Commodity Groups Recommend Changes in UC's Ag Division

California's agricultural producers want changes in the structure, administration and mission of the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, according to a report recently presented to Kenneth R. Farrell, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resouces. Among the most significant recommendations made by the California Commodity Committee were the suggestion that DANR refine its mission to focus on agriculture; return authority over Agricultural Experiment Station funds from the Berkeley, Davis and Riverside campuses to the DANR vice president; consolidate the existing 52 county-based Cooperative Extension offices into no more than 10 regional offices; and appoint a statewide director of Cooperative Extension. Farrell says the division will issue a formal response to the committee's recommendations within 60 days. Copies of the report may be obtained by contacting CCC chair Mel Androus at P.O. Box 507, Yuba City, CA 95992, (916) 673-6247.