"Horticulture and Small Farms Advisor (AP 25-12)"

Job Description

Horticulture and Small Farms Advisor (AP 25-12)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Application Window
Open date: June 24, 2025
Next review date: Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Aug 29, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position Description
The University of California division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Horticulture and Small Farms Advisor at the Assistant Rank, serving Placer and Nevada Counties. This position will focus on the commercial organic and conventional production and marketing of existing and emerging annual crops, orchard crops (including citrus), grapes (wine and table), berries, cut flowers, and other horticultural crops. Specific areas of focus include production practices, irrigation and nutrient management, soil health, integrated pest management, small farm economics and business strategies, and mitigating the impacts of climate change in these production systems.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs-based, mission-oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are the educational practices Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities to increase their knowledge and understanding of science-based research results to support and promote the adoption of practices and technologies to solve problems. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organization of educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, farm calls, and site visits. Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, such as newsletters, articles for the popular press, curriculums, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications. Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding and adoption of new skills, practices, changed attitudes, policies, and improved environmental, health, agricultural, economic, and/or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria: extending knowledge, applied research and creative activity, professional competence and activity, and University and public service.

Location Headquarters: This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Office in Placer County, and is located at 2855 2nd Street, Auburn, CA 95603 (Building #210, Dewitt Center).

Position Details
The Area Advisor will extend research-based knowledge by leveraging experience and knowledge of the network of advisors and specialists working in horticulture and small farms, integrated pest management, irrigation, nutrient management, agroecology, and agricultural economics. However, because of the unique nature of specialty crop production in Placer/Nevada Counties, a locally focused UCCE Horticulture and Small Farms program is critical to addressing the region-specific needs. The Advisor will work with growers, campus faculty and researchers, including, potentially, Plant Sciences, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Land Air and Water Resources, and Agriculture and Resource Economics personnel to develop workshops, extension materials, and applied research focused on foothill specialty crop production.

There are excellent opportunities for extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators. The distinctive characteristics of foothill crop production make it vital for an on-the-ground advisor to be embedded within the local agricultural community. The advisor joins a team of highly motivated UCCE colleagues who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to making a difference within the communities and throughout California. There is excellent potential for collaborative projects within the UC ANR system.

The Area Advisor will serve approximately 1,000 specialty crop farmers who operate from the edge of the Sacramento Valley to approximately 3,000 feet above sea level. About 35% of these growers are beginning farmers with less than 10 years of production experience. Crops include citrus, pome fruit, stone fruit, wine grapes, specialty fruit (e.g., persimmons, pomegranates, kiwis, etc.), cool and warm season vegetables, cut flowers, and ornamentals. The Advisor will develop applied research projects locally and in partnership with the other ANR academics.

Counties of Responsibility: This position will be headquartered in Placer County and will serve Placer and Nevada counties.
Reporting Relationship: The Horticulture and Small Farms Advisor will be supervised by the Area County Director for Placer, Nevada, Plumas, and Sierra Counties. It is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours and fieldwork in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the Area County Director.

Qualifications and Skills Required
Required Qualifications
Education: The Horticulture and Small Farms Advisor should have a minimum of a master's degree in horticultural production, pest management, soil science, agroecology, and/or small farm economics at the time of appointment.
Key Qualifications:
Experience in conducting applied research in agriculture, horticulture or natural resources.
Experience delivering educational and outreach programming.
Experience in program and/or personnel management.
Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability, and property damage insurance on the vehicle used is required. Must possess a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University Vehicle.
Ability to drive on remote highways including evenings and weekends, and at times in inclement weather conditions.
Additional Skills Required
Applicants need to meet appointment criteria for the respective University of California academic title series and evidence for success in meeting required academic advancement criteria as per UC Academic Personnel Manuals. Applications need to document relevant research, extension, and teaching experience and appropriate scholarly achievements.
Interest in and a desire to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension.
Technical Competence and Impact: The candidate should understand key concepts related to horticultural production practices, small farm economics and other related topics suitable for the area.
Communication: Demonstrated excellence in written, oral, interpersonal and information technology communication skills.
Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility: The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as a team member with key external stakeholders and county-based staff, as well as with other colleagues within UC ANR.
Lifelong Learning: There is an expectation that advisors evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the industry, clientele, and organizational change.
The ability to work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economic classes and ethnicities.
Desired Experience
Ability to effectively engage with partner organizations to develop strong relationships associated with problems and issues facing the Horticulture and Small Farms industry.
Ability to communicate well with regional audiences including local elected officials, agricultural organizations, and natural resources agencies.
Experience working with grower cooperators, collaborators and agency personnel.
Demonstrated ability to effectively plan applied research or evaluation projects, manage teams and set measurable goals and objectives.

About UCANR
UC ANR is a division of the University of California (UC) system that bridges the gap between local issues and the expertise of the UC system by providing research-based information, educational programs, and technical expertise to the public in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development. UC ANR is part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension network, which began in the early 20th century to connect research from land-grant universities with the everyday needs of people in communities across the United States. Today, we collaborate with farmers, ranchers, diverse communities, youth and adult educators, and policymakers to address local and statewide issues related to food systems, water, climate change, and sustainable agriculture through a statewide network of campus-based researchers, county-based Advisors, and community educators. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California and globally through equitable generation and sharing of collaborative, science-based solutions. Over 180 UCCE Advisors conduct applied research and extension education from county-based UCCE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the resources UC has to offer. Our vision is that UC ANR will be valued in every California community for meaningful engagement and making a positive difference in people's lives.

About Placer and Nevada Counties
While Placer County has consistently been one of the fastest growing counties in California, its diverse landscapes and microclimates, as well as access to locally managed irrigation districts, support a diverse and thriving small farm community. Seasonal and year-round farmers markets, direct-to-consumer retail outlets, and locally-owned restaurants all feature locally grown fruits and vegetables. While Nevada County is smaller in terms of population, it supports an equally robust and diverse community of small farms. Geographically, the 2-county region spans the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada range to the Nevada border. Most of the specialty crop production occurs in the lower and mid-elevation foothills of the Sierra Nevada below 3000 feet elevation.
The region is characterized by an increasingly variable growing environment, with cold winters; hot, dry summers; extreme wind and rainfall events; and frequent drought. Foothill soils are limited in depth, nutrients, and water-holding capacity. The region's fragile ecology and relative isolation from other agricultural regions require distinctly different farming, conservation, and pest management practices than the rest of California. In addition, the region's diverse natural flora and fauna limit pests common to other regions and production systems.
The agricultural infrastructure and community characteristics are equally unique compared to other parts of California. The limited number of certified crop advisors (CCAs) and pest control advisors (PCAs) serving these counties typically do not support small-scale specialty crop farmers, and there are very few agricultural input suppliers. With the prevalence of beginning farmers, there continues to be a strong need for business training and marketing programs as well as extension and research programming in the areas of healthy soils, integrated pest management, whole systems management, and climate adaptation and resilience.

Salary & Benefits
Salary: The salary range for this Cooperative Extension Advisor position is Assistant Rank, Step I ($82,900) to Step VI ($105,200). Step placement in the advisor series is based on applicable experience and professional qualifications. For information regarding Cooperative Extension Advisor salary scales, please refer to the University of California website: https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-01/406198.pdf
Benefits: The University of California offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, two days per month paid vacation, one day per month paid sick leave, and paid holidays. This position is eligible for sabbatical leave privileges as per the terms of the University policy. For more information, refer to the UC Benefits website at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply
If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose "applicants" (refer to position #25-12).