- Author: Julie Finzel
- Author: Theresa Becchetti
- Author: Rebecca Ozeran
- Author: Devii Rao
UC ANR Advisors restructured Range Camp, a rangeland education program that has helped 95% of participants improve their understanding of ecosystem processes in California's rangelands, supporting a more qualified workforce.
Elkus Youth Ranch - Welcome!The Issue
![Elkus Youth Ranch - Welcome! Elkus Youth Ranch - Welcome!](http://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCDelivers/blogfiles/78290.jpg)
Rangelands cover 62.9 million acres of California; almost 63% of the state. California rangelands support livestock production and provide important ecosystem services including wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities and beautiful viewsheds. California's Range and Natural Resources Camp (Range Camp) provides a five day immersive camp experience for high school students ages 15-18 focused on the science and art of range and natural resources management. The camp is held annually at UC's Elkus Ranch. For 35 years, the California-Pacific Section of the Society for Range Management organized and sponsored Range Camp. As time passed, it became clear that a new organization needed to pick up the reins of Range Camp to sustain this effective youth science education outreach program.
How UC Delivers
This week-long long camp is held annually at UC's Elkus Ranch and provides an immersive experience focused on the science and art of range and natural resource management. Livestock and natural resources Advisors Theresa Becchetti, Julie Finzel, Rebecca Ozeran, and Devii Rao provided capacity for all facets of Range Camp planning and operations. They secured funding to integrate a teacher training component into camp and to facilitate the development of a high school range management curriculum focused on the unique characteristics of California rangelands.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and it became clear that an in-person camp was not feasible, the camp was restructured to accommodate an all virtual experience. The traditionally week-long camp was condensed into 23 brief videos and activities, each of which covered an important science concept. Topics included:
- Rangeland Ecology
- Rangeland Monitoring
- Plant Identification
- Ornithology
- Virtual Ranch Tours
- Ranch Economics
- Wildlife
- Climate Change
- Fire Ecology
- Careers in Range Management
The Impact
A survey was distributed in 2017 to campers from 2001-2016 to assess the impact of Range Camp. The survey response rate was 18%, with 95% of respondents indicating that camp increased their understanding of natural resources and 90% of respondents reporting that camp changed their perceptions of how our personal actions affect the environment. College majors among survey respondents were heavily weighted towards science degrees. Range Camp graduates have gone on to be UCCE Advisors, work for NASA, direct youth education outreach organizations and more, demonstrating how new partnerships and contributions from UC ANR Advisors have cultivated new rangeland professionals and contributes to UC ANR's public value of developing a qualified workforce. Range Camp is about more than teaching science; it's about challenging preconceptions, fostering new friendships, and building life skills. One camper stated:
I felt so complete when the sun was disappearing behind the hills…it was as if camp made me realize that I can make a difference. Suddenly, beating global warming and climate change seemed possible…Range Camp has enlightened me. It has changed me. It has permanently made me a ‘happy camper.'
To learn more about Range Camp, visit our program website.
- Author: Leah Sourbeer
Alameda County EFNEP courses provided online cooking education and local referral to food resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping increase participants food security, and supporting UC ANR's public value of safe, sufficient, and healthy food for all Californians.
The Issue
COVID-19 has impacted low-income communities by increasing rates of food insecurity. In Alameda County, the food insecurity rate is projected to increase 52% from 2018 to 2020. Families have increasingly relied on food banks and food distribution events to provide adequate nourishment during this time. As reported by KPIX CBS SF Bay Area, Mike Altfest, Community Engagement Director for the Alameda County Food Bank, stated “Since the start of this pandemic, our food distribution has increased between 50 and 70 percent.” Additionally, “We've never seen anything like this in 35 years in business.”
How UC Delivers
In response to COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, Alameda County Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) educator Nelly Camacho pivoted to offer remote nutrition classes to parents in place of traditional in-person classes. EFNEP class participants shared how difficult it was for them to feed their families given job losses, reduced work hours, children being home from school, and other challenges. To respond to community members' needs, Nelly spent extensive time researching and calling food distribution sites to provide updated information to her participants. She shared dates, times, locations, and any special notes such as ‘They're also giving out diapers!' with her classes.
Nelly also focused her recipe demonstrations on the food items commonly distributed at food bank sites. At times, food items available at distribution events are unfamiliar to participants, and they may not know how to prepare them. To help with this, participants notified Nelly in advance about what items they had received so that she could prepare recipe demonstrations using those foods. Participants were excited to learn new, tasty recipes using the food they received, and shared photos of their homemade dishes. Recipe demonstrations included a smoothie using both kale and canned fruit, a ‘tuna ceviche' highlighting tuna fish and onion, and new ways to use cottage cheese,a food item many participants did not usually consume, such as the addition of cottage cheese to the traditional Peruvian dish called Papa a la Huancaina.
The Impact
Nelly's efforts to provide food resource information was effective and wide-reaching. Her participants shared the information with other family, friends and neighbors, increasing food access to additional families in need. EFNEP evaluation data collected between April and September 2020 showed that 52% of 44 participants improved in at least one food security indicator (not eating less than you wanted so there was more food for your family or having enough money to get food). This finding is promising because research shows that food insecurity is related to poor physical and mental health outcomes. According to one participant, "There were foods that I didn't know (and) now I will cook them. It was nice to share with my friends." (EFNEP participant, Hayward). Another remarked, "Thank you for letting me know where to get free food." (EFNEP participant, Newark). By offering local referral to food resources and complimentary cooking classes, Alameda County EFNEP helps to support UC ANR's public value of safe, sufficient, and healthy food for all Californians during a crucial time.
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![EFNEP educator Nelly Camacho standing at healthy food demonstration table. EFNEP educator Nelly Camacho standing at healthy food demonstration table.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCDelivers/blogfiles/77693.jpg)
![EFNEP participants share a group chat with photos of prepared recipes. EFNEP participants share a group chat with photos of prepared recipes.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCDelivers/blogfiles/77694.png)
- Author: Hawau E Bojuwon
UCCE Kern County and CNAP partners community garden training increased knowledge for 18 local agencies on cultivating and maintaining food-based gardens, and supported UC ANR's commitment to healthy families and communities.
The Issue
According to County Health Rankings & Roadmap, Kern County's food insecurity rate of 23.8% exceeds California's rate of 18%. Almost 74% of Kern County adults are overweight or obese, posing chronic disease risks such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
How UC Delivers
The Kern County Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP) for a Healthy Kern empowers local communities to create a culture of healthy living. Collaborative efforts to prevent obesity and other chronic disease include direct and indirect education, outreach, and policy system environmental changes (PSE) to create positive wellness environments where people work, live, and play. UCCE Kern County's Nutrition, Family, and Consumer Sciences Advisor chaired the Kern CNAP for a Healthy Kern, working to help prevent food insecurity and obesity. CNAP collaborated with Kern County Public Health Services Department, McKinley Elementary School, and Kern County Library to plan and conduct the McKinley Home Garden Training program for representatives from 18 community-based organizations.
Research shows that food-centered gardening leads to increased consumption of fresh foods from backyards and community gardens. The UCCE Kern training program included information on gardening basics, health benefits of gardening, and healthy lifestyle choices. Participants received vital information and skills to develop and maintain gardens in food-insecure communities.
The Impact
As a result of UCCE Kern County collaborations to conduct the McKinley Elementary School gardening training, participants from 18 community agencies increased their knowledge of gardening methods and resources available to start and sustain a garden. Significant changes among participants were documented with a pre/post survey developed by the CNAP. Before the garden training, 78% of participants reported little to some knowledge, skills, or understanding about gardening, and 22% reported having a lot to a great deal of knowledge. In post-survey results, 22% of participants reported little to some knowledge, skills, or understanding of gardening, and 78% reported a lot to a great deal of knowledge, demonstrating a doubling of knowledge that was held prior to the training.
Results of the training were shared at the Kern County Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP) coalition meeting, which led to a Parks and Recreation inquiry indicating interest in establishing additional gardens across Kern County. Participants noted the benefits of the training as learning how systems work together to achieve impact and serve the community; a great program to teach the younger generation healthy options; impacting their work around implementing Policies, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) changes; a great idea for summer camp classes for students; useful information to start a garden and use the fresh vegetables in nutrition education classes, and implementing herb box container gardening at churches.” These results demonstrate how UCCE Kern County, in partnership with other local agencies, provided knowledge and skills to support healthier families and positive built environments in the community.
/h3>/h3>/h3>/h3>![UCCE Kern County educator conducting training at an outdoor garden with participants. UCCE Kern County educator conducting training at an outdoor garden with participants.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCDelivers/blogfiles/77367.jpg)
![UCCE training participants study the learning garden. UCCE training participants study the learning garden.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCDelivers/blogfiles/77370.jpg)
![Training participants observe gardening demonstration from UCCE educator. Training participants observe gardening demonstration from UCCE educator.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCDelivers/blogfiles/77369.png)
- Author: Hawau E Bojuwon
After attending UCCE Kern County training, CAPSLO early childhood educators increase structured physical activity for 195 children enrolled in their seasonal migrant head start program using the CATCH ECE curriculum.
The Issue
According to KidsData.org, almost 74% of Kern County adults are either overweight or obese. Furthermore, 2018 data from Department of Education Physical Fitness tests indicated that Kern fifth graders overweight or obese rates at 44.9%, were 5% higher than the state average. Also, the food insecurity rate at 23.8%, is higher than California's state average rate of 18%. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term serious health impacts, as children who are obese are more likely to have risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO) has five migrant head start centers in Kern County: Milagro Migrant Head Start, Las Mariposas Head Start, Las Rosas Migrant Head Start, Glenwood Migrant Head Start, and Buena Vista Migrant Head Start. The agency provides early education and childcare for migrant families in the Arvin, Lamont/Weedpatch, Wasco, and Delano communities. The seasonal migrant program provides no-cost childcare and preschool services to low-income families whose primary occupation is agricultural production or harvesting.
How UC Delivers
To promote healthy lifestyles, CAPSLO collaborated with UCCE Kern County Nutrition Education program to implement the Coordinated Approach to Child Health Early Childhood Education (CATCH ECE). UCCE Kern Nutrition staff provided teachers with a 4-hour CATCH ECE training and technical assistance twice per month for 14 months. CATCH ECE provided children the opportunity to develop locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills through games and activities. Children had the opportunity to be more physically active during school sessions. Teachers incorporated CATCH ECE in their daily curriculum at Head Start Centers 3-5 days per week for 30 minutes.
CATCH Training CAPSLO Staff
The Impact
![CATCH Training CAPSLO Staff CATCH Training CAPSLO Staff](http://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCDelivers/blogfiles/77295.jpg)
As a result of the CATCH ECE partnership and implementation, 12 teacher extenders trained to implement the CATCH curriculum, adopted what they learned and delivered 83.75 hours of physical activity programming to young children at CAPSLO's centers. From August 2018 to September 2019, students received these 83.75 hours of structured physical activity using the CATCH ECE curriculum. A total of 195 students increased structured physical activity 3-5 times per week compared to their initial 2-3 times. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2018), regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces the risk of many chronic diseases among children and adults. By motivating participants to adopt healthier lifestyle practices, UCCE Kern helped to create healthier families and communities.
http://cekern.ucanr.edu/Custom_Program804/
https://www.facebook.com/UCCEKernCounty
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- Author: Chutima Ganthavorn
- Author: Katie Panarella
- Contributor: Shyra Murrey
EFNEP delivered food safety lessons to over 4,000 participants last year, with nearly 2,500 reporting improvements in food safety knowledge and practices. EFNEP's work contributes to UC ANR's public value of safeguarding sufficient, safe, and healthy food for all Californians.
The Issue
The foodborne illness burden in the U.S. is estimated at 48 million cases, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3000 deaths each year (CDC.gov). This burden will likely increase during the coronavirus pandemic since more families are now cooking and preparing meals at home. With limited consumer knowledge about food safety, the likelihood of foodborne illness increases. Moreover, today's consumers often rely on the internet for health information. Studies have found inaccurate food safety advices on TV cooking shows and recipe blogs. A recent study reveals misinformation abounds on social media and internet question and answer websites.
How UC Delivers
Food safety is one of the four core areas of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). California EFNEP, a statewide program of UC ANR, teaches food safety and safe food handling practices as part of the nine-lesson nutrition series for limited-resource families in 19 counties. Adult participants, mostly those responsible for preparing meals for the family, learn reliable food safety information based on research such as food safety basics, the four core practices to prevent foodborne illness, safe minimum cooking temperature, and proper storage of leftovers. In addition to teaching concepts, EFNEP educators demonstrate proper handwashing and other safe food handling practices during recipe demonstration. Youth participants in lower grades (K-2) learn about when and how to wash hands. EFNEP educators use the Glo-germ demonstration, which illustrates proper handwashing. Youth in upper grades also learn about food safety basics and how to store and handle food safely. During the pandemic, EFNEP quickly pivoted to offer classes virtually so that food safety lessons could continue. During the 2020 program year, EFNEP statewide delivered food safety lessons to 2,981 adult participants and 1,323 youth.
The pre/post EFNEP Adult Questionnaire utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of EFNEP shows 85% (1850 of 2187) of participants improved in one or more food safety practices, such as washing hands before preparing food, washing all items and surfaces after cutting raw meat or seafood, not thawing frozen food at room temperature, and using a meat thermometer. Thawing frozen food at room temperature is not recommended but appears to be common among EFNEP participants; only 29% met this recommendation before the training. After the EFNEP lesson, 65% of participants indicated they now less often thaw frozen food at room temperature. Among youth participants from grades K-12, 55% (733 of 1323) of children and youth gain knowledge or use safe food handling practices more often. Research shows that these food safety practices can reduce the prevalence of foodborne illness. Therefore, these outcomes demonstrate how EFNEP contributes to improved food safety and the public value of safeguarding sufficient, safe, and healthy food for all Californians.