The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, offers nutrition support to diverse populations. The Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables, is a key component of the WIC food packages that accommodates diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic preferences by offering flexibility in fruit and vegetable choices. In response to exacerbated health disparities and decreased food security during the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Agriculture increased the CVB from $9 per month per child to the current amount of $26 per month per child. Study researchers assessed the impact of CVB augmentation on CVB redemption, household food security, fruit and vegetable intake, and satisfaction among participating caretakers in California's WIC program  by race and ethnicity. A prospective cohort study across three survey waves from pre-augmentation to post-augementation among a diverse sample of participating caregivers was conducted. Study results demonstrated significant improvements in CVB redemption, household food security, and satisfaction across all racial and ethnic groups following the increases in CVB. Larger increases in satisfaction were found among non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic English-speaking participants compared to other groups. Researchers suggest that continued augmentation of CVB, and further research into factors influencing CVB redemption and its effects on WIC participation could help improve health outcomes across the diverse WIC population. The study was conducted by Nutrition Policy Institute researchers Marisa Tsai and Lorrene Ritchie, Christopher Anderson, Shannon Whaley, and Catherine Yepez from Public Health Foundation Enterprises (PHFE)-WIC, and Lauren Au from the Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis. 

Emma Jochim's pet scorpion, Annie, under ultraviolet lights. (Photo by Emma Jochim)

The UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology will not only celebrate insect and nematode diversity at Briggs Hall during the 110th annual UC Davis Picnic Day on Saturday, April 20, but also "The Diversity of Arachnids."

Doctoral student Emma "Em" Jochim of the Jason Bond lab is coordinating an exhibit she created last year to display the diversity of arachnids, such as vinegaroons, whip spiders, tarantulas, and scorpions.

"We'll have live animals and fact sheets that will give a general overview of their diversity, behavior, and habitat," Jochim points out.  "I'll also bring some curated specimens to show what goes into creating a scientific collection and talk about why collections are important for understanding biodiversity."

Emma holds a bachelor's degree in biology, with a minor in geology and chemistry, from Millsaps College, Jackson, Miss., where she graduated summa cum laude. Her honors thesis: "Species Delimitation of Vaejovis Scorpions from the Santa Catalina Mountains Using Genetic, Morphological, and Geographical Data." While a student at Millsaps College, her outreach activities including sharing her knowledge of tarantulas, scorpions and vinegaroons at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.

At UC Davis, her advisor is Professor Jason Bond, the Evert and Marion Schlinger Endowed Chair of the Department of Entomology and Nematology; the director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology; and associate dean, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He's also the president-elect of the American Arachnological Society.

What can you see at Briggs Hall during UC Davis Picnic Day? Cockroach races, maggot art, walking sticks, flies, ants, bees, nematodes, beetles, butterflies, mosquitoes and more. The UC Davis Entomology Graduate Student Association will be selling insect-themed T-shirts. (See news story)

Most Briggs Hall events are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., announced the co-chairs, doctoral student Grace Horne and forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey. This year the Bohart Museum of Entomology, part of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, will staff a pop-up tent in front of Briggs from noon to 4 p.m. The theme: "Bonding with the Bohart." Visitors can hold walking sticks and Madagascar hissing cockroaches from the Bohart's live petting zoo, and see insect specimens, including butterflies, bees, beetles and dragonflies. (The Academic Surge Building, home of the Bohart Museum, will be closed on Picnic Day).

Karen Basso takes a break at a coffee shop while out walking her late dog Lexi, left, and friends' dogs. (Photos: Karen Basso)

“It's the puppies and kittens you have to worry about,” Basso said. “Pet owners should become familiar with the toxic plants, even if they don't have them in their own homes and yards. After all, we walk our dogs, and cats will roam.”

Basso shared an experience of a dog owner in Northern California who had a lavender plant near the dog's water dish.

“He let the lavender fall into the dog's water dish and the dog had a seizure after drinking from it,” she said. “I, too, wouldn't have had a second thought about such a common plant.”

Basso advises pet owners to be careful, but not paranoid, about plants.

“I have many of the plants that are considered poisonous in my own home,” she said. “But I have never had a poisoning incident over the years with my many pets.”

Speaking at a Zoom presentation sponsored by the Woodward Park Library, Basso shared the names of plants that can cause mild symptoms like drooling, and those that cause much more serious concerns, even leading to death. Her list is not exclusive; there may be other less-common plants that can pose a danger to animals. Basso noted that all the plants she is sharing do well in the San Joaquin Valley and are commonly found in Fresno County homes and landscapes.

(For pictures of the plants and more information, see the Zoom presentation.)

Basso's beloved Samoyed, who crossed over the rainbow bridge earlier this year, was never poisoned by Basso's many indoor and outdoor plants.

Azaleas. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac failure.

Asparagus fern. Causes gastric/intestinal upset and allergic dermatitis.

Box wood. Causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Calla lilies. They cause irritation to mouth and lips.

Chives. Causes blood in the urine and increased heart rate.

Daffodils. Cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and cardiac problems leading to death.

Day lilies. All lilies in the family are poisonous to dogs and cats. They can cause vomiting, tiredness, kidney failure and even death.

English Ivy. Causes increased salivation and abdominal pain.

Ficus and other euphorbias. They produce a white, milky substance within the stems and leaves that can cause blindness.

Fox glove (Digitalis). Can cause cardiac failure.

Garlic. Vomiting and breakdown of red blood cells

Geraniums (Pelargoniums). Cause vomiting, depression and dermatitis.

Hellebores. Can cause drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea.

Holly. It has low toxicity, but can cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression.

Hydrangea. Cause vomiting, depression. It can eventually kill a dog or cat if they keep chewing on it.

Mistletoe. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, low heart rate. (People bring in mistletoe during the holidays. This is not a good idea.)

Oleander. These grow all over Fresno, even on freeway medians, because they are drought tolerant and hardy. If eaten, it can cause drooling, abdominal pain and cardiac problems.

Onions. Causes vomiting and the breakdown of red blood cells.

Poinsettia. Causes excessive drooling.

Rhubarb. The leaves are deadly to pets. They cause kidney failure and excessive salivation.

Sweet peas. They can cause weakness, tremors, and even death in dogs and cats.

Tulips. Causes vomiting, diarrhea and depression. The bulb is worse than the flower.

White cyclamens. It can cause excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, heart rhythms and even death.

Wisteria. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression.

Common indoor plants toxic for pets:

Aloes. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and occasionally, tremors. Severe dehydration is also a risk.

Amarillys. A very popular Christmas flower that can be purchased at nurseries, grocery and big box stores. They can cause vomiting, diarrhea and tremors.

Begonia. Can cause vomiting and excessive salivating in dogs and cats.

Dracaena. It can cause toxic vomiting and excessive salivating.

Dieffenbachia (dumb cane plant). It can cause oral irritation, swelling and drooling.

Geraniums: They can cause cardiac failure, leading to death.

Jade plant. They can cause vomiting, depression and lack of coordination.

Monstera deliciosa. This plant contains cyanide. 

Pathos. It can cause oral irritation and excessive drooling.

Peace lily. Can cause vomiting.

Snake plant. Can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Weeping fig. It can cause skin and gastric/intestinal irritation.

ZZ plant. Can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Basso also shared a list of plants that are perfectly safe for pets:

Alyssum

Bachelors' buttons.

Boston fern.

Bottle brush.

Canna lily.

Cast iron plant.

Christmas cactus.

Coral bells.

Crape myrtles.

Creeping Charlie

Echevaria.

Parlor palms or golden butterflies.

Spider plants.

Zebra Hawthorn.