UC Agriculture & Natural Resources

What could a powerful #ElNiño mean for #SonomaCounty vineyards? UC Cooperative Extension viticulture advisor Christopher Chen explains how prolonged flooding could damage grapevine roots, deplete soil nutrients, and threaten next year’s harvest. #UCCE www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/10/26/a...

What could a powerful #ElNiño mean for the #BayArea this winter? UC ANR climate scientist Daniel Swain breaks down the potential impacts, risks and uncertainties in a new interview with Bay Nature. @weatherwest.bsky.social @baynature.org baynature.org/magazine/fal...

Students have good ideas for improving school lunches. That information also has to reach adults who can act on it. Wendi Gosliner @ucanr.edu Nutrition Policy Institute describes student engagement to @toluolasoji.com as “a bridge with food service.” reasonstobecheerful.world/how-nyc-stud...

Congratulations to UC ANR climate scientist @weatherwest.bsky.social on receiving the 2026 National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communications! We're proud of Daniel's outstanding work making climate science accessible, engaging, and relevant!

On Tuesday at 10am PT (around the time of peak daily high tide in parts of southern CA), I'll have a livestream to discuss the possibly record high ocean levels this week along SoCal coast, plus potential for an unusually warm storm on/around Halloween.

Join our team and make a difference across California! -Web Content Strategist – Davis -Lab Assistant 2 – Holtville -Project Scientist, Nutrition Policy Institute – Oakland Explore opportunities and apply today! https://ucanr.edu/jobs #UCANR #WereHiring #UCJobs

UC ANR climate scientist @weatherwest.bsky.social recently spoke at the California Environmental Stewards Conference about the potential impacts of a super #ElNiño and how Californians can prepare for flooding and other hazards. @ucanrwater.bsky.social Flood resources: ucanr.edu/site/ciwr/fl...

Building a better rat trap. Rodent management pros brainstormed with a @ucanr.edu wildlife & humans interactions advisor today how to make more humane & effective rat traps & deterrents

“The tides are already rising, but the rain is still pretty distantly on the horizon." - UC ANR climate scientist Daniel Swain. @weatherwest.bsky.social Pretty distantly” is getting closer and the time for reasonable defensive measures is now. www.marinij.com/2026/10/19/e...

We had a great time at the inaugural #ResilientCalifornia Summit in Sacramento! We joined people from across the state to share ideas, make connections and explore ways to help California communities prepare for a changing climate. #UCANR

TODAY 3pm: Join Daniel Swain, @ucanr.edu scientist, to discuss the rain and thunderstorms in California today and the possible severe weather/tornado outbreak in Arizona

Join #UCCE and partners for FREE webinars Nov. 5–19 covering certification, economics and tips from organic producers. Spanish interpretation available! @caff-famfarms.bsky.social https://ucanr.edu/program/uc-organic-agriculture-institute/event/livestock-transition-organic-webinar-series

An early-season low will dive southward off CA coast into tomorrow, bringing widespread rainfall to Central Coast (& lesser showers elsewhere). Aided by unusually strong jet overhead, cold air aloft, & record-warm ocean temps, some notable thunderstorm activity is also possible.

On Wed, Oct 21 at 3pm PT, I'll have a livestream to discuss the unusually deep early season low pressure system off the CA coast, the rain will bring to much of the state, and its potential to generate severe thunderstorms in unusual places.

If you are attending the Resilient California Summit, visit me at the @ucanr.edu table

Welcome back, Faith Kearns @fkearns.bsky.social! She brings scientific expertise along with exceptional communications skills 🎉 Thanks to the Climate Science and Communications Fund for supporting her position

How do invasive weeds become so successful? By breaking the rules! #UCCE researcher Justin Valliere and @ucdavis.bsky.social professor Jennifer Funk reveal how “superinvaders” defy plant growth. 🔗 https://www.ucanr.edu/blog/green-blog/article/invasive-weed-rules

“We were talking about how the fire risk here was somewhat less,” @weatherwest.bsky.social @ucanr.edu said. “But in this case, clearly the conditions have already dried out enough for significant, relatively high-intensity fire spread.” @iriskwok.bsky.social reports www.latimes.com/california/s...

We're #hiring for a variety of positions across California. Whether you're looking to grow your career or take on a new challenge, explore opportunities throughout the state. https://ucanr.edu/jobs #UCANR #NowHiring #CaliforniaJobs #Careers

Rapid-response livestream: Update on local wildfire outbreak this afternoon amid Santa Ana wind conditions in Orange and San Diego Counties, including #NorteFire and #HendersonFire, including current evacuations and weather trends. Begins now: 1:15pm PT.

UC ANR received nearly $1.5M from USDA_NIFA to build a new research lab in Fresno County, with matching funds bringing the total to nearly $3M. The facility will help farmers get science-based solutions faster. #NIFAimpacts https://ucanr.edu/blog/anr-news-releases/article/agresearchinnovationlab

“If you think you’ll like it, just try it.” From punk rock bands to agricultural research, #UCCE farm advisor Nicholas Clark took an unexpected path to his career. His advice to young people? Stay curious, embrace opportunities and try something new. thirdauthor.com/interviews/n...

TODAY 4pm join Daniel Swain, @ucanr.edu climate scientist, to discuss Santa Ana wind & wildfire risk

A wetter-than-average winter may be ahead for #California! UC ANR climate scientist @weatherwest.bsky.social says confidence has climbed to 90–95%, with January and February potentially bringing the heaviest rainfall as #ElNino strengthens. www.kqed.org/news/1210414... #CAwx @kqednews.kqed.org

The odds of an unusually wet winter in the Bay Area are rising as El Niño continues to strengthen, reports @climatedaddykqed.bsky.social. “This might be a year when the Hollywood version of bad weather in California actually ends up coming true” Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social @ucanr.edu said

Could a “Super El Niño” bring an exceptionally wet winter to California? UC ANR climate scientist Daniel Swain warns of an increased risk of heavy rainfall and coastal flooding, with Jan. and Feb. possibly the wettest months. @weatherwest.bsky.social https://www.ktvu.com/video/fmc-uw3737i33juxd3bw

Communicators! The Western Integrated Pest Management Center is hiring someone skilled at storytelling, including writing, editing and multimedia production 🌱🐛🐞🐀 The position is with @ucanr.edu ucanr.edu/jobs?keys=89...

Celebrate California’s majestic #oaks! Join UC ANR’s Hopland Research and Extension Center on Oct. 17 for Oak Discovery Day. Enjoy guided nature walks, art, hands-on activities and more at this family-friendly event. Register: hhttps://ucanr.edu/blog/green-blog/article/oak-day-26

On Tuesday, Oct 13 at 1pm PT, I'll have my "big October El Niño" update. There's a lot to discuss regarding this extremely strong event and the growing likelihood of substantial California & SW US impacts.

On #IndigenousPeoplesDay, UC ANR honors Indigenous peoples and their generations of land stewardship. Across California, we partner with Native communities to support food sovereignty, traditional ecological knowledge, disaster resilience and beneficial burning.

Happy #NationalFarmersDay! UC Agriculture and Natural Resources thanks farmers across CA & beyond for their hard work, dedication & commitment to feeding our communities, stewarding our land & sustaining our future Thank you, farmers! https://ucanr.edu/program/uc-small-farms-network #ThankAFarmer

We're #hiring! Join #UCANR as a Water and Soil Resources Advisor serving Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Marin counties. Help advance sustainable agriculture, water conservation & climate-smart practices. Explore this opportunity & more positions statewide: https://ucanr.edu/jobs

Tropical Storm Rachel could strengthen slightly as it approaches the California-Mexico border, reports Times of San Diego. Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social @ucanr.edu attributed the unusual possibility to exceptionally warm Pacific Ocean temperatures timesofsandiego.com/community/20...

Welcome to #UCANR! Meet the newest members of our team bringing expertise in agriculture, STEM education, 4-H youth development and more to help advance UC ANR's mission. We're excited to have you on board! https://ucanr.edu/blog/anr-employee-news/article/names-news-97 #UCCE

I have finally found an acceptable hotel wifi connection, and will have a short-notice livestream at Noon Pacific Time today (Oct 9) on Tropical Storm Rachel and the growing potential for significant Southern California impacts this weekend. #CAwx

Lenya Quinn-Davidson, director of the @ucanrfirenetwork.bsky.social at #ucanr, highlighted #California’s progress in prescribed fire at the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force meeting. WATCH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnvA... #PrescribedFire #WildfireResilience

Can pop-up shade help L.A. beat extreme heat? @edithdeguzman.bsky.social, UC Cooperative Extension researcher at #UCLA, is helping lead #ShadeLA, exploring shade sails, tents and other solutions to keep communities cooler as temperatures rise. @latimes.com #CAwx www.latimes.com/environment/...

California now has 77 certified burn bosses, said @lenyaqd.bsky.social @ucanr.edu. In 2021, we had none. The @ucanrfirenetwork.bsky.social director updated the Governor's Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force on prescribed fire www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnvA...

“I’m much more concerned about what happens this winter, because we are guaranteed to have king tides. We will have water levels that are at least a foot or two higher than they are now just because of the king tides, @weatherwest.bsky.social, @ucanr.edu climate scientist said.

#UCCE specialist Paul Mayencourt is helping bring sustainable mass timber into wider use in #California. His work is turning CA wood into building materials that can support forest health, wildfire resilience, and affordable housing. ucanr.edu/blog/green-b...

Kristin Dobbin, with UC Cooperative Extension at UC Berkeley, who was not involved in the report, called the analysis “extremely important.” The finances behind drinking water are “not something we’ve had a big picture view on across the country before." insideclimatenews.org/news/0610202...

TODAY 3PM Join Daniel Swain, @ucanr.edu climate scientist to discuss the heatwave and El Niño. He says odds of a extraordinarily wet California winter continue to rise. Prepare for flooding in some areas

70 years of research, education & community! Since 1956, UC ANR’s South Coast Research and Extension Center has served as a living laboratory in Orange County, advancing ag research while connecting communities with UC expertise. www.ucanr.edu/blog/noticia... #UCSouthCoast70

The UC ANR Fire Network is inviting 4-H members ages 9-18 to submit artwork showcasing creative solutions for helping communities adapt to wildfires. All submissions will be displayed at the 2026 Beneficial Fire Summit in San Diego, California. Link in bio. @ucanr.edu @afe-fireecology.bsky.social

"Clearly, even if you use the more conservative measure, we’re in rare territory," Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social, @ucanr.edu climate scientist, tells @ninardietz.bsky.social about the current El Niño. "This year is going to be tumultuous."

Small Farms and Groundwater Policy. Sam Sandoval & @fkearns.bsky.social talk with Ngodoo Atume @ucanr.edu and Judith Redmond of Full Belly Farm about California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and its impacts on small, family farms www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/epi...