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Orange County Farm Bureau gift elevates UC programs that inspire youth in agriculture
Commitment of $690,000 supports UC South Coast Research and Extension Center, 4-H programs
During a “GROW Field Day” when 100 high school students enjoyed harvesting and tasting avocados, the Orange County Farm Bureau announced a $690,000 gift to expand University of California-affiliated programs that introduce young people to agricultural careers.
The students from four schools across Southern California participated in the GROW program on May 13 at the UC South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, a UC Agriculture and Natural Resources facility that organizes and hosts these educational programs.
“Part of the mission of Orange County Farm Bureau is to support the development of the next generation of agriculturalists,” said Casey Anderson, executive director of OCFB, in announcing the five-year commitment that will begin in 2023. “Through our partnership with South Coast Research Extension Center and support of Orange County 4-H, we are thrilled to provide opportunities to young people to directly connect with food production and myriad research and career opportunities in agriculture.”
Hundreds of local youth are served every year by Orange County 4-H, a part of a nationwide youth development and education program, administered in California by UC ANR.
“OCFB contributions to our Forever 4-H Endowment will soon provide sustaining funds every year, indefinitely,” said Rita Jakel, Orange County 4-H program coordinator. “And their commitment to our Program Support Fund will help ensure that 4-H will continue to have the capacity to impact the youth of Orange County.”
GROW program introduces youth to agriculture careers
The GROW program, originally conceived by OCFB as a way to make agricultural experiences more accessible to more young people across the region, has engaged over 1,000 students from nine schools – many of them in urban areas where knowledge of agriculture is limited. The program builds on a strong history of collaboration between OCFB and South Coast REC, dating back to the early 2000s.
“UC ANR and South Coast Research and Extension Center are grateful for the trust the Orange County Farm Bureau continues to place in us to not only deliver agricultural education to the people of Orange County, but also to open the eyes of young people to fulfilling careers in agriculture,” said Darren Haver, director of UC South Coast REC.
“To me, it's like a great big outdoor classroom,” said Tammy Majcherek, a South Coast REC community educator specialist who coordinates the GROW program, along with colleague Jason Suppes. “There are so many possibilities of what we can connect to.”
Programs spotlight diversity of agriculture-related fields
Gina Cunningham, a teacher at Westminster High School (part of the Huntington Beach Unified School District), was excited to bring the 20 freshmen in her agricultural biology class to the GROW Day, where they get a glimpse of potential pathways in agriculture that “are not directly farming-related.”
“This gives kids an opportunity to see some things that are available to them that maybe they never have thought of – and there are a lot of things out there that I might not have thought of, either,” said Cunningham, who has degrees in animal science and agricultural education.
Thanks to OCFB's long-term commitment to the program, GROW coordinators Majcherek and Suppes said that in the coming years they would like to bring more students with career aspirations outside of traditional agricultural roles. In particular, they hope to reach out to young people with interests in culinary arts and food service, as well as in technology and engineering, which intersect with food production in the form of drones, robotics and artificial intelligence.
Regardless of their background, however, almost all of the students love harvesting crops from the South Coast REC farm, whether pumpkins, potatoes, or – during the most recent GROW Day – avocados. Majcherek said it's especially rewarding to hear the students talk enthusiastically about older siblings who went to a GROW program and came back with enduring memories – as well as some fresh produce.
“You know it's cool when they're taking selfies with their bounty,” she said.
Community members interested in joining the Orange County Farm Bureau in support of South Coast REC and 4-H programs are encouraged to make a donation on UC ANR's annual Giving Day, which runs from noon to noon on May 19-20.
Giving Tuesday donations exceed UC ANR expectations
On Giving Tuesday 2019, donors gave $130,311 over 24 hours for UC Cooperative Extension, statewide programs and research and extension centers that make up the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources network.
The donations will help UC Agriculture and Natural Resources extend the power of UC research in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development to more Californians in their own communities to improve their lives.
“UC ANR researchers and educators are working in every county to bring practical, science-based answers to residents wherever they live in the state.”
Thanks to generous donors, volunteers, staff and board members who gave a total of $40,000 in matching funds, there was an incentive for donors across the state who wanted to double the impact of their gifts.
“We set a goal of collecting a total of $125,000 for 4-H and UC ANR from more than 500 donors on Giving Tuesday,” said Emily Delk, UC ANR director of annual giving and donor stewardship. In all, UC ANR received 580 donations on Giving Tuesday.
Donations are still being accepted to boost UC ANR programs and research for a healthier California. To give, visit http://donate.ucanr.edu.
To learn more about how UC ANR is helping your community, visit https://ucanr.edu/About/Locations and follow @ucanr on social media.
Invest in every Californian with a gift to UC ANR
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year #GivingTuesday is Dec. 3 and kicks off the giving season by inspiring people to give back.
“Wherever you are in California, so are we,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “Our programs and research serve our communities— bringing practical, science-based answers to residents across the state.”
#GivingTuesday continues to grow each year as people come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.
Donors may designate the UC ANR programs or locations to which they wish to donate. The website http://donate.ucanr.edu contains links to all UC ANR programs, research and extension centers and UCCE offices.
UC ANR anticipates an exciting campaign thanks in part to generous donors, volunteers, staff and board members who have given a total of $35,000 in matching funds—a tremendous incentive to donors across the state who want to double the impact of their gifts.
“UC ANR provides research and outreach in your community—to be a neighbor in times of need,” said Emily Delk, UC ANR director of annual giving and donor stewardship. “And, we can't do this without your help.”
To give gifts and support UC ANR programs and research for a healthier California, visit http://donate.ucanr.edu on Dec. 3. Follow @ucanr and the hashtag #NeighborCA on social media.
To learn more about what UC ANR is doing in your community, visit https://ucanr.edu.
Celebrating generosity on Giving Tuesday
In this season of gratitude and giving, we at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) would like to give thanks to everyone who has made a donation to UC ANR on Giving Tuesday over the past few years.
Whether you donate your time as a Master Gardener volunteer or a 4-H volunteer, or your money to support a statewide program, Research and Extension Center, Cooperative Extension office in your county or our California Agriculture journal, your gift makes a difference and helps us go farther.
You are here. So are we. Your donations help us achieve our mission to connect UC research in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition and youth development with local communities to improve the lives of all Californians.
We hope you'll consider making a gift on Giving Tuesday (December 3) this year. And please keep in touch. Visit our home page this week — and every week — and subscribe to our Connected newsletter to catch up on the work we do for you.
Thank you for all you do to support UC ANR!
