2021 WRCCA Allan Romander Mentor Award Winners
The 2021 recipients of the WRCCA Allan Romander Mentor Award have been chosen!
We are excited to announce that this year four recipients were chosen, one from each of the regions within WRCCA, to receive a $500 educator honorarium award.
Travis Cardoso, North Valley Recipient
North Valley
The North Valley recipient is Travis Cardoso!
Travis Cardoso is a Professor of Plant Science and Horticulture at San Joaquin Delta College. From CSU, Chico he received a B.S. in Agriculture with an Option in Education; Single Subject and Agriculture Specialist Credential and in Agriculture Education from Cal Poly, SLO. Several upgrades need to be made to the School Farm, including the Student Success Gardens. This honorarium will be used to help purchase irrigation systems, drip equipment, and sprinklers.
Anil Shrestha, South Valley Recipient
South Valley
The South Valley recipient is Anil Shrestha!
Anil Shrestha is the Chair of the Dept. of Viticulture & Enology/Professor and Weed Science at Fresno State University. He has a PhD from Michigan State University, a MS from Cornell University and a BSc(Ag) from Narendra Dev Univ. of Agri. & Tech in India. He will use his award to help students better understand the pros and cons of cover crop use.
Yamina Pressler, Coast Recipient
Coast
The coast recipient is Dr. Yamina Pressler!
Dr. Yamina Pressler is a soil ecologist, educator, writer, and artist with a deep fascination for soils, the organisms that inhabit them, and the community of people who study them. She received a B.S. in Environmental Management and Protection from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a Ph.D. in Ecology from Colorado State University. Dr. Pressler conducted research in semi-arid rangelands as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University prior to returning to Cal Poly. Now, as an Assistant Professor of Soil Science and Restoration Ecology, Dr. Pressler teaches undergraduate courses in soil science, earth science, and ecology. Dr. Pressler's research explores the role of soil microorganisms and fauna in ecosystem processes and soil formation. She combines observational, experimental, modeling, and synthesis approaches to study soil food webs, organic matter, and soil health in the context of agricultural land management and restoration. She also seeks to strengthen our collective connection to soil through writing, film, and art.
Savanah St. Clair, Desert Recipient
Desert
The winner for the Desert region is Savanah St. Clair!
Savanah St. Clair is from the San Joaquin Valley and currently is Plant Science faculty in the San Fernando Valley at LA Pierce College. She worked at Blackwell Land as Research and Development Director and as an Assistant Specialist in Genetics at UCR before joining Pierce. Savanah has a Masters degree in Agriculture Plant Science.