-- Extension specialist James Hill, former chair of the UC Davis Department of Agronomy and Range Science, was elected a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy. The designation is the highest bestowed upon members by the society. Hill was recognized for work that led to the rapid adoption of newer, higher-yielding rice varieties and innovative weed control practices in California. He also contributed to the solution of environmental problems related to rice production and developed farming practices to prevent herbicide runoff in rice field tailwater, allowing rice growers to reduce pollution by 98 percent.