Participants representing Imperial County cattle feedlots came together on April 22^nd to discuss food safety at the Livestock Food Safety Workshop held at UC DREC. Organized by UCANR advisors and specialists, invited speakers presented current management practices and research related to food safety with respect to livestock and wildlife. Topics covering packing plant food safety, mitigation of pathogen shedding at the feedlot, and past food safety research initiated a productive discussion amongst participants and speakers to identify key areas of concern and potential for future research. The successful workshop set groundwork for future discussions related to this critical issue.

For further information, please contact: 

Brooke Latack

University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE)

Livestock Advisor (Imperial, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties)

1050 E Holton Rd

Holtville, CA 92250

Office: (442) 265-7712

http://ceimperial.ucanr.edu

UC DREC hosted the 2019 Agronomic Crops and Irrigation Water Management Field Day on April 11. The field day was organized by UCCE Imperial County and included a hay wagon ride tour through field research projects and indoor presentations. Researchers shared updates on various research projects including topics related to insect pest and disease management in sugarbeets, irrigation and nutrient management in fresh market onions, subsurface irrigation in alfalfa, alfalfa variety trials, biochar effects on soil remediation, wheat quality and yields, and quinoa trials. The event was a success with 53 participants registered.

More info about the event here https://www.thedesertreview.com/agriculture/uc-hosts-field-day-to-discuss-alternative-pesticides-and-water/article_577a25ea-5f65-11e9-be7f-7b4801ba294a.html

Internships are a proven way to gain relevant knowledge, skills, and experience while establishing important connections in the field.   Learning doesn't just take place in the classroom — participating in internships can provide a wealth of benefits such as:

• Applying classroom learning in professional environments
• Gain exposure to a chosen field
• Establish critical networking connections
• Gain coveted work experience

DREC is partnering with a USDA program entitled:  Water Resources Experiential Learning for USDA Careers.   The strategic goal of this project is to measurably increase student research skills that ensure our national forests and private working lands are conserved, restored, and made more resilient to climate change, while simultaneously enhancing the sustainability of the Nation's water resources.

The internships provide an experiential approach to learning in the field of water resources and/or watershed management which helps students gain real-world experience in natural resource protection while developing new knowledge, skills, and abilities in problem-solving from a watershed perspective.

Mariana Gonzalez is currently interning at DREC.  She is in her third year at San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Campus. She is working toward a bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in public administration. 

During the internship, Mariana says she hopes   to increase her overall knowledge in agricultural processes. She hopes to gain a deep understanding of agricultural research and its impacts. Mariana will be working with DREC's Farm Smart program and feels this will give her experience in working with K-12 students and developing K-12 curriculum.  In all its programs, Farm Smart teaches about water, weather, sustainability and other natural resources.  Through her duties in the Farm Smart program, Mariana will have the opportunity to help students develop an understanding of water and water resources through STEM activities.  DREC staff will be working with Mariana to develop a capstone project that is multifaceted and serves as a culminating experience during the internship. As she explores her chosen topic in the area of water resources and management, she will be challenged to think critically and apply investigative skills.

Mariana helping kids with produce picked at the Farm Smart U-pick up garden.