Have you heard of SB 1383? If you haven't, you probably will soon because the regulations just took effect on January 1, 2022. I learned about this law through my involvement in community composting and collaboration with the City of Rancho Cucamonga Environmental Programs. Six months ago, I couldn't even have told you that SB stands for Senate Bill. The information I share here comes from CalRecycle website. It contains a wealth of resources on the regulations, waste collection and recycling, food recovery, education and outreach, and more. 

What is SB 1383 all about? This groundbreaking legislation is a state-wide effort to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). SLCPs such as methane, black carbon, tropospheric (ground level) ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons remain in the atmosphere for a shorter time than carbon dioxide but have a much stronger warming effect. Therefore, reducing SLCPs has the potential to significantly slow global climate change in the near term. For more details, see the California Air Resources Board website.

Adopted in September 2016, SB 1383 sets targets for reducing organic waste disposal: 50 percent by January 2020 and 75 by January 2025. Organic waste comprises more than half the waste stream in California and includes green waste, wood, food waste, and fibers such as paper and cardboard. When left to decompose in landfills, organic waste releases large amounts of methane gas. The overall goal of the bill is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least four million metric tons per year by 2030.

In addition to organic waste reduction, SB 1383 requires a 20 percent increase in edible food recovery to reduce food insecurity, a problem that has worsened during the pandemic. About one in five Californians are food insecure. In 2018, CalRecycle conducted a waste characterization study that showed more than six million tons of food end up in landfills every year. By diverting edible food from landfills, food recovery organizations such as food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens can provide food to people in need.

One of the jurisdiction responsibilities specified by SB 1383 is to provide organics collection services to all residents and businesses. In this context, a jurisdiction may be a city, county, city and county, or special district that collects solid waste. Jurisdictions can choose a collection option that works best for their community; so you may see some changes to your current system.

Waste collection services may utilize one, two, three, or more color-coded containers. For example, a three-container, source-separated collection service uses a blue container for recyclables such as paper, plastic, and glass; a green container for compostables such as food and garden waste; and a black container for the remaining landfill waste. One and two-container services mix waste, which is later sorted by a facility that recovers at least 75 percent of the organics. Jurisdictions are also required to educate residents and businesses about collection requirements and how to sort materials into the correct container.

 As a Master Gardener and environmental educator, I've been thinking about how SB 1383 will impact school and community gardens, and I believe most of the effects will be positive. The law presents a great opportunity to start composting organic waste in gardens and educating students and community members about the environmental benefits. Businesses such as grocery stores and restaurants may be more likely to donate organics for composting because they can no longer throw them in the dumpster. Free compost may be more readily available because each jurisdiction is required to procure a certain amount of compost for use in the community. The infrastructure developed for edible food recovery should make it easier for gardens to share excess produce. I look forward to seeing how school and community gardens contribute to future composting, recycling, and recovery efforts.

Do you want to learn more about SB 1383? The UCCE Master Gardeners of San Bernardino is offering two opportunities. The first is a brief overview presentation during the School and Community Gardening Collaborative Workshop on Saturday, January 29th, starting at 9 am. The workshop will be presented live on Zoom, and the presentation videos will be uploaded to the UCCE San Bernardino YouTube channel. The second opportunity is a longer Zoom class on February 11th at 3 pm. You can register for the workshop and the class on the UCCE Master Gardeners of San Bernardino website under Classes & Events.

 

Jeff has been with the UCCE San Bernardino County Master Gardener program since 2019, and he has always been great at brainstorming outreach, but it was the “worm window” where I first became aware of his genius!  Through our planning meetings for an upcoming Master Gardener event in the high desert Jeff had an idea for how we could share the world of the vermicomposting worms with the public and this is when I knew that Jeff really had a unique and wonderful way at looking at education! I don't want to give away all the details since I think you should see it for yourself to get the full effect, but basically, he set up a viewing window in a small container to be able to see the worm up close in its semi natural habitat.

 

When it comes to sharing Master Gardeners' love of gardening with an eye on a scientific message, there are often a lot of logistics that need to be sorted through, and Jeff has a great capacity and interest in doing just that. He is wonderful at working through the details of how to create interesting displays and sharing information that really speaks to the topic, but is also fun and exciting. I can see the engagement and wonder on people's faces when he works Master Gardener information tables and makes presentations because he always includes that fun and hands on element!

 

Jeff is also a strong advocate for small space gardening and does some amazing things himself at home in his growing space that he is able to share with people and let them know that they can do it too.  Jeff has been invaluable at planning meetings bringing many new ideas to the program on outreach and ways to share our gardening information with all of you. I look forward to all the innovations that Jeff will continue to bring to our program!  Here is a little more on Jeff that he has shared with us.         

 

Thank you, Jeff, for all you do as a UCCE Master Gardener in the high desert and beyond!

 

                                                            -Maggie O'Neill, Master Gardener Program Coordinator

 

Tell us a little about yourself.

 

I live in Apple Valley which is in the Mojave Desert, I work in education, and I have been a UCCE Master Gardener since 2019. I find it challenging to garden not only in the desert, but also in a small space.

 

 

Why did you decide to be a UCCE Master Gardener?

 

I became a Master Gardener volunteer to improve my gardening skills through the training program. I also wanted to inspire people to grow vegetables or other plants wherever they live. For instance, someone without a yard may still be able to grow some herbs, succulents, or possibly even small vegetables if they have a window that gets a lot of sun. 

 

 

What are your gardening passions?

 

I like to grow edible plants, such as vegetables and herbs, along with a few native or water-wise plants to keep the pollinators happy. In addition, I have been growing houseplants for many years. I grow most of my plants in containers and some in the windows.

 

 

What is a tidbit or two you've learned as a UCCE Master Gardener that the public reading our newsletter could gain from?

 

If you are having a garden challenge, someone else has probably had the same issue and it is good to know that you are not alone. Also, if you have pests in the garden, it is important to correctly identify them. Then, the proper control methods can be used at the correct time to manage the pests.

 

 

What advice would you give someone considering becoming a UCCE Master Gardener?

 

Anyone that is considering becoming a UCCE Master Gardener should be aware that there is a volunteer component to the program. After completing the required training, UCCE Master Gardeners are required to complete a certain number of volunteer and continuing education hours annually to maintain their certifications. Volunteering with the public allows a Master Gardener to not only provide information to the public, but also to meet and learn from others who are gardening in their county.

 

 Note:  The attached garden photos are another one of Jeff's talents! They are taken by Jeff of his garden, and showcases another talent of his, photography!

 

You may have heard us say at our information tables, workshops or on social media that “UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are here to help!”  So to bring in the new year I wanted to talk about all the ways we are here to help you in your gardening adventures and with your community gardening efforts.

Master Gardener Helpline (Free!): You can find us at many events and workshops throughout the county, but we are just a phone call or email away, as well!  If you have questions about what's bugging your garden, or why your tree is looking unhealthy, what tree would be good to plant in your area, or what you should plant this time of year, Master Gardeners are here to help answer those questions.  No question is too small, silly, or unimportant.  Our volunteers go through dozens of hours of training and the volunteers who address your questions through our helpline love to be detectives and help you solve your plant mysteries and provide you with the tools to keep your garden and landscape healthy in the future, so don't be shy!  We love that you can email us photos too, since a picture speaks a thousand words. Give our free helpline a try! Call us at: 909-387-2182 or Email us at:  mgsanbern@ucanr.edu

Newsletter: You already have access to our monthly newsletter since you are reading this but if it's a shared copy and you'd like your own newsletter emailed to you directly, sign up on this link: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=35784  Our newsletter includes our calendar of upcoming free educational events, where you can find us each month, links to some great blog posts and more! Please feel free to share it with friends, family, and colleagues.

Online classes:  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we took our educational classes online on topics ranging from growing food at home to how you can keep your trees alive during a drought.  As the pandemic restrictions began to lighten up and we could go back to being in person we decided to keep doing some of our classes online for a few reasons. One, San Bernardino County is the largest geographical county in the U.S. so it allows people from all over to conveniently and safely attend, and also saves time for residents of the valley due to traffic. We will keep offering classes online for those that like to attend that way, while also (as safe) continue to return to in-person face-to-face events as safe to do so.!  Check out our list of classes at: https://mgsb.ucanr.edu/

In person classes: Ready to go back to being in person for our classes?  We are doing that too!! Visit our website and find out where we will be in person teaching classes and workshops. https://mgsb.ucanr.edu/Calendar_of_Events/

YouTube channel: Did you know we have a YouTube channel now too?  We are posting some of our classes that we have done online there if you missed them or want to go back and review them.  We are also always adding short videos on a variety of topics. We encourage you to go to YouTube and subscribe!  You can go to our website for a list of our videos: https://mgsb.ucanr.edu/Recent_Presentations/Videos/ or go directly to our YouTube channel to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrfbx0-Jvr1_PfZp8j1KHzA

Online and In Person “Ask a Master Gardener” time:  Once a month we answer gardening questions from the public online.  Consider it like a live helpline!  We have had people walk us virtually around their gardens and landscapes asking “What is wrong with this plant?” “Why won't this broccoli grow?” or “What should I plant here?”  It is lots of fun for us, too, and we learn so much talking with all of you. Please join us the 2^nd Sunday of each month online from 11am to 1pm with your gardening and landscaping questions!  You can drop in any time during the two hour session:  https://mgsb.ucanr.edu/?calitem=519362&g=61974

Want to bring your plant problems to us in person? Check out our in person “Ask a Master Gardener” time at the Sam J. Racadio Library in Highland (7863 Central Avenue) the 2^nd Sat of each month from 11am to 1pm, as well, where the Master Gardeners are always ready to answer all of your gardening questions, too!

Website: Look around our website for helpful resources and more, that's another way we are here to help! 

Social Media: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter too, to find out what were up to and more @mgpsanbern

You can also find us at Farmer's Market's throughout the county where we have information tables to answer your gardening questions and share about upcoming events.  We are working with local community gardens to provide support and also at many we teach classes each month.  Currently we are teaching monthly classes at the Chino and Rialto community gardens, the Seeds of Joy community garden in Ontario and are going to start working with the new Fontana community garden and a few more so check here to see where you can find us at a community garden each month: https://mgsb.ucanr.edu/Calendar_of_Events/

Want us to teach at your community garden, club, or local nonprofit?   Or help with your local school or community garden? We can do that too!  Just send an email to our helpline and we can set something up!  Call us at: 909-387-2182 or Email us at:  mgsanbern@ucanr.edu

Become a Master Gardener to you can help your community too!!  We are currently accepting applications for our Class of 2022 Master Gardener training course and we would love to have you join our team!  Go to our website to learn more: https://mgsb.ucanr.edu/Become_a_Master_Gardener_2/

So as we look forward to 2022 and all the gardening potential it has know that we are here to support you in many ways through your gardening adventure, and supporting you is something that Master Gardeners are trained and love to do so don't be shy and give “Asking a Master Gardener” a try today!!

As a UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener and UC ANR employee, I am fortunate to have many opportunities to partner with amazing farmers, gardeners, and educators. I am particularly in awe of educators who fully integrate outdoor spaces into their teaching. One of these educators is Jackie Lacey, the Environmental Education Resource Teacher at Kimbark Elementary School. She teaches a combination of Next Generation Science Standards and environmental concepts to all classes from TK (transitional kindergarten) through sixth grade. Jackie has been in her current position for 12 years and teaching at Kimbark for 26 years. Even after all this time, she maintains her enthusiasm for creating engaging, hands-on projects for her students.

Kimbark Elementary is a Technology and Environmental Science Magnet School in the rural community of Devore, about 12 miles northwest of downtown San Bernardino. When I visited the school in early November, the expansive grounds were still green and shaded by a variety of mature trees. The school has drought-tolerant, vegetable, and native plant gardens, and Jackie's classroom is home to a menagerie of animals including fish, snakes, a rabbit, and a tortoise. No wonder the students think Jackie's the “fun teacher”!

When I asked Jackie how she approaches environmental education, she said she uses a conservationist approach. She wants students to go out and experience nature while remembering to conserve resources for future generations. To inspire a love for nature, Jackie takes her students outside as much as possible. She summed it up this way: “I feel like the best way for kids to learn about the environment is by getting out there and getting dirty.”

At Halloween time, her students created “trash-o-lanterns” by filling pumpkins grown in the vegetable garden with trash and burying them in the ground. Around Earth Day in April, they'll dig them up to see what happens. Pumpkins and other organic materials will decompose while plastics and inorganic materials will remain intact. Jackie believes this type of experiential learning will help her students understand the importance of recycling. She wants kids to know they have the power to make changes and choices every day.

Continuing the recycling theme, Jackie created a “trash graph” with the kindergarten classes. She gave the students gloves and helped them pick up all the trash on the playground. Back in the classroom, they dumped the trash on the floor and sorted it into categories including masks, plastic bottles, food wrappers, and pencils. Then they tallied the number of items in each category and made a bar graph. The students discovered that the categories with the largest number of items were wrappers and masks. Jackie used this as a teachable moment to discuss how waste is damaging the environment and how it can be recycled.

Jackie loves using the garden to teach. It's not just about planting, maintaining, pulling weeds, and watering. It's about becoming an investigator. When Jackie and her students go out in the garden, they look for signs of animal habitat and talk about life cycles and food chains. The pumpkin patch is a great place to observe the life cycle of a plant from seed to vine to blossom to pumpkin and back to seed. The students even found a black widow spider living in a pumpkin and preying on insects—an example of a food chain.

Jackie uses produce grown in the garden as the basis for nutrition and cooking lessons, such as making bread from zucchini or salsa from tomatoes and peppers. These lessons give her students the chance to try new foods, and they are more likely to eat foods they've helped grow.

When I asked Jackie how she includes the animals in her classroom in her teaching, she replied that she uses them to talk about the different types of animals and their adaptations. She noted, “There's nothing better to teach about reptiles than to bring out one of the snakes or to go hang out in the back area with our tortoise.” The students examine the underside of a snake and learn how its scales help it slither along the ground. They discuss the functions of the fur and claws of a rabbit and the fins and gills of a fish. Many students have never had pets at home; so caring for animals in the classroom teaches them responsibility and respect for living creatures.

What Jackie likes most about her job is working with all students in the school continually over the years. She says that every day is completely different, and she never knows what's going to happen. While she has set lesson plans, she's always willing to change them to accommodate the students and the circumstances. In the time of COVID-19, Jackie especially enjoys spending time outdoors with the kids, watching them run around and have fun.

The San Bernardino Master Gardeners are collaborating with Jackie and Kimbark Elementary to design a portion of the native plant garden and rehabilitate the vegetable garden beds with gopher-proofing, soil, and compost. By partnering with UCCE San Bernardino, Jackie hopes to gain knowledge and improve her program by asking questions, sharing ideas, and watching Master Gardeners at work.

To learn more about the Kimbark's Environmental Education Program, I invite you to attend the upcoming virtual School and Community Garden Collaborative Workshop on Saturday, January 29, from 9 to 11:30 am. Jackie will give a presentation about “Engaging 21st Century Students with Environmental Education”. We will have a great lineup of speakers followed by a breakout session to share feedback and resources. Register on the Master Gardener website using this link. Start the new year with fresh ideas and inspiration from your fellow gardeners!