Posts Tagged: Desert Research and Extension Center

UC's winter FARM SMART program kicks off at Desert facility

Each winter, thousands of "snow birds" land in the Southern California desert to enjoy the warm and dry climate. They are short-term refugees, many of them senior citizens, escaping cold weather in northern states and Canada. Winter visitors also have the opportunity to attend FARM SMART and learn about the food grown in the vicinity and shipped across the nation, reported Krista Daly in the Imperial Valley Press.

FARM SMART is offered in January and February each year. Attendees learn about irrigation and soils, pick vegetables to take home and enjoy a lunch of local produce.

"We want to pass on the message that agriculture is important," said Sam Urie, FARM SMART manager at the UC Desert Research and Extension Center in Holtville.

The tour was eye-opening for visitors Joe and Nadyne Greschner, farmers from Goodsoil, Saskatchewan.

"What surprised me is that there is no rain here," Joe said.

The 2015 FARM SMART program continues through Feb. 26.

Giant King Grass harvested at UC research center

The first crop of Giant King Grass, a hybrid grass with biofuel potential, was harvested at the UC Desert Research and Extension Center in Holtville this month, reported Ethanol Producer Magazine.

Giant King Grass is a fast-growing, high-yield grass that grows under a variety of soil conditions, according to Viaspace Green Energy Inc. It is propagated vegetatively and, with sufficient rain or irrigation, can grow 15 to 18 feet high in six months.

At the UC Desert Rec, scientists compared two planting processes:

• Planting single nodes that grow into individual plants with some space between them.
• Planting whole stalks continuously end to end, which results in a dense row of plants about six inches apart.

Preliminary results showed the whole stalk planting germinated earlier and grew more quickly. The individual plants had a significant number of skips where the nodes failed to germinate.

Two harvesting regimens were tested:

• Harvest when the plant is 6 to 8 feet tall every two months for animal feed and to produce biogas for anaerobic digestion.
• Harvest when the plant is 15 to 18 feet tall for bioenergy applications, such as direct combustion in a power plant, energy pellets or cellulosic biofuels.

"It was 108 degrees when I arrived in Holtville last Monday evening (Sept. 8, 2014) at 6 p.m.," said Carl Kukkonen, CEO of Viaspace. "Giant King Grass is planted in the worst soil at the University of California site, and still the results are good. I am pleased that Giant King Grass grows well in this extremely hot and dry environment."

The 100,000th visitor takes part in UC's 'Farm Smart' program

The 100,000th visitor to the UC Desert Research and Extension Center "Farm Smart" program walked through the gate last Thursday, reported the Imperial Valley Press. The program, which began in October 2001, annually educates local residents and visitors about the importance of agricultural production.

Larry Mallory of Burley, Idaho, was named the 100,000th visitor and his wife, Sheryll, the 100,001st. The couple are "snowbirds," spending their winters in the mild California desert while their home is buried in snow. They were surprised with confetti, balloons, a commemorative bag and refund of their admission fee for being the milestone guests of the program.

"Farm Smart" was conceived and has been managed over the years by Nancy Caywood-Robertson, DREC educational outreach coordinator, reported the Imperial Valley Press. The program was initially designed for school children, but it blossomed into a destination for school field trips and winter visitors. More than 8,000 take part in the program every year.

Nancy Caywood-Robertson jumps off a bale of hay at the UC Desert Research and Extension Center 'Farm Smart' celebration.

U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas visits the UC Desert Research and Extension Center

U.S. Congressman Juan Vargas (D-El Centro) visited the UC Desert Research and Extension Center last Friday to see the agricultural research underway, reported the Desert Review.

Vargas represents the 51st District, which includes portions of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and the entire U.S.-Mexico border in California. Desert REC director Sam Wang hosted the tour. He said the congressman posed for pictures with UC staff and academics, asked a number of questions and was very friendly.

ANR Vice President Barbara Allen-Diaz visited the congressman in his Capital Hill office in February and invited him to the research and extension in his district. The facility was established in 1911, making it the oldest ANR research center.

 

Left to right, Imperial UCCE director Khaled Bali, REC associate director Lisa Fisher, Congressman Juan Vargas, outreach coordinator Nancy Caywood, agronomy UCCE advisor Oli Bachi, DREC director Sam Wang and Vargas' field representative Rene Felix, .

Taste testing a crucial part of variety selection

During a tasting event recently at the UC Desert Research and Extension Center, experts conveyed their desire for a variety that is smoother and has better flavor than European cultivars, which were described as too “perfumy” and sweet, said an article in the Imperial Valley Press.

“It’s crucial to have rich, full flavor,” said an extension specialist from Washington state. “I know it when I taste it.”

The scientists and farmers weren't critiquing grape cultivars for fine wines, but carrots - including the "baby" carrots that find their way into young children's lunch boxes.

DREC works with the University of Wisconsin's Madison campus on its carrot program. Carrots grown in DREC’s fields will be shipped to Wisconsin, where they will be planted to produce seeds. Those seeds will be shipped back to El Centro in October, where they will be planted, and in turn harvested again sometime in February for evaluation.

Experts look for specific flavor notes in carrots.

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