- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
On Dec. 23, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011. Included in the Act was a provision that temporarily reduced the OASDI (Social Security's Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) withholding rate from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent for the first two months of 2012.
This change was effective with paychecks (and direct deposit) issued on or after Jan. 1, 2012. Because the law was enacted so close to the end of the calendar year, the IRS allowed employers until Jan. 31, 2012, to implement this withholding change.
For monthly paid UC employees, the change could not be implemented in time for the Jan. 1, 2012, pay due to the late issuance of the IRS instructions implementing the new tax rates. UC employees paid on Feb. 1, 2012, received a 2 percent refund in their Social Security tax because the Jan. 1 paycheck (or direct deposit) they received was subject to withholding at the old rate (6.2 percent). As a result, the net Social Security withholding for the Feb. 1 pay is 2.2 percent.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Nominations are open for the 2012 Pedro Ilic Awards, which honor an outstanding farmer and an agricultural educator who are dedicated to small-scale farming.
The deadline for nominations is Jan. 31.
The awards are named for Fresno County farm advisor Pedro Ilic, whose untimely death in 1994 prompted the UC Small Farm Program to annually honor those who carry out his legacy of personal commitment to small-scale farming. Ilic was one of the original advisors when the Small Farm Program was established in 1979.
Each honoree is chosen because he or she
- envisions what can be done and has the imagination, energy and intellect to translate that vision into a successful activity
- is part of the solution, not of the problem; critical in thinking, but constructive in approach
- is an advocate and risk taker
- is an effective teacher, instills self-esteem in others and constantly encourages others
- is a dedicated professional who believes in his or her work
- has determination, exuberance, high energy and genuine friendliness for all people, with the conviction that the smallest is as important as the biggest
- has high personal and family values
The nomination form is available online at http://ucanr.org/ilic-award.
The awards will be presented at the California Small Farm Conference, March 4-6 in Valencia.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Ranchers, environmentalists, researchers and regulators will come together at UC Davis Jan. 19-20 for the Range Research Symposium and California Rangeland Conservation Coalition Summit to explore new research and share their varied interests and common commitment to preserving California’s rangeland.
“We’ll be looking at the latest rangeland science, practices and collaborations that support the many public benefits we receive from rangelands,” said Ken Tate, UC Cooperative Extension watershed specialist with the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, a key organizer of the event. “Participants will see why diverse interests have agreed on the importance of working rangelands and the need to preserve this way of life for the benefit of future generations of all Californians.”
The two-day gathering at Freeborn Hall will feature two events in one – the 1st annual Range Research Symposium and 7th annual California Rangeland Conservation Coalition Summit. The first day will have a very scientific feel, highlighting renowned rangeland research from throughout California. The second day will include ranchers sharing their conservation stories and successful collaborative conservation initiatives, research presentations and plenty of networking opportunities.
The full agenda and registration information are at http://www.carangeland.org/home/2012summit.html. Early registration ends Jan. 6. Student discounts are available.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Hansen Research & Extension Center is soliciting proposals for new and continuing projects for project year 2012-2013. This request for proposals process is different from previous years.
The Thelma Hansen Fund will finance research, education and outreach projects through a competitive grants program aimed to support high priority issues, increase public awareness and contribute policy-relevant outcomes addressing the importance and economic viability of agriculture in Ventura County. An estimated $200,000 is available for project funding through this RFP.
The center provides land, labor, equipment and facilities to researchers for small- to medium-sized plot projects. Additional information including a full facility description can be found at http://ucanr.org/sites/hansenagcenter/Hansen_Agricultural_Center_Programs/Grants/Facility_Description/.
A new process has been developed that invites the submission of Letters of Intent as a first response to the RFP for both competitive grants and on-site projects. Deadline for submitting letters of intent is Jan. 6, 2012. Successful applicants will be notified by, Jan. 24, and will need to submit a full proposal by Feb. 24, 2012.
For details and instructions on submitting letters of intent, please go to the Hansen website at http://ucanr.org/sites/hansenagcenter/Hansen_Agricultural_Center_Programs/Grants/ .
If you have any questions, contact Jose De Soto at (805)525-9293 x208 or jfdesoto@ucdavis.edu or Patti Verdugo Johnson at (805) 525-9293 x202 or plverdugo@ucdavis.edu.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis is calling for nominations for the 2012 Eric Bradford and Charlie Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award.
The award is meant to recognize and honor individuals who exhibit the leadership, work ethic and integrity epitomized by the late Eric Bradford, a livestock geneticist who gave 50 years of service to UC Davis, and the late Charlie Rominger, a fifth-generation Yolo County farmer and land preservationist.
Nominations are welcome for UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors and specialists as well as UC Davis graduate students, faculty members, and in special cases, alumni, for their work toward agricultural sustainability.
Award recipients will receive a cash prize and may be invited to give a lecture sponsored by ASI, which manages the award and selection process. Letters of nomination should be submitted to the chair of the selection committee by Jan. 2, 2012.
To nominate someone or for more information, visit http://www.asi.ucdavis.edu/awards/br-award/br-award.
