- Author: Karen Giovannini
Check the Livestock schedule and stop by to see the kids show while you are at the fair (look for Junior, Jr or
The Junior Livestock Auction Schedule:
- Lambs – 7/25, 9am
- Goats – 7/25, 1pm
- Rabbits – 7/25, 1:30pm
- Hogs – 7/31, 9am
- Poultry – 7/31, 1pm
- Beef – 8/1, 6pm
- Author: Karen Giovannini
2014 Annual Report letter from Stephanie Larson, County Director and Livestock & Range Management Advisor:
As we move into the next 100 years of Cooperative Extension, we continue to value the public/ private partnerships that have been the foundation of our organization, raising the bar by supporting the County of Sonoma Initiatives on local agriculture and healthy communities. UCCE advisors are critical partners with local farmers and ranchers, providing scientific-based information on techniques that can be used to increase production and thus increase economic stability, while addressing environmental concerns.
This past year, UCCE conducted research and provided educational programs to help commercial row crop farmers and livestock producers in Sonoma County deal with drought and climate change. Our frost tower research in vineyards evaluated methods for making the most of local water resources through increased irrigation efficiency. Water conservation programs are also focused on the urban gardener, partnering with the Sonoma County Water Agency to educate the public on how to use less water; and with the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District to develop an evaluation tool for documenting ecosystem services that have been maintained or increased through implementing conservation easements and proper rangeland management.
We partnered with other county departments to increase access to healthy, local, sustainable food. One outcome was the County Land for Food Production (CLFP) project; which allowed UCCE to work on creating an incubator farm on county land. These efforts are aimed at increasing access to land for food production, and the number of farmers and ranchers growing local food, respectively. The goals align with the Sonoma County Healthy and Sustainable Food Action Plan. Our Agricultural Ombudsman played a critical role in assisting individuals who want to create or expand their farming and ranching enterprises, and is currently working with PRMD to address local poultry processing.
Learn about these programs and more in our 2014 Annual Report.
- Author: Judy Ludovise
Judy Ludovise, 4-H Program Representative, led them through a comparative tasting opportunity that included goat, cow and sheep cheese. Thank you to Sonoma County Fairgrounds who lent us “Clarabelle” a model Holstein that could actually be milked!
Dairy Day included an engaging virtual farm tour, from a teacher in Hanford, who led us through the process of how milk gets from the dairy to our door. The youth were amazing the teacher could see them, through videoconference technology and could answer their questions.
The day ended with what was voted the best activity of all…eating Goat Ice Cream! This was a great introduction to the dairy cow and has undoubtedly sown the seeds of interest in these kids. Once they turn 9 years old, they will be able to enroll in a 4-H Dairy project and be on their way to becoming our future Sonoma County Dairy Farmers!
- Author: Olivia, Green Valley 4-H Reporter
Every year the Green Valley 4-H Club does several community service projects. During the holiday months, community service projects involve bell ringing for the Salvation Army, Giving Tree Gift Giving and providing food to a needy family.
At their November meeting, all members brought canned and dried goods to put together a giant food basket for a needy family in Sonoma County. The week of Thanksgiving they went on shopping trip to buy fresh items to include; such as a turkey, milk, butter and bread. Then they delivered all of the items to the family.
Club members also received Giving Tree hearts at the meeting. The Sonoma County Community Foundation organizes this activity and every year club members each take a heart to fulfill the wishes on the heart. Each heart represents a person and it lists their age and their wishes. Wrapped gifts are brought to the December meeting so that they can be distributed before Christmas.
The Green Valley 4-H will also be bell ringing at the Wal-Mart in Windsor on the weekends throughout the holiday season. Stop by and say hello.
- Author: Karen Giovannini
Did you know that in Sonoma County, more than 1,100 youth, ages 5-19, and 400 volunteers from the community are involved in 4‑H and over 6 million young people participate nationwide?!
National 4-H Week will be locally celebrated as a way to showcase the great things that 4-H offers young people and highlight the incredible 4-H youth in the community who take pride in making the community better. Look for Window Displays throughout the county. Our theme this year is “4-H, Join the Ride.”
4-H CLUB NAME |
BUSINESS NAME |
BUSINESS LOCATION |
ALEXANDER VALLEY |
HAUTHE'S FAMILY TAEKWONDO |
8465 OLD REDWOOD HWY #230, WINDSOR |
CANFIELD |
TOMBE REALTY |
127 N MAIN ST, SEBASTOPOL |
GOLD RIDGE |
BANK OF THE WEST |
100 S. MAIN STREET, SEBASTOPOL |
GOLDEN HILLS |
SOLE DESIRE STORE |
151 PETALUMA BLVD, SUITE 141, PETALUMA |
LIBERTY |
REX ACE HARDWARE |
313 B STREET, PETALUMA |
LYTTON SPRINGS |
BEAR REPUBLIC |
345 HEALDSBURG AVE, HEALDSBURG |
PENNGROVE |
PENNGORVE MARKET |
230 MAIN STREET, PENNGROVE |
SONOMA VALLEY |
THE TOY SHOP |
201 WEST NAPA STREET, SONOMA |
STEUBEN |
RABOBANK |
201 3RD STREET, SANTA ROSA |
TWO ROCK |
CHINATOWN RESTAURANT |
157 KENTUCKY STREET, PETALUMA |
WILD OAK |
IMWALLE GARDENS |
685 W 3RD STREET, SANTA ROSA |
Research has proven that participation in 4-H clubs and projects has a significant positive impact on young people. Recent findings from the Tufts University 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that, when compared to their non 4-H peers, young people in 4-H are:
- 4x's more likely to contribute to their communities,
- 2x's more likely to pursue healthy behaviors like, and
- 2x's more likely to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs in the out-of-school time.
Learn more about Sonoma County 4-H program.