A group of UC Cooperative Extension 4-H members in Ventura County who participated in agricultural and natural resource journalism academies produced informative and creative newspaper supplements that were distributed to tens of thousands of Ventura County residents. The supplements are written "by kids and for kids."
The most recent one, "Fish on Your Dish," went to nearly 80,000 residents with copies of the Ventura County Star last month. The supplement includes articles titled "What is Commercial Fishing?" and "Commercial Fishing Operations of the Santa Barbara Channel." Brief features take on the topics of squid, wetfish, sea urchins and many other sea creatures. "Fish on Your Dish" will be available on the Ventura County Web site after June 9.
The tabloid-style newspaper supplements include fun facts, clever graphics and lots of activities. Ventura County 4-H is planning two more journalism academies this summer and fall, the first focusing on marine resources and the second on issues related to food systems, which will lead to additional publications.
The first supplement in the series, "Fields to Fridge: What's Growing in Ventura County," was distributed in March 2007. Through newspaper and other distribution channels, it has reached 200,000 readers. For more details on that supplement, see the UC Delivers article on the topic.
