- Author: Susana Bruzzone Miller
Specially trained and dedicated volunteers work alongside staff to deliver fun and hands-on agricultural based lessons. For many Kindergarteners, this is their first time on a farm. Getting a glimpse of where food comes from, planting seeds and learning what makes them grow are unforgettable experiences. Older students delve deeper into plant growth and development, discover the important role pollinators play in our food system, and learn about the agricultural county where we live.
Picking and sampling farm fresh vegetables such as beets, carrots, sugar snap peas, and lettuce are favorite activities with all ages and a great way to introduce MyPlate, the newest USDA guide to healthy eating choices, and encourage daily physical activity. What can be better than getting your hands dirty, smelling the rich Santa Paula soil, and eating vegetables you helped harvest? Children aren’t the only visitors. Over 300 parents and teachers will visit, learn, and munch alongside youth.
The cost of buses makes a trip to the farm prohibitive for many schools. When visiting the farm is not an option, lessons delivered in the classroom bring the farm to life. The 4-H Classroom Outreach Program is an opportunity to learn about agriculture without leaving the school grounds.
Yes, it’s a busy and exciting time. Happy spring!
- Author: Cris L. Johnson
Interested individuals may attend an informational meeting in the Small Barn at UC HAREC —Wednesday, January 16th, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Thursday, January 17th, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Center is located at 14292 W. Telegraph Rd. in Santa Paula (corner of Briggs Rd. and Telegraph Rd). Please use Briggs Rd. main entrance. Free parking available.
To reserve a spot call or email by January 15th— 805-525-9293 ext. 206 or awfaris@ucanr.edu. Walk-ins also welcome.
For more information about our youth development programs visit our website at: http://ucanr.edu/sites/hansenagcenter/Hansen_Agricultural_Center_Programs/
- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC ANR’s Spanish News Service website brings Agriculture and Natural Resource information to California residents who are fluent, and more comfortable learning, in Spanish. This is a vital service for all Californians as many of the issues and challenges we face together can only be solved by all of us working together.
This highly organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate site provides a great deal of information on many important topics. The information can be accessed by audio, video, articles, and blogs.
Topics include:
- Invasive species
- Water quality
- Nutrition and fitness
- Child development
- Preventing obesity and overweight
- Reducing the risk of diabetes
- Natural resources
- Recovering from a natural disaster
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Preventing and recovering from wildfires
- Money management
- Gardening
- And much more
A similar site is available in English.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
This year the Ventura County Libraries have two summer reading programs for youth. Dream Big is for those in kindergarten through grade 6, and Own the Night for grades 6 through 12.
The Summer Reading Program is available to every youth at no cost!
There will be kick off events held at each branch, and teen volunteer opportunities. Other story times, events, games and demonstrations will be held throughout the summer – and are also free of charge.
You can find more information by visiting this page of the Ventura County Library website.
- Author: Kyla Vinson, President 4-H Conejo Valley Club
The Conejo Valley 4-H club is located in Thousand Oaks.
This year our theme is: Fine Art. We have worked with water colors, made tie-dye shirts and this month we will decorate blown out eggs.
The Conejo Valley 4-H club participates in many community service projects including: Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat, Project Linus, we recycle books and eyeglasses, pet shelter supply drives, People-to people lunches and Stockings 4 Troops.
Some of the projects we currently have in the club are: International Foods, Leadership, Pet Therapy, Sewing, Marine Biology, and Poultry.
Our members participate in Small Animal Science Field Day and County
Presentation Day.
This article is part of our Featured Club Happenings series in our Ventura County 4-H Clover Lines newsletter. These newsletters and others produced by our office can be found on our website.