- Editor: Karen Giovannini
Press Release by Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County
At their January 24, 2017, Board meeting, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors extended agreements with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) through December 31, 2025, continuing agricultural, environmental and community-based research and educational programming in Sonoma County.
“UCCE works with so many community partners, dedicated volunteers, and other County departments to serve the public and our youth population,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Shirlee Zane. “We are excited to continue our partnership with UCCE to support innovative programs to educate the public about the importance of our local landscapes, agriculture, and recreational opportunities.”
The UCCE's offices are local problem-solving centers. More than 400 campus-based specialists and county-based farm, home, and youth advisors work as teams to bring the University's research-based information to Californians. UCCE has been partnering with Sonoma County since 1918 and manages several local programs aimed at preserving agriculture and strengthening community development and leadership in youth and adults. A few of these program include:
- 4-H Youth Development: The Sonoma County 4-H program helps young people, ages 5-19, reach their fullest potential as competent, confident individuals who contribute to and are connected with their communities. In 4-H programs, youth serve in leadership roles where they set goals, develop plans, complete projects, and reflect on their experiences.
- Master Gardener program: 320 volunteers provide environmentally sustainable, science-based horticultural information to the community, including over 100 classes per year, at 13 farmer's markets and at various workshops throughout the year.
- General Agricultural and Natural Resources Education: Monthly educational seminars for Sonoma county farmers and ranchers address production, marketing systems, business planning and food safety issues; along with increasing local jobs for smaller-scale farmers by promoting and supporting businesses and products, through value added opportunities and streamlined permitting processes.
Stephanie Larson, UCCE County Director said, “Our partnership with Sonoma County continues to grow and strengthen, by providing essential community services such as our 4-H youth program. The 4-H program educates more than 1,000 youth and offers a broad curriculum including leadership skills, arts and crafts, and civic engagement. We appreciate the ongoing relationship and look forward to serving Sonoma County for many more years to come.”
To learn more about the UCCE, please visit UCCE Sonoma County.
- Editor: Karen Giovannini
We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.
Winston Churchill
In 2012 I had a life changing experience, I contracted a very rare flesh eating bacteria and almost lost my life. After being airlifted to Children's hospital in Oakland, I spent the summer there having 14 surgeries. While I was in the hospital, I was overcome by the generosity of our community and complete strangers. I reaped the many benefits of donated items while in the hospital. In addition, our community rallied around to support me and help my family in ways that were unimaginable. Even though I had previously been active in community service activities, this incident made service an even bigger priority in life. I think giving back to the community is not only self-fulfilling but also a way for me to say thank you to those that helped me. Now I hope that I can help make a positive change in someone elses life and improve community conditions.
Community Service Project: Missy's Homeless Survival Pack Drive
Right now as we are experiencing a much earlier wet and cold winter, there's a huge need for tarps, sleeping bags, rain ponchos, rain boots, shoes, umbrellas, backpacks, hats, gloves, jackets...anything to keep people warm and dry.
Catholic Charities Family Support Center
465 A Street
Santa Rosa
9am-5pm, M-F
Also if you'll mention that this is being donated on behalf of Missy's Homeless Survival Pack Drive, that would be helpful. Catholic Charities is able to help provide shelter & housing for over 2500 homeless men, women and children. Unfortunately, there are many that are on a waiting list and are unable to seek shelter. These packs will be distributed to those individuals to help keep them warm during these inclement conditions. Share this flier for Missy's Homeless Survival Pack Drive at your work.
- The average age of residents in the family shelter is 12 years old
- Over 500 children and youth under the age of 24 called Catholic Charities home last year
- For every child they housed, 4 more were on the shelter waiting list
- 1 in 50 children in the US are homeless (~1.5 million children total)
For more information about their services, please visit Catholic Charities.
/span>- Author: Karen Giovannini
As a new Cooperative Extension Advisor, Worker will provide leadership, support, and oversight to 4-H Youth Development clubs, camps, and programs in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. In partnership with the respective County 4-H Program Representatives, he will connect local 4-H Clubs and programs to exciting new 4-H projects and initiatives. Worker's academic responsibilities include developing, implementing, and evaluating programs to engage youth in healthy living; science, engineering, math and technology; environmental stewardship; and civic engagement.
Worker and his wife, Heather, recently moved to Rohnert Park and are excited to explore the North Bay. Worker is a tabletop (board and card game) enthusiast and an avid science fiction reader.
Contact Worker at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension Marin (415) 473-4207, Sonoma (707) 565-2836, or Napa (707) 253-4221, or by email at smworker@ucanr.edu or view his bio and publications.
- Author: Judy Ludovise
Central Coast Section representative Mary Engebreth and I recently attended the 4-H Western Regional Leaders Forum in Fairbanks, Alaska. The annual conference rotates between 13 western states. Over 300 leaders attended from as far away as American Samoa. Fairbanks was sunny and cold (-2) although the locals were walking around town in shorts and flip flops. Apparently it was unseasonably warm, with the average February temperature hovering around -43.
Excellent workshops were given over the 4 days with a wide range of topics. A few of the workshops I attended were Creating Resilient Youth, Teaching to Engage Participants and Learning to Teach, Teaching to Learn. This information will be shared with Sonoma County 4-H leaders at the summer annual training.
Along with a full day of workshops, the evenings were set aside for local tours. Mary and I were fortunate enough to embark on a midnight dog-sled ride under the dancing lights of the winter skies. The Aurora Borealis was out in full force. As you can see from the photos, the Northern Lights should be on everyone's bucket list. They were breathtaking, amazing, magical and awe inspiring! So beautiful that it makes you forget the cold. I could have stayed out all night watching those lights. Everyone should be so lucky.
Photos of Northern Lights were taken by a professional photographer who was with the sled ride; remaining were taken by Judy or Mary.
- Author: Diego Mariscal
Our success is also attributed to the partnership between 4-H and the Social Advocates for Youth who placed teens as mentors for the summer programs. Through partnerships and community involvement the 4-H program will be opening three more new 4-H Afterschool Clubs in August catering to the needs of youth in Sonoma County.
The unprecedented growth of the 4-H Outreach programs has already been noted by the National 4-H Council who will come to visit Sonoma County's Afterschool 4-H programs on September 29th.
If you are interested to learn more about the 4-H Afterschool programs and/or would like to become a mentor, contact Diego Mariscal, the program coordinator.
Pictured: Members of the local elementary school 4-H Summer Program enjoy an end of the summer potluck.