those communities.

WG06-425	Formative Land Use Planning
FY 07-08	$5,800
Chair:	Sabrina Drill
Summary	Changing land use is one of the most important issues facing California. In DANR, we have a myriad of resources that could help land use decision makers, and in some counties, advisors and specialists are working with land use planning agencies. These include expertise and excellent research based information on land use change, water quality and watershed management, habitat conservation, and preservation of working landscapes. This workgroup will collect our resources, make them accessible to interested clientele, identify gaps in our existing knowledge and in our extension materials and work to fill these gaps. We will also increase communication among our various members and collaborators, both within and beyond DANR and UC, who can contribute to this field.

WG99-019	Livestock Production Systems
FY 07-08	$12,960
Chairs:	John Maas James Oltjen
Summary	This workgroup will include the following broad topic areas: animal health, animal well-being (welfare), animal productivity, and production systems analysis (both computer based and diagnostic). This workgroup is expected to operate within the Livestock, Range, and Natural Resources Continuing Conference.

WG99-080	Monitoring Landscape Change
FY 07-08	$0
Chair:	Maggi Kelly
Summary	Focus on methods for monitoring and analyzing change in California landscapes.
Website:	http://kellylab.berkeley.edu/MLC/

CC99-014	Natural Resources Coordinating Conference
FY 07-08	$15,000
Chair:	Edith Allen
Summary	Conference shares cutting edge research information among ANR academics. Strives to create opportunities for networking and formation of meaningful collaborative relationships among ANR personnel. Coordinating Conference conducts visioning exercises to identify critical issues, programmatic gaps, and needed resources.

WG99-066	Oak Woodland Conservation
FY 07-08	$7,000
Chair:	William Tietje
Summary	Management and maintenance of California's 10 million acres of oak woodlands or hardwood rangelands.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/OakWG/

WG99-009	Rangeland Watershed Program
FY 07-08	$6,000
Chair:	Melvin George
Summary	Conduct research and education programs that provide science based information to private rangeland owners and various agencies and groups. Address any rangeland or ranch problems or issues that may effect the management of the watershed.
Website:	http://californiarangeland.ucdavis.edu

WG99-004	Water Quality
FY 07-08	$8,300
Chairs:	Mary Bianchi Jay Gan Stephen Grattan Stephen Kaffka Laosheng Wu
Summary	Workgroup would function for communications and networking as well as subject matter in-service training for Advisors conducting Farm Water Quality Planning short courses.
Website:	http://waterquality.ucanr.org

CC02-405	Water Resources Coordinating Conference
FY 07-08	$24,000
Chair:	Laosheng Wu
Summary	The Water Resources Coordinating Conference is aimed at providing a big picture view of water resource issues in the State and incorporating some examples of how those issues are being addressed by various members of ANR.

WG99-103	Formative Woody Biomass Utilization
FY 07-08	$4,800
Co-Chairs:	Gary Nakamura John Shelly
Summary	Focus on the urgent need to find viable methods to utilize the excess woody biomass that creates a high fuel hazard in the forests and urban/wildland regions of California.
Website:	http://groups.ucanr.org/WoodyBiomass/