California agriculture is characterized by being extremely diverse and dynamic. This necessitates expertise and resources to be focused on the evolution of existing cropping systems and evaluation of new crops and legumes (both grain and cover crops) to ensure the long-term sustainability of California production systems and support the ‘farm to fork' food system concept.
This CE Specialist position will focus on developing innovative new cropping systems for California farmers, based on improved grain legumes, cover crops, and newly introduced crops, and integrating these crops into sustainable new cropping systems. It will also be linked to the existing $70 million/yr grain legume industry.
This position will create new business opportunities for California agricultural enterprises, maximize net farm income, develop new grain legume, cover crop, and recently introduced crop opportunities that provide prospects for new foods, improved health, water conservation, crop rotation benefits, boosting soil organic matter and nitrogen in rotations, reduced pesticide use, environmental protection, and adaptation to global climate change.