Posts Tagged: South Coast
Expertos en agricultura hablan sobre los desafíos a los que se enfrenta esta industria en California
La agricultura genera 59 mil millones de dólares y emplea a cerca de 400 mil individuos en California. La industria, sin embargo, frecuentemente se ve amenazada ante los desafíos que representan los cambios climáticos, la conversión de tierras y la escasez de agua.
Motivados para tomar acción, Sustain Southern California – una organización asociada con el Centro Beall para la Innovación Aplicada de UC Irvine – organizó una mesa redonda de discusión el pasado 20 de febrero, en la que participaron expertos en la materia, incluyendo a Darren Haver, director del Centro de Investigación y Extensión de la División de Agricultura y Recursos Naturales de UC.
Durante su discurso principal, José Arriaga, comisionado de agricultura del condado de Orange, definió sustentabilidad como la producción de alimentos y fibra que no compromete la habilidad de las futuras generaciones para satisfacer sus necesidades. Al hacerlo, reconoció el beneficio de hablar sobre temas tan oportunos, especialmente para lugares donde la agricultura ya no es tan prevalente como lo era.
“Muchas personas no piensan en el condado de Orange como un lugar para la agricultura. Es probable que sea porque se ha reservado muy poca superficie para la agricultura no es como antes. Y eso me preocupa”, mencionó Arriaga.
La primera discusión de mesa redonda se enfocó en la agricultura sustentable, en ella Haver participó junto a otros líderes de la industria del sur de California, incluyendo A.G. Kawamura de Orange County Produce, Steve Brazeel de Sunterra Produce y Elevated Foods, Anthony Curci de Buttonwood Ranch y Parker Cohn de Performance Resource Management.
Al hablar sobre la generación actual, Haver dijo que ha visto un cambio en las pasadas décadas en el que el enfoque se ha alejado del rendimiento, lo cual solía ser el aspecto más importante de la producción agrícola. Hoy en día, se le dedica más atención a la sustentabilidad – un cambio que Haver atribuye a una generación más joven de investigadores y filólogos que trabajan para la agricultura.
Ha habido un énfasis en sustentar el ambiente a la vez que se mantiene el progreso económico. Haver reconoció estos importantes elementos, pero resaltó también el impacto social de la sustentabilidad.
“No tengo todas las respuestas, pero creo que es importante abordar los aspectos del medio ambiente, económico y social de la agricultura. También cree que estos factores deben ser abordarse sistemáticamente en lugar de silos”, indicó Haver.
Los productores agrícolas del Sur de California, en particular, son responsables de 7,800 millones de dólares en ingresos brutos y cerca de 100 mil trabajos directamente relacionados con la agricultura. Solo en el condado de Orange, donde Haver tiene su base en el Centro de Investigación y Extensión de South Coast, la agricultura produce 86 millones de dólares en producción económica, en donde los viveros se sigan a la cabeza como el principal producto, seguido por los árboles frutales, producción de verduras, ganado y colmenas.
Adaptado al español por Leticia Irigoyen del artículo en inglés. Editado por Diana Cervantes.
REC System Director Haver encourages systemic approach to agriculture
Agriculture generates $59 billion and employs nearly 400,000 individuals in California. The industry, however, is often threatened by challenges like climate change, land conversion and water scarcity. Motivated to act, Sustain Southern California – an organization associated with UC Irvine Beall Applied Innovation – hosted a roundtable discussion on Feb. 20 featuring subject matter experts including Darren Haver, director of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources' Research and Extension Center System.
During his keynote address, Jose Arriaga, Orange County Agricultural Commissioner, defined sustainability as food and fiber production that does not compromise the ability for future generations to meet their needs. In doing so, he acknowledged the benefit of discussing such timely topics with key players, especially for places where agriculture is not as prevalent as it used to be.
“Many people don't think of Orange County as a place for agriculture. It's probably because less land is being reserved for agriculture, not like back in the day. And that worries me,” said Arriaga.
The first roundtable discussion centered on sustainable agriculture, with Haver participating alongside other industry leaders based in Southern California, including A.G. Kawamura of Orange County Produce, Steve Brazeel of Sunterra Produce and Elevated Foods, Anthony Curci of Buttonwood Ranch and Parker Cohn from Performance Resource Management.
In discussing today's generation, Haver said that he has seen a shift over the last few decades away from yield alone, which used to be the most important aspect of production in agriculture. Today, much more attention is dedicated to sustainability – a change that Haver attributes to the younger generation of researchers and plant scientists working in agriculture.
There has also been an emphasis on sustaining the environment while maintaining economic progress. Haver recognized these important elements, but highlighted the social impact of sustainability, too.
“I don't have all the answers, but I do believe that addressing the environmental, economic and social aspects of agriculture is important. I also think that these factors should be addressed systemically rather than in silos,” said Haver.
Southern California agricultural producers, in particular, are responsible for $7.8 billion in gross receipts and nearly 100,000 jobs directly related to agriculture. In Orange County alone, where Haver is based at the South Coast Research and Extension Center, agriculture makes up $86 million of total economic output, with nurseries leading as a top commodity followed by fruit trees, vegetable production and livestock and apiary.
New avocado proves tasty, safer to harvest at UC ANR Research and Extension Centers
A new avocado, one that complements the widely known ‘Hass,' will hit the world market soon. The ‘Luna UCR' variety (trademarked and patent pending) has several characteristics that should be of interest to both growers and consumers, said Mary Lu Arpaia, University of California Cooperative Extension subtropical horticulture specialist based at UC Riverside.
From the grower perspective, the tree is about half the size of the leading variety while producing approximately the same yield per tree as ‘Hass,' meaning that growers could plant more trees per acre, therefore increasing yield. It also makes harvesting easier and safer.
Another advantage is the flowering behavior of the tree. Avocado trees are categorized into either Type A or Type B flower types. It is generally accepted that you need both flower types in a planting to maximize productivity. The ‘Hass' is an “A” flower type and ‘Luna UCR' is a Type “B.”
This is a potential boost for growers since the current varieties that are “B” flower types ripen green and generally receive lower prices for the grower. Similar to ‘Hass,' however, the ‘Luna UCR' colors as it ripens.
“Hopefully, it will receive similar returns to the ‘Hass' once it is an established variety,” Arpaia added.
Fruit breeding is a long-term process that she has navigated by building upon the work of her predecessors. Of course, Arpaia has had strong support from colleagues as well, including Eric Focht, a UC Riverside staff researcher and co-inventor of ‘Luna UCR.'
“We had been looking at ‘Luna UCR' for some time and it was always a very good eating fruit,” Focht said. “After the 2003 release of ‘GEM' (registered and patented as ‘3-29-5', 2003) and ‘Harvest' (patented as ‘N4(-)5', 2003) varieties, ‘Luna UCR' was always the top contender for a next release due to the small, narrow growth habit, “B” flower type and the fruit quality.”
“It's a very nice-looking fruit as well and seemed to be a pretty consistent bearer from year to year.”
A glimpse at how it all started
In spring 1996, Arpaia took over the UC Avocado Breeding Program following Guy Witney who led the program from 1992 to 1995, and Bob Bergh whose initial efforts in the 1950s were foundational in the inception of ‘Luna UCR.'
Arpaia recalls the first trials in the early 2000s of ‘Luna UCR,' which were tested alongside other promising selections from the Bergh program. “There were a lot of varieties that didn't perform well, some of which had poor storage life, an important trait that we need if we are going to get the fruit to consumers across the country,” said Arpaia.
The original seed and selection were planted at the Bob Lamb Ranch in Camarillo, and originally advanced trials of the ‘Luna UCR' variety were planted in four locations: UC Lindcove Research and Extension Center in Tulare County, UC South Coast Research and Extension Center in Orange County, a privately owned farm in San Diego County and another one in Ventura County.
The RECs are among the nine hubs operated by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources to support research and educate the public on regional agricultural and natural resource challenges.
ANR Research and Extension Centers become vital
Unfortunately, the 2017 Thomas Fire burned the avocado trees in Ventura, said Arpaia. After a change in management, the trial located in San Diego County was also terminated, leaving the two trials at Lindcove and South Coast REC.
“South Coast REC has a long history of supporting research and extension activities of high value crops important to California, including avocados,” said Darren Haver, director of the South Coast REC, which was often used to show growers the new varieties that were being developed.
“Many of the REC staff have worked with the avocado-breeding program researchers for more than two decades and continue to work closely with them to ensure the success of new avocado varieties, including ‘Luna UCR',” he added.
In addition to the support provided by South Coast and Lindcove RECs, Arpaia said that UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fresno County – another UC ANR facility – made it possible for her team to conduct critical postharvest and sensory research, and consumer testing of the fruit, which included up to six-week trials of fruit ratings for storage life and taste.
“UC ANR has played an important role in our ability to not only identify ‘Luna UCR', but in preparing it for the world market, too,” she said.
Preparing to share with the world
Since 2015, Focht had been collecting data for the patent application. Now that he and Arpaia have successfully patented and trademarked ‘Luna UCR,' they are preparing to expand production by engaging interested growers with the commercial partner, Green Motion who is based in Spain.
“Green Motion contracted for 1,000 trees to be generated by Brokaw Nursery and those trees are currently being distributed, with earliest field plantings likely taking place in fall,” explained Focht.
Focht also said that Mission Produce, based in Oxnard, CA has contracted to graft over a small number of “B” flower type pollinizer trees to the new ‘Luna UCR' variety, possibly making way for a small number of avocados to be available the following year.
Once planted, the avocado trees will come into “full” production in about five years.
To read this story in Spanish, visit: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=58991
To grow vegetables locally, Second Harvest partners with UC South Coast REC
Partnering for California
A.G. Kawamura to grow produce at UC South Coast Research and Extension Center for Orange County food bank
Driven to provide consistent access to nutritious food for residents in Orange County, Second Harvest Food Bank is exploring new fields of possibility – fields amounting to 45 acres at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources' South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine.
With grower A.G. Kawamura, Solutions for Urban Ag chairman and former California secretary of Food and Agriculture, the food bank recently planted its first cabbage transplants to generate a steady flow of fresh, locally grown produce for its pantry network.
Harvest Solutions Farm is expected to produce 40,000 pounds of cabbage per week as of Nov. 18 when the first harvest is expected to take place. When all 45 acres are fully planted, they are anticipated to yield 160,000 pounds of produce per month.
“Fresh produce is so important to the health of a community,” said Darren Haver, director of the agricultural research facility. “Through this unique public-private partnership, UC South Coast Research and Extension Center is able to provide land and volunteers to assist in planting and harvesting to supply nutritious food to people in our community in need.”
On Aug. 31, Second Harvest Board Chairman Dave Coffaro, Kawamura and Haver were joined at UC South Coast REC by Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, Representative Katie Porter of Irvine and Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner for the ceremonial planting of the first crop. Volunteers transplanted approximately 26,000 cabbage seedlings.
“This is a historic day for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County,” said Coffaro. “Few food banks, if any, have attempted to grow their own food on this large a scale. Our unique good fortune to have access to 45 acres in the heart of an urban center like Irvine, where we are able to cultivate an array of crops and supply our food pantry partners with fresh, nutritious produce brings us a huge step closer to making nutritional security a reality for our entire community.”
Produce key component of Second Harvest's nutritional strategy
Harvest Solutions Farm is the latest component in Second Harvest's strategy to attain nutrition security for all. The food bank has begun focusing on planned nutrition based on consistent access to fresh protein, produce and dairy – rather than relying on situational nutrition driven solely by donations.
Second Harvest is prioritizing the weekly purchase and donation of nutritious food to provide children and families with consistent access to the nutrient-dense food that can set them up for success in school and at work. Fresh produce is a key component of a nutritious diet.
“After this initial planting of cabbage, which is a hearty, versatile vegetable that's easy to grow and a nutritional mainstay in a variety of cultures, the second planting in May 2022 will include zucchini, squash and mini bell peppers,” saidKawamura. “When the 45 acres are fully planted with these vegetables, with regular crop rotations, I expect it to yield 600,000 pounds per month, which is comparable to two 53-foot semi-truck trailers full of locally grown produce going into the community.”
Creating supply chain resiliency and environmental benefits
The farm also allows Second Harvest to mitigate challenges like pandemic-induced inflated food prices and supply chain disruptions.
“We previously bought vegetables from the Central Valley. Last year, we had to work around lags in the supply chain, which means healthy food was less plentiful for Orange County families in need,” Coffaro said. “This farm will create an end-to-end produce supply chain for us and those we serve.”
Further, by growing produce locally, Second Harvest will drastically cut its “time to the dinner plate,” delivering greater health benefits because the produce will be fresher when it reaches families.
The farm will be maintained primarily by 40 volunteers during three-hour shifts, starting with one to two scheduled opportunities per week. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, but opportunities for children to participate will be available in the near future.
Los persimos son la alegría del otoño
Cuando el clima se pone frío en el otoño y se aproximan los días festivos, los orbes se maduran en los árboles de persimos o caquis en California para ofrecer una dulzura otoñal a tiempo para las recetas de la temporada y decoración festiva.
En el Centro de Investigación y Extensión del Sur de UC, en Irvine (UC South Coast Research and Extension Center), conocido en inglés por sus siglas SCREC, una colección de 53 variedades de persimos están en su mero apogeo en noviembre cuando el público es invitado a degustar y cosechar durante el día anual del persimo.
“Queremos crear consciencia sobre los persimos”, dijo Tammy Majcherek, educadora comunitaria del SCREC. “Es un hermoso árbol y una gran adición para cualquier paisaje. El árbol de persimos provee sombra en el verano, frutos saludables en el otoño y luego tira sus hojas permitiendo que se filtre la calidez solar en el invierno. Es una situación ideal para todos, en cuanto a árboles de paisaje se refiere”.
La colección de persimos llegó al centro de investigaciones en la década de los 60, cuando el desaparecido profesor de horticultura subtropical de UCLA, Art Schroeder, se encargó de mudar su colección de variedades de persimos a otro lugar, porque la presión de los desarrolladores urbanos en el campus de Westwood se incrementó.
Los persimos son nativos de dos partes del mundo, China y Estados Unidos. El persimo chino logró llegar hasta Japón donde su popularidad se disparó. El persimo estadounidense proviene de los estados del sureste, sin embargo, los persimos de California remontan su linaje hasta Asia.
De acuerdo con el Reporte de Cultivos del Departamento de Agricultura, California encabeza a los estados de la nación en producción de persimos, pero con un valor de alrededor de 21 millones de dólares en el 2012, representa solo una pequeña fracción del valor de cultivos de árboles frutales y nueces de California, de 19 mil millones de dólares en el 2012.
Sin embargo, para los visitantes que participaron en el recorrido de la colección de UC en el SCREC, los persimos son una fruta de elección. Los participantes del recorrido VIP matutino recibieron una bolsa de compras grande para llenarla con diferentes variedades de persimos fuyu y hachiya. Los fuyu son frutos planos de color amarillo anaranjado que pueden comerse directo del árbol como manzanas o dejarlos madurar para obtener una pulpa súper dulce y suave. Los hachiya son más rojos, tiene forma de corazón y son astringentes cuando no están completamente maduros. “Si los muerde, sentirá una aspereza en la lengua de inmediato”, dijo un participante.
Sin embargo, después de que maduran y obtienen una pulpa gelatinosa y suave o se secan, los Hachiya son igualmente deliciosos.
Shirley Salado, supervisora del Programa de Expandido de Alimentos y Nutrición de Extensión Cooperativa de UC (Cooperative Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) en el condado de San Diego, asistió a la degustación del persimo para recopilar frutas e información para su programa educativo.
“El fuyu es genial para comerse”, señaló Salado. “Cuando se maduran y la pulpa se pone muy suave, puede ponerla en la licuadora y molerla y congelarla en bolsas plásticas con cierre para agregarlos a batidos saludables”.
Salado llenó dos bolsas grandes de persimos para compartir con su personal de educación sobre nutrición.
“No todos saben sobre esto”, indicó. “Ello les permite darle un vistazo a la fruta. Esto es lo que promovemos”.
Después del recorrido, Cinda Webb, coordinadora del programa maestro para conservar alimentos de UC de SCREC hizo una demostración sobre el consumo seguro de persimos haciendo con ellos una mermelada con un toque de canela, chips de persimo seco y una ensalada gourmet de albahaca, betabel y arroz.
Ensalada de arroz silvestre o integral con persimos
4 tazas de arroz silvestre o integral, cocinado
2 persimos Fuyu, picados
1 tazas de betabeles cocidos y picados
1 taza de up albahaca, picada
8 onzas de queso feta
½ taza de vinagreta de naranja y comino
Vinagreta (rinde 1 taza)
½ taza de jugo de naranja
¼ taza de aceite de olivo
2 cucharaditas de vinagre de arroz
1 cucharada de miel de maple
1½ cucharadita de comino
1 cucharadita de cilantro
½ cucharadita de sal
Preparación
- Bata a mano los ingredientes para la vinagreta
- Vierta la albahaca, betabel, persimos y queso feta sobre el arroz y revuelva con la mitad de la vinagreta.
- Adorne con rebanadas de persimos y un poco de albahaca.
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Un miembro de la Asociación de Productores de Frutas Raras, Dewey Savage, muestra persimos con una pulpa color marrón. El oscurecimiento se debe al alcohol liberado por las semillas dentro del fruto. El alcohol neutraliza los taninos que hacen que el persimo sea astringente. La reacción química natural da como resultado una fruta más dulce.
Voluntarios del programa Jardineros Maestros de UC prepararon persimos de diferentes variedades para ser degustados.
Los participantes evaluaron las variedades de persimos basados en su atractivo, astringencia, azúcar, sabor y rendimiento general.