4-H Youth Development Program staff at HAREC will collaborate with the City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division and the Ventura Water Department to conduct a week-long 4-H Sustainable You! Summer Camp at the Center. Trained environmental educators from the City of Ventura will deliver the program June 22-26. Youth will explore what it means to be sustainable through fun activities based around five major themes: land, water, food, air, and energy. Combining educational resources with the city will enhance the camp, ensure success and most of all bump up the fun factor for youth participants ages 9-12. Registration is now open.

John Fischer, Life Lab Director of Programs, UC Santa Cruz will be the featured trainer on July 17 for a Next Generation Science in the Garden Educator Workshop at HAREC. Using activities from the award-winning Life Lab Science curriculum, participants will learn how to lead engaging, hands-on science lessons outdoors, link garden activities to Next Generation Science Standards, use garden-based science lessons to reinforce Common Core Math and English Language Arts, and much more. Teachers, administrators and garden educators are encouraged to attend. Optional education credit from the University of the Pacific will be available. Registration is now open.

It's a busy time of the year. Youth development programs are in full swing. But equally important is outreach to college students. Gwyn Vanoni, 4-H Education Specialist and Susana Bruzzone-Miller-YFC Program Manager took time to particiapate in California Lutheran University annual Career and Internship Day. Students eager to learn about potential jobs/careers in agriculture visited the UCCE/UCREC table to gather information.

A new crop of Master Gardeners trainees are ready to graduate and educate the community. Joined by former 4-H and MG Advisor, Dr. Rose Hayden-Smith, the 4-H team presented the nuts and bolts of all things 4-H in Ventura County. Trainees enjoyed tapping into their inner youth by participating in fun and educational hands-on activities used in community clubs, field trips and classroom outreach. Many VC Master Gardeners already participate in youth development activities.

Ready for Spring planting in your school garden? Why garden with youth?

Healthy Lifestyles

• Reduce risk of overweight/obesity
• Encourages consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables

Community and Social Development

• Increases self-esteem
• Develops sense of ownership and responsibility
• Foster relationships with family and community members

Environmental and Agricultural Literacy

• Demonstrate more concern and willingness to care for living things
• Know where their food comes from

Increased academic performance

• Increase in positive attitudes towards learning in general
• Increase GPA in math and science

Seedlings are available courtesy of HAREC education programs and the wonderful Master Gardeners that propagate them on site. Spring seedlings are available, while they last, on a first come basis to Ventura County teachers and garden educators. Contact the Center at sbmiller@ucanr.edu.

 

HAREC shade house seedlings for schools

March is national nutrition month, a time to return to the basics of healthful eating. This year, the academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages everyone to bite into a healthy lifestyle. Adopting eating and physical activity plans that are focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise is key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, reducing your risk of chronic disease and promoting overall health. Eat nutrient-rich foods and beverages like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy and lean protein. Limit foods with added fats, sugars and salt. And don't forget to include physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day. A registered dietitian Nutritionist, the food and nutrition expert, can help develop a healthy lifestyle plan that is right for you. Learn more about how you can bite into a healthy lifestyle by visiting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org

HAREC education programs help youth explore the National Nutrition month mantra of healthy foods and healthy sustainable lifestyles. Youth will visit the Center for field trips March to June. Classroom Outreach begins tomorrow. The 4H All Stars completed a Sustainable You! Train-the-Trainer last weekend and are ready to plan and execute a 4H summer camp.