- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller
Last week the HAREC Youth, Family and Community (YFC) education team participated in community summer programs.
Science Camp at Rio del Mar Elementary School, Oxnard, is an all-day, four week commitment. Rio School District Superintendent, John Puglisi, feels so strongly about STEM education that he offers this opportunity to district students, grades 2nd-5th, at no cost. HAREC educators were invited to participate in a pollination themed day. Over 70 third graders happily engaged in hands-on pollination activities. Time lapse videos allowed students to see pollinators in action and discussions about bees and their importance in our food system rounded out the experience.
Likewise, the team participated in Kids Day at the Club for Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley. Over 300 youth joined in STEM education that included plant science, entomology, robotics, physics and much more. The HAREC table overflowed with youth excited about planting butternut squash seeds and learning about other nutritious winter squashes.
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller
Over 220 youth and families attended the 4-H Super Field Day on April 25. The annual event is an opportunity for community club members to learn, practice skills, and compete to win medals. The event was held at HAREC for the first time and was full of 4-H and club spirit.
4-H volunteers transformed the Center barns and open spaces with a wide variety of activity venues that included showmanship, Swine knowledge bowl, rabbit hopping course, cupcake wars, Iron Chef, posters contests, silent auction and much, much more. Members from Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties participated.
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller, RDN
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.
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller
The 4-H Student Farm is off and running for the 2014-2015 school year. New and returning student farmers from Balboa Middle School have already laid irrigation tape and planted their new crops. Chris Massa, Food Corps member is back to lead the group in agriculture and cooking lessons each Friday after school.