Nutrient and Waste Management Specialist in Cooperative Extension 100% CE FTE-LAWR, UCD
Position Description: A Cooperative Extension Specialist is sought to pursue research and outreach in the area of nutrient management and land application of waste. This position requires expertise in Soil Science emphasizing nutrient cycling and fertility to develop sustainable and environmentally responsible nutrient management strategies in irrigated agriculture. Parallel research and outreach efforts will address the impacts of land application of waste and waste water, such as municipal, industrial, and agricultural waste/byproducts. LAWR and the UC Davis campus has strong expertise to support this position with faculty working across a broad range of scales from regional pedologic investigations to molecular plant-microbe-soil interactions. There is a broad-based county level need for this position in areas such as the dairy industry, organic and conventional agriculture, viticulture and tree crops, water quality, and environmental restoration and remediation. While a number of UCCE advisors and workgroups deal with nutrient and waste management issues in their research and outreach programs, the current state-wide expertise has been significantly reduced by recent and anticipated retirements.
Justification: This position is expected to fill critical gaps in agricultural sustainability and environmental quality addressing a wide variety of topics in the field of nutrient and waste management. This position will focus on problems associated with land application of nutrients and waste materials (animal, municipal, industrial, agricultural, biochar), many of which are central to the pending energy crisis, climate change, water quality regulation, urbanization and food safety. Moreover, consumers are demanding foods grown with cleaner, safer, and more sustainable agricultural practices. A key issue for agricultural sustainability is the diminishing supply of global mineral phosphorus “peak phosphorus”. Land application of waste products will be an important approach to satisfy this essential crop nutrient demand, but experts are needed to investigate waste and residue application strategies that maintain the safe and sustainable production of food, forage and fiber. Another key aspect of this position would entail the evaluation of best management practices to prevent nitrate groundwater contamination. Thus, a wide variety of stakeholders require expertise in this field for science based information in development of nutrient management plans, irrigated lands waiver program, precision agriculture, groundwater protection, and climate change policy.
Extension: This position will work with a diverse stakeholder group including growers (conventional and organic), UCCE Advisors, USDA-NRCS, regulatory agencies, CalTrans, industry, and municipalities to identify economically and environmentally viable approaches to farming, comprehensive nutrient management plans and waste disposal. This position is expected to develop a high profile extension program to showcase innovative nutrient application techniques, fertigation and waste management strategies leading to water resource sustainability, enhanced agricultural production and safe disposal of waste materials. The specialist will provide leadership and expertise for agricultural scenarios for adaptation to climate change, management practices that reduce non-point source pollution to address the irrigated lands waivers program, and land application strategies for waste materials that maintain safe food supplies. The delivery of information will include demonstration projects, public lectures, workshops, short courses, the internet and scientific/trade journals.
Research: As energy costs rise, profit margins in agriculture will continue to shrink and the use of alternatives to expensive chemical fertilizer is anticipated to increase. Furthermore, opportunities for agriculture and industry to partner and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through application of waste materials that promote carbon sequestration will continue to emerge. Impartial research that documents the benefits and risks associated with land application of waste and nutrients is especially needed in light of the recent findings of nitration contamination in groundwater. This position is expected to apply expertise in soils and spatial variability to address nutrients, trace metals, and solute transport in agricultural and urban settings. There is a state-wide need for a greater presence in this field as agriculture expands into less productive foothill regions in response to urbanization in the Valley. Moreover, new water quality regulations require informed, science-based recommendations for fertilizer, waste, fertigation and residue management. Specific research and extension issues include: 1) management practices that optimize nutrient-use efficiency including organic and low-input based systems; 2) developing nutrient management strategies for carbon neutral commodities; 3) developing cost effective and energy efficient nutrient management strategies for bio-fuel production; 4) investigating the fate of agricultural chemicals in the environment particularly water resources; 5) efficacy and risks associated with land application of waste and waste waters in agricultural, natural, and urban landscapes; and 6) identification of nutrient and agricultural amendments to mitigate or adapt to climate change.
ANR continuum: LAWR recently hired two AES faculty with potential to link with this position, a biogeochemical modeler and soil chemist. A specialist that compliments these two positions is critical to maintaining a mission oriented culture in this area. Several UCCE advisors across the State deal with residue management problems in the fields of dairy, irrigated agriculture, organic agriculture, pasture management, and viticulture. Moreover, conventional agriculture will increasingly rely on UC-based nutrient management strategies as fertilizer costs rise and regulations for clean water and air are imposed. This position is highly relevant to the following ANR program teams: pomology and viticulture, water resources, agronomic crops and vegetable crops. Moreover, this position will work closely with the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UCD, including the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and Russell Ranch, where research and outreach initiatives on nutrient and water management as well as recycling of agricultural and urban waste through land application are ongoing.
Support: LAWR and CAES are committed to supporting this specialist position through contributions for start up funds, office/lab space and the necessary administrative infrastructure required by faculty. The department has a history of a generous allocation to support specialist’s travel needs.
Other support: Support for this position is available from a wide range of sources, such as USDA, USBR, US Forest Service, State Water Resources Control Board, Dept. of Water Resources, CDFA, ANR strategic initiatives, commodity groups, municipalities and industry.
Location: UC Davis and LAWR have one of the few remaining dedicated soil science programs in the State and the only program in UC. This position would serve as an important interface between the soil science program and stakeholders linking soil microbial, chemical, and physical expertise with the complex problems associated with nutrient management and application of waste materials. UCD and ANR offer meaningful collaborative opportunities with the Plant Science Dept., Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, Western Center for Food Safety, and Center for Agricultural Sustainability.