Ag Day enthusiasm not dampened by rain

Submitted by pkanrice on March 30th, 2023

Pamela S Kan-Rice

Glenda Humiston looks on as 4-Her Emily speaks with Assemblymember Jim Wood.

Despite a steady downpour, legislators and other state government employees expressed their support for agriculture at Ag Day at the Capitol on March 21. UC ANR showcased its people, programs and research.

Vice President Glenda Humiston; Deanne Meyer, interim associate vice president; Sarah Light, UC Cooperative Extension agronomy advisor; and several UC ANR colleagues thanked legislators and officials for their support and told them about current research and outreach activities.

Anne Megaro, government and community relations director, organized activities at the event and greeted legislators.

UC Master Gardener coordinator Judy McClure and volunteers answered gardening questions. Representatives from The Vine demonstrated a robot that performs some farm tasks. 4-H members showed visitors their goats and rabbits. Strategic Communications staff described some of the UC ANR research associated with the display of citrus varieties grown at Lindcove Research and Extension Center and avocado varieties from South Coast REC.

See video and photos below. For more coverage, search social media for #AgDay23, #CAagday23 and #AgDay2023.

Deanne Meyer invites Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan to sniff the aromatic buddha's hand.

Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil with 4H — Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil with Sheldon 4-H club members.

Glenda Humiston greets Senator Melissa Hurtado.

Assemblymember Jim Patterson talks with Gabe Youtsey.

California state treasurer Fiona Ma takes a selfie with Glenda Humiston.

Senator Brian Dahle with Glenda Humiston.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross introduces First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Glenda Humiston

UC Master Gardeners give gardening advice to visitors.

Anne Megaro with Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua

Wearing a UC ANR hat and standing at the ANR booth, Mike holds different varieties of avocados in each hand. — Mike Hsu dazzled visitors with avocado facts supplied by Tammy Majcherek of South Coast Research & Extension Center.

Julia poses beside a gold statue of a bear. — Julia Kalika, of Program Support Unit and 2023 Miss California Cowboy’s Professional Rodeo Association's Rodeo Queen, poses with the California Bear.

From left, Hanif Houston, Lucie Cahierre, Miguel Sanchez, Evett Kilmartin and Mike Hsu prepare bags of the UC variety Tango mandarin to give to legislators while inviting them to Ag Day at the Capitol the day before the event.