UC ANR Strategic Personnel Expansion to Advance Sustainable Development Goals in California

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) has appointed a new cohort of UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) experts to address critical challenges across the state. These appointments are strategically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on enhancing food security, water management, climate resilience, and inclusive community development.

Advancing Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SDG 2, SDG 12, SDG 15)

Soil Health and Regenerative Practices

Sutie Xu has been appointed as the Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension in Soil Health. Her work directly supports several SDGs by focusing on the foundation of sustainable food production.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) & SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Xu’s research on soil health indicators and sustainable management strategies—including cover cropping, diversified crop rotation, and efficient nutrient management—aims to enhance agroecosystem productivity and resilience, securing food production for the future.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): By studying soil carbon dynamics, nutrient cycling, and microbial activities, her work contributes to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and promotes the health of terrestrial ecosystems.

Climate-Resilient Cropping Systems

Yessica Viridiana Fernandez Galicia joins the UC Davis Water Management Lab to lead the California Agave Project, introducing innovative agricultural solutions that align with key sustainability targets.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Her research promotes agave as a dry farming crop, offering a viable agricultural alternative in regions facing water scarcity and contributing to more sustainable water use.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By developing guidelines for agave production, Fernandez supports the diversification of California’s agricultural systems with drought-tolerant crops, enhancing food system resilience.

Support for Small-Scale and Urban Agriculture

New personnel will bolster the viability of small farms and community-based food systems, contributing to local economies and food security.

1. Sarah Farley, the new Master Gardener Program Manager in Santa Clara County, will leverage her expertise in composting, soil health, and urban agriculture. Her work supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by empowering residents to engage in local food production and sustainable gardening practices.
2. Claire Tuohey-Mote joins the Small Farms Network in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. She will provide technical assistance to small- and medium-scale farmers, directly supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by improving the economic sustainability of small agricultural enterprises.

Strengthening Water Security and Climate Resilience (SDG 6, SDG 13, SDG 15)

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Implementation

A team of community educators has been appointed to provide technical assistance to small-scale and underserved farmers during the implementation of SGMA, ensuring equitable outcomes in water management.

• Contribution to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The team will ensure sustainable and fair management of vital groundwater resources by providing outreach, policy analysis, and technical support to farmers who may lack the resources to navigate complex regulations.
• The SGMA educators include:
  • Sonia Rios: Riverside and San Bernardino counties
  • Jarin Tasnim Anika: Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties
  • Erik Rodriguez: Fresno and Madera counties
  • Luis Carlos Paniagua: Tulare and Kings counties

Forestry and Wildfire Resilience

Kane Russell has been appointed as the Forestry and Natural Resources Advisor for Plumas, Sierra, and Lassen counties. His role is critical for addressing climate-related environmental threats.

• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Russell will work to promote sustainable forest management and post-wildfire recovery, directly contributing to the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): His focus on fuels reduction and building wildfire resilience in forests and communities is a direct response to the increasing threat of high-severity wildfires driven by climate change.

Fostering Quality Education and Inclusive Communities (SDG 4, SDG 8)

Youth Development and Career Readiness

Stepha Velednitsky joins as the 4-H Youth Advisor in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, focusing on empowering the next generation.

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Velednitsky will develop and promote culturally relevant college and career readiness programming, providing valuable non-formal education to youth.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By strengthening pathways for young people, her work supports the development of a skilled future workforce, contributing to long-term economic growth.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article extensively discusses efforts to support agriculture, particularly small farms, and promote sustainable food production systems. Experts are hired to work on soil health, small farms, and developing resilient crops like agave, all of which contribute to ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The hiring of a 4-H youth advisor to develop “culturally relevant college and career readiness programming for youth” directly addresses inclusive and equitable quality education. The entire UC Cooperative Extension model is based on education, transferring knowledge and skills about sustainable practices to farmers and community members.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• A significant portion of the article is dedicated to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Several new hires are community educators tasked with providing technical assistance to small farms to help them understand and comply with SGMA, directly addressing sustainable water management and water scarcity.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The work to build “resilient forests and communities” by addressing wildfire risk and post-wildfire recovery contributes to making communities more sustainable and resilient to disasters. The focus on urban agriculture and gardening also supports sustainable community development.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article mentions developing management strategies to deal with challenges like “drought, heat and wildfire,” which are exacerbated by climate change. The work on sustainable forest management, fuels reduction, and promoting water-efficient crops like agave are direct actions to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The hiring of experts in forestry, natural resources, and soil health directly relates to protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The work focuses on sustainable forest management, wildfire resilience, post-wildfire recovery, and improving soil health in various ecosystems like rangelands and grasslands.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The entire premise of the UC Cooperative Extension is a partnership model. The article highlights collaboration between university experts, community members, farmers, local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to share knowledge, expertise, and technology for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.

   The article details the hiring of multiple educators (Sonia Rios, Jarin Tasnim Anika, Erik Rodriguez, Luis Paniagua, Claire Tuohey-Mote) for the Small Farms Network. Their role is to provide “technical assistance,” “educational outreach,” and support with “grant and incentive program application” specifically for small-scale farmers, aiming to improve their operations and viability.

2. Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.

   Sutie Xu’s role is to develop “sustainable food-production management strategies” and motivate farmers to adopt practices like “cover cropping, diversified crop rotation, efficient water and nutrient management, and organic farming.” Yessica Fernandez’s work on agave as a “dry farming crop in contexts of water scarcity” also promotes resilient agriculture.

3. Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant technical and vocational skills.

   Stepha Velednitsky is hired to “develop and promote culturally relevant college and career readiness programming for youth.” Additionally, Sarah Farley’s role as the Master Gardener program manager involves extension education, providing community members with practical skills in gardening and soil health.

4. Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals of freshwater.

   The work of the SGMA educators is to help small farms “understand and comply with SGMA rules and regulations,” which govern groundwater withdrawals. Jarin Tasnim Anika’s research on “deficit irrigation strategies on cherry orchards” is a direct effort to increase water-use efficiency in agriculture.

5. Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests.

   Kane Russell is hired as a forestry and natural resources advisor to “promote sustainable forest management and wildfire resilience.” His work includes research and outreach on “fuels reduction” and incorporating “prescribed fire into conventional silvicultural practices.”

6. Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil.

   Sutie Xu’s research focuses on “soil health, carbon dynamics, nutrient cycling” and identifying “effective soil-health indicators.” Her goal is to increase farmer awareness and adoption of strategies to promote “ecosystem productivity, sustainability, resilience and resistance,” which helps restore degraded agricultural land.

7. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   The article describes a statewide team that works with the “UC ANR Small Farms Network, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, nonprofit organizations and local government agencies.” This multi-stakeholder collaboration is a clear example of building partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Adoption of sustainable management strategies by farmers.

   Sutie Xu’s goal is to “motivate them to adopt sustainable management strategies – such as cover cropping, diversified crop rotation, efficient water and nutrient management, and organic farming.” The rate of adoption of these practices would be a key indicator of progress.

2. Development and use of effective soil-health indicators.

   The article explicitly states that Sutie Xu’s research will include “identifying effective soil-health indicators for different agricultural production systems.” The creation and application of these indicators are a direct measure of progress in understanding and managing soil health.

3. Number of small-scale farmers receiving technical assistance.

   The roles of the SGMA educators and the Small Farms Network associate are to provide “technical assistance” and “support” to small farmers. Tracking the number of farmers engaged and assisted would serve as an indicator of outreach and support for this group.

4. Implementation of fuels reduction and sustainable forest management plans.

   Kane Russell’s work involves managing a “mechanical fuels reduction program” and promoting “sustainable forest management.” The acreage treated or the number of management plans developed and implemented would be a clear indicator of progress towards wildfire resilience.

5. Farmer compliance with Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) regulations.

   The SGMA educators are hired to help farmers “understand and comply with SGMA rules and regulations.” The level of compliance, including well registration and payment of fees, is an implied indicator of the program’s success.

6. Number of youth participating in career readiness programming.

   Stepha Velednitsky’s work involves developing “college and career readiness programming for youth.” The number of young people enrolled in and completing these programs would be a direct indicator of achieving educational goals.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators’ to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: ucanr.edu