Research Advisory Committee

The Hansen Agricultural Center maintains a Research Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC, in collaboration with the Hansen Trust Director, is responsible for the evaluation of proposed projects submitted annually during the request for proposals. The RAC evaluates proposed projects principally on the basis of scientific merit and other academic interests.

Individual RAC members will generally hold a fixed-term appointment, typically for three years. Members may serve no more than two consecutive terms on the RAC. Members who have served two consecutive terms may not be considered for membership again until three years of non-participation has elapsed.

RAC generally consists of seven to nine voting members of which six come from the UC academic community, two from the Ventura County agricultural community, and one from the non-University members of the Hansen Advisory Board.

Current Members 2011-2012

John Krist
Hansen Advisory Board Member

Valerie Mellano
Environmental Issues Advisor
UC Cooperative Extension-San Diego

Laura Tourte, Chair
County Director/Farm Advisor
UC Cooperative Extension-Santa Cruz

Tom Roberts
Pest Management Industry

Dr. Milton McGiffen
Specialist in Cooperative Extension
Plant Pathologist-UC Riverside

Dr. Ben Faber
UC Cooperative Extension-Ventura

Dr. Kent Daane
UC ANR CE
Specialist, Entomology