Employee Spotlight

Family’s health ordeal, Filipino values shape Irene Padasas’ Extension career

Community nutrition and health advisor builds bridges across cultures in Tulare, Kings, Fresno and Madera counties At a young age, Irene Padasas – UC Cooperative Extension community nutrition and health advisor for Tulare, Kings, Fresno and...

Four questions about 4-H: Humiston recounts how 4-H shaped her life journey

If you're on a video call with Glenda Humiston when she's in her home office, you'll see the sign right above her left shoulder, prominently displayed: “4-H CLUB MEMBER LIVES HERE.” It's the same sign that hung on her...

Four questions about 4-H: Hales reminisces about his youth club days

Between 4th and 8th grade, Brent Hales had acquired from those years in 4-H a lifetime's worth of skills, a group of lifelong friends, an expanded perspective on the world – and the track suit of his dreams. The middle child of seven kids, young...

From one small town to another, REC director inspires youngsters to consider careers in agriculture

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month   In the small town of Buga, located in Valle del Cauca in southwestern Colombia, Jairo Diaz-Ramirez prioritized salsa dancing over his studies. His parents, noticing that he was having too much fun on...

Not-so-local produce inspires career shift for Imperial County educator Wong

The first time Chris Wong ever laid eyes on Romanesco broccoli was while he was selling it at a farmers market in Davis. Although the broccoli was marketed as locally sourced and organically grown, Wong remembers reading the label on the produce box:...

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