Recently we received notification about the national broadband challenge. Thank you, Andy Lyons, for putting together a brief summary of the broadband challenge and WHY each of us should participate. We all know internet access is a requirement to be successful in business and life. How many minutes or hours go by (while you're awake) that you don't use wifi or internet? Living in California we also know our connectivity is less than desirable. Apologies for all the calls I've dropped over the last year! Please take a few minutes to read Andy's post and participate in the challenge. Currently the map makes California look great with connectivity meaning fewer federal funds will come to CA to improve connectivity. Since many of us realize this isn't true, it's worth reading the challenge and participating in it. Feel free to share with co-workers, family, friends, etc. for others to take the challenge as well.
Although many may be on vacation, others continue to work. Thank you to all our staff who keep ANR running day in and day out! Special thanks to John Bailey and Tom Seward (Hopland REC) for hosting Darren Haver, Jennifer Bunge, Danny Fung, Sinan Al Adhami, Felicia Johnson, Greg Gibbs and me as we reviewed the state of facilities at the REC a week ago (see photo). Hannah Bird joined the conversation as well. We enjoyed looking at building structural integrity and discussing infrastructure needs versus wants. It was a detail-oriented meeting and many of us left with homework.
The next day, Dustin Flavell hosted Darren at Sierra Foothill REC. We had a quick visit with Business officer Michelle Flavell as well as Nickolai Schweitzer (Ag Supervisor) who was preparing for a fire inspection the next day. We appreciated everyone's time given their busy schedules. By the way, Nickolai was a founding member of Staff Assembly and remains active with the group. If you're a staff member please check out opportunities with Staff Assembly!
Both of these RECs have unique opportunities for the scientist looking to answer questions on working landscapes. The hard work everyone puts into their jobs to keep the RECs working to answer tomorrow's questions with today's research is appreciated.
Enclosures and hoops modified to restrict rainfall from entering (simulated drought) and increase temperature (simulated climate change)
No doubt many people had travel challenges this last week. Hopefully, most were able to make something good come out of the disruptions. A good friend of mine would always remind me that the first thing to pack when going on a trip was patience. I take her words to heart every time I travel. Thankfully, my canceled flight was identified before I went to the airport. This provided a few extra days at home. My fruit trees appreciated the winter pruning and although my sewing area is not quite organized (nor will it ever be) I did get an opportunity to cut out many projects.
As the year comes to a close, we remember those we lost who enriched our lives and those who are new in our lives. Here's a shout out to all the new ANR hires in 2022. We welcome you to UC ANR where you help make change happen!