- Contributor: Joseph Nosrat-CSUCI Student Guest Blogger
4-H Student Farm is an after-school program that has inspired students to engage in healthier eating habits and learn where their food comes from. The six week program also provides an opportunity for middle schoolers to acquaint themselves with agriculture. The students follow a curriculum that touches on the agriculture industry, the complexity of good soil, importance of pollinators as well as the practices of planting and harvesting.
When asked about their experience with the program, students had this to say...
“I loved the planting and outdoor activities, my favorite subject we learned was the one about pollinators. I wish I could come back next year.”--Morgan
“My favorite part of student farm was the planting outside, and I enjoyed learning about pollinators. I look forward to coming back next year.”--Destiny
“I thought the pollinators were interesting and it's cool that some only fly at night. My favorite thing to do was the cooking activities, I can't wait to come back next year.”--Louie
Twelve students from Ventura Unified School District participated in...
![laying irrigation tape laying irrigation tape](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59233.jpg)
![weeding and planting weeding and planting](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59227.jpg)
![planting herbs planting herbs](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59242.jpg)
![handling seedlings handling seedlings](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59234.jpg)
![Handling seedlings with care Handling seedlings with care](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59235.jpg)
![native plant learning native plant learning](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59231.jpg)
![native plants native plants](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59236.jpg)
![worm composting worm composting](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59237.jpg)
![cooking activities cooking activities](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59238.jpg)
![Working together and learning about the importance of eating vegetables Working together and learning about the importance of eating vegetables](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59239.jpg)
![Cooking activities are a part of each meeting Cooking activities are a part of each meeting](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/59240.jpg)
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller, RDN
Education Specialists representing state wide Research and Extension Centers System (RECS) sites gathered February 15-16 at Hansen. This second annual meeting was an opportunity to meet new staff, share best practices, and participate in professional development.
Lisa Fisher, RECS Director, sponsored and kicked off the meeting with a welcome and overview of the ANR strategic plan. Guest speaker, Dr. Steven Worker, 4-H Youth Development Advisor—Marin County, led a hands-on workshop focusing on inquiry based learning and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education for youth. Additionally, Worker introduced methods of using Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in non-formal science education settings, relating methods REC educators can use in their outreach work.
Dr. Sabrina Drill, Natural Resources Advisor—UCCE-Ventura County, provided an overview of the California Naturalist Program and discussed the program as potential partner for REC outreach.
Farm Smart Manager, Stacey Wills and 4-H Representative, Shanna Abatti from Desert REC rounded out the two-day meeting with a Sustainable You! Summer Camp train-the trainer. Sustainable You!, developed by Dr. Roslyn Brain of Utah State University, teaches youth the basic concepts of natural resource conservation. The program has been part of the educational offerings at HAREC and Desert REC since 2013 and 2012 respectively, and will be implemented at Hopland REC in summer 2017.
![Dr. Steven Worker delivers an Introduction to Science Education for youth Dr. Steven Worker delivers an Introduction to Science Education for youth](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/41841.jpg)
![Stacey Wills, Farm Smart Manager, Desert REC participates in hands-on acitivity during workshop Stacey Wills, Farm Smart Manager, Desert REC participates in hands-on acitivity during workshop](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/41842.jpg)
![Greg Ira, California Naturalist Program Coordinator and Ali Stefancich, CES II Sierra Foothill REC participate in activities Greg Ira, California Naturalist Program Coordinator and Ali Stefancich, CES II Sierra Foothill REC participate in activities](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/41843.jpg)
![Ali Stefancich presents Sierra Foothills REC education outreach best pracitices Ali Stefancich presents Sierra Foothills REC education outreach best pracitices](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/41844.jpg)
![Shanna Abatti, 4-H Program Representative demonstrates Sustainble You! Summer Camp air quality activity Shanna Abatti, 4-H Program Representative demonstrates Sustainble You! Summer Camp air quality activity](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/41845.jpg)
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller, RDN
The week has flown by. A special thanks to the youth and families that joined us this week, the City of Ventura for partnering with us, environmental educator, Jill Sarrick and intern, Shanti Sandosham for delivering a great program!
Sustainable You! Summer Camp wraps up with Water!
Day 5: Water
![The morning begins by contemplating the importance of Water The morning begins by contemplating the importance of Water](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37060.jpg)
![With a roll of the die, students simulate the movement of water within the water cycle With a roll of the die, students simulate the movement of water within the water cycle](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37061.jpg)
![Every drop counts. Youth strategize the best way to transport water from one place to another and calculate loss through leaks in the system Every drop counts. Youth strategize the best way to transport water from one place to another and calculate loss through leaks in the system](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37062.jpg)
![Jill Sarrick uses an interactive model to demonstrate concepts of a watershed Jill Sarrick uses an interactive model to demonstrate concepts of a watershed](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37063.jpg)
![Chillin' with farm fresh popcicles made on the blender bike Chillin' with farm fresh popcicles made on the blender bike](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37064.jpg)
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller, RDN
Today, we turn our focus to local and global food systems.
Day 4-Food
![Food questions for thought Food questions for thought](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37028.jpg)
![Predator and Prey game sets the theme for the day Predator and Prey game sets the theme for the day](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37032.jpg)
![Farm Tour Farm Tour](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37036.jpg)
![Harvesting onions Harvesting onions](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37029.jpg)
![Harvesting Harvesting](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37033.jpg)
![Creating planting containers from recycled containers and planting butternut squash Creating planting containers from recycled containers and planting butternut squash](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37030.jpg)
![planting containers planting containers](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37031.jpg)
![planting containers planting containers](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37034.jpg)
![planting containers planting containers](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37037.jpg)
![day4-9 day4-9](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/37035.jpg)
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller, RDN
Today's camp theme tackles Energy. Campers explore renewable and non-renewable energy sources and have fun with solar power.
Day 3: Energy
![Energy journaling starts the day! Energy journaling starts the day!](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36981.jpg)
![Observing the temperature in the solar oven Observing the temperature in the solar oven](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36984.jpg)
![Using measuring skills to create a solar oven Using measuring skills to create a solar oven](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36983.jpg)
![Making s'mores in camp constructed solar ovens Making s'mores in camp constructed solar ovens](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36985.jpg)
![Education Specialist, Gwyn Vanoni, assists with Energy lesson Education Specialist, Gwyn Vanoni, assists with Energy lesson](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36988.jpg)
![Preparing today's harvest Preparing today's harvest](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36989.jpg)
![Using kinetic energy for cooking activity Using kinetic energy for cooking activity](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36987.jpg)
![making popcycles making popcycles](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36991.jpg)
![Camp fun Camp fun](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36982.jpg)
![making new friends making new friends](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Hansen/blogfiles/36990.jpg)