Jerome “Jerry” Siebert

Jerry Siebert was an Extension Specialist and lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) at U.C. Berkeley. He also held many other University of California and federal government positions.

Jerry received an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics from U.C. Davis in 1960 and his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from U.C. Berkeley in 1964. After two years of serving in the U.S. Army, he was appointed a Cooperative Extension Specialist in Berkeley’s ARE Department in 1966.

From 1969–1971, he was an Assistant to the Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), serving as the primary contact for members of Congress on agricultural issues. In 1971, he became the Executive Assistant to the Administrator, Consumer and Marketing Service at the USDA, where he analyzed policy issues. He became the Special Assistant to the USDA Secretary in 1971–1972.

Returning to California, Jerry held various top positions in the U.S. Cooperative Extension. He was the Associate Director-Administration for U.C. Cooperative Extension from 1972–1975 before becoming the Associate Director, the Chief Operating Officer for Cooperative Extension programs, 1975–1978. Next, he was appointed Assistant Vice President for Public Information Programs and Associate Director, 1978–1979. Jerry became the Acting Director in 1980 and the Assistant Vice President and Director, 1981–1987. Jerry was appointed the Economist and Special Assistant to the Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of California in 1988.

He was selected to head the then-integrated statewide CE organization of campus-based Specialists and county-based Farm/Home/Youth Advisors. After his term as Director of Cooperative Extension within the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources ended in 1988 with a major restructuring of DANR, Jerry resumed his extension program, he rejoined U.C. Berkeley’s Department of ARE as an economist and lecturer while also serving as the Associate Director for Cooperative Extension in the Institute for Research, College of Natural Resources in 1989.

Jerry was widely known for his extension education and research work with agricultural producers and policymakers. He was also instrumental in helping other ARE specialists develop their work programs. His research centered on agricultural marketing, and he specialized in the California dairy, poultry, and tree crop industries. He also taught courses, conducted research, and worked with graduate students within ARE.

He was particularly active in helping the walnut industry, serving as a member of the California Walnut Commission and as the Chairman of the Walnut Marketing Board for decades. In addition, he served on dozens of committees and boards for U.S. and Californian for milk and other agriculture industries and medfly and other pest crises. Jerry was also active in U.S.–Russian committees and teaching for the University of California.

Jerry had many other activities as well. A Volga German descendant, he served as the president of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Jerry was an enthusiastic Bear Backer with season tickets for men's and women's sports. His colleague Howard Rosenberg (Cooperative Extension Specialist Emeritus in ARE) recalls, "The last few times I encountered him were at basketball games in Haas Pavillion. Over the years we shared many a grumble after a strategic blunder, muffed catch, blown layup, fumble, inattentive referee, or whatever added to the agony of rooting for Cal. I do not doubt that our protracted Rose Bowl drought would be long over if Coach had sought and applied Jerry's wise counsel.”

Jerry passed away on August 8, 2024, and we will miss him. Surviving members of his family include his wife, Janice Siebert, their two daughters, Karen Martz and Jennifer Siebert, and their grandchildren, Erik Martz and Lara Martz.

Jeffrey M. Perloff
Sofia Villas-Boas