Posts Tagged: hispanic heritage month
Why we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and continues until October 15. The purpose of the celebration is to recognize the contributions and vital presence of Hispanics and Latin Americans in the United States.
President Lyndon Johnson first approved Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and expanded to a full month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Finally, Hispanic Heritage Month was officially enacted as a law on August 17, 1988.
Why is Hispanic Heritage Month held from mid-September to mid-October? It was chosen in this way to reserve two significant dates for Spanish-speaking countries. On the one hand, Independence Day is celebrated in countries such as Mexico, Chile, and five Central American nations (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Costa Rica).
Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza was commemorated, a date celebrated more by Italian-Americans than Spanish-speaking immigrants.
Hispanics and Latinos in the United States are getting stronger every day; it is undeniable. But they are more recognized for their culinary richness and the attractiveness of their rhythms, such as Mariachi, salsa, cumbia, mambo, and merengue, than for their essential contributions the professional level. Although, at the national level, there are all kinds of professionals who, with their work, have contributed to the cultural, social, and economic wealth of this country.
Hispanics who have helped improve our lives range from an astronaut to a winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Luis Walter Alvarez, born in Mexico and naturalized American, was an experimental physicist, inventor, and professor who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1968.
Franklin Ramón Chang Díaz is a Costa Rican mechanical engineer, naturalized American, physicist, and former NASA astronaut.
Ellen O. Ochoa is an engineer born in Los Angeles, CA, to Mexican parents, who became the first Hispanic woman to travel to space and was a former director of the Johnson Space Center.
Did you know that, according to the Census Bureau, there are 60 million Hispanics in the country? And that more than half live in three states: California, Texas and Florida? Two-thirds of Hispanics in the United States have their origins in Mexico, followed by Puerto Rico (9.5%) San Salvador (3.8%), and Cuba (3.6%). The rest come from the twelve countries where Spanish is the official language.
According to the Census Bureau, college enrollment has increased over the past decade, and 49% of Hispanic high school graduates enrolled in a university. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes six University of California campuses as institutions serving Hispanic students, including UC Irvine, while UC Merced is one of the universities in the country with the highest percentage of Hispanic students.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources joins the celebration
This year UC ANR the celebration by recognizing three Latino professionals who serve their communities while always upholding UC ANR's public values of academic excellence, honesty, integrity, and community service.
Claudia Diaz - 4-H youth development advisor for Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Claudia has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work with underprivileged youths in urban areas. She has been with UC ANR for five years.
Sonia Ríos - Subtropical horticulture advisor for Riverside and San Diego counties. Since an early age, Sonia knew her future was in agriculture, her grandfather and her father worked in agriculture and taught her the love for nature and the fields. She has been with UC ANR for almost nine years.
Javier Miramontes - Nutrition program supervisor for Fresno County. Javier enjoys the opportunity his work gives him to serve the community where he grew up. He finds it very rewarding to teach parents, senior citizens, and Highschool students about the importance of a healthy diet and how to create a sustainable environment. He has been with UCANR for over five years.
UC ANR COVID-19 Update: Safety standards updated with new requirements; Hispanic Heritage Month; Town Hall 9/17
UC ANR COVID-19 safety standards updated with new requirements
To ensure that UC ANR's safety standards conform with UC guidance and with the State's guidance for Institutes of Higher Education, the Emergency Response Team (ERT) has prepared the Modified Stage 2 Safety Standards, Addendum #2. The addendum must be attached to each location's site and program-specific safety plan and the updated information must be shared with the employees and volunteers working at your location.
Some of the new information of note that is included in this addendum:
- New stricter guidance regarding face coverings/masks
- Face coverings/masks are required when: a) interacting in-person with any member of the public; b) working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time; c) working in any space where food is prepared or packaged; d) working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, etc.
- Face coverings may be removed when working in a private office or workspace that is inaccessible to the public.
- No indoor meetings (for Counties on State Monitoring List or experiencing widespread disease transmission)
- Enhanced investigation and follow-up protocols on COVID positive employees now required
- Monthly review/update of Location Safety Plans now required
- Discontinue use of drinking fountains – water bottle refill stations may still be used
- Ensure implementation of distancing/access controls – such as signage to mark 6' distances in any waiting areas or barriers to control access at reception desks, etc.
- All visitors must now complete symptom screening when coming onsite
We continue to monitor changes in the state's guidance and will adapt UC ANR's safety standards as necessary.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Register now for ANR's upcoming events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15. News and Information Outreach in Spanish is hosting four virtual events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) which recognizes Hispanics' contributions and vital presence in the United States. All events will be held in English. Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month.
Events will be on Fridays from 3:00-4:30 PM on the following dates:
Sept. 18: Discussion and Documentary: The Mexican American Deportation
Sept. 25: Meet the HHM 2020 ANR Honorees: Claudia Diaz, Sonia Ríos, Javier Miramontes
Oct. 2: Discussion and Documentary: The Chicano Moratorium and the Zoot Suit Riots
Oct. 9: COVID-19 and Hispanics
Find out more about the events here. Contacts for further information: Ricardo Vela, ANR News & Information Outreach or ANR Program Support Unit, 530-750-1361.
Sept. 17 Town Hall
Mark your calendars for the UC ANR Town Hall focusing on Hispanic Heritage Month on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 1:30-2:30 PM. Login info and past recordings are located at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/All_Hands/.
Zoom Info
https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/99952515909?pwd=ZEpBSm5jYkFmVTQ1VUxPUWpHR0h5UT09; Password: 559926; Webinar ID: 999 5251 5909
By telephone: US +1 669-900-6833 or +1 253-215-8782 or +1 346-248-7799 or +1 301-715-8592 or +1 312-626-6799 or +1 646-558-8656
International numbers available: https://ucanr.zoom.us/u/aep8C9Dy84
Celebration Corner
Summer 2020 presented an opportunity to re-imagine activities for 4-H programs throughout California. With in-person events and overnight camps cancelled, 4-H staff and volunteers forged ahead to plan engaging virtual camp experiences. Two examples of their success were the “Our Wild California” and “4-H Grown at Home” virtual summer camps. Each week-long camp engaged more than 100 youth in online learning about anything from fire science to Zentangle. Another success was the 4-H Virtual Code Camp presented by the California 4-H Computer Science Team; more than 60 students learned from teen-led coding activities for varying skill levels. Additionally, more than 70 Latinx youth participated in the first virtual version of the annual California Juntos Academy that included sessions on career exploration and navigating higher education.
Glenda Humiston
Vice President
Finding inspiration throughout UC ANR
A couple of weeks back, I had a chance to see the Hispanic Heritage Month video that featured DREC...
UC Integrated Pest Management’s (IPM) Resources in Spanish
In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we'd like to highlight several important resources available from UC IPM to help Spanish-speaking audiences manage pests and apply pesticides safely.
For our Spanish-speaking urban audiences, several short videos on common pests such as ants, spiders, snails, bed bugs, and mosquitoes are available as well as Quick Tips (Notas Breves) offering advice on many pest problems and information on using pesticides safely. There are also 16 touch-screen computer kiosks located in various locations around the state where users can find pest and pesticide information in English or Spanish.
For maintenance gardeners preparing to take the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Applicators exam in the category Q, UC IPM offers a study guide and free online training course in Spanish.
For agriculture audiences, there are several pesticide safety-related books and DVDs available as well as guidelines for managing strawberry pests.
National Hispanic Heritage Month actually originated in 1968 as “Hispanic Heritage Week.” In 1988, it was expanded to an entire month-long event in order to include many important historical events such as the anniversary of independence of Mexico, Chile, and several Central American countries (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua). It ends after Columbus Day.
For more on other pest management and pesticide safety information available, please see the UC IPM Web site.
UC joins commemoration of National Hispanic Heritage Month
UC Cooperative Extension joins in the commemoration by sharing a sampling of its recent efforts to reach California Hispanics and Latinos. For more information about UCCE outreach to Hispanic and Latino communities in California, see UC ANR News and Information Outreach in Spanish.
CalAgrAbility helps disabled farmers and farmworkers stay in agriculture
Working on a farm is among the most dangerous of professions. “It's more dangerous to work in agriculture than in the police force,” said Esmeralda Mandujano, an educator for the UC CalAgrAbility program, located in Davis. CalAgrAbility is part of a nationwide effort funded by the USDA that supports agricultural workers with chronic disabilities or who have been injured on the job. Some conditions are very common, such as arthritis, deteriorating vision, hearing loss or mobility problems. Other ag folks face other challenges, such as amputations or spinal injuries. "We believe that solutions exist, and we are willing to do all we can to connect people with solutions that will give more control over their lives," Mandujano said. "We don't give out money, but we help them find ways to meet their needs." Bilingual staff members help locate resources, including low-cost modifications to the farm, home, equipment and work site operations. CalAgrAbility also provides technical assistance, education and training. For more information, contact Esmeralda Mandujano at (530) 753-1613, calagra@ucdavis.edu.
UCCE helps Hispanic farmers pursue the American Dream
Urban students give fresh ideas for conserving creek
Chollas Creek, which drains to San Diego Bay, is affected by pollution and choked by an infestation of invasive Arundo donax (giant cane). Community groups have removed Arundo, planted native species, and installed walkways, seating, shade structures and art to make the restoration areas attractive for outdoor activities. But the urban area around the creek, which has high population density and a high crime rate, continues to suffer from environmental degradation. To find out what young community members think about Chollas Creek and its surrounding outdoor areas, UC Cooperative Extension met with 35 youths from 5th through 12th grades from the neighborhood, including 31 from Latino cultural groups and four African Americans. Leigh Taylor Johnson, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in San Diego, asked the young people why the creek is important to them and to suggest ways to conserve water, reduce pollution and prevent the Arundo donax from infesting the creek. “I am in the process of analyzing the results,” Taylor Johnson said. “In general, I was very impressed with the insights and creative recommendations provided by the youthful participants.” Groundwork San Diego – Chollas Creek, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation and Jackie Robinson YMCA partnered in this research. For more information, contactLeigh Taylor Johnson at (858) 822-7802, ltjohnson@ucanr.edu.
Resources available in Spanish for managing pests and applying pesticides safely
Southern California landscapers get pest management training in Spanish
An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Spanish-speaking landscapers in San Bernardino County lack adequate expertise in integrated pest management (IPM) and safe use of pesticides, in part due to the rarity of training opportunities using the Spanish language. UC Cooperative Extension advisor Janet Hartin wanted to change this, and received a $125,000 competitive grant from the Department of Pesticide Regulation to expand integrated pest management education to Southern California Spanish-speaking landscapers. The project focuses on reducing groundwater and surface water pollution leading to water quality degradation due to overuse and improper use of pesticides and fertilizers. This grant funded educational services to Spanish-speaking landscapers at 13 workshops and hands-on as well as classroom training in 2013. Increasing educational services stressing pest prevention to this large clientele – which has quadrupled over 20 years – can significantly reduce overuse and misuse of pesticides in urban environments and improve the health and safety of the work environment for this important segment of the profession. For more information, contact Janet Hartin, (951) 313-2023, jshartin@ucanr.edu.
Mexico native to provide culturally sensitive nutrition programs to California Latinos