http://ucanr.org/blogs/CooperativeExtensionConnection/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed news, stories and reflections from UC Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County en-us UC ANR http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/ Wed, 09 May 2012 10:07:44 PST Wed, 09 May 2012 10:07:44 PST UC ANR The month of May was officially proclaimed "CalFresh Awareness Month" by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last week. A number of community advocates and organizations, including three UC Cooperative Extension representatives (County Director Keith Nathaniel, Program Coordinator Cynthia Orozco and Nutrition Advisor Brenda Roche Wolford) gathered to mark the occasion. This is the second year in a row the LA County Department of Public and Social Services (DPSS) spearheaded the effort...
]]> Tue, 08 May 2012 13:41:38 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7449&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7449 We are delighted to introduce our new UC Cooperative Extension county director for Los Angeles County--Dr. Keith Nathaniel. The end of 2011 marked a leadership change for UC Cooperative Extension. After 16 years as county director, Dr. Rachel Surls has transitioned back into the field to focus on her programs and research in sustainable food systems. In January, Dr. Keith Nathaniel was appointed to fill the director position. He has been with UC Cooperative Extension since 1994. He began as...
]]> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:05:51 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7100&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7100 As Los Angeles County continues its love affair with growing backyard gardens and supporting the garden-to-table living, UC Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce the fifth season of Grow LA Victory Garden Initiative gardening classes this spring. Taught by UC-certified Master Gardeners, the locally-celebrated series will be held at community gardens throughout the county, starting in March or April. The initiative helps new gardeners start their own gardens quickly and easily in a...
]]> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:19:08 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6879&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6879 As part of UC Cooperative Extension's effort to spotlight volunteers, we are so happy to draw attention to another special volunteer, Ernest Miller, Master Food Preserver Program instructor, Master Gardener and executive chef at Farmer's Kitchen in Hollywood. The Master Food Preserver Program's tremendous success, since its resurrection in LA County last year, could have not been possible without Miller's talent and commitment to food safety and the local food preservation "movement." For...
]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:32:16 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6797&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6797 UC Cooperative Extension understands that the contributions made by volunteers are crucial to carrying out its mission successfully in LA County. Cooperative Extension is pleased to recognize Milli Macen-Moore's volunteer efforts to improve the health of children through gardening. She is a great example of the spirit of volunteerism at work and Cooperative Extension is proud to call her "our own." Born and raised in Southern California, Macen-Moore started her community work by teaching...
]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:12:07 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6568&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6568   UC Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce its second class of Master Food Preserver graduates. On November 22, the new crop of graduates received certificates of completion and official Master Food Preserver badges. It was a celebration that included a beautiful cake and an assortment of potluck dishes. In addition, a silent auction was held, with contributions from the students, thermometers from ThermoWorks, and a professional quality 21.5-quart pressure canner from the All...
]]> Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:05:04 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6360&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6360 The holidays are here again! For many families, this means that their indoor space will be full of color (filled with a holiday tree and seasonal plants). Selecting and caring for trees and plants are an important part of the holiday preparations. With a little attention to selection and proper care, the holidays can be full of wonderful fragrances and freshness, making the season more enjoyable. With holiday trees, safety is also an important consideration. How to select and care for a tree:...
]]> Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:28:49 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6330&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6330   UC Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce John Kabashima, environmental horticulture advisor for Los Angeles and Orange counties, is the 2011 recipient of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers' (CAPCA) highest honor, the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture award. CAPCA awards individuals, companies or organizations that have gone far beyond others in support of the field of agriculture. Kabashima received the award at CAPCA's annual conference on October 17, 2011 in...
]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:08:09 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6249&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6249 The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) has announced the names of those who received the 2011 ANR Distinguished Service Awards. The awards are presented biennially to ANR staff members for their outstanding contributions to the teaching, research and public service mission of ANR. UC Cooperative Extension in LA County is pleased to congratulate Keith Nathaniel (4-H Youth Development advisor) and Brenda Roche (Nutrition, Family and Consumer Science advisor),...
]]> Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:40:25 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6080&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6080 As part of Cooperative Extension's East LA Initiative--a series of workshops designed to improve the health and quality of life for local residents--staff conducted a workshop on container gardening and led residents on a tree walk to explore and learn about the beautiful trees that line their community streets. Everyone knows that food is expensive these days, not to mention the high price of fuel to get one to the grocery store. So, it is no wonder why many people are growing their own...
]]> Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:09:10 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5858&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5858 The Network for a Healthy California program (formerly the 5 a Day program) in LA County is a movement to improve the health of low-income children and their families through increased fruit and vegetable consumption and daily physical activity. It is a collaborative initiative between the state of California and community-based organizations. Locally, the LA County Department of Public Health administers and manages the Network in LA County. UC Cooperative Extension carries out the goals of...
]]> Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:09:18 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5763&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5763 UC Cooperative Extension in LA County is pleased to launch the fourth season of its "Grow LA Victory Garden Initiative" gardening classes this fall, starting in September and October. The initiative helps new gardeners start their own gardens quickly and easily in a container, in the backyard or at a community garden, bringing together local families and neighbors to share their experiences, skills and produce. Participants will be able to turn their new gardening interest into successful,...
]]> Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:06:08 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5724&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5724 Want to know what to do with that bumper crop of tomatoes or summer squash? Ask a master food preserver! Pickling, dehydrating, freezing, canning, curing and fermenting can be safe and easy. Get the most from your harvest or farmers market purchases. Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce the LA County master food preservers will be conducting demonstrations and answering home food preservation questions at the LA County Fair (Sept. 3 to Oct. 2). There will also be a special kids...
]]> Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:20:17 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5610&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5610 Although the drought in California has been officially declared over, we still face water conservation requirements and want to minimize our water bills. To help conserve water and minimize the impact, Dennis Pittenger, UC Cooperative Extension’s area environmental horticulture advisor, offers the following tips for your landscaping care: Q: Are there some easy things I can do to save water in a landscape? A: Check sprinkler irrigation systems regularly for physical and operational problems...
]]> Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:54:56 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5356&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5356 UC Cooperative Extension's Network for a Healthy California--Children's Power Play! Campaign, in partnership with LA's BEST After School Program kicked off the third annual  "Power Up Your Summer!" Challenge on Friday, June 10. The event empowered kids to add more play and eat more fruits and vegetables this summer to beat the "summer slump" in physical activity and healthy eating. Youth leaders, U.S. Olympian Cyclist Tony Cruz and Chivas mascot were there to guide kids in super-charged, fun...
]]> Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:36:33 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5164&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5164 Nothing heralds the coming of summer in Los Angeles quite like the bloom of our jacaranda trees. Jacarandas produce loads of incredible purple flowers in May and June, with trees lining entire streets in some parts of town. Our in-house tree expert at UC Cooperative Extension, Environmental Horticulture Advisor Donald Hodel, likes jacarandas not only because of their flowers, but also because they have a nice canopy—lacy, airy, and not too dense-which lets light through and makes it possible to...
]]> Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:07:47 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5030&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed ramabie@ucanr.edu(Rachel A. Surls) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5030 Dennis Pittenger, UC Cooperative Extension’s area environmental horticulture advisor, is the recipient of the 2011 Arboriculture Research Award from the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The award recognizes "outstanding contribution to research that has contributed substantially to the sum knowledge ofarboriculture." Pittenger received the award at the organization's 77th Annual Conference in La Jolla, Calif. “I am honored to receive this award because it...
]]> Wed, 25 May 2011 13:56:38 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4950&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4950 Dennis Pittenger, UC Cooperative Extension's area environmental horticulture advisor, released a new study, "Evaluation of Interspecific Hybrid Pears for Use in Southern California Landscapes."  Pittenger looked at finding new varieties of ornamental pears in order to improve the performance and increase the use of these trees. Conducted at the agricultural experiment station at the University of California at Riverside, he planted six promising, but untried hybrid pear selections from a...
]]> Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:16:04 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4535&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4535 Due to a renewed interest in food preservation, Cooperative Extension will bring back the Master Food Preserver (MFP) program to Los Angeles County. Classes will begin on Monday, March 28, and meet every Monday until June 20, 2011.  Conducted at UC Cooperative Extension office in East Los Angeles, the classes will be led by UC Master Food Perserver Ernest Miller, a formally trained chef.  Miller has years of experience with home food preservation and is the chef at The Farmer's Kitchen, a...
]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:17:56 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4414&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4414 Cooperative Extension will launch its third round of the "Grow LA Victory Garden Initiative" gardening workshops this spring. The initiative helps new gardeners start their own gardens quickly and easily in a container, in the backyard or at a community garden, bringing together local families and neighborhoods to share their experiences, skills and produce.  Participants will be able to turn their new interest into successful, productive gardens that will generate positive changes in their...
]]> Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:36:54 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4392&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed deekim@ucdavis.edu(Dohee Kim) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4392