The lengthy article said ground was broken in October, and the facility is projected to be completed in the fall.
"We've been a research and extension center since 1951, but have been primarily focused on research, without a strong extension component," said Hopland director Robert Timm. "Farm advisors in the extension office handle the bulk of the outreach. We've needed a facility that could handle larger meetings and address educational and outreach components of our extension programs. We'd hold meetings in a crowded warehouse and hope the weather would cooperate. It took several years, but this project finally rose to the top of the list."
The building is named for the late Rod Shippey, a UC Cooperative Extension advisor from 1955 to 1989.
Among the "green" components of the new facility are:
- Rainwater catchment for flush toilets
- Radiant floor heating
- Solar panels for hot water generation
- On-site wastewater treatment
- Passive heating and cooling elements
- 'Woodpecker-friendly' siding
Future plans for the building include:
- Site-built photovoltaics
- A solar thermal system
- Utilization of green furniture and cabinetry
- Outdoor meeting "terraces"
- Food composting stations
- Creation of a wetland pond
Parking will be near, but not next to the building, the article said. Attendees will traverse a gentle trail to the facility, emphasizing the connectedness to the land and creating an organic transition from car to countryside.