Proposed Budget Includes Increase for UC ANR

Proposed Budget Includes Increase for UC ANR

Tim Hammerich
Tim Hammerich
News Reporter
With California Ag Today, I’m Tim Hammerich.

Governor Gavin Newsom released his proposed state budget this month, which includes a much needed 5% increase for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Dr. Glenda Humiston, Vice President of UC ANR explains why this increase is so critical.

Humiston…”We currently have only about half as many cooperative extension people out in the field that we had 20 years ago. And it really is creating a hardship for communities and industry sectors that rely upon that research and science to help keep them functional and thriving.”

Dr. Humiston says the proposed budget will be under scrutiny in the coming weeks and months. But she certainly has a compelling case for where these additional resources are needed.

Humiston…”First and foremost, above everything else, is getting those scientists back out in the field. We've got to rebuild that footprint that has shrunk in half this last 20 years. The other thing that's very important is our programs like 4-H, Master Gardeners, California Naturalist, our integrated pest management program. We have 11 of those, and they've all had reduced budgets this last few years because of budget cuts we've been facing for most of the last 20 years, frankly. So it's time to turn this trend around, and that's why we are so excited to see the budget that the governor released for the University of California.”

To voice your support this critical research and extension piece of California Agriculture, contact your local legislator’s office.

Previous ReportStrawberry Crop Survey Optimistic
Next ReportCalifornia Irrigation Institute Annual Conference