- Author: Michelle Leinfelder-Miles
Please save the date for the annual UC Dry Bean Field Day! UC Davis and UC Cooperative Extension will provide updates on dry bean research and management.
When: Thursday, August 15th from 9:30-11:30am
Where: UC Davis campus, specific location will be forthcoming
Who should attend: California growers, consultants, plant breeders, and seed industry and other allied industry professionals
What: Information from UC research on lima, blackeye, and garbanzo beans. Continuing education credits, light refreshments, shade, and seating will be provided.
In a future post, we will provide the agenda and information about continuing education credits. We hope you will join us at the field day!
![UCCE logo UCCE logo](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107474.png)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Ever seen a honey bee and a butterfly sharing a lavender blossom?
Just in time for National Pollinator Week, June 17-23, we saw this today.
What could be more pollinator friendly than that?
The honey bee, Apis mellifera, and the Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, meet on many a blossom. The butterfly usually flutters away, departing first.
This time the bee left first.
As Pollinator Partnership says on its website:
"Pollinator Week 2024 is a celebration of the vital role that pollinators play in our ecosystems, economies, and agriculture. Under the inspiring theme Vision 2040: Thriving Ecosystems, Economies, and Agriculture, this year's event urges us to envision a future where pollinators not only survive but thrive. These essential creatures, including bees, butterflies, moths, bats, beetles, and hummingbirds, are the unsung heroes behind the food we enjoy and the beauty that surrounds us. As we reflect on the interconnectedness of our world, let's unite in a collective effort to protect and preserve these crucial pollinators. By understanding the impact of our actions on their habitats and embracing sustainable practices, we can pave the way for a flourishing future..."
The bee and the butterfly would agree--if they could agree.
![A Gulf Fritillary and a honey bee sharing the same lavender blossom in a Vacaville garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) A Gulf Fritillary and a honey bee sharing the same lavender blossom in a Vacaville garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107473.jpg)
The federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children—commonly known as WIC—safeguards the health of pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children from low-income households who are at nutritional risk. The WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study, also known as the "Feeding My Baby Study," is the only national study to capture data on caregivers and their children over the first nine years of the child's life after enrollment in WIC, regardless of their continued participation in the program. The WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2: Sixth Year Report is the seventh in a series generated from this study. It focuses on children's dietary intake patterns, eating behaviors, and weight status during the child's 6th year, after WIC eligibility has ended. The report also explores whether patterns of WIC participation in early childhood are associated with dietary behaviors and nutrient intakes after WIC eligibility ends. Key findings from the report include:
- Consistent 5-year participation in WIC is associated with better overall diet quality at age 6 compared to participation during only the first year of life.
- Longer participation in WIC is associated with lower saturated fat intake at age 6.
- At age 6, study children consumed recommended amounts of macronutrients but had inadequate intake of certain micronutrients, including vitamin E, calcium, and vitamin D.
- Usual intake of fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein foods, and grains among study participants was consistent with that of a national sample but lower than recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The report was published by the US Department of Agriculture and includes Nutrition Policy Institute's Lorrene Ritchie as a co-author. Read a summary of the report online.
- Author: Dilcie Paschall
Oleander, also known as Nerium oleander, is a fascinating plant that often sparks curiosity and debate. Is it a toxic weed or a beautiful shrub?
Oleander is celebrated for its stunning flowers, which come in a variety of colors such as pink, white, red, and yellow. Its evergreen leaves and ability to thrive in hot, dry climates make it a favorite among gardeners, especially in regions with limited water. This hardy plant can grow quickly and form dense hedges, providing both beauty and privacy in your yard. My oleander is quite large and has beautiful white flowers that are abundant right now.
However, it's important to know that oleander is highly toxic. All parts of the plant contain substances that can be harmful if ingested. Symptoms of oleander poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and even serious heart issues. Because of this, some people might think of oleander as a "toxic weed," especially in places where it grows uncontrollably and poses a risk to pets.
Whether oleander is considered a weed or a shrub often depends on where it is growing. In some areas, oleander spreads easily and can take over natural spaces, making it seem more like a troublesome weed. But in a well-maintained garden, where its growth is monitored, oleander can be a delightful addition that brings vibrant color and greenery without much hassle. However, if you have pets or small children, oleander is surely a weed in your book and removal might be the best way to go. Good luck with removal efforts. Mine is reluctant to leave in spite of my efforts when my children were small and curious. They've since grown up and now I just keep an eye on the dogs. They seem to know better than to bother it.
Oleander can be seen as both a toxic weed and a cherished shrub. Its toxic nature means we need to handle it with care, but its resilience and beauty make it a popular choice for many gardeners. With proper knowledge and responsible gardening, you can enjoy the stunning oleander safely. This remarkable plant truly offers the best of both worlds—just remember to treat it with the respect it deserves!
![photo by Thanasis Papazacharias on Pixabay photo by Thanasis Papazacharias on Pixabay](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107362.jpg)
- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
We are happy to announce that we are approaching the go-live date for our new ServiceNow platform for Information Technology and Human Resources! This upgrade to ServiceNow replaces Zendesk that has been used by IT and HR. UC ANR's implementation of ServiceNow is the start and will provide a strong and recognized platform that can help us streamline how we manage requests and services.
ServiceNow will go live the evening of Friday, June 21, 2024.
Here's what you can look forward to with ServiceNow:
- Single Platform Convenience: Track and manage IT and HR tickets in one location, ServiceNow's Employee Center
- Secure Access: Log in securely using UC ANR's Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Improved Visibility: Stay updated on request status from submission to resolution
- Knowledge Base: Over time, UC ANR IT and HR will expand knowledge bases to provide information on common questions
As we move forward, it's important to recognize that, like any major transition, we may experience some initial bumps. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we fine-tune the system to better serve you.
How to Request IT and HR Support:
- Upon go-live, the UC ANR Portal will be updated to link to ServiceNow at https://ucanr.service-now.com/esc, where employees must login using UCANR Single Sign-On (SSO) to access our new Employee Center where you can create tickets for HR and IT
- Remember the HR (humanresources@ucanr.edu) and IT (help@ucanr.edu) emails will remain available to create tickets in ServiceNow
Preparing for Go-Live:
- Be Aware - Open tickets will be forwarded to ServiceNow, so if you have an open ticket, you will receive notifications as part of the move to ServiceNow
- Validate Access - For UC ANR employees, verify your access to UCANR Single Sign-On (SSO) with DUO as it is required to access UC ANR's ServiceNow
- Review Training Materials – Learn about our new UC ANR Employee Center, how to submit tickets and how to view tickets – https://ucanr.edu/sites/servicenow
- Office Hours will be available June 24, 25, 26 1-1:30 p.m. for support:
- Join Zoom Meeting: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/91385989113?pwd=M2VwZHN1VzVDbVhQTEdjM3FOOTNwUT09
- Meeting ID: 913 8598 9113
- Passcode: 570931
Thank you for your continued support as we move forward with our implementation of ServiceNow!
Tu Tran, Associate Vice President for Business Operations
Bethanie Brown, Interim Executive Director of Human Resources