Posts Tagged: health

Wildfire takes toll on mental, physical health of food producers

Farm Bill could support awareness of help available

The people who produce our food need support – especially in the areas of mental and physical well-being – to recover from increasingly widespread wildfire, scientists have found. The federal Farm Bill could help, but it is languishing in Congress (an extension of the previous Farm Bill was passed in late December 2024).

Postdoctoral researcher Natalia Pinzon Jimenez used surveys to hone in on the experiences of ranchers and farmers impacted by wildfire. Pinzon recently earned her Ph.D. at UC Davis and produced her findings with a team that included Leslie Roche, a professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Plant Sciences.

The team surveyed more than 500 ranchers and farmers affected by wildfires between 2017 and 2023. Pinzon recently summarized her findings in this research report. She also recently launched a website, Wildfires & Agriculture, based on her findings. Its goal is to help producers become more resilient to fire by providing tools, improving research and effecting policy.

Financial and technical assistance also matter, but are secondary, said the producers who participated in the surveys.

“The No. 1 wildfire impact for ranchers is on their physical and mental health,” said Tracy Schohr, a research team member and livestock and natural resources advisor in Plumas, Sierra, and Butte counties with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (Schohr earned her master's degree with Ken Tate, also a professor of Cooperative Extension in the department.)

“This underscores the need for future United States Department of Agriculture disaster programs to prioritize physical and mental health and emphasizes the importance of USDA investment in training staff and partners in trauma-informed approaches to aid farmers and ranchers affected by disasters,” Schohr argued.

In addition to being scorched by wildfire, farmers and ranchers are on the front lines of wildfire response, both on their properties and in their communities. When it's not wildfire season, they manage future risks by reducing fuel loads on their properties, installing off-grid systems and water storage, planning for wildfire response and training employees, Pinzon reported.

Need for greater awareness of help available

While producers were optimistic about their chances of recovering from wildfire, Pinzon found they have a limited financial safety net supporting them. Most producers relied on personal savings to recover from significant losses. Small producers, those using organic or sustainable practices, beginning producers, first-generation producers and people renting their land all had fewer resources, including crop insurance.

In addition, 78 percent of farmers and 58 percent of ranchers did not use financial assistance offered through the USDA to cope with disasters, Pinzon reported. Many didn't even know such assistance is available, or they reported the application process was too difficult.

All those pressures led to a quarter of the respondents admitting they had considered shutting down their operations.

Pinzon pointed to the federal Farm Bill as a source for funding greater collaboration between the USDA and on-the-ground organizations such as Cooperative Extension. The aim would be “to raise awareness, expand access to assistance programs and provide science-based solutions for wildfire recovery,” Pinzon recommended.

Surveys lead to more insights

Pinzon's work is part of a larger, statewide effort to use surveys and interviews with ranchers and farmers to understand their needs, direct scientific inquiry and develop solutions to their problems.

The team includes the University of California, UC ANR, federal, state and local agencies, producer organizations and private individuals. The surveys go back to 2011 and were conducted by Roche and a network of colleagues.

Read about California ranchers' response to drought and their needs for staying strong.

Farmers and ranchers: Learn what you can do

You can prepare for wildfire on your land. Get free, online information through Farmer Campus, co-founded by Pinzon with support from the USDA. Start by downloading your Wildfire Preparedness Workbook. It includes practical, hands-on activities to help you get your operation ready to survive a fire.

This article was first published on the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences news site.

To limit bird flu spread, keep wild birds away from poultry, livestock

Waterfowl Alert Network data help assess risk of avian influenza H5N1

Every winter, millions of migratory birds fly south to warmer locales, passing over California Central Valley dairies and poultry farms. Many of these wild waterfowl are carrying the virus that causes avian influenza, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's wild-bird surveillance, says Maurice Pitesky, University of California Cooperative Extension poultry specialist in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis.

Bird flu has killed millions of birds and disrupted milk and poultry production. In California, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial and backyard flocks of poultry and dairy cows and, more recently, poultry and dairy workers have become infected.

“This is the largest animal disease outbreak we've ever had whether you look at geography – we've had six or seven continents affected – or whether you're looking at species,” Pitesky noted. “From a public health perspective, it's important for us to sound the alarm before this becomes a bigger problem.”

To contain the disease, USDA is testing milk for the avian influenza H5N1 virus and farmers are supplying poultry and dairy workers with personal protective equipment.

To avert future outbreaks of avian influenza from infecting livestock, Pitesky recommends reducing the overlap of waterfowl habitat with farms that raise animals. This would help prevent birds from mingling with the domestic animals and passing the virus to cows, pigs and poultry.

Knowing where waterfowl roost can help farmers and other stakeholders make informed decisions about protecting their flocks and herds.            

Based on their research, Pitesky and his colleagues have developed the Waterfowl Alert Network to provide data about locations of waterfowl roosting and feeding. The network uses data from satellites, weather radar and land-based environmental sensors. Farmers and agricultural agency personnel can use it to assess the risk wild birds pose to farms. This information can be used to identify risky habitat in close proximity to farms with the goal of shifting habitat away from farms. This might entail, for example, flooding fields that would provide waterfowl habitat in an area at a greater distance from farm animals.          

“One thing we need to consider in the medium- to long-term is the concept of waterfowl habitat shifting away from food animal production,” Pitesky said. “We know how to do this. This approach would allow us to optimize food security for our livestock and poultry while also providing habitat for waterfowl, which are vital to our ecosystem.”

UC Master Gardener of San Diego County’s ‘labor of love’ improves health of older adults

The Belden Village Apartments in Clairemont Mesa East of San Diego is home to a diverse population of older adults. Shital Parikh, a UC Master Gardener of San Diego County, took the initiative to build a garden that grows food and encourages residents to spend more time outdoors, getting their hands dirty alongside neighbors.

Almost a year ago, Parikh – a UC Master Gardener since 2014 – proposed to develop a community garden within the low-income residential facility with the intention that the residents would manage it independently overtime. When the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) and County of San Diego approved the proposal, Parikh moved swiftly to break ground on what is now the Belden Community Garden.

“The Belden Community Garden is a labor of love,” Parikh said. “One that has been made possible thanks to the knowledge and support gained from the UC Master Gardener Program and the invaluable support from Amy Zink from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency.”

Breaking ground for a community garden

In September 2023, interested residents at the Belden Village Apartments gathered to learn of the project and understand how they can be involved. In October, the County of San Diego received a donation from Home Depot which included garden beds, and the materials needed to build them. All of which were donated to Parikh to establish the Belden Community Garden.

“This project has received approved funding from our partners and there has not been any out-of-pocket expense,” said Parikh.

In preparation for the garden beds, residents teamed up with more than a dozen UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County to learn various gardening skills. Some taught residents how to create seed tape, making it easier to plant seeds in an organized manner, the basics of vegetable gardening and food prep classes as well.

In January 2024, 13 garden beds were installed and ready for planting. In March, residents enjoyed their first harvest of vegetables and leafy greens by hosting a salad-making luncheon where everyone could taste the fresh produce grown on-site.

“The residents are at the heart of this, and it's been a joy to see them come together across different languages and cultures, sharing in the harvest and learning alongside us,” said Parikh.

Other than English, there are four primary languages spoken in the residential community, including Spanish, Arabic, Farsi and Vietnamese. All garden signs communicate the names of crops in these primary languages – a nod to the residents who helped establish and maintain the garden, which also features crops important in the various cultures.

Residents at the ‘heart' of it all

The Belden Community Garden has two residential garden coordinators, Art Dawson and Lisa Hillman, who are responsible for watering and general maintenance of the garden. Neither Dawson nor Hillman had prior gardening experience.

In the three years that Hillman has been living at the Belden Village Apartments, this is the first time she's participated in a community effort like the garden. “I didn't come outside or interact with neighbors much – but since I started volunteering here, I see so many people and I know more people in my community,” said Hillman, who described the various colors of squash – her favorite vegetable, so far – grown and harvested in the garden.

Dawson, in contrast, isn't a big fan of squash and prefers greens instead. “I'm African American, so I'm all about the collard greens,” said Dawson. Learning as he goes, Dawson said his primary job is managing irrigation.

“I've never gardened before in my life. But I like helping out and working with my hands,” he said. “I kind of like it. It keeps me busy, and I love seeing how everything grows from a tiny seed.”

Shahnaz Roshanoi, a resident whose native language is Farsi, said she was so happy when the garden came to fruition. Roshanoi maintains a garden of her own using the limited space that surrounds her apartment with plants reaching as tall as seven feet. Since the community garden was established, Roshanoi has been an active volunteer, sharing her extensive gardening knowledge with others and inviting more residents to join the fun.

Parikh's effort inspires development of more community gardens

During her earlier days as a UC Master Gardener, Parikh taught gardening via Zoom because of COVID-19. Parikh focused on teaching low-income residents, who are often at a disadvantage in accessing affordable healthy food options. Her gardening projects have all benefitted from her 10-plus years of experience in companion planting and crop rotation, pollinator gardens and native plants.

“Watching the garden evolve has been incredibly rewarding, and I can't wait to see how it continues to thrive!” said Parikh.

With generous support from the UC Master Gardeners Program of San Diego County, County of San Diego, SDHC's Achievement Academy, and the Del Mar Mesa Garden Club, the Belden Community Garden teaches residents how to grow their own food, enjoy it, and live healthier, happier lives.

The success and impact of the Belden Village community has inspired two more community gardens in low-income resident facilities located in the Mesa Valley and Otay Mesa neighborhoods in San Diego.

“I do what I can and then leave the rest to divinity,” Parikh said. “Time and again, help has found its way, or maybe it's simply a matter of trusting the process and staying consistent.” 

The UC Master Gardeners of San Diego County work to expand the love of gardening and improve food security across the county. You can support their efforts by donating at this link here: https://give.ucanr.edu/forms/SanDiego-MG

CFHL, UC and UCCE Alameda team up with UCSF for Food Farmacy

Green peas, orange carrot cubes and squares of white tofu sizzled as they were stirred into brown rice in an electric frying pan. “Smells good,” commented a man walking to the fresh produce display.

Every week UC San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland gives away fresh produce to patients and community members at its Food Farmacy to improve food security in the community. On Nov. 14, nutrition experts from UC Cooperative Extension and CalFresh Healthy Living, UC joined UCSF colleagues to encourage Oakland residents to eat fresh fruits and vegetables for better health.

Tuline Baykal, CalFresh Healthy Living, UC Cooperative Extension program supervisor in Alameda County, and CFHL, UC community educators Mercy Mumba, Yolanda Silva and Mariela Wajler showed visitors how to prepare dishes that could be easily made from fresh produce. Mumba and Wajler cooked tofu fried rice while Silva tossed slices of persimmon, dried cranberries and spinach together before drizzling an orange juice dressing on top. They handed out recipes with samples of the foods.

Alexa Erickson, UCCE nutrition advisor for Alameda and Contra Costa counties, was on site to answer nutrition questions.

Community members could choose from a generous array of free leafy greens, cucumbers, red cabbage, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, citrus, red onions, bell peppers, chicken and other grocery items.

Through their collaboration, the UCSF health professionals and UC ANR nutrition educators hope to highlight the role of food in healthy living and California farms in producing healthy living options.

“A partnership with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Clinics presents opportunities for us to expand our delivery of CalFresh Healthy Living, UC education to parents in places they are going to receive health care for their children – making this vital nutrition education more accessible,” said Andra Nicoli, CalFresh Healthy Living, UC program and project policy analyst based at UC Davis College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

Nicoli worked with Antonio De Wolk, UCSF's assistant director of content strategy, and Rigoberto Del Toro, manager of the Food Farmacies at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, to coordinate UC ANR's participation in the Food Farmacy.

 

UC seeks toddler volunteers for milk study

UC researchers will study effects of whole milk and low-fat milk on toddlers' health and development.

Researchers to study whether whole or low-fat milk is best for toddlers

San Francisco Bay Area toddlers who drink cow's milk are being sought to participate in a 12-month study by UC Nutrition Policy Institute, a part of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Milk will be provided for free to participants.

Milk provides children with calcium, protein and vitamin D, which are essential for health and brain development. In the U.S., the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children switch from whole milk to low-fat or nonfat milk after age 2 to reduce their intake of saturated fat and calories.

“The purpose of this UC study is to see how the type of milk toddlers drink affects their health, growth and development,” said Kassandra Bacon, NPI project policy analyst.

Researchers with the Nutrition Policy Institute are recruiting children ages 23 to 30 months old. The 625 toddlers will be randomly assigned to drink either whole fat or 1% fat milk starting at age 2. The scientists will assess diet, health and developmental outcomes.

“We will follow each participant for one year, collecting baseline and follow-up data,” said Ryan Williams, a NPI project policy analyst and registered dietitian who is involved in the research.

For 12 months, the scientists will measure each child's height, weight, waist and head circumference. At the beginning and end of the study, parents will be required to take their children to a local lab for a blood draw to assess lipids, cholesterol, insulin resistance and vitamin D status, as well collect a sample of their child's stool so the scientists may analyze the gut microbiome. During a home visit, researchers will also interview parents about their child's development.

Benefits to participants

The assigned milk type will be delivered to participants free of charge via a grocery delivery service. Participating parents will receive advice from a registered dietitian to support healthy milk consumption as part of a balanced diet. The Nutrition Policy Institute also will send the parents monthly newsletters with general health tips. Participants also may earn up to $275 in gift cards by completing the study.

Requirements to participate

Participants for the milk study must meet these requirements:

• Child must be 23 to 30 months old and have public or private medical insurance
• Child's parent/legal guardian must be 18 years or older
• Child must live with the participating parent/legal guardian in the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara, San Francisco or San Mateo counties)
• Child's parent or guardian must speak English

Children are ineligible for the study if they are:

• a WIC participant
• lactose intolerant
• allergic to milk protein

Lorrene Ritchie, NPI director and registered dietitian, and Anisha Patel, pediatrician at Stanford Medicine Children's Health and professor in the Division of General Pediatrics at Stanford University, are the principal investigators for the study.

For more information about the research and to sign up for the study, visit https://npi.ucanr.edu/milk.

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