MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2022.  BY STEPHANIE BOLTON, PhD, LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION.

University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors play a significant role in agriculture, connecting the entire industry with the latest science coming out of the university system and perhaps most importantly, offering farmers a real life person to discuss new ideas and to problem solve with.

Matthew Hoffman’s PhD research found our retired Viticulture Farm Advisor, Paul Verdegaal, to be the most connected individual in Lodi’s network of advice sharing among growers and outreach professionals (Hoffman 2015). Paul exemplified the mission of Cooperative Extension, which is to bridge researchers and farmers. Like all good farm advisors, Paul lived and worked in the community he served, taking a “boots on the ground” approach. He was committed to advising, educating, and searching for solutions collaboratively with Lodi growers and the Lodi Winegrape Commission. To learn more about Paul’s 31 years as a Farm Advisor, read Ted Rieger or Randy Caparoso’s articles.

Paul

Paul Verdegaal, Lodi’s Viticulture Farm Advisor Emeritus.

According to the UCCE San Joaquin County website, “For over 100 years, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) advisors, specialists, faculty and staff have been committed to:

      • Connecting Californians to their University
      • Leading the way to science-based solutions
      • Providing information that is trustworthy and not biased
      • Sharing research that is practical to use
      • Addressing local concerns as part of the community
      • Inviting the participation of concerned stakeholders
      • Facilitating problem-solving and outreach to address the state’s toughest challenges”

Paul Verdegaal officially retired on January 1, 2018 and since then the Lodi AVA has been without a Viticulture Farm Advisor for over four and a half years.

We were thrilled on November 29, 2021, when UC ANR posted a job announcement for a new Viticulture Advisor based in San Joaquin County. Applications were reviewed and initial interviews were conducted by a search committee in early 2022, but the search did not lead to a job offer. Applications reopened in the summer and there are now three candidates who will be interviewed next week.

Lodi growers and interested members of the winegrowing community are invited to attend presentations by these candidates about their research and extension accomplishments and goals on Tuesday, August 30 and Wednesday, August 31 (there is one Zoom link for each interview day):

UCCE NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
VITICULTURE FARM ADVISOR
Candidate Presentations

Tuesday, August 30 | 9am & 1pm

9:00 am – 9:40 am – Luciane Bertoletti1:00 pm – 1:40 pm – Justin Tanner
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/99578151066?pwd=dERhYkNXY2tRbnF3SHh2Yml6cWVGUT09
Meeting ID: 995 7815 1066  Passcode: 022424
(669) 444-9171

Wednesday, August 31 | 9am

9:00 am – 9:40 am – Brent Warneke
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/98834479282?pwd=RjhVbUsxUDlVWVloRmlwb083SVJzdz09
Meeting ID: 988 3447 9282  Passcode: 234199
(669) 444-9171

All those attending these presentations will have the opportunity to help the search committee evaluate the candidates by filling out an online survey afterwards. Attendees will also get about 10 minutes to ask questions of the candidates. Participation is highly encouraged!


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For more information on the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Program, visit lodigrowers.com/standards or lodirules.org.