UCCE's connection to the community continues

Abstract

rovide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural g the benefits of an act of congress approved July second, eighteen hundred entary thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Research news UCCE’s connection to the community continues SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE Introduction UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) research — on campuses, at research and extension centers and in Cooperative Extension offices throughout the state — focuses on critical issues in California’s agriculture, natural resources, youth development and nutrition. Five strategic initia- tives in UC ANR provide collaborative opportunities for addressing these issues: Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases; Healthy Families and Communities; Sustainable Food Systems; Sustain- able Natural Ecosystems; and Water Quality, Quantity and Security. These initiatives look for new approaches, new resources and new partnerships within and outside UC to identify, communicate and solve these problems. The five Cooperative Extension projects highlighted in this article represent these five strategic initiatives. Linda Peterson Today, in its 100th year of service, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is as connected to California communities as ever. UCCE advisors provide expertise and practical, science-based solu- tions on a wide range of subjects — from family health to food production to water quality to invasive pests — and have a keen understanding of local issues because they live and work in the communities they serve. The following are just a few examples of the many ways UCCE benefits Californians now. Beginning growers and ranchers F arming as a way of life is waning in Sonoma County, as agricultural land is converted to housing and the average age of growers nears 60 years. “We need to bring new farmers into the busi- ness,” says Stephanie Larson, director of UCCE Sonoma County. To do just that, she launched a Beginning Farmer and Rancher program with a 3-year grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) beginning in 2011. The program includes hands-on experience in production and business planning (including marketing, organic certification, per- mitting and regulations, and lending) as well as mentoring by local master growers and ranchers. “Farming is challenging,” Larson says. “People can have a great idea but often fail due to the business end.” Just as importantly, participants get access to land. They can lease vacant county land, and can use a website that matches new growers and ranch- ers with private landowners who want to lease acreage. In addition, a training farm — known as an incubator farm — is in the works, which will help participants get started by, for example, providing shared equipment, mentoring, and a lower initial lease rate. “We have folks who already have land and are hoping to reinvent and save their family farms, or who are switching careers to grow local food,” says Linda Peterson, UCCE Beginning Farmer and Rancher program coordinator. About half of the 43 participants to date are minorities, women or low- income, and most are now working in the agricul- tural field. “They’ve increased production, started farms or are working on farms,” she says. Their operations include local hard cider, dry-farmed tomatoes, sheep and goat cheese, and agricultural tourism. Now, Larson and Peterson are integrating their Beginning Farmer and Rancher program into the sustainable agriculture program at Santa Rosa Junior College, which will ensure that the program continues long after the USDA grant is finished. HEALTHY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES STRATEGIC INITIATIVE Eating Smart, Being Active Beginning Farmer and Rancher (BFR) participant Kelly Osman tags the ear of a pregnant Black Angus cow, with help from Denner Ranch owner and BFR mentor Terry Lindley (front) and ranch hand Joey Howard (back). M ost of us know the basics of a healthy lifestyle — eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, and so on — but knowing what do to and http://californiaagriculture.ucanr.edu • JANUARY–JUNE 2014 17