Kate Scow is Deputy-Director of the Agricultural Sustainability Institute, Director of the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility, and professor in the Land, Air, Water Resources (LAWR) Department. For 20 years, Scow has conducted research focused on the role of soil microorganisms in carbon and nitrogen cycling, decomposition of organic matter, and biodegradation of pesticides and organic pollutants.

Dennis Bryant is the facility manager for the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility and has been involved with a vast array of agricultural research disciplines at UC Davis since 1981. Bryant has developed the field data and plant/soil archive sampling protocols in use at Russell Ranch and manages the program’s field research facility and analytical laboratory. At home, Dennis works with livestock and is a long time producer of organically grown fruit and specialty crops.

Martin Burger is the research manager at the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility. Martin conducts research on soil fertility, plant mineral nutrition, greenhouse gas emissions in cropping systems, and water quality in irrigated agriculture. He is working with an interdisciplinary group of principal investigators, farmers, farm advisors, and graduate and undergraduate students.

Israel Herrera is the field manager for the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility. Israel has managed the crop production and field maintenance, as well as contributing to every aspect of Russell Ranch, for 14 years.

Andres Bermudez is a field technician working for Russell Ranch and the Agricultural Sustainability Institute. Andres operates the tractors, harvests the crops and keeps Russell Ranch running. Previously, Andres managed his own tomato transplanting and construction business.

Emma Torbert is a post-graduate fellow working for the Agricultural Sustainablility Institute on Russell Ranch. She is working on the Russell Ranch database, website, publications and outreach.

We also have many students working with us; read about their involvement here.