There was role playing! And homework! I survived both. Despite these surprises, the Crucial Conversations training was well worth my time. I suspect that may be why no one prepared me for the homework. The other unexpected observation was that there were no males in the class – certainly not a reflection of whose work would benefit from the training. In addition to the benefits of the training, it was nice to see a number of the people I have met through my travels across UC ANR. My learning partner and I will touch base at the end of May to share how our new skills are working for us. She was not only helpful but has an amazing story. What an inspiration!
Speaking of conversations, if you haven't already purchased your ticket for next week's screening of Food Evolution, there may still be seats left. The screening event was partially funded from the new ANR Opportunity Grants Program that was developed by Program Council. Unfortunately the screening date happens to fall during Program Council who will be meeting in Santa Paula next week (May 2-3). For more information or to purchase tickets, go to Eventbrite and search under Food Evolution for events on May 2nd. The Global Food Initiative has a link to the Food Evolution screening on their homepage.
Tomorrow, this year's Global Food Initiative Fellows will be visiting with UC ANR and taking a food tour of the San Joaquin Valley. This should be a great opportunity to introduce the Fellows to the work of UC ANR and help improve understanding of food production and challenges in California. I am looking forward to meeting the Fellows and hearing their impressions of what they see and hear.
Students across the campuses are wrapping up classes and projects. The Berkeley Big Ideas team I worked with this semester has done quite well with their innovation. They won $750 at the University of Oregon New Venture Championship (NVC) and are competing at the UCSB NVC on May 3. Jake, one of the entrepreneurs, was selected as the UCSB winner of the UC Entrepreneur Video Campaign and will meet with 3 venture capital firms on May 5. And if that's not enough, they won an Honorable Mention in the UC competition in the Food Systems category. Way to go Jake and Caitlin!
Don't forget that Mark Bell begins May 1 as the UC ANR Vice Provost of Statewide Programs and Strategic Initiatives. You may have already seen him around the Davis ANR building as he has been lining up meetings for the last couple of weeks. Please welcome Mark!