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Updates on agriculture and natural resource topics from the Sierra Foothills
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Volunteer Opportunity: Field Trip Aid for K-5th Grade SFREC Field Science Days
  • Author: Emily Baumstinger
Published on: February 12, 2019

Love Nature? Enjoy working with youth K-5th Grade? 

Have some time to spare this Spring & Fall?

Apply to Volunteer NOW as a Field Trip Aid for 

SFREC's Field Science Days 

  • Training provided
  • Flexible options for volunteer days
  • Great networking opportunity
  • Counts towards CA Naturalist Volunteer Hours

Questions?

Contact our Environmental Science Educator

Ali Stefancich 

astefancich@ucanr.edu

(530) 639-8807

 

FINAL FLYER Volunteer Recruitment 2019 Vertical

Link to Volunteer Application
Focus Areas:
Focus Area Tags: Environment, Natural Resources
Tags: Agriculture (3), and Nutrition (1), Education (31), Outreach (31), Science Literacy in Natural Resources (1), SFREC (72)
Comments: 0
Healthy Soils Demonstration Project Launch Success
  • Author: Holly Stover
  • Editor: Emily Baumstinger
Published on: January 24, 2019
A Healthy Soils Demonstration project was recently launched at Sierra Foothill REC in experimental rangeland plots in the Forbes pasture.
 
This project is funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the University of California Carbon Neutrality Initiative and is investigating the effects of food waste and green waste composts on California rangeland ecosystems, including their role in promoting carbon sequestration. Compost applied on rangeland has the potential to increase forage quality and quantity and improve soil fertility through enhanced soil organic matter and nutrients.
 
The project team is led by Jeremy James, SFREC Center Director, Whendee Silver, UC Berkeley Professor, and UC Berkeley Postdoctoral Researcher Holly Stover. The food waste compost was produced using human food scraps and the green waste compost using livestock manure and plant matter. Thanks to the efforts of the SFREC Staff and Technicians,  Brian Yudkin and Kris Daum from UC Berkeley, the project team worked together to establish 9 half acre experimental plots, apply compost, sample soils and monitor greenhouse gases intensively for 3 weeks.
 
An important part of the project involves outreach with the local community, including ranchers and key representatives of government and non-governmental organizations involved in composting initiatives. A key group of stakeholders have joined the project advisory committee to help see this research best utilized by practitioners.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Focus Areas:
Focus Area Tags: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources
Tags: Rangeland Management (23), Research and Extension Centers (8), research projects (3), SFREC (72), Soil and Land - General (2)
Comments: 0
Big Thank You to Martin and Abraham for Contributions to SFREC
Alexandra Stefancich
Published on: December 14, 2018

This month, Sierra Foothill REC recognized and congratulated two of our staff members on reaching new service milestones. Martin Beaton has given 40 years and Abraham Mendoza has given 25 years of service to SFREC. Their dedication to the important work they have provided over the years has supported and made possible numerous research and outreach projects critical to rangeland and natural resource management.

Thank you for all you've done & continue to do, Martin & Abraham! 

Tags: SFREC (72), Staff (3)
Comments: 0
Join SFREC & The Silver Lab of UC Berkeley for a Workshop & Demonstration on Rangeland Compost Research Trials -- Nov 14th 2018
  • Author: Emily Baumstinger
Published on: November 1, 2018

UC Sierra Foothill REC is hosting a community workshop & field demonstration event where The Silver Lab at UC Berkeley will discuss results from a long-term (10 year) compost addition trial on foothill rangeland and observed benefits for forage quality, quantity, and  soil health characteristics.   

At this event, researchers will also be spreading compost for a new project supported by the 2017 Healthy Soils Demonstration Project  and funded by Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds and part of California Climate Investments. 

Agenda:

  • Demonstrate  application of green waste and food waste compost
  • Examine impacts of compost addition on forage production and quality
  • Discuss how compost addition can improve rangeland soil properties
  • Explore sourcing and applying compost at an operational scale
  • Review cost/benefits and incentives

All are welcome to attend - Get more info by calling 530-639-8800 or emailing Jeremy James at jjjames@ucanr.edu. 

 

Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Time: 10am – 12pm

Location: 8279 Scott Forbes Rd. Browns Valley, CA

The Silver Lab at UC Berkeley presents Rangeland Compost Presentation at SFREC with support from the 2017 Healthy Soils Demonstration Project and funded by Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds & part of the California Climate Investments
Attached Files
Agenda - Rangeland Compost Nov 2018
Focus Areas:
Focus Area Tags: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources
Tags: Compost (1), Rangeland (3), Rangeland Management (23), Research and Extension Centers (8), research projects (3), SFREC (72), Soil (2), Soil and Land (1), Workshop (20)
Comments: 0
Controlled Burn at SFREC
Alexandra Stefancich
Published on: October 30, 2018

If you live in the area, you may have noticed that SFREC was on fire last Tuesday. This controlled burn was planned in coordination with Cal Fire. Its purpose was twofold- to reduce ground fuel loads in the upper portions of SFREC and to act as a training burn for Cal Fire staff to hone their skills. Enjoy some pictures from the fire!

Tags: Controlled Burn (1), Fire (1), Land Management (1), SFREC (72)
Comments: 0
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