- Author: Cris L. Johnson
Specially trained and dedicated volunteers work alongside staff to deliver fun and hands-on agricultural based lessons. For many Kindergarteners, this is their first time on a farm. Getting a glimpse of where food comes from, planting seeds and learning what makes them grow are unforgettable experiences. Older students delve deeper into plant growth and development, discover the important role pollinators play in our food system, and learn about the agricultural county where we live.
Picking and sampling farm fresh vegetables such as beets, carrots, sugar snap peas, and lettuce are favorite activities with all ages and a great way to introduce MyPlate, the newest USDA guide to healthy eating choices, and encourage daily physical activity. What can be better than getting your hands dirty, smelling the rich Santa Paula soil, and eating vegetables you helped harvest? Children aren’t the only visitors. Over 300 parents and teachers will visit, learn, and munch alongside youth.
The cost of buses makes a trip to the farm prohibitive for many schools. When visiting the farm is not an option, lessons delivered in the classroom bring the farm to life. The 4-H Classroom Outreach Program is an opportunity to learn about agriculture without leaving the school grounds.
Yes, it’s a busy and exciting time. Happy spring!
- Author: Cris L. Johnson
The meeting is a day of presentations and discussions on topics related to insects. Dr. Downer, an expert plant pathologist, will talk about insects that damage oaks. Bee expert, Anna Howell, will contribute a talk on using native bees for pollination.
Four hours of DPR CEU's are applied for.
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location:
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
301 N. Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007
Registration: At the door. Free for members. $15 for nonmembers.
Contact: Jim Downer, 805-645-1458
For more information see the flyer here.
Learn more about the Entomological Association of Southern California here.
- Author: Cris L. Johnson
Maintaining a strong food supply was an integral part of homefront support efforts where victory garden campaigns were not only important in creating food for home use and supplying to troops, but also as a patriotic booster for those at home who wanted to do their part.
Rose Hayden-Smith, Ventura County Cooperative Extension's community and youth development advisor, spoke at the exhibit on January 26 on "Digging for Victory: How America's Gardeners Helped the War Effort." Rose is a historian with an active and passionate interest in victory gardens, their place in history and their relevance to maintaining a healthy and abundant food supply for the present and the future. You can learn more about this at her Victory Grower website.
Check out this historic exhibit so relevant to our county which has some of the most versatile agricultural land in the state.
Dates of exhibit: Now through March 27, 2013
Location:
Museum of Ventura County
926 Railroad Ave.
Santa Paula, CA 93060
805-525-3100
Please see the museum website for hours and admission costs.
- Author: Cris L. Johnson
Ventura Master Gardeners are offering this series of workshops at locations throughout the county and are available to the public at no cost.
For a flyer with dates and locations, click here.
To register, click here.
- Author: Cris L. Johnson
SAVE THE DATE.... February 28, 2013.
UC Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Hansen Agricultural Center is hosting a Landscape Disease Symposium that focuses on the formation, spread and control of disease in landscape plants.
This annual event is organized by UCCE Ventura plant pathology advisor Dr. Jim Downer. He and other plant experts will speak on topics relevant to landscapers such as pathogens in fire injured trees, creating suppressive soil, wood decay, and disease from wood boring insects.
Pre-registration fee: $75.00
Door registration fee: $100.00
To register and pay online: Landscape Disease Symposium registration
Location:
Hansen Agricultural Center
14292 Telegraph Road
Santa Paula, CA
Contact: Dr. Jim Downer, ajdowner@ucanr.edu
For agenda and more information see the flyer.
Dr. Downer also writes "Landscape Notes," a newsletter with articles of interest to professional and home landscapers. You can link to these newsletters here.
