Two smiling conference attendees with lanyards beside a poster and "BORLAUG DIALOGUE" sign
The World Food Prize Foundation’s Borlaug Dialogue convenes this month in Des Moines to discuss global food security, and UC Davis will be there helping move the conversation around livestock and hunger forward. Ermias Kebreab will join two panel discussions, including one focused on the role of livestock in advancing nutrition, climate and sustainable development.
Outdoor FAO logo sculpture—large blue letters with colorful globe on seaside terrace
In Rome, Dean Ashley M. Stokes attended the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) meeting on One Health and Agrifood Systems where global leaders discussed challenges and opportunities ahead to feed the world while taking care of the land.
A man in blue shirt smiling in green wheat field under cloudy sky (photograph)
A hearty Aggie congratulations to wheat geneticist Jorge Dubcovsky, who was named the 2026 World Agriculture Prize Laureate in recognition of his groundbreaking work around advancing the genetics, genomics and breeding of wheat.
Woman in white blouse reaches to pet black-and-white cow through metal stall in barn
Dean Ashley M. Stokes visited the Vatican’s Borgo Laudato Si’ farm and gardens at the Pope’s summer residence, a center dedicated to environmental sustainability and education. UC Davis had an opportunity to join other universities and more than 30 countries connected to the Pope’s efforts to promote healthy agricultural systems for all people, regardless of religious beliefs.
Smiling UC Davis cheerleaders with two people holding a football under stadium lights
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and CLEAR Center celebrated agriculture at the Salute to Ag football game. Many campus partners hosted booths, and at halftime, Lisa Nash Holmes was recognized for her impactful work benefiting tens of thousands of students, faculty, staff and agriculture in California and around the world.
Outdoor sunny farm workshop with people around an instructor among crop rows; side logo and valley photo
Several CA&ES faculty and staff joined the celebration of agriculture with friends and colleagues at the Hoes Down Harvest Festival.
Evening courtyard scene with people mingling around outside.
The Department of Human Ecology hosted a get together for students to launch the academic year in the Hunt Hall courtyard.
Collage of outdoor volunteer scenes: smiling group selfie, crowd at tables, two men at tent.
More than 500 students gathered for the UC Davis Animal Science Kickoff BBQ, where they enjoyed bratwurst from the Meat Lab.
Speaker at podium with projected slide on wildlife collaboration; poster of agency logos.
In Sacramento, Dean Ashley M. Stokes attended a conference focused on a new initiative bringing agricultural producers and university scientists together to form the California Ag Invasive Species Initiative. This group complements other state councils to strengthen ag producer engagement.
University lecture hall with people seated, a speaker and slides projected at front
The Department of Entomology and Nematology hosted a celebration of life to honor Bruce Hammock. His extraordinary legacy spans generations of scientists and continues to shape research with the potential to improve lives.

A Message from the Dean - October 2026

  • by Ashley M. Stokes

We’re settling into fall with beautiful weather, good company and lots of reasons to celebrate! Earlier this month, we honored nine exceptional people for their outstanding achievements, support, leadership and service to the college with an Award of Distinction. We had a wonderful time celebrating CA&ES at the new Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation where faculty and students showcased examples of their work. Guests learned about growing crops with groundwater, measuring animal personalities to evaluate livestock welfare, how to better understand the nutrition on your plate, and connected with our Aggie Ambassadors. It was an amazing evening with our CA&ES community! 

While it’s been a vibrant start to the fall season with great events and celebrations, our researchers have also been hard at work on projects across our departments. A new study out of the Department of Plant Sciences found that coast redwoods slow photosynthesis during extreme heat, which could threaten their health as temperatures rise. Researchers studying beans identified a gene that controls seed pod shattering and uncovered new clues about where the crop was first domesticated.

A new federal initiative will invest up to $40 million over five years in research to improve coffee and cacao production, with UC Davis researchers Amanda Crump and Irwin Ronaldo Donis-Gonzalez among the partners working to help farmers tackle threats such as drought and disease.

We are also so proud of Distinguished Professor Jorge Dubcovsky, who earned the prestigious 2026 World Agriculture Prize Laureate for his groundbreaking wheat research and contributions to global food security!

Finally, I am excited to have Professor Kristin Kiesel taking on a new leadership role as associate dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs! She will focus on helping students succeed academically and expanding their opportunities to participate in research. Kiesel succeeds Susan Ebeler, who we thank for her many years of extraordinary leadership!

We have so much to be proud of! As the No. 1 college in the nation for agriculture, we continue to demonstrate what makes our college truly exceptional—from advancing agricultural innovation and protecting our natural resources, to improving the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities.

Go Ags!

 

Tags

A Message From the Dean