- Author: Stacey AMPARANO
The University of California Desert Research and Extension Center (UC DREC) was established in 1912 and is the oldest research and extension center in the UC system. For the past 108 years, UC DREC has conducted innovative and relevant agricultural, natural resources, and environmental research and extension in arid desert regions. DREC has gone by many names in its 108 years of Imperial Valley agriculture research. Some may remember the Imperial Valley Experiment Station (1912-1948), Imperial Valley Field Station (1948-1984), Imperial Valley Agriculture Center (1984-1990), and now, the Desert Research and Extension Center (1990-present). The longstanding unofficial title of DREC has been “The Meloland Field Station”, named after Meloland (formerly, Gleason Switch), the unincorporated community from 1908-1911 where DREC is currently located. There was a post office (which has since burned down) and a schoolhouse (which still stands as a personal residence across the street from UC DREC).
The need for agriculture research in California became recognized by the University of California in 1908. The Meloland Station was developed from a need for research on the unique climate and soil conditions of Imperial Valley that were, and still are, unique in American agriculture.
What started as 20 acres of land purchased by the Imperial County Board of Supervisor and 16 local, interested citizens (including Mr. W. E. Holt, founder of Holtville, and Mr. Harold Bell Wright, author of “The Winning of Barbara Worth”) has transformed into 255 acres, which includes 190 acres of research plots, classrooms where Farm Smart is housed, and the UC Cooperative Extension offices.
Over the past century of changes, UC DREC researchers have helped Imperial Valley farmers meet the many challenges of desert agriculture, including lack of water, extreme summer heat, and rampant pest insects that devour crops and spread diseases. The center's major contributions include (see table):
- Developing cattle feeds and shade structures to enhance feedlot production during the summer, when high temperatures hinder livestock weight gain
- Developing plastic-tile drainage systems to maintain soil productivity by flushing salt from the root zone
- Increasing yields and pest resistance of desert-grown crops, from alfalfa and wheat to melons and lettuce
- Testing thousands of rice lines from around the world for introduction to California
In addition, today's UC DREC researchers are helping farmers prepare for the future. This week we will be highlighting the work of research at UC DREC and their impact on Imperial County agriculture.
One of the pillars of DREC's mission is to educate the public through a growing Farm Smart program that was established in 2001. Farm Smart is the flagship outreach program of the REC system. In the 2018-2019 period, Farm Smart reached 13,839 citizens of all ages during K-12 field trips, career workshops, a Senior U-Pick day, Farm to Preschool Festival, internships, farm tours, and community activities. 48 schools from 21 districts across Imperial County (California), Yuma (Arizona), and Mexicali (Mexico) visit Farm Smart each year. Designed to be fun as well as informative, the program emphasizes hands-on activities, from harvesting and eating winter crops to milking artificial cows and making butter, in addition to the infamous tractor-pulled hayrides around the farm. This program is made possible through the generous donations from our community, including the Imperial Irrigation District, Farm Credit West, Imperial County Farm Bureau, Keithly Williams Seeds, and Golden Valley Seed.
For more information on DREC and its educational program, please contact our Center Director, Jairo Diaz at jdiazr@ucanr.edu or our Farm Smart Program Manager, Stacey Amparano, at scwills@ucanr.edu. You can also reach us at (760)356-3060
Further reading: From Citrus to Centennial by Alan Robertson
- Author: Stacey AMPARANO
Our June 2020 newsletter is now available!
- Author: Stacey AMPARANO
April 2020 Newsletter
- Author: Stacey AMPARANO
For most of us, our work, social, and academic lives look much different this month in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Desert Research and Extension Center – DREC is committed to continuing to work and available to assist our partners and stakeholders in our desert region. Critical research projects are being maintained and program delivery is taking place online. Farm Smart is dedicated to teaching learners of all ages about where their food comes from, including the nutrition we get from that food. Since 2001, we have offered this outreach through community events and K-12 field trips. To continue our outreach to the community during this time of ‘social distancing' and ‘shelter at home', DREC and Farm Smart will be active on Facebook and Twitter and available by phone or email to answer any of your questions. While all face-to-face events/meetings are cancelled, we are still available to help! Please follow us on facebook and twitter for ideas on activities and lessons plans for your “home-schooling” and adventures with your children as well as wellness tips for those self-quarantining.
Take a moment to fill out this survey so we may hear about your concerns, resources, and needs you have during these unprecedented times: https://ucanr.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8uLur6jQjVRnvOl
UCANR DREC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UCANRDREC
Farm Smart on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UCfarmsmart
Farm Smart on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UCFarmSmart
DREC contact: Jairo Diaz (760)791-0521 or jdiazr@ucanr.edu
Farm Smart Contact: Stacey Amparano (769)356-3067 or scwills@ucanr.edu
- Author: Mariana Gonzalez Castro
- Contact: Stacey Amparano
On Monday, February 17th, I flew from the San Diego airport to Washington D.C. to attend a rare opportunity. I was one of 20 undergraduate students selected to attend the 96th Annual USDA's Agricultural Outlook Forum Future Leaders in Agriculture Program. I participated in USDA planned activities on February 18-19th and attended USDA's Agricultural Outlook Forum on February 20-21st, in Arlington, Virginia.
On the first two days of this event, I was able to tour USDA Headquarters and received a first-hand perspective about the structures of various USDA agencies, including the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) and Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS). I met with many USDA officials, including one of the regional directors of NASS and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue. I gained an understanding of how national public policy in agriculture functions by visiting the Russell Senate Office Building and talking with senators' committee members. Since many students, including myself, were visiting Washington D.C. for the first time, the Future Leaders in Agriculture Program scheduled a tour of Washington's greatest landmarks and memorials.
On Thursday and Friday, the days the forum event took place, multiple sessions occurred concurrently with speakers giving presentations on agricultural issues and using innovation as the key to improve and increase global food production. Of the sessions I personally attended, some of the topics discussed were creating more infrastructure in rural communities, adopting precision agriculture, and improving data research methods in public agricultural research. I also attended plenary panels that would discuss challenges in agriculture and rural communities and using innovation as a potential solution. Secretary Perdue would also host fireside chats in which the Secretaries of Agriculture of Argentina, Canada, and Mexico were present to discuss similar topics and issues. Throughout these two days I networked with many USDA agency representatives in a Networking Exhibition Hall. As a result, I received many career opportunities that I intend to apply to.
This trip has opened my eyes to three fundamental realizations.
#1: I arrived in Washington D.C. insecure. I did not have a strong background in agriculture. All I had was my versatility, a couple of college credits, and my top-notched brain. My upbringing in a low-income, rural community left me with a fixed mindset about myself and my future. I was hesitant to get out of my comfort zone and leave the Imperial Valley to pursue my career in mathematics. However, throughout the week I learned so much about public policy in agriculture as well as USDA's history, structure, and services. I explored Washington D.C. and fell in love with the area. I found myself imagining a life there. The thought of this left me surprised, yet excited of the prospect of building myself a future in Washington D.C.
#2: I grew up being told that, as a Hispanic, I am part of a minority group. However, I never felt like I was a minority. I grew up in an area where most of the population is Hispanic. So, imagine my surprise when I find myself being one the very few Hispanic students in this program. Out of 30 selected students, I was one of only 4 students that were Hispanic. I did the math. That is, only 14% of this group of students were Hispanic. Now, don't misunderstand me, every student of my cohort is a minority, one way or another. However, the reason I point this detail out is because of what I felt as a result. There truly is a difference between being told that one is a minority and witnessing that firsthand. This shift in my environment shocked me to my core and I realized that we need more representation in leadership. We have far more representation in leadership compared to 50 years ago, but there is still much to be done and I want to be more involved with continuing to implement diversity inclusion. After all, I am a young Hispanic female STEM major-the ultimate minority. I represent my generation and our nation's future. This fact leads me to my third and final realization.
#3: I got to meet several of the brightest minds of my generation. I bonded with all my fellow colleagues, learned of their stories, shared my story, and had stimulating discussions on several issues in agriculture. Meeting them changed my life because not only did I learn so much about agricultural issues and potential solutions, but they encouraged me to be the best me I can be. In other words, they inspired me. We were no longer students from various universities and disciplines selected to attend an annual agricultural forum. We became a unified cohort that will continue to support each other for years to come. Our brilliant minds and shared passion for agriculture leaves me hopeful of our nation's future.
I cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is for students like me to seek out opportunities in the Imperial Valley. The week I spent with USDA helped me realize just how impactful the Imperial Valley is in agriculture. Our community plays a crucial role in helping feed the world and I did not realize this until my last couple of years in college when I was first introduced to USDA. The agriculture education outreach that has been done must continue in the younger generations because we do make an immense impact.
I returned home with self-confidence, new ideas, and an eagerness to continue what I started in Washington D.C. This event finished shaping my mind on the idea of pursuing a career in agriculture. Any doubts I had before were completely erased. I now know that the career I want to pursue is one with USDA.
