University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor Rachael Long retires after 37 years
University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor Rachael Long retires after 37 years Woodland Daily Democrat
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Rachael Freeman Long Retires After 37 Years as UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor
Rachael Freeman Long, a UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, recently retired after a successful career spanning 37 years. Long, who grew up in Berkeley, has always been fascinated by farming and dedicated her research to crop production, pollination, and pest control. Throughout her career, she collaborated with farmers and conducted studies in various counties in California.
Focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Long’s work aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including zero hunger, good health and well-being, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and life on land. Her research and extension efforts have contributed to enhanced biodiversity, reduced pesticide use, higher crop yields, healthy soils and carbon sequestration, and greater farm productivity and profitability.
Long’s Pest Management Studies Highly Influential
Long’s pest management studies have had a significant impact on the farming community. She collaborated with walnut growers Dan and Sarah Hrdy, who praised her enthusiasm and dedication to bees, birds, and bats. Her field studies informed the development of production manuals for various crops, including sunflowers, alfalfa, onion seed, and dry beans.
Furthermore, Long’s cost-of-production reports have been instrumental for growers in obtaining farm loans. These reports, which she co-authored, have been used over 50,000 times since 2014.
Adoption of New Farming Practices
Long’s research in the late 1990s focused on the transportation of pesticides from farm fields to surface waters through irrigation. Despite concerns from the agricultural industry about increased regulations, Long’s persistence led to the development and adoption of practices that protect surface waters from pesticides. These practices include careful pesticide choice and the use of vegetative filter strips and cover crops.
“I’m proud of my community and appreciate the opportunity to work with farmers and the privilege of conducting research on farms,” said Long. “I’ll forever be grateful to landowners for their support of my projects, even ones that seemed so far out there, like studying bats and pest control in walnut orchards!”
Long’s research has also highlighted the importance of bats and insectivorous birds in controlling insect pests on farms, reducing the reliance on pesticides. Additionally, her recent study revealed that hedgerows sequester 36% more carbon than farmed areas, contributing to climate action efforts.
Hedgerows Become Conservation Practice
Mary Kimball, CEO of the Center for Land-Based Learning in Woodland, worked as Long’s field assistant in 1996. Kimball witnessed Long’s dedication to researching and promoting the installation of native plant hedgerows on farms. Long’s research disproved myths about pests and demonstrated the importance of hedgerows for wildlife habitat, insectary value, bird species, and carbon sequestration. As a result, hedgerows have become the most applied-for conservation practice by farmers and landowners across the state.
Lifelong Interest in Agriculture Evolves with Technology
Long’s interest in agriculture began during her childhood summers in Sonoma County. Inspired by a farm advisor’s talk on integrated pest management, she changed her major to agriculture and pursued a career in the field. Throughout her career, Long embraced technological advancements and incorporated them into her research and outreach programs. She worked with farmers to implement global positioning systems, subsurface drip irrigation, and healthy soil practices.
As a mother and scientist, Long is committed to inspiring children’s interest in science. She has published three children’s books based on wildlife adventures and recently released an online book titled “See You Later Alligator.” In retirement, Long plans to write more children’s books focusing on science literacy and promoting coexistence with wildlife.
Long’s retirement does not mark the end of her contributions to the field. She will continue to work on her ongoing research projects and share her knowledge and expertise with others.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses the research on crop production and pest control, which is directly related to achieving food security and ending hunger.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The article mentions the development of cost-of-production reports and the use of integrated pest management practices to reduce pesticide use and enhance biodiversity, which aligns with sustainable consumption and production.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – The article highlights the research on carbon sequestration by hedgerows and the importance of sustainable farming practices in mitigating climate change.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – The article discusses the impact of research on bats, birds, and native plants in controlling pests and enhancing pollination, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity on farmlands.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
- Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
- Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
- Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including their compliance with the agreements.
- Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.
- Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including their compliance with the agreements. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index. |
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Source: dailydemocrat.com
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