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LinkedInPosts Tagged: Master Gardeners
HAREC Donates Fruits and Vegetables to Community Organization and Local Schools
Nearly two tons of fruit and vegetables grown at UC's Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center (HAREC) in Santa Paula have been donated to Food Forward and the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD), destined for children and...
UC HAREC at the Faulkner Farm in Santa Paula
Celebrate Earth Day with Gardening and Other Stay-at-Home Resources
This week marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. This year, consider celebrating the day with gardening and other stay-at-home resources curated by your local UCCE office.
History of Earth Day
Earth Day was launched in 1970. Many factors contributed to the call for a national day focusing on environmental stewardship, including the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring - serialized in the New Yorker - and the catastrophic oil spill that occurred off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969. The Santa Barbara oil spill galvanized U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-Wisconsin) to call for a national day of locally inspired and organized "teach-ins" on the environment - a national "Earth Day." The Earth Day model was inspired by the spirit of campus activism at the nation's colleges and universities. It wasn't top-down, but rather a grassroots effort that encouraged communities to develop educational and service events around issues and topics important to them.
Earth Day struck a chord; some estimates suggest that 1 in 10 Americans participated in the first events. Earth Day is widely credited with "sparking" the modern environmental movement. Landmark environmental legislation swiftly followed (including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act). The Environmental Protection agency was founded that same year. Twenty years after its launch, Earth Day became a global movement.
You can learn more from the Earth Day Network by linking to this website.
Home Garden Resources
There is a wave of renewed interest in gardening as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about "crisis" gardening - and a new "Victory Garden" movement - in this article from the New York Times.
Closer to home, we have a wealth of gardening resources for you.
One of our favorites is the California Garden Web, designed by our UC Master Gardeners. You'll find a wealth of gardening information and a helpful glossary.
Ventura County is blessed with a wonderful growing climate and many of us have backyard fruit trees. Learn more about cultivating and caring for your home orchard here.
Resources for the Home Classroom
Many of us are working with our children in home classrooms. The UC 4-H Youth Development Program has a range of resources available to engage young learners. In honor of Earth Day, take a look at our 4-H Vegetable Gardening Project sheet. We also recommend our 4-H Water Conservation Project sheet, which provides engaging, science-based activities the entire family can enjoy. 4-H is one of the oldest youth development programs in the nation and we'll be sharing other educational resources in upcoming posts. #Head #Heart #Hands #Health.
Be Kind to the Earth by Reducing Food Waste
Nearly 40 percent of the food produced in the U.S. is wasted and much of that waste ends up in landfills (definitely not good for our environment or the economy).
The National Resources Defense Council estimates that the average family of four throws out nearly 1,000 pounds of food each year, wasting roughly $1,500.
Consumers as a group waste more food than farms, grocery stores or restaurants. For tips on ways you can reduce #FoodWaste, click here.
History lesson: The image on the left is a poster that was used during World War I and World War II to promote food conservation. First printed in 1919, it contains tips that are helpful today.
This image is from a collection held by the Museum of County. Photographer: Aysen Tan.
Related reading: What a World War I Poster Can Teach Us About #FoodWaste.
Thank you, Volunteers!
This week is National Volunteer Week and we want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who are part of UCCE Ventura...and who make our work possible. Thanks to our 4-H, Master Gardener and HAREC volunteers. You are central to our mission and we value you. Youth, Families and Communities Education Program Manager Susana Bruzzone-Miller created this video to express our appreciation.
COVID-19 Resources
Our COVID-19 landing page provides links to important resources about the pandemic, including information for the agricultural community. In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) illness, our office is closed for face-to-face service through May 15th. While we regret the inconvenience, these are the precautions we are taking to support one other and comply with University, local, county and state government recommendations. Our staff is telecommuting and can be contacted via phone and email. We are here to serve you.
Stay safe.
Thank you UC HAREC Volunteers
Award Winning Master Gardeners at the Ventura County Fair
The Master Gardeners of Ventura County have once again earned awards for their display at the Ventura County Fair. This year's ribbons were won for Best of Division, Best Plant Material and Best Design with additional award plaques for Best Interpretation of Fair Theme and overall outstanding participation.
The winning Master Gardener display uses humor and gardening expertise to educate visitors on ways to use drought tolerant plants, so important in dry southern California. In an area subject to periodic drought conditions this display is particularly timely as county residents cope with low rainfall and dropping water levels. Informational flyers and Master Gardeners are on hand for visitors to learn more about the program and drought tolerant plants and practices.
Master Gardeners are recruiting for this year's trainee class. If you are interested in learning more about this successful program that serves Ventura County, link to their webpages here.
Create a Rose-Filled Garden
Join the UC Ventura County Cooperative Extension's Master Gardeners at their summer workshop, "All About Roses, Plant Propagation."
Our hard-working Master Gardeners present a workshop for each season of the year and this one is devoted to sharing information about pruning, watering and fertilizing roses and dealing with any pesky pests.
Time: 8:15 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Hansen Agricultural Center
14292 W. Telegraph Rd.
Santa Paula, CA
(Use Briggs Rd. Entrance)
The Master Gardeners love to share their expertise and love of gardening. Workshops are held on Saturdays so more members of the public can participate.
Cost: $30 (includes continental breakfast and snacks)
To view the flyer, please click here; or to online register.
Use Your Cut Flowers to Beautify Your Home
Here you will learn how to have flowers available all year long to arrange in your home. The Master Gardeners will teach you the principles of flower gardening and techniques to create lovely floral arrangements.
Master Gardener workshops are open to the public and can fill up quickly.
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2013
Time: 8:15 am - 12:00 noon
Location:
Hansen Agricultural Center
14292 W. Telegraph Rd.
Santa Paula, CA
Cost: $30.00 (includes continental breakfast and snacks)
Click to register and learn more about the workshop.
