The Vegetable Crops Advisor will develop and conduct a research and extension program focused on vegetable crop production in Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties with an emphasis on processing tomato production. The supporting unit will be UCCE Capitol Corridor with the position located at the Woodland, Yolo County office. A minimum of a master’s degree in horticulture, plant physiology, crop science or agronomy is required with relevant vegetable crop experience and a demonstrated understanding of soil science, nutrient and pest management and irrigation.
Vegetable crops in the three-county region is largely dominated by processing tomatoes, which had a combined value of $168 million in 2016, and nearly 50,000 harvested acres. Growers will benefit from a continued local UCCE presence to address production, pest and natural resources issues after the current Vegetable Crops Advisor, Gene Miyao, retires in July 2018.