Not much, if anything, is more important for survival than water. In the south-western region of the United States water issues carry far reaching social, environmental and political implications. Water availability is a challenge for many reasons, most importantly because at this time the state of California produces half of our nation’s domestic fruits, nuts and vegetables.

Researchers within the University of California system have been working find solutions to our water problems and to implement change.  The recent addition of the UC Newsroom newsletter features a collection of articles that can be found at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/21800 and include information related to growing more with less water, UC water research centers, climate change stresses water supply, ecosystems and more.

On Tuesday, September 1^st Ventura County UCCE’s Dr. Oleg Daugovish held the 8^th Annual Strawberry Production Meeting. This meeting and ones like it are to provide information on current research relevant to Ventura County strawberry production happening both in the county and through other UC campuses. What happens if you missed the meeting, or attended but need to refresh your memory?

As luck would have it, Oleg posts all of the presentation materials on our Ventura County UCCE website. Besides the presentations themselves, you will find other formats of knowledge waiting to be shared.  You can find them by clicking on this link.

Once there, you will see that in addition to strawberries, Oleg has much information on caneberries, vegetables, organic production, cost and return studies, weed susceptibility to herbicides chart, weeds and invasive plants in Ventura County, and Master Gardener presentation trainings, which cover backyard vegetables and weeds.

A grower checks strawberry leaves for the presence of spider mites

A tube is used to collect soil and root samples from a test plot looking for methyl bromide alternatives

Recording counts of spider mites and predator mites in Ventura County field

A roller is used to properly slope the tops of strawberry beds for good water drainage

Did you know your Ventura County UCCE office has another less known name? We are also known as the County of Ventura Farm Advisor office.

The County of Ventura is taking part in a nationwide effort to encourage everyone to be prepared for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. As a County of Ventura agency, we would like to help the effort by reminding our clientele of the importance of preparing for disaster or emergency.

The following is taken from a recent County communication:

When unexpected natural or man-made emergencies occur, our greatest defense is individual preparedness. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services has taken steps to assist our community in becoming educated, trained and better prepared. We invite you to accept our challenge in being better prepared and join our effort in observing September as National Preparedness Month.

For more information, please visit the County of Ventura Disaster Information website . This website will display current information in the event of an emergency, educate residents on the hazards in our area, and provide resources on how to prepare, respond and recover from a disaster in our area. When you are prepared, Ventura County is too.

Thanks for doing your part!

This week Ventura County UCCE’s director, Rose Hayden-Smith travels to Washington DC! Rose is a W.K. Kellogg/IATP Food & Society Fellow and is in Washington this week to attend meetings on National Food and Ag Policy. She will be sharing with us on this important topic throughout the week.

Today has been a blur.  Woke up early, dressed carefully and ate breakfast while we discussed a morning meeting with Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and pinned down details about our White House visit.

Because it’s late and it’s been an amazingly long day, I’m mostly going to share about our visit to the White House garden.  After attending a meeting at the USDA – and visiting again one my favorite gardens, the People’s Garden – our group walked over to the White House.  We took a group picture on the north side of the White House, and then walked over to the south side for a group picture.   You can see the White House kitchen garden from there, but it’s not a close view.

After waiting for a bit, we went through security screening.  Our instructions were clear.  No bags, no pictures, only what you could carry in your pocket.  Neither my dress or cardigan had pockets, so I tucked my picture ID, some cash and my business cards in my shoe.  (I know, I know).   After we passed through security, we entered an atrium type area, where a member of the security staff provided very interesting answers to our questions about history, the First Family, the garden, etc.   The staff person confirmed that in fact, Mrs. Obama is often in the garden.

Then, Assistant White House chef Sam Kass arrived.  Kass came with the Obama family from Chicago to work in Washington, and has been instrumental in the White House kitchen garden project.  Clearly, Kass is also driving pieces of the emerging White House food initiatives.  Sam introduced himself to each of us personally, and shook everyone’s hand.  We were then escorted outside across the lawn to the garden.

Kass shared a great deal of information about the garden.  It’s not a huge garden, but has already produced several hundred pounds of food. Food from this garden is used by the First Family, has been served at official functions, and has also been donated to a local food bank.

Kass allowed us to sample tomatoes from the garden.  They were warm from sunshine, and popped with flavor.  Many of the plant varieties being cultivated are heirloom varieties, and much of the garden philosophy – and plant material – is driven by one of our founding farmer fathers, Thomas Jefferson.  A small plaque in the garden provides a Jefferson quote.   Broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, herbs, sweet potatoes…and more, including a fig planted among mint. I rubbed the mint leaves and then smelled my fingers…amazing.

The garden is very well-tended…it has to be.   There are many visitors.   But…it looks achievable.   There is also a weather station, and a bee hive, where honey has been collected.

Kass answered nearly every question we asked him thoroughly and thoughtfully. We were not permitted to take pictures.

I deeply appreciate that the First Family is modeling good health and eating by initiating this effort, and maintaining this kitchen garden.  I value that the First Lady has school children come to visit the garden to learn.  I love that the food produced is consumed by the family, and that some portion goes to less fortunate families.  I love the contributions that Sam Kass, with his dynamic nature and good food ideas, has made to upping the status of gardening in our nation today.  Thank you all for taking this important step.

Several blocks away, the USDA People’s Garden sends equally positive messages.  Sited on the national mall, this garden is a first.  Like the White House garden, it sends important messages to thousands of people each day about gardening, healthy eating, and the right use of civic space.  A garden on the national mall…sacred space used for a civic purpose.

A special thanks again to my dear friend and fellow Fellow Roger Doiron, whose work promoting the idea of a White House garden really made this visit possible for us.  Today was the culmination of a dream for Roger.  It was also his birthday, and we sang the traditional birthday song to him as we stood in the White House garden, together, celebrating this special day.

Tonight, well over a hundred people gathered to learn about and discuss the food system.  Each fellow was asked to make brief remarks about their work.  Here’s what I shared:

“We were a nation of farmers at formation. We are a nation of farmers still, at heart.  This is demonstrated by the garden revolution sweeping the nation.   Seven million new gardeners this year.  Seven million.

Yesterday, and again this morning, I visited the People’s Garden at the USDA.  This garden is on the National Mall.  Sacred space.  I also visited the First Family’s garden at the White House.   Both experiences were profoundly moving.

Last night, President Obama told the nation it is a “season of action.”

He is right.  It is a season of action: it is time to move these initiatives out across the nation, to begin a NEW American revolution. A revolution that will create a garden in every school, every home, every community, and every workplace across the nation.”

Tomorrow’s schedule:

• Breakfast meeting with Fellows to plan next steps.
• Giving talk on the Garden Revolution at U.S. Botanic Garden.
• Meeting with Christine Flanagan, U.S. Botanic Garden.
• Meeting with one of my favorite WWI historians, Elaine Weiss.
• Go to airport, board plane, fly back to Oxnard via LAX.
• If no flight delays or issues, arrive home between 12:30 and 1:00 a.m.

Random Observations: During our visit, we saw the White House basketball court/tennis court.  We also saw the First Dog, Bo, on the south lawn of the White House.  We were far away, but it was clearly Bo.