- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Joined by industry participants such as the Almond Board, California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Milk Advisory Board, FFA & 4-H, California Cattleman's Association, and the Dairy Council of California, UC ANR and others gathered at the State Capital in Sacramento to showcase the many contributions of agriculture in honor of National Ag Day as done across the country.
Creating a buzz through the crowd were the various fruits on display generously provided by the RECs – cotton samples and neatly packaged wheat berries (recipes included), oranges, raisins, and avocados. Appreciating the morning and/or afternoon snack, visitors were especially fascinated by the spectacle of unusual avocados and the rare atamoyas from the South Coast REC collection giving way to wonderful conversations not only about the research and extension being done at the various Centers throughout the state but also how we are caretakers of our natural resources and strive to improve the lives of Californians.
A fun and educational day was had by all!
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
The South Coast Research and Extension Center opened up it gates to invited guests, the California Rare Fruit Growers Assoc. and the UCCE Master Gardeners on Friday, January 23, 2015. Attendees were treated to the fourth annual cherimoya tasting held at the UC ANR South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine.
A crowd of (107) were lined up out the door to evaluate this tropical treat grown at the Center. Through a blind tasting, evaluators were asked to rate the (10) varieties using a basic one to five scale based on texture, flavor, and overall performance.
Unlike the previous open tastings where ‘El Bumpo' reigned as the unanimous winner, there was a shift in the favorites.
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South Coast REC 2015Cherimoya Tasting Top Three Varieties |
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2015 (Blind) |
Texture |
Flavor |
Overall |
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1 |
Orton |
Orton |
Orton |
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2 |
Deliciosa |
Booth |
Booth |
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3 |
Booth |
Deliciosa |
Deliciosa |
||
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
For general inquiries please go to http://ceorange.ucanr.edu/ or call (949) 653-1809.
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Regrettably, I am writing to inform you that we will be cancelling the persimmon tasting this year. Due to the drought and unseasonably warm weather through-out the year, our harvest is much lower than anticipated.
If I may , I would like to suggest an alternative persimmon event that may be of interest should anyone ask. Pitcher Park, 204 S. Cambridge Street in Orange, holds an annual "Persimmon Party", typically on the third Sunday in November. According to their face book page, the date is November 16th, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. It looks like a fun event for the whole family.
Our apologies for any inconvenience and hope you will join us for future activities.
- Editor: Tammy Majcherek
- Author: Sheila Peterson
- Contributor: Norma Yarbrough
UC Cooperative Extension Celebrates 100 Years
Submitted by Sheila Peterson
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources celebrated 100 years of its cooperative extension programs at the UCCE South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine on Saturday evening, September 27, 2014. Over 300 guests enjoyed “An Elegant Evening on the Farm, Local Roots, Global Reach” including a farm fresh strolling dinner, custom UC brewed beers, dragon fruit ice cream made especially for the event, fine California wines and live music. Honorary chairs of the event included Barbara Allen-Diaz, Vice President, UC ANR, A.G. Kawamura, Former Secretary, CDFA, Ed McFadden, Representative, California Avocado Commission, Kirti Mutatkar, CEO, UnitedAG, Tom Nassif, CEO and President, Western Growers, Sheila and Jim Peterson, Local Community Leaders, and Paul Wenger, President, California Farm Bureau Federation.
Locally the UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Program provides a wide array or services and programs to Orange County residents including; The Water Quality program, the Master Gardener Program, Environmental Horticulture Program, 4-H Youth Development Program and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program. For more information on UCCE or any of these programs go to http://ucanr.edu/.
The site of the event, the South Coast Research and Extension Center (SCREC), is a 200-acre regional field laboratory for UC scientists to conduct agricultural and natural resource management research focused on fruits and vegetables including avocados, citrus, stone fruits, strawberries, cherimoyas, persimmons, carrots, celery, sugar beets, and tomatoes. Additional work focuses on invasive pests, turf grass and landscape shrub and tree management, and ornamental plant nursery production in the greenhouse and in the field.
The future holds exciting plans for the Orange County UCCE! Plans are already underway to build a new 2,400 square foot office and program facility at the SCREC site. Due to the fundraising efforts of the 100th anniversary event, we have the funds to begin breaking ground on this worthwhile project. With its completion expected in early 2015 the additional facility expansion will support the commitment to community outreach and the dissemination of the research and education programs that make the UC Cooperative Extension such a vital force in Orange County. More information regarding the expansion plans can be found at: http://screc.ucanr.edu/files/197987.pdf.
Fundraising efforts will continue to support this facility, a tremendous asset to our community. If you wish to donate, please click on the ‘Make a Gift' button the home page of the UC ANR South Coast REC website.
