Outreach

Our Outreach Programs

At the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, we take our mandate as a land-grant institution—to provide quality higher education and address society's needs—very seriously. The problems and solutions evolve, but our commitment stays the same: We address those things that matter most to California to transform the world.

Outreach is central to that mission. We partner with growers, ranchers, residents, consumers, communities, and others to better understand regional and global needs and provide research-based solutions to those problems.

Research & Information Centers (RICs)

The Research and Information Centers (RICs) serve as focal points for interaction among external stakeholders, California consumers, and the University of California's research and educational resources. The RICs represent a collaborative effort among researchers to disseminate knowledge that benefits agriculture and conserves natural resources.

The Ralph E. Myers Fund, established in 1952 to support agricultural research, partially funds the RICsUC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) administers the endowment and partners with the RICs to conduct their research and extension activities. Additional funding is provided by the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences and funds generated by the individual RICs. 

RIC areas of expertise include agronomy, fruits and nuts, nursery and floriculture, postharvest, rangelands, seed biotechnology, vegetables and weeds. The RICs are housed at the UC Davis campus. They are closely engaged with UC research and extension personnel at county Cooperative Extension offices, Research and Extension Centers, and other UC campuses (UC Riverside, UC Merced and UC Berkeley). These collaborations are vital to advancing UC’s land-grant mission.

Other Centers and Institutes

The role of centers and institutes is to:

  • Serve as interdepartmental focal points to address emerging and critical issues.
  • Advance the research and outreach goals of the college and its many researchers and units.
  • Facilitate engagement of stakeholders.
  • Serve as information centers for industry partners, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders.

Full List