- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The Associated Press launched a story yesterday about a resurgence of interest in growing food in home gardens, the result of "twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies."
For the article, the newswire conducted a telephone interview of UCCE 4-H Youth Development and Master Gardener advisor Rose Hayden-Smith.
"You always see an uptick in gardening activity in keeping with economic conditions - consumer-driven waves that emulate recession and inflation-driven economies," Hayden-Smith is quoted in the story.
She compared today's market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th Century, when the concept of...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The (Redding) Record-Searchlight ran a piece over the weekend with information about laws going into effect aimed at protecting new homes in California from the ember storm that precedes a fire and lingers after flames pass, as well as the radiated heat and flames of a wildfire.
Reporter Laura Christman wrote that Steve Quarles, UCCE wood durability advisor, said the question whether the new laws increase costs will depend on a home’s size and design. Roofing and siding shouldn’t make much of a difference because most materials already in use comply with the new standards.
“The costs will come from the decking...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The Associated Press reporter in the Fresno bureau, Garance Burke, posted a story on the AP wire today about "green ranchers," which has been picked up widely by newspapers in California and elsewhere, including the San Francisco Chronicle.
The article says that ranchers haven't always had the best relationship with environmentalists, but a "new crop of cattlemen are quietly working to minimize their industry's ecological footprint and are forging unlikely alliances with environmental...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Coordinator of the Common Ground Program for UC Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles County, Yvonne Savio, shared with an LA Times reporter her plans to grow the Japanese Trifele Black tomatoes this year. Savio is one of many gardening and food enthusiasts whose plans were sought for today's "Kitchen Gardener" story, which encourages the planting of unusual foods in summer gardens. In fact, the headline announces "Yellow strawberries and pink pumpkins -- it's time to plant for spring."
Other unusual suggestions in the article include mentuccia, an Italian herb, and agretti, a feathery-leafed Italian...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
A 16-year 4-H volunteer and assistant principal at Pioneer Elementary School in Hanford, Antoinette Draxler, is in the running for a statewide school administrator award, according to a story in her hometown newspaper, the Hanford Sentinel. Draxler already won the county and regional competitions.
Draxler taught second-, third- and fourth-grade for 19 years before turning to administration. Her daughter is a teacher and her two other children, currently in college, are considering education careers.
Draxler told Sentinel reporter Shannon Milliken what about children inspires her:
"Their smiles,...
