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2014-15 A Year in Review
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2014-15 YEAR IN REVIEW
Central Valley Scholars Anna Haller and Casey Erickson
were chosen to participate in the Agriculture Future of
America (AFA) Crop Science Institute, to be held July 19-
21, 2015 in Central Iowa. The AFA Crop Science Institute
brings up to 75 talented college men and women
together to take part in a three-day program. Anna and
Casey were selected through a competitive application
process among students nationwide, and will be
exposed to numerous aspects of the crop and soil
sciences sector.
Founded in 1996, the AFA offers leader and career
development training for college men and women
pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field. AFA
men and women share the belief that the production,
processing and distribution of food and fiber, with
support for agriculture business services, are vital for
our nations economy, both now and in the future. These men and women share three
characteristics they are talented, passionate and committed to a career in agriculture.
Scholars Attend the AFA Crop Science Institute
CVSP Recognized by Carnegie Foundation
In January 2015, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized UC Davis among those
colleges and universities to receive the 2015 Community Engagement Classification. This classification, held by only
361 institutions nationally and 33 institutions statewide, affirms the importance of community engagement and
collaboration between institutions and communities for mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources.
The Foundation cited, as an example, the Central Valley Scholars Program for its collaborative effort between
businesses and UC Davis to provide scholarships to help Central Valley youths attend UC Davis and offering
mentoring, professional networks and internships in the valley to bolster its workforce.
The Central Valley
Scholars Program
(CVSP) is a partnership
between Central
Valley leaders and UC
Davis to attract and
prepare a pool of
talented and enter-
prising young people
to live and work in the
Central Valley after
graduation. Estab-
lished by the Chuck
Nichols Family in June
2013, the CVSP uses
scholarships, intern-
ships, mentoring and
network opportunities
in an innovative and
integrated approach
to achieve this vision.
CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Scholar News
Amanjot Kaur, Livingston, California Nichols Family Scholar Amanjot is a junior majoring in Biotechnology and International Agriculture Development with a goal to one day be a cooperative voice between farmers and the government. Amanjot received the Premier Leader award at this years Aggie Ambassadors end of year banquet, and was a delegate at the November 2014 Agricultural Future of America Leaders Conference in Missouri.
Casey Erickson, Porterville, California Casey is a senior majoring in Plant Science with a career goal of being a farm manager living and working in the Central Valley. Casey will complete an internship at Gowan Chemical Company this summer working as a sales assistant for a territory that stretches from Livingston to Sacramento. Casey will attend the AFA Crop Science Institute in July in Des Moines, Iowa.
Lauren Brackett, Clovis, California White Family Scholar Lauren is a sophomore majoring in Animal Science and Management. Lauren worked in the swine barn this past year, with her pig Will earning first place in her species class. Lauren also won Reserve Grand Champion after showing cattle, horses, sheep and goats in her class competitions. This year, Lauren hopes to work at the MIND Institute to further explore the correlation between Autism and air pollution in the Central Valley.
Maria Zumkeller, Kingsburg, California Maria is a sophomore majoring in Plant Sciences with hopes to combine her love for agricultural sciences with education through Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems major. Maria is currently interning at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in the Central Valley under the UC Davis Department of Viticulture where she is gaining experience incorporating sustainable agriculture with viticulture and enology practices.
Anna Haller, Santa Paula, California Ag-Wise Enterprises Scholar Anna is a senior majoring in Agriculture and Environmental Education with a career goal of teaching agriculture in the Central Valley. Anna will complete an internship this summer at Sun Pacific. In her internship she works with a team to develop an app for growers, evaluates irrigation systems in kiwifruit farms and helps with crop estimates.
CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Max Beal 14, Bakersfield, California Nichols Family Scholar Max graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a specialization in livestock and dairy. Before graduating from UC Davis, Max completed an internship at Westside Veterinary Services in Los Banos. Max is currently enrolled in veterinarian school at Kansas State University.
Sydney Westbrook 14, Dos Palos, California Nichols Family Scholar Sydney graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a specialization in livestock and dairy. Before graduating from UC Davis, Sydney completed an intern-ship at Dr. Nancy Martins Veterinarian Clinic in Vacaville, and is currently employed at Westside Veterinary Clinic in Los Banos and at Dr. LeTourneaus Vet Clinic in Madera. Sydney will begin veterinarian school at UC Davis this Fall.
Maile Frelinger 14, Bakersfield, California Nichols Family Scholar Maile graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Managerial and Agricultural Economics. Before graduating from UC Davis, Maile completed an internship at Sunview Vineyards in Delano where she learned the fundamentals of table grape production, marketing and domestic and export sales. Maile now has a job with Wonderful Citrus, a global citrus and nut production company with operations in the Central Valley.
Alumni Updates
Alison King 14, Atwater, California Nichols Family Scholar Alison graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Before graduating from UC Davis, Alison completed an internship at Lander Veterinarian Clinic in Turlock. Alison is currently enrolled in veterinarian school at Washington State University.
CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Focus On: Casey Erickson Central Valley Scholar Participant
The transition from the small town of Porterville,
California to university life was a bit of a shock for
Casey Erickson 15. UC Davis was a more rigorous
environment than he was used to, where work
and play needed to be more masterfully bal-
anced. But right away, Casey saw the benefit of
coming to such a diverse and connected universi-
ty. He quickly networked with professionals in his
field plant sciences and crop production and
outside his field in other areas of agriculture and
beyond.
A newcomer to the Central Valley Scholars Program,
Casey wishes he had discovered it sooner. He loves the
manifold opportunities to connect with people with
determination and big ideas to invest in students in the
Central Valley.
At a CVS luncheon, he had a conversation with UC
Davis alum and CVS founder Chuck Nichols 83, 84,
who has championed UC Davis efforts to reinforce
agricultural and veterinary developments in the
Central Valley.
UC Davis was a completely new experience, Casey
said. That was very intimidating, going into it. I came
to a new place where I didnt know anybody and no
one knew me, and now I have such an expanded
network and valuable friendships that wouldnt have
happened anywhere else.
Casey Erickson
Class of 2015
I am incredibly grateful to be a Central Valley Scholar and participate in the networking opportunities. The program helped me secure an internship that I know will help me achieve my goal of becoming a farm manager living and working in the Central Valley.
Internship and Employer News
CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
In August of 2014, the UC Davis Internship and Career Center staff conducted a workshop for Central Valley
employers on how to use internships as a recruitment tool for future employees. More than 30 employer represent-
atives attended the workshop and learned about UC Davis and its investments in the Central Valley. Participating on
a panel addressing internship best practices were executives from Sunview Vineyards, Farm Credit West and J.G.
Boswell Company. UC Davis graduate, Maile Frelinger, from Wonderful Citrus also joined the panel to provide a
students perspective on internship experiences that are beneficial to career development.
At the conclusion of the workshop, an open discussion was facilitated to identify
the challenges and solutions to recruiting and retaining top talent in the
Central Valley. Strategies identified included the following:
Strengthen a sense of community for millennial interns and employees by
connecting them through regional meetings for interns from multiple compa-
nies, social events with the alumni association and encouraging participation
in professional organizations like Young Farmers and Ranchers.
Increase awareness of the innovative and global reach of todays agricultural
careers through information sessions and company tours for high school and
college students, offering paid internships, and greater visibility and engage-
ment in college career center programs.
Enhancing the pipeline of individuals interested in ag careers through early
outreach with K-12 programs, job shadowing for high school students, and
educational programs for employee families.
Increasing interest and access to higher education for Central Valley students
through scholarships, internships, business and educational partnerships.
Central Valley Internship Workshop
Central Valley Employers at UC Davis Career Fair
The Internship and Career Center is expanding its
Central Valley business networks to increase intern-
ship opportunities in the Central Valley. Both Fall
and Winter Career Fairs saw increased participation
by Central Valley companies, who also used the
opportunity to interview prospective interns and
employees. New companies to the UC Davis Career
Fair include Olam International, J.G. Boswell
Company, Nichols Farm, Simplot, Delicato Family
Vineyards and Turlock Irrigation District. Visit: icc.ucdavis.edu/employer/career
We extend our sincere thanks and
appreciation to Chuck and Susie
Nichols for hosting the workshop at
their training facility at
Nichols Farm.
Growing Interest in the Central Valley
CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
UC Davis Sees Increase in 2015-16 Applications
A key strategy to fulfill workforce needs in the
Central Valley is to increase educational attainment,
campus outreach, and affordable access to higher
education for the youth of the Central Valley.
Through its multiple programs and partnerships with
local businesses and educational institutions, UC
Davis has increased interest and awareness in the
CVSP and other educational opportunities.
The Central Valley Scholars Program received
more than 50 applications from freshmen, trans-
fer and continuing students for the 2015-16 academic year, an increase from 15 applicants in 2014-15.
The number of applications to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) is up 8 per-
cent compared to last year. Among the reasons cited is the targeted recruitment effort by UC Davis in the
Central Valley and greater awareness of the highly employable skills achieved with degrees in the biologi-
cal, environmental and agricultural sciences offered by the CA&ES.
Overall applications from Central Valley students have increased by seven percent over the previous
two years.
Undergraduate Admissions has invested in two full time Rural Outreach recruitment staff who are devel-
oping relationships and outreach programs with school districts, community colleges and community part-
ners in the Central Valley and other rural areas of California. Outreach programs this last year included 86
activities ranging from high school presentations, college fairs, and Admissions sponsored events that con-
nected UC Davis staff with over 4,800 students in the Central Valley.
Presentations on the Central Valley Scholars Program were offered to several student groups on campus
visits including the FARMS Leadership Program from the Center for Land-Based Learning in Fresno, and the
Paramount Agriculture Careers Academy from Avenal High School.
UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions participated in the College NEXT Bootcamp offered through the Con-
sortium for Higher Education, which brings in students from the entire central valley to participate in a
weekend dedicated to preparing them for college.
CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The Central Valley Scholars Program has made many things possible for me over the past year. I am able to focus on my classwork without having to worry about money issues. I was also able to secure an internship within the Central Valley and participate in several workshops across the nation. I could not imagine my schooling without this program.
Anna Haller, Ag-Wise Enterprises Scholar
Thank you!
The Central Valley Scholars Program receives financial support
for the scholarships, internships and program administration
through the generous investment by individuals and companies. UC Davis would like to recognize and thank our 2014-15 contributors:
Nichols Family Donna and Jerry White
Ag-Wise Enterprises Greg and Jean Burke
Maile Frelinger - Wonderful Company
For more information on how you
can get involved in the Central Valley Scholars Program, contact
Cynthia Spiro, Director of Development at 530-752-4703 or