Western Farm Press profiles new UCCE advisor

Gurreet Brar, newly appointed UC Cooperative Extension advisor, has seen the effects of intensive agriculture in his homeland, Punjab, India, reported Todd Fitchette in Western Farm Press. Fitchette wrote a 1,300-word profile about Brar, who is working with almond, pistachio and walnut growers in Fresno and Madera counties.

The article said Brar will collaborate on nitrogen management studies, establish a regional almond variety trial, take on projects involving pistachios, conduct a grower survey of problems related to walnuts, pistachios and almonds, and host tree nut short courses.

Other research goals Brar shared  include planned research on water stress and tree physiology, training and pruning young almond trees, development of innovative nursery production practices to achieve better tree health, and the management of root diseases in trees.

Brar believes that by seeking out the early innovators of various technologies and agricultural practices, and by working with them to achieve greater success with it, he can expand the adoption rate of better technologies and agronomic practices throughout the farming community, Fitchette reported.

“Through this kind of communication, if the farmer is doing good things you can share this and increase the adoption rate of that technology,” he said.