- Author: Jeremy James
SFREC was in need of a pair of interested, capable, and flexible hands for the summer to help with a renewed effort to communicate the broad array of activities currently underway and outline the many opportunities for research, education and outreach at the Center. We were fortunate to hire Maddison Easley for the job. With strong roots in the local agricultural community and an accomplished Agricultural Communications student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, she is a perfect fit for the position.
This summer she will be working towards developing a program at SFREC that better facilitates efforts with the local 4-H, FFA and Farm Bureau communities. Some of Maddison's broad goals include:
1) Communicate what SFREC has to offer researchers, educators and the broader agricultural community
2) Connect those interested in rangeland management, watersheds, beef management, and other focused agricultural and natural resource based topics with SFREC
3) Confirm relationships to encourage long-lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships
When asked about a guiding philosophy for her career development Maddison quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” Many of us can relate to this mindset as a stimulus of agricultural innovation and the larger entrepreneurial mindset driving our agricultural and natural resource communities. She is off to great things, wish her well when you have a chance.
- Author: Susana C. Bruzzone-Miller
Last spring, Research and Extension Centers (RECs) were encouraged to submit proposals for the statewide Growing Tomorrows Professionals with Today’s Experiences Intern Program. The purpose is threefold: give students real life experience working in a REC facility; engage in hands-on research or outreach projects; ignite a spark leading to future studies or careers in agriculture and/or natural resources.
We are pleased to announce that UC HAREC was selected to participate and proud to introduce Lauren Martinez, one of two summer 2013 statewide interns. Lauren graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in International Studies and a minor in Spanish. She completed her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and is currently working towards a Masters in Education at California Lutheran University. Lauren is passionate about education and working with youth. She works as a swim instructor and coach at the Family YMCA in Ventura and Santa Paula and was the assistant coach for Ventura High School Girls Cross Country. Her education experiences include substitute teaching for Moorpark Unified and a position as a physical education specialist at Ventura Charter School. She believes strongly in an active healthy lifestyle and individual, hands-on education for all youth.
We are thrilled to have Lauren on board this summer. She will work closely with Center Director, Jose De Soto and Education Outreach Coordinator, Susana Bruzzone-Miller developing a, water themed, youth field trip program targeting 4-6th graders. The project will take about 8 weeks to complete and slated to be implemented spring 2014 as part of the 4-H Field Trip Program on the farm. Interns will deliver virtual presentations of their projects to other RECs at the end of summer. We are confident Lauren will develop lessons and activities that make science and agriculture exciting for Ventura County youth.