UC ANR Research Articles

Urban agriculture in California: Lessons learned from an urban farmer workshop series

Urban farming is an important component of California agriculture, but lack of agricultural census data or common definitions makes it difficult to track and understand. In 2017–2018, a team of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) researchers and extension professionals developed a workshop series for urban farmers in California based on results of a prior needs assessment. After conducting 16 workshops in the state's largest urban centers, the team evaluated what participants learned and how they put their knowledge into action. The evaluation highlighted urban farmers' ongoing challenges and found that economic issues such as profitability and land access are some of the greatest barriers for urban farming in California. An unexpected positive outcome was the opportunity for participants to network and meet other farmers. Urban farmers expressed the need for more opportunities for mentoring and building partnerships with other farmers and organizations. Evaluation results suggest that California's urban farmers may be more diverse than California farmers as a whole, and that they are often beginning farmers.

How agritourism helped farmers during the pandemic

During COVID-19, California small farmers and ranchers suffered significant disruptions and shifts in the marketplace, marked by a loss in wholesale outlets and an increase in demand for direct-to-consumer sales. This study examines how agritourism operators responded to the challenges and opportunities created by the pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, in the midst of the pandemic, the UC ANR Agritourism Program held a series of trainings for California farmers interested in starting or expanding agritourism enterprises. Some of the key themes that emerged from the trainings were that farmers had to shift their operations to ensure social distancing and reduced crowd sizes, while at the same time, they experienced an unprecedented demand for direct-to-consumer sales and on-farm visits. Agritourism, in varying degrees, contributed to the resiliency of most of the participants in our study. Moving forward, it would be worthwhile for researchers, agricultural professionals, and decision-makers to examine equity in agritourism and agritourism's role as a risk-management strategy to help mitigate other types of disruptions in the future. Our findings also point to the need to provide farmers with technical assistance around e-commerce and sustainable business planning.

Role of Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae) Adult Feeding on Deformation of Blackberry Fruits

Role of <i>Lygus hesperus</i> (Hemiptera: Miridae) Adult Feeding on Deformation of Blackberry Fruits

Community and citizen science projects around UC ANR

What do coyotes, eggs and leafy greens have in common? They're all subjects of UC ANR research projects to which everyday Californians have contributed.

Report: Assessing community and citizen science at UC ANR

The authors uncovered a rich diversity of projects that engage Californians in UC ANR research, and a variety of challenges and opportunities for expanding this work.

Community and citizen science: Inviting the public into UC ANR research

Community and citizen science fosters an appreciation for the scientific process, building scientific literacy and public support for research.

Research highlights

Recent articles from the Agricultural Experiment Station campuses and UC ANR's county offices, institutes and research and extension centers.

Research highlights

Recent articles from the Agricultural Experiment Station campuses and UC ANR's county offices, institutes and research and extension centers.

Youth in 4-H Latino Initiative programs achieve similar outcomes to youth in 4-H community clubs

Until recently, California 4-H programs did not represent the ethnic diversity found in California's population of young people. To close the gap in representation particularly with Latino youth UC ANR began the 4-H Latino Initiative, an effort to pilot adapted programs that would target the engagement of Latino youth and families. In this paper, we explore and compare young people's program experience and youth development outcomes between 4-H community clubs and 4-H Latino Initiative programs. We employed comparative post-test survey methodology with two treatment groups (community clubs versus 4-H Latino Initiative programs). The findings provide encouraging evidence that young people experienced positive outcomes from participating in 4-H programs, inclusive of both 4-H community clubs and 4-H Latino Initiative programs. Additionally, we found that the program experience including relationship building and youth engagement were similar across community clubs and 4-H Latino Initiative programs.

P143 Examining Nutrition Practices Across Early Childhood Education Programs in Two Rural Counties of California

Background Early childhood education (ECE) programs are important partners for childhood obesity prevention efforts. Despite signs of progress, racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities in obesity rates still persist in California. Current understanding of obesity prevention strategies (e.g. nutrition practices) is limited across ECE programs in Tulare/ Kings counties of California. Objective To characterize nutrition practices of Child Care Centers (CCCs) and Family Child Care Homes (FCCHs). Study Design, Settings, Participants Study design was cross-sectional. Settings included licensed CCCs and FCCHs in Tulare/Kings counties. Participants included CCC Directors (N = 59) and FCCH Providers (N = 58). Measurable Outcome/Analysis Of the 701 nutrition practices surveys administered, 117 were completed and returned. Descriptive and chi-square analysis was conducted using SPSS. Results Results indicated statistically significant differences (P Conclusion Targeting nutrition interventions based on the childcare context (FCCH vs. CCC) is critical to the implementation of nutrition best practices. Overall, FCCH reported higher adherence to best practices as compared to CCC. This could be attributed to a higher participation of FCCHs in CACFP. A focus on nutrition education as well as participation in CACFP in ECE programs may help in obesity prevention efforts. Funding UC ANR.

Research highlights

Recent articles from the Agricultural Experiment Station campuses and UC ANR's county offices, institutes and research and extension centers.

UC ANR advisors support cattle ranchers after wildfires

A free hay program was started after the Thomas fire, closed highways were opened for ranchers after the Camp fire, and UC research helped answer ranchers' questions about pasture recovery.

UC experts can lead on carbon dioxide removal

Through technology demonstration and policy engagement, UC ANR specialists, advisors and AES faculty can support California's ambitions to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

UC-industry-agency partnerships influence and help implement dairy water quality policy

For 50 years, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) has contributed to dairy water quality policy in California and helped, with partner organizations, to implement it in the dairy industry. When conditional waivers for waste discharge requirements expired in 2003, UC ANR shared research and best professional practices as regional water quality control boards developed new orders. UC ANR academics then worked with water quality control boards' staff and dairy industry representatives to develop feasible, staged implementation plans. Collaboratively, more than 50 hours of workshop curriculum were developed and disseminated, helping dairy producers to accept scientifically sound management practices that are more protective of groundwater. Research by UC ANR to better understand system dynamics, nitrogen management and practices to minimize the impact of manure application on groundwater quality continues, as does a program in environmental stewardship.

Communication, engagement and science-based policy

Author(s): Megaro, Anne | Abstract: UC ANR works to bridge the gap between scientists and policymakers.

UC ANR research informs, influences and strengthens fruit and vegetable programs and policies

Vegetable and fruit consumption plays an important role in lowering the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and some cancers. Yet, only 20% of the population eats the daily recommended amount of produce, and 10% of children do not consume any vegetables or fruit on a daily basis. To increase vegetable and fruit intake across the population, which can extend lives and reduce health care expenditures while also enhancing demand for California agricultural products, the UC Nutrition Policy Institute has conducted research to guide public policy and institutional and community programs. The institute has studied produce consumption among children and families in child care settings, emergency food systems, schools and federal nutrition assistance programs. Conducting research to support policymakers in deciding on effective nutrition programs and policies involves partnering with community organizations and decision-makers from the outset, collecting qualitative as well as quantitative data, and sharing research findings with those who can act upon them.

UC ANR research and education influences landscape water conservation and public policy

UC has been heavily involved in research and extension efforts impacting landscape water conservation legislation for over 30 years. In 1981, UC implemented the California Irrigation Management Information System, a network of weather stations that provides data for local estimates of plant water needs. Those estimates led to UC being able to advise the California Legislature on policies for maximum applied water allowances for residential and large landscaping projects. The allowances have been reduced significantly with UC guidance, and UC has helped landscapers to meet the increasingly restrictive requirements. Best practices that reduce water losses have been developed in collaboration with equipment manufacturers and landscaping specialists, and explained to end users. In addition, UC has developed the WUCOLS database, which classifies over 3,500 plants by their water needs. UC's involvement in landscape water conservation continues on many fronts, developing science and contributing to policy.

Supporting sustainable groundwater management

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is working to develop one of the most promising groundwater recharge approaches — replenishing aquifers by spreading wintertime river flood flows onto farm lands and other open spaces.

Measuring our impact, setting our course

UC ANR is a network of change agents who care about the health and welfare of people, communities and natural resources.

Building climate change resilience in California through UC Cooperative Extension

A survey of UC ANR academics found opportunities for expanding the role of climate change in extension work.