Jennifer Baumbach used her GSR award to support research on water-wise landscaping, which she now applies in her role leading the Master Gardener Program in Solano and Yolo counties, turning science into practical gardening solutions.
Graduate Student Research awardee Leslie Roche used her support to explore grazing and conservation, laying the foundation for UC Rangelands. Her work informs federal policy and supports both ranchers and threatened species.
Whitney Brim-DeForest, UCCE rice and wild rice advisor, used her GSR award to research weed management in rice. Her graduate training built strong grower ties and skills now guiding her work in California’s top rice-growing region.
Graduate Student Research funding gave Mark Lundy the flexibility to pursue applied, industry-relevant agronomy. Now a UCCE associate professor, he leads efficient farming research and trains future agronomists at UC Davis.
Betsy Karle, now a UCCE dairy advisor and county director, used her UC Davis GSR award to conduct real-world research balancing grazing and water quality. The experience launched her career in improving dairy sustainability statewide.
Grace Woodmansee used her GSR award to strengthen her research and outreach skills, preparing her for a career as a UCCE advisor. Her drought-focused work with ranchers now helps support resilient rangeland management in California.
Grant Johnson’s GSR award helped launch his UC Cooperative Extension career in urban ag tech. It supported his research on nursery runoff and gave him skills he now uses to improve irrigation, fertilization, and water reuse.
UC Davis researchers developed a tool to predict forest survival under drought by linking rainfall to tree growth and carbon reserves. It helps identify when forests hit tipping points and guides climate and conservation efforts.
Doctoral student Susan Zhang is uncovering how pistachio trees resist drought and salinity. Her research, backed by USDA and UC Davis awards, could boost sustainable agriculture while inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Farmers can use a DIY test—requiring scissors and a garlic press—to check nitrogen levels in crops. This simple method helps boost yields and reduce fertilizer costs and pollution linked to nitrogen overuse.
Doctoral student Valentina Roel is testing compost-based fertilizers from food and yard waste as eco-friendly nitrogen alternatives. Early results show similar crop yields to synthetic fertilizers, offering climate and soil benefits.
New UC Davis research shows winter cover crops don’t reduce soil moisture, countering water-use concerns. This supports sustainable farming and urges updates to groundwater models that may unfairly penalize growers.
Pioneering plant geneticist Raymond C. Valentine, co-founder of Calgene and advocate for molecular farming, died March 9 at 86. His work transformed agriculture and led to the first genetically engineered food crops.
UC Davis hosted a USDA working group on indoor farming, gathering U.S. and Canadian scientists to share research on growing food and medicine in vertical farms and greenhouses using controlled environments and LED lights.
UC Davis scientists Carlos Crisosto and Thomas Gradziel have co-authored Peach, a new global handbook covering everything from orchard management to postharvest care. The guide aims to help growers boost quality and profits.
