- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller
Last month, the Thelma Hansen Fund hosted a three-day series to inform about climate change and the science behind it. In an effort to raise awareness of current and predicted impacts on Southern California, the impressive line up of UC speakers focused on the environment, agriculture, and disasters such as drought and fire.
If you missed the series or want to watch again, here is a brief overview and links to the recordings:
April 27
Climate change in California: A drier or wetter future—or…both?,
Dr. Daniel Swain, UCLA
Climate change has arrived in California, and scientific evidence linking the increasing severity of the region's recent droughts and wildfire seasons grows stronger with each passing year. But our warmer future may yet hold some surprises—and that includes the prospect of increasing "precipitation whiplash" that will increase the risk of both severe drought and extreme flood events.
UC Climate Stewards: Fostering resilience in California communities and ecosystems,
Sara-Mae Nelson, UC Climate Stewards Academic Coordinator
April 28
Climate Change Trends and Impacts on Agriculture in California and Ventura,
Dr. Tapan Pathak, UC Merced
Current and future trends in climate including temperature, precipitation, snowpack, extreme heat, frost risks etc. and how these trends could potentially impact agriculture in California and regionally in and around Ventura.
Heat, Wind, Freeze, Wind, Repeat, Dr. Ben Faber, UCCE-Ventura County
What is going on with the weather and what is the impact on farming? Coastal farming has enjoyed a fairly constant environment over the years, disrupted by the occasional freeze and the regular occurrence of devastating Santa Ana winds. Now, thrown into this pattern, are devastating heat waves which affect cropping patterns and cause significant crop damage and loss. What are these changes and consequences?
Overview of the Healthy Soils Program, Nicki Anderson, UCCE—Ventura County
What is the Healthy Soils Program and what has it accomplished so far? A look on how this program plans to continue working for California farms and farmers.
April 29
How can we address the growing wildland-urban interface problem in California?
Dr. Max Moritz, UCSB
With increasing area burned and homes lost in California, we must somehow adapt to, and coexist with, wildfire in the coming decades. A review of what we've learned about incorporating human development into future projections of wildfire and mitigation of losses, particularly as they relate to stronger land use and urban planning.
Fire and rangelands: impacts to Ventura County livestock agriculture,
Matthew Shapero—UCCE Ventura County
While the hills that surround our urban centers in Ventura County might appear from a distance as wild and uncultivated, many of them are in fact working cattle ranches. These are the lands that are most directly impacted by Ventura County's frequent wildfires. What is the history of wildfire in the county, what are the impacts to livestock agriculture, and how we plan to mitigate impacts in the future?
SAFER, Sustainable And FIRE Resistant Homes and Landscapes, Dr. Sabrina Drill—UCCE Ventura County
Creating safer landscapes in fire-prone areas starts at the home. How do you increase the likelihood of homes surviving fire at the structure and near-home landscaping scale.
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller, RDN
On Tuesday, July 19, the UC Hansen Ag Research & Extension Center collaborated with Pow Wow Energy, California Lutheran University, UCSB and Cal Poly-SLO in hosting an Ag Meets Tech event. The event focused on Simple Solutions to Real Challenges in Water. The morning began with a welcome by Dr. Ben Faber, UC Cooperative Extension-Ventura County. Several short presentations covered areas of interest for growers, techies, and academics. Technologists and growers participated in field demonstrations with hands-on opportunities involving automated water records, variable speed pumps, moisture monitoring options, and irrigation systems. A discussion panel concluded the half-day event with moderator by Jim Dunning, Cal Poly-S.L.O. and panelists Robert Abbott, third generation grower at Abbott Farms, Andy Coker, assistant manager of farming operations at Limoneira, Dr. Chandra Krintz, computer science professor at UCSB and PI of Smart Farm project, Mike Sullivan, farm manager at Churchill Orchard, Olivier Jerphagnon, founder and CEO of PowWow Energy.
For more information about the AgTech events in the TriCounties, please visit http://www.meetup.com/AgTech-Central-Coast/events
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller
We are thrilled to introduce Valerie Grant, the new Youth Family and Community Education Specialist II. Valerie will organize and manage the 4-H Community Club and Military Programs in the CE office as well as provide leadership and guidance to the 4-H Council. Additionally, Valerie will assist with YFC program development at HAREC.
Valerie grew up on her family's cattle and timber ranch in Humboldt County. This gave her an appreciation for natural resources. She was a member of the Kneeland 4-H club for twelve years involved in gardening, club leadership and 4-H Presentation Day. She raised and showed pigs, sheep, and steer at the county fair and was an active member of FFA.
Her passion for natural resources led her to study at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. In May 2015, Valerie graduated from West Virginia University in Morgantown with an M.S. in Forestry. She studied the conservation interests of farmland and woodland owners in rural Appalachia, coordinated a private forest landowner outreach education program that helped connect new landowners with Agriculture and Forestry Professionals. While in West Virginia, she also had the opportunity to work with youth at the site of the very first U.S. 4-H camp.
Valerie's 4-H background and appreciation for agriculture and natural resources will be an asset to CE and HAREC programs. She is excited to meet staff and community partners and begin her career in Ventura County.