Unique Opportunity for Expansion and Research Career in the Economics of Diversity and Equity • Berkeley Blog

One of the best positions in academia is Berkeley Professor of Cooperative Extension. Co-expansion is one of the great inventions of the American educational system, designed to transfer knowledge and learn from the experiences of agricultural and industrial practitioners. We have two types of extension workers: farm advisors who work in the districts and advise farmers, businesses and consumers; and extension professors who conduct practical applied research and assist farm advisors and collaborate with various groups (legislators, advisors, citizens and NGOs) on major policy and management issues.

The Cooperative Extension staff made our research more relevant and connected to reality. I have a 15% extension and I love the freedom and creativity it gives me. Indeed, throughout my career, I have benefited from my engagement. with expansion professionals. Some of the major revolutions in California agriculture began with agricultural extension personnel. Don Gustafson, an agricultural consultant from San Diego, actually brought drip irrigation to California.. Richard L. Snyder, a retired development professor at Davis, was the brains behind California Information Management Systems. UC’s exciting Integrated Pest Management, Master Gardening, and 4-H programs are designed and managed by Extension. I am very pleased that our Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics has been awarded the position of Professor in the Economics of Diversity and Equity.

The expansion specialists I know have had a great career. If they wanted, they could publish in the same publications as other teachers. But instead of focusing on training young people, they work with practitioners and spend less time in the office and more time in the field. They are drawn to more relevant and practical issues. They have more influence and more fun than the teaching staff.

I’m grateful that we have a stance on diversity and equity, because these are major issues in California as a whole, especially in agriculture, and issues where economists can make a big difference. Our department has development economics experts who travel around the world to address poverty, but parts of the Central Valley also have poverty issues that need to be addressed. We have research programs on agricultural workers and issues related to environmental justice, but this new position ensures coordination of efforts in all areas of our activities. Empowering the underprivileged is one of the biggest challenges of our time. So, this new position will open up new research and dissemination opportunities for our faculty and Berkeley campus, as well as new opportunities for creative individuals. We look forward to outstanding applicants and hope that we will attract people who can improve our research and our lives.