UC Delivers Feed

UC works to protect spinach from downy mildew

Steven Koike (stkoike@ucdavis.edu) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 PST

Spinach is a key leafy green vegetable commodity in California. It is a versatile vegetable item that can be eaten fresh or cooked and which contains high levels of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. California produces more than 60 percent of the country’s spinach. Monterey County alone grows close to 10,000 acres, which is about half of the state's spinach crop. As with many other commodities, California growers are known nationwide for producing large volumes of spinach that have extremely high quality standards. However, downy mildew is a very serious disease of spinach and causes the leaves to turn bright yellow and then brown. Growers have struggled against this disease for years and continue to battle this fungus. In the past three years, a number of serious downy mildew outbreaks have occurred in the coastal Salinas Valley and other spinach-producing areas.

New problems on parsley studied by UC researchers

Steven Koike (stkoike@ucdavis.edu) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

California in general and coastal counties in particular are well known for producing a wide range of specialty vegetable crops that contribute to agricultural diversity, including parsley. Many consumers think of parsley as an incidental garnish that merely adds color to a plate of prepared food. While indeed a garnish, parsley is widely used in dried spice mixes, soups and other prepared foods. Significant acreage in parsley is also dedicated to fresh-market uses in salads and other recipes. California produces almost 2,600 acres of this crop, with Monterey and Ventura counties accounting for 49 percent of the state’s parsley. California parsley is produced typically in high volumes and with high quality. However in the past few years, growers began to observe unfamiliar disease issues in their parsley fields. Leaf spots, blighted foliage and yellowed plants contributed to loss of quality and reduced yields. Because parsley growers do not have an industry research board to address such concerns, a formal and organized grant program was not available to address these issues.

UC CalFresh and food banks collaborate to promote healthful diet

Lisa Paniagua (lmharrah@ucdavis.edu) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

Obesity, diabetes and other weight-related health problems are linked to lower income families and families who are food insecure. In 2010, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties measured 11 percent and 12 percent, respectively, in poverty. In San Luis Obispo County, 28.6 percent, and in Santa Barbara County, 39.5 percent of adults lived in food insecure households. Fruits and vegetables are part of a more healthful diet, according to the USDA and Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Get Fit Riverbank: A community in action

Theresa Spezzano (tmspezzano@ucdavis.edu) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 PST

Obesity continues to be a major concern in Stanislaus County. In 2010, 63 percent of adults in Stanislaus County were overweight, compared to 57 percent statewide. Obesity is directly linked to many chronic health concerns such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. To address these concerns, a group of concerned Riverbank residents and community stakeholders came together and organized Get Fit Riverbank, a family-focused summer of free, healthful activities and healthful eating education. The eight-week event included nutrition classes and weekly activities such as swimming, yoga, pilates, Zumba and karate.

Sectional 4-H Field Day Boosts Nutrition and Physical Activity

Mandi Bottoms (mlbottoms@ucdavis.edu) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 PST

Obesity among 6- to 11-year-old youth has tripled over the past 30 years. Among California 4-H members, two-thirds self-reported to be at a healthy weight, while 7 percent were underweight, 15 percent were overweight but not obese, and 12 percent were obese. Empowering 4-H youth and their families to adopt healthy habits will help California's health climate.

Sectional 4-H Field Day Boosts Nutrition and Physical Activity

Anna Martin (acmartin@ucdavis.edu) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 PST

Agritourism workshops build new networks for diversification

Ellie Rilla (erilla@ucanr.edu) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 PST

Many factors - such as supply chain consolidation, falling wholesale prices, rising costs and economies of scale - push small- and mid-scale farmers increasingly to direct marketing and alternative enterprises to keep their agricultural businesses viable. Public demand is increasing for local agricultural products and education about local farms and ranches. Agritourism welcomes visitors to a working farm for education and enjoyment while providing additional income for the agritourism operator. In a 2009 survey by UC researchers, operators reported agritourism as a profitable diversification strategy. Agritourism requires farmers and ranchers to learn new hospitality skills and marketing partnerships, and it is a business that is regulated by zoning ordinances and permitting in each of the state’s 58 counties.

UC CalFresh improves the home food environment of low-income Hispanic families

Susan Algert (salgert@ucdavis.edu) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 PST

Low-income Hispanic families are at high risk for poor health outcomes related to diet. Because the home food environment can have a major impact on food choices made by children and extended family members,the University of California CalFresh Nutrition Education Program offers lessons in nutrition and resource management to food stamp-eligible Hispanic families.

Educating California’s youth on water issues

Steven Worker (smworker@ucdavis.edu) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 PST

Clean water is critical for life and needs to be managed wisely to ensure adequate supplies for natural ecosystems and human use. Thus, water quality and conservation are important public policy issues. In order to make informed decisions to address these challenges, citizens in today’s society require a fundamental understanding of science. Unfortunately, standardized assessments have revealed low levels of science literacy among K-12 youth in California, which also raises concerns about the future of the state’s workforce and economic prosperity.

Adolescents Eat Better When Setting Guided Goals

Marilyn Townsend (mstownsend@ucdavis.edu) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 PST

Adolescents are less physically active and eat more calories than past generations. They spend about 7.6 hours each day using electronic media, and only 1.75 hours being physically active. Intakes of calcium, iron, and fruit and vegetable intakes are low while added fats and sugars, especially in soda, are high. These eating and activity behaviors have resulted in increased obesity rates for adolescents. Today 34 percent are overweight and 18 percent are obese. Adolescent obesity increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, and impacts school performance.

UC Cooperative Extension CalFresh teaches healthy eating behaviors

Susan Algert (salgert@ucdavis.edu) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 PST

UCCE CalFresh education targets schools with more than 50 percent of students receiving free or reduced price school meals. (CalFresh is the name of the food assistance program formerly called food stamps.) The program aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, increase variety in food choices, and promote healthy lifestyles for youth. Teachers, youth program leaders, and other extenders at the participating sites are trained to deliver UCCE CalFresh nutrition curricula such as Reading Across MyPyramid, Happy Healthy Me, and Eating Healthy from Farm to Fork. UCCE CalFresh in Santa Clara County provides nutrition education curricula to 57 qualifying low-income schools and agencies who reach 4,500 children. CalFresh nutrition educators collect teacher evaluations annually to improve delivery and outcomes of the program.

Central Coast youth developing engineering and technology skills

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty (lschmittmcquitty@ucdavis.edu) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 PST

America faces a future of intense global competition with a startling shortage of scientists. In fact, only 18 percent of U.S. high school seniors are proficient in science (NAEP 2005) and a mere 5 percent of current U.S. college graduates earn science, engineering or technology degrees compared to 66 percent in Japan and 59 percent in China. To address increased demand for science and technology professionals, 4-H is working to reach a bold goal of engaging one million new young people in science programs by 2013. Currently, 4-H science programs reach more than 5 million youth with hands-on learning experiences to ensure global competitiveness and prepare the next generation of science, engineering, and technology leaders.

Gearing up 4-H through robotics

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty (lschmittmcquitty@ucdavis.edu) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 PST

In 2008 the California 4-H program launched the 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology initiative (SET) to provide youth with non-formal learning opportunities to meet the challenges of pursuing careers in science and technical fields. Additionally, the program was designed to raise the level of scientific and technical literacy among youth participants by developing partnerships with experts in the fields of science, engineering and technology. However, Santa Cruz County 4-H members and adult volunteers were having a difficult time envisioning their connection to SET. As a result, the Santa Cruz County 4-H program was not engaged in the wide-variety of program and professional development opportunities being offered.

UC a leader in the fight against Sudden Oak Death

Janice Alexander (jalexander@ucanr.edu) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 PST

Sudden Oak Death is a disease of oak trees caused by an introduced fungus-like organism, Phytophthora ramorum. This destructive pathogen is now killing oaks by the millions in 14 coastal counties, affecting watersheds and altering forest ecosystems and species diversity.

Mono County 4-H shares science at 2011 summer camp

Serena Dennis (sldennis@ucanr.edu) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 PST

California is facing a need for an increase in science education. In 2009, 58 percent of California students performed at or above the Basic level of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, lower than the national average. Additionally, there is a need to spark the interest of youth in a science career before they reach high school. There is an increasing belief that the majority of science is learned out of school, and that the best way to spark the interest of youth in science is through free-choice or informal science learning. It is important to provide youth not only with increased science knowledge, but also with a sense that science learning can be personally relevant and rewarding.

Teens implementing “hands-on” science

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty (lschmittmcquitty@ucdavis.edu) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 PST

In the National Assessment of Educational Progress report for science in 2009, 77 percent of fourth-graders and 81 percent of eighth-graders in California fell into the below basic or basic levels of science proficiency in the earth and space, physical and life sciences. This data has spurred professionals working in out-of-school time programs to begin addressing the growing concern of science literacy by placing an emphasis on science.

Reduce pollution with proper fertilizer timing

Khaled Bali (kmbali@ucanr.edu) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 PST

Applying nitrogen and phosphorus with irrigation water is a common practice in the Imperial Valley. If the fertilizers are applied incorrectly, the nutrients end up in the drains rather than in the crop. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two main nutrients that cause eutrophic conditions (high algal biomass and low dissolved oxygen concentrations that cause massive fish kills) in the Salton Sea. Current and proposed federal water quality standards for California require growers to improve the quality of drainage waters. To achieve both federal and state water quality objectives, growers will have to reduce the amount of phosphorus that reaches the drains and the Salton Sea.

4-H develops Junk Drawer Robotics to teach youth science and engineering

Steven Worker (smworker@ucdavis.edu) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 PST

The prosperity of the United States relies upon our investment in educating and preparing future scientists and innovators to provide solutions to vexing environmental, economic, and social problems. Science, engineering, and technology rely upon one another and all have a vital role in ensuring the prosperity of our nation. However, engineering programs are still rare within K-12 school walls and in out-of-school time programs.

Santa Barbara County prepares youth for the workforce

Shirley Peterson (sspeterson@ucdavis.edu) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 PST

Teens and young adults often find limited job options due to lack of experience, high unemployment rates and age. To be successful in the job market, teens and young adults need to understand what jobs best suit their skills, abilities, and ambitions; how to effectively apply for a job and develop resumes; and how to be successful on the job once they get one. When jobs are not available, understanding options for self-employment can help teens and young adults consider work options that they can create for themselves.

UCCE explores the Farm-to-WIC Program

Chutima Ganthavorn (cganthavorn@ucdavis.edu) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 PST

Despite the documented health benefits of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, less than 50 percent of California children eat five or more servings of fruit/vegetables daily. Low-income populations in particular face many barriers to consuming fruit and vegetables. To overcome these barriers, the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) changed its policy in October 2009 and began distributing cash vouchers to low-income women and children to purchase fruit and vegetables.