- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Citrus growers in Florida, who are struggling with the devastating citrus disease huanglongbing, are considering growing olives, according to a report on the Tampa, Fla., ABC news affiliate.
Reporter Ryan Raiche covered a meeting at the University of Florida Citrus Research and Extension Center where UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Paul Vossen introduced growers to olive production and marketing and offered citrus growers the opportunity to taste a variety of olives and olive oils.
“This is not a slam dunk, because this is a...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Two retired UC Cooperative Extension county directors were recognized in the media as they continue work to build better communities.
The Santa Cruz Sentinel noted that retired Ventura County Director Larry Yee nominated Swanton Berry farmer Jim Cochran for the Natural Resources Defense Council 2011 Food Producer award. Cochran won the national honor, which comes with a $10,000 prize.
The article said Cochran and Yee are working together to develop Food Commons, a project that aims create a more localized infrastructure for food production and distribution. Among its goals are...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The irony of obesity and malnutrition in a community with access to an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables has been carefully reviewed by a group of Los Angeles leaders, reported the Los Angeles Times this week.
The task force, established by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, released a report with 50 recommendations to curb the problem, such as creating a regional food hub, making food stamps legal tender at all farmers markets and encouraging city and county institutions to buy more local food.
Paying for the food reform they recommend will be daunting. The task force suggested "leveraging existing resources, increasing...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The op-ed came in response to a recent decision by the trust's advisory board to recommend that UC sell the farm.
Beginning in 1989, Yee worked personally with then 90-year-old Ms. Thelma Hansen, who was interested in applying her family's sizable fortune to sustain local agriculture. When she passed away in...