June 15, 2021
Edition Topics
- Message from the Interim Director of Extension
- Welcome Dr. Ed Martin - Interim Director of Extension
- WRRC 2021 Virtual Annual Conference
- Large-scale Water Harvesting for Small-acreage and Households Webinar
- CALS Data Science Incubator Program
- Remote Produce Safety Alliance Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Course
- New Extension Publications
| |
| Message from the Interim Director of Extension
I would like to thank all of you who sent your congratulations to me over the past week. I’m looking forward to working with everyone within UA Cooperative Extension and ALVSCE. As I begin this transition, I welcome any and all comments as we work to continue the high level of professionalism and quality programming that our clientele have come to expect from UA Cooperative Extension. I have worked at an Arizona Experiment Station, worked at the state level, and most recently had the opportunity to lead a county office, all the time being a faculty member in an academic department. This experience has allowed me to see firsthand the excellence in our staff and faculty. In the coming months, I want to work with all of you to inform and educate others of the impactful work of UA Cooperative Extension.
| |
| Dr. Ed Martin Appointed Interim Director of Cooperative Extension
I would like to announce that Dr. Ed Martin has graciously accepted the position of Interim Director of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension System, effective June 12. Please join me in wishing Ed well in his new position.
Ed has a BS in Agricultural Engineering and a M.S. in Agricultural and Extension Education both from Michigan State University (MSU) in 1984. He joined MSU Extension as an Associate in Extension working on irrigation programs with Michigan farmers, and he concurrently earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Technology Management.
Ed has extensive experience in the Arizona Cooperative Extension System: in 1992 he joined the then-Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering as an assistant specialist, in 1998 he was promoted to associate specialist and in 2005 to full rank. In 2007, Ed was appointed Associate Extension Director for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Five years later, he was appointed Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Director. He was honored by our Ag100 Council in 2004 as College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Member of the Year.
-- Shane C. Burgess
Vice President for the Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences,
and Cooperative Extension
| |
|
Free Registration for WRRC 2021 Annual Conference Now Open!
The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center is excited to open registration for the 2021 Annual WRRC Conference, Tribal Water Resilience in a Changing Environment. Held virtually over three days, August 30-September 1, the program will offer information, diverse perspectives, networking, and much more. The conference will kick off with an afternoon session (1-4 PM Arizona time) on Monday, August 30, followed by morning sessions (8-11 AM Arizona time) on Tuesday, August 31, and Wednesday, September 1. In addition, special conference activities will be scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
| |
| Large-scale Water Harvesting for Small-acreage and Households Webinar
Event Date: June 17, 2021 11:00am to 12:00pm
Featured Speaker: Mary Ann Capehart, Instructional Specialist, Senior, Water Wise Cochise County-Sierra Vista. Mary Ann is the coordinator of the Water Wise Community program whose mission is to help those in the Upper San Pedro River Watershed, and others around Cochise County, conserve water and care for all natural resources.
Webinar Overview: Rainwater is considered high-quality water that can be treated to drinking water standards by rain harvesters themselves on their homesteads. Mary Ann will present on the feasibility of small-acreage and household-scale rain harvesting as a potable water supply. In this webinar, she will discuss the option of large-scale rain harvesting to supply water for their domestic needs. Five factors important to assessing whether a rain harvesting system is appropriate are delineated; the basic components of a rain harvesting system for potable supply are briefly explained, and examples of actual rain harvesting systems used by residents harvesting rain for potable use are included, with system data that demonstrate the factors involved in choosing large-scale rain harvesting for domestic potable use. Ms. Capehart will also discuss the steps, components, and principles necessary for the safe treatment of collected rainwater to help with those in rural areas where rain is the preferred or the most expedient water supply.
Zoom Link: https://arizona.zoom.us/j/85191962788
Please log in up to 10 minutes prior to the webinar.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required
| |
| CALS Data Science Incubator Program
The CALS Data Science Team is excited to announce the Data Science Incubator program. This is an ongoing opportunity for researchers in CALS to work with our team to understand and take advantage of research opportunities enabled by new and emerging data resources and computing methods. This opportunity is open to all ALVSCE researchers and staff.
Our team of domain data scientists and software engineers has expertise in state-of-the-art technologies and methods alongside domain expertise. These include statistics, data synthesis, data management, GIS, simulation modeling, analytics, cloud and cluster computing, software design and engineering, visualization, and more. The Data Science Incubator will provide up to ten full-time days of support for CALS projects spread over three months to work on focused, intensive, collaborative projects.
We invite short proposals (1-2 pages) for a data-intensive research collaboration focusing on a research problem with clearly defined outcomes. This support is funded by USDA Hatch funds, and can be leveraged to develop funding for longer term collaborations. See the CALS Data Science request for proposals or contact David LeBauer dlebauer@arizona.edu for more information.
| |
| Remote Produce Safety Alliance Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Course
Due to the current Coronavirus Outbreak, Produce Safety Alliance is allowing for Remote Grower Trainings while we are practicing social distancing. This course will be offered remotely, online via Zoom, during this time to accommodate and once the public health concern is lifted, in-person classroom courses will resume.
Who Should Attend:
Produce Farms including growers, harvesters, packers, coolers, and those interested in learning about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR), Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), Co-management of natural resources and Food Safety. Academic’s and students wanting to learn more about food safety and the Produce Safety Rule would benefit from this course as well as government officials working in food safety.
Course Dates and Times:
June 22-23, 2021
7:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Sign up HERE
Password: JUN22&23
The Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Course will take place over 2 Days from 7:45 AM- 1 PM, hosted online via Zoom. You must be present for each session on both days to receive your Certificate of Course Completion from AFDO. The Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Course does not offer CEU credit.
You will need access to a computer with reliable internet access, a webcam, microphone, and speaker OR mobile device (eg. cell phone, for use of the audio portion only, you will still need a computer with internet and webcam abilities). You must be visible to presenters through video and be able to engage in discussion online during the course.
Course Registration Fee: $71.00
Benefits of Attending:
Individuals who participate in the course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:
- Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm.
- How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing
produce safety practices on the farm.
- Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one.
| |
|
New Extension Publication
Peroxyacetic acid (also known as peracetic acid or PAA) is a colorless liquid with a low pH and a strong, pungent, vinegar-like odor. PAA is commonly used as an antimicrobial agent for both non-porous hard surfaces and water in various industries, including agriculture, food processing, beverage, wastewater, hospitals, health care, and pharmaceutical facilities.
COVID-19 Effects on Farming Activities in Arizona and How Farmers and Ranchers Responded
Isaac K Mpanga, Russell Tronstad, Jeff W. Schalau, Ursula K. Schuch, Hope Wilson, Christy Stuth and Hattie Braun
The unprecedented outbreak of the novel COVID-19 pandemic has stalled or critically stifled most of the world’s economies. The United States (US) reported a 9.8% drop in gross domestic product by the end of June. The devastating impact of the pandemic can be readily recognized by surveillance data, but these numbers fail to recognize the complexities, barriers and constraints placed on the US agricultural system, especially at the local and state levels. Farmers and ranchers that supply the nation with food and fiber may be disproportionately impacted. The intent of this survey was to understand the effects of COVID-19 on Arizona’s agricultural production operations and how farmers and ranchers responded to the crisis. This data will inform policymakers, industry, researchers, extension agents, and consumers on how to support local farmers and ranchers for a continual distribution of agricultural products and services without disruptions.
Irrigating with Ollas
Amy Nickel and Andrew Brischke
Desert gardening presents a host of challenges including: poor soils, high temperatures, intense sun, low humidity, and frequent winds. All of these factors are compounded by an arid to semi-arid climate with little rainfall, which makes proper irrigation a vital component for any successful gardening endeavor. Drip irrigation is widely accepted as the one of the most efficient systems to irrigate in desert gardens and landscapes because it minimizes water loss from evaporation or run off by delivering measured amounts of water directly to the soil (Schuch, 2016). However, drip irrigation may be ill suited for remote areas with low technology and/or unpressurized and unfiltered water systems. Drip systems can be costly, damaged, and emitters can be easily blocked with sediment, salt, and several insects (Ezekiel et al., 2017). Unreliable or impractical water sources for irrigation may discourage those wanting to develop a garden. For these situations, utilizing the ancient method of olla irrigation may be an option.
| |
|
