UC farm advisor wins the 'California Peace Prize'

The California Wellness Foundation has named UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Manuel Jimenez one of three 2011 recipients of the California Peace Prize. The announcement news release said Jimenez uses his passion for growing plants to prevent violence by putting youth to work creating community gardens in Woodlake.

The California Wellness Foundation will honor these three community leaders at its 19th annual California Peace Prize ceremony in San Francisco Nov. 17. In recognition of their efforts to prevent violence and promote peace, the honorees will each receive a cash award of $25,000.

In 1993, Jimenez, together with his wife, Olga, founded Woodlake Pride, a volunteer organization that puts youth to work in innovative beautification projects throughout the community.

"We get kids involved in doing something positive," Jimenez said. "Our goal is to plant gardens, grow kids and grow a community."