The University of California Cooperative Extension has provided the state’s farmers and ranchers with agricultural know-how for over a century — but how well does it work?

UC Riverside Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox kicked off the start of the fall quarter Thursday, Sept. 12, with the annual Chancellor’s Staff and Faculty Picnic on Hinderaker Lawn. Wilcox said the university is blessed to be able to mark the start of each academic year. “Every year’s a new beginning,” he said. “It’s a time to stop and think about all we’ve...