- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The Contra Costa Times ran a story today about the 2008 fire season, which many suspect will be long and burdensome. One of the experts quoted was William Stewart, a UC Cooperative Extension forestry specialist at UC Berkeley. The version of the story which appeared in the San Jose Mercury News, also under John Simermon's byline, says Stewart is a former research head with CalFire.
The story said a 114-year record low in precipitation statewide from March through May has launched what fire experts figure to be an extended summer of blazes and...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The National 4-H Council distributed a news release announcing stepped up efforts to engage youth in science, and indicated that California is one of five states that will lead a national initiative to expand the 4-H2O water conservation program.
The release was picked up in at least two publications, the Centre Daily Times in Pennsylvania and TMCnet.com.
The 4H20 program includes new curriculum in environmental science and the launch of 4-H2Online. California,...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The Sacramento Bee today ran a story about an ANR decision to close the Genetic Resources Conservation Program, based at UC Davis. Reporter Maddalena Jackson spoke to program director Patrick McGuire and attended a "farewell coffee" last Wednesday to gather information for her story.
Since the GRCP's inception in 1985, the program collected more than a half million plant samples representing some 13,000 species. The collections are repositories for scientists looking to adapt crops to new threats, such as evolving insects and diseases, climate change and drought.
However, the story said that, according to UC...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
When Newsday's Erica Marcus had a burning question about ripening fruit, she turned to UC Davis post harvest experts. Marcus writes a weekly column for the magazine's Web site that answers "burning questions" about food.
In the past, she's helped readers who want to avoid soggy stirfry, identify whole grains, and know exactly when to cover or uncover a pot cooking on the stove. This week, she answered for readers: "Which fruits ripen after they are picked - and why?"
"For the lowdown on ripening," she wrote, "I called the postharvest information...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The St. Helena Star reported today on a sad coincidence for the Napa County viticulture industry. Within the last year, the three men who have held the position of Napa County UC Cooperative Extension viticulture advisor since 1952 passed away.
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Jim Lider, farm advisor from 1952 to 1972, died Nov. 19, 2007
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Keith Bowers, farm advisor from 1972 to 1987, died May 21, 2008
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Ed Weber, farm advisor from 1988 to 2007, died December 31, 2007.
The story focused on the most recent passing, that of...
