March 9, 2021
Edition Topics
- Message from Dr. Silvertooth
- Respectful Recruitments
- Sustainable Southwest Beef - Precision Ranching Technologies
- Data science consulting on research projects for CALS researchers
- MANRRS: Reclaiming Our Time, Territory, and Triumph
- Virtual Arizona Range Livestock Workshop
- Community Service and Environmental Justice as an Essential Best Practice for Clean Water Utilities of the Future - WRRC Brown Bag Webinar
- Biochar Opportunities in the Southwest: Extension Workshop
- 2021 Small-scale Farmer’s Colloquium
- Remote Produce Safety Alliance Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Course
- The Treasure after Wine-Making
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Message from the Associate Dean and Extension Director
The public health data associated with COVID-19 cases in Arizona have been declining and improving the past few weeks. For perspective, Arizona’s current rankings among all U.S. states has dropped to 16th with 16 cases per 100,000 over 7 days (Texas ranks first with 27 per 100,000) and an average of 1,196 new cases over 7 days. Arizona has recorded a total 827,837 total COVID-19 cases. Arizona ranks 3rd in COVID-19 deaths with a total of 220 per 100,000 and a total of 16,328 deaths have occurred since the beginning of the pandemic.
COVID-19 vaccinations are advancing with distributions currently in priority phase 1B. As of late last week, Arizona has administered 1,849,259 doses of the vaccine with 17.5% of the population having at least one dose and 7.8% of the population is fully vaccinated. Currently, 15.3% of the U.S. population has been vaccinated with at least one shot. Vaccination numbers are improving every day.
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension System (CES) personnel have advanced the operational parameters for the CES to Phase 1 in all counties. There is strong sense of optimism in many communities. People are anxious to “go back to normal” as soon as possible, which could possibly serve to amplify the problems again if we become lax or advance too rapidly. It is important that we continue to maintain best public health practices in our CES operations and general lives.
There are five basic and common challenges that we all face, including: 1) COVID fatigue, 2) an overly optimistic response to a drop in case numbers from a very high level, 3) a tendency to overestimate the degree of immunity in the community from a combination of vaccinations and previous COVID-19 infections, 4) a lack of understanding or appreciation of what the vaccines really do, and 5) the new highly contagious variants that are coming into the scene.
Our ability to continue to advance our transition phases for the CES will be dependent on COVID-19 case data by county and compliance to best public health practices among CES personnel and stakeholders. We appreciate the cooperation among CES personnel and the efforts that are being made to advance the organization to the next level.
For reference to the status of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Phased Operational Plan and brief phase management descriptions, please refer to the following link:
https://extension.arizona.edu/phased-operational-plan
Please review these fliers and use them in CES educational programs.
After you receive the COVID vaccination (Spanish)
How to use CDC building recommendations in your setting
Thank you for your continued vigilance as we move safely toward opening up the Cooperative Extension System.
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| Respectful Recruitments
Tue, March 16, 12:00-12:45 (last 15 minutes are optional for questions), Zoom RSVP
Presenter: Lisa Gundy, Director, HR Recruitment and Outreach, Human Resources
This workshop explores some of the simplest and most affordable ways to transform your applicant pools for the better. By infusing respect and kindness into the selection process, leaders will create a stronger and more lasting network of strategic talent. In addition, they will set the foundation for a professional and supportive relationship that will last throughout an employee's tenure. Together, we will explore simple practices that all hiring teams should embed in their selection processes.
https://diversity.arizona.edu/respectful-recruitments
Posted by Ursula Schuch and Melissa Curran on behalf of the ALVSCE D&I Council. For follow-up questions, please contact lisagundy@arizona.edu.
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| Sustainable Southwest Beef - Precision Ranching Technologies
Sustainable Southwest Beef - Precision Ranching Technologies - April 13th, 1:00 pm MDT Register here (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/144491476897)
Learn about cutting edge technologies for precision livestock ranching in extensive rangeland systems. Dr. Shelemia Nyamuryekung’e will discuss the precision ranching technologies under evaluation by the Sustainable Southwest Beef Project, including cattle movement sensors and virtual fencing. Asombro Institute for Science Education will present on related education materials suitable for classroom use and/or youth programming. Dr. Michael Crimmins, Professor & Extension Specialist in Climate Science at the University of Arizona will present on My RAINge Log (https://myraingelog.arizona.edu/), a tool specifically designed around the type of infrequent, cumulative precipitation observations often collected at remote, rangeland sites.
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| Data science consulting on research projects for CALS researchers
Do you have hurdles in your research related to data and analysis? Would one-on-one conversations with a data scientist help you solve these specific problems?
What: DIAG Office Hours is a way for University of Arizona's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) researchers, such as you, to get focused and specific help with data science problems in your research.
Why: To facilitate and accelerate data-intensive research in CALS
When: Every Tuesday, 8-10am (Tucson/Phoenix Time)
Where: ResBaz gather.town
We collaborate closely with other groups on campus to get you the help you need, when you need it.
For more information email Dr. David LeBauer, Director of Data Science at CALS: dlebauer@arizona.edu
When
8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday
8 a.m. to 10 a.m. March 16, 2021
8 a.m. to 10 a.m. March 23, 2021
8 a.m. to 10 a.m. March 30, 2021
8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 6, 2021
8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 13, 2021
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| MANRRS: Reclaiming Our Time, Territory, and Triumph
Do you know about MANRRS? Their mission is “to promote academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences.” They will be holding a virtual Annual Career Fair and Training Conference April 6 to 10, 2021. See https://www.manrrs.org/nationalconference.
For questions, please contact Angela Kaczowka at akaczowka@arizona.edu.
Posted by Ursula Schuch, Angela Kaczowka, and Melissa Curran on behalf of the ALVSCE D&I Council.
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| Virtual Arizona Range Livestock Workshop
March 9, 10, and 11, 2021
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm MST each evening
The Range Livestock Workshop is going virtual via Zoom for 2021! With three consecutive nights focusing on Beef, Range, and Small Ruminants they'll be something for everyone.
Each night will have a separate registration and will be offered at no charge.
Visit our event page for speaker list and registration links at:
https://extension.arizona.edu/events/2021-03-09/virtual-range-livestock-workshops
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| Community Service and Environmental Justice as an Essential Best Practice for Clean Water Utilities of the Future - WRRC Brown Bag Webinar
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Time: 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. MST
Speaker: Andrew Kricun, Managing Director, Moonshot Missions and Senior Fellow, US Water Alliance
The old paradigm for clean water utilities was to see permit compliance as the ceiling of aspirations and to avoid community engagement to the maximal extent possible. However, the new paradigm for the clean water utilities of the future is to see permit compliance as a floor and to strive to be environmental champions and anchor institutions in the communities they serve. This presentation will describe how the clean water utility located in Camden, NJ, one of the most economically distressed communities in the United States, traversed a learning curve from indifference to their community to work towards being an anchor institution. It will also discuss how this is something that can, and should, be done by any and every water utility in the nation.
Andrew Kricun is a managing director with Moonshot Missions, a senior fellow with the US Water Alliance and a senior advisor with the Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania. He also serves on the New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
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| Biochar Opportunities in the Southwest: Extension Workshop
Free interactive virtual workshop about ecosystem services and entrepreneurial opportunities using forest biochar in the Four Corner States. APRIL 7, 2021, 4:00pm - 5:30pm MDT*: Special Keynote Presentation Tom Miles, United States Biochar Initiative, Executive Director Title: Overview on Biochar in the United States and Southwest
APRIL 8, 2021 9:00am - 12:30pm MDT*: Environmental, Social and Technical Focus on Biochar. Keynote and invited speakers: Dr Deborah Page-Dumroese, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station; Mike Lester, State Forester and Director, Colorado State Forest Service; Darren McAvoy, Extension Assistant Professor of Forestry, Utah State University; and Dr Catherine Brewer, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, New Mexico State University.
APRIL 8, 2021 4:00pm - 5:30pm MDT*: Virtual field trip and informal “social” session to network and talk shop.
APRIL 9, 2021 9:00am - 12:30pm MDT*: Economics and Entrepreneurial Focus on Biochar. Keynote and panel speakers: Dr Nathaniel Anderson, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station; Laura Wolf, USFS Region 2, Biomass Coordinator; Forest Product Businesses: Tyson Nicoll, AZ Log & Timberworks; Kelpie Wilson, Wilson Biochar (OR); Gordon West, Troll Works (NM); John Webster, Go Biochar (UT); and Eva Stricker, Carbon Ranch (NM). Panel discussion and breakout sessions to discuss barriers and opportunities to make biochar an economically viable forest product.
* All start times are one hour earlier in Arizona: at 3:00pm or at 8:00am
WORKSHOP GOALS
• Raise awareness about biochar ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration; forest management and forest health concerns; wildfire/WUI risk and smoke impacts on public health.
• Raise awareness for entrepreneurs regarding economies of scale, including micro-scale opportunities; entrepreneurial clusters; markets and supply chains.
• Collect and refine stakeholder input on barriers and opportunities to develop biochar as an economically viable forest product.
Cost: Free
Online event registration link:
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| 2021 Small-scale Farmer’s Colloquium (SFC)
The Small-scale Farmer's Colloquium ( is a free monthly meeting for small scale farmers to discuss, connect, and learn from one another and expert faculty members who will guide with science-based information. It's for seasoned farmers, beginner farmers, and those interested in going into small-scale commercial farming in the future.
It is brought to you by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Commercial Horticulture and Small Acreage (CHSA) program in Yavapai and Coconino Counties.
Dates: March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, and September 6.
Time: 4 5pm on each date
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| 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:
March 23-24, 2021
7:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Register Here
Password: MAR23&24
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
For more information & additional course dates please visit the Arizona Department of Agriculture Plants and Produce FSMA Website:
https://agriculture.az.gov/plantsproduce/food-safety-modernization-act
For additional information please contact Natalie Brassill, nbrassill1@email.arizona.edu or Dr. Channah Rock, channah@cals.arizona.edu.
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| The Treasure After Wine-Making
In Arizona, wine production increased from 65,413 gallons (2007) to 297,145 gallons (2017), with an estimated 354% increase in GP production within the same period. Join me to discuss the potential regenerative use of grape pomace as a soil amendment for semi-arid calcareous soil.
March 31, 10:00 a.m.
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