Working to improve lives, communities, the environment, and economies throughout Pima County. |
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Get Ready for the 4-H FAB LAB
Pima County 4-H’s long-awaited FAB LAB (Fabrication Laboratory) is slated to open for use this fall! 4‑H provides kids with community, mentors, and learning opportunities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities. In 2019 Pima County Cooperative Extension (PCCE) 4-H and the Hopi Reservation Extension Office were awarded $90,000 from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension to create mini FAB LABs at each location. Despite the setbacks from the ongoing pandemic, supply chain interruptions, and staff turnover, the PCCE FAB LAB is scheduled to open on November 5th. It is fully equipped with a laser cutter that can engrave and cut glass, wood, and metal, a 3D printer, a large color banner maker, a large vinyl cutter, and a podcasting studio. With the help of 4-H AmeriCorps members who set up, tested, and wrote user guides for each machine, the lab is now ready for 4-H and Extension outside groups and individuals! People will be able to independently reserve the lab and then bring in materials to design and create their own pieces in this space. 4-H clubs can come in to teach youth CAD skills on provided computers and then create banners, contest awards, and more. Thanks to grant funding and a generous donation from the Levin Family, 4-H volunteers can be trained in the use of the FAB LAB machines and share skills with youth, providing hands-on STEM education opportunities for many years to come.
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Students Gain Job Experience at PCCE
This Fall, Pima County Cooperative Extension will host and employ 25 students and young professionals as volunteers, student workers, interns, and AmeriCorps members. This number will grow throughout the year, with each student gaining expertise while also helping to make a difference in the lives of youth and adults in Pima County. Having community engagement skills is a key component for many job paths. Here at PCCE, students are gaining practical experience in our agriculture, youth development, and health and nutrition programs. We are excited to be part of their journey toward their professional life, and we greatly appreciate their contributions. Because we partner with a variety of university programs, we are able to host dietetic, sustainability, and family science interns as well as a multi-cultural scholar and a Peace Corps UArizona Coverdell fellow. Our 11 AmeriCorps members, joining us through the UA Wildcat Corps, are supporting our 4-H Tucson Village Farm and our 4-H Clubs. Next time you stop by our offices or participate in a program, keep an eye out for the workforce of tomorrow learning their trade and giving back to the community through Extension. --- Claire L. Zucker, Director, Pima County Cooperative Extension
Photo: AmeriCorps members, AJ West, Forest Campbell, and Ben Steller, work at the Cooperative Extension 4-H Tucson Village Farm.
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Plant Sales Grow
Our Programs
With cooler temperatures on the horizon, we are swinging into fall plant sale mode. Plant sales are a long-established tradition at Pima County Cooperative Extension especially in our Tucson Village Farm and Master Gardener programs. These sales provide critical income for many of our community outreach programs, while also playing to our staff and volunteers’ passion and plant propagation prowess. They’re also fun events and excellent for promoting plant appreciation across the community. This year the Master Gardener’s fall plant sale is possible not only because of the dedication and hard work of our amazing volunteers but also because we received a generous donation of nearly 600 plants from the Magic Garden Nursery. The Sarah family decided to close the nursery after 25 years in operation and 54 years in the nursery industry. Owner, Sandy Sarah invited us to pick out plants to install in our public display garden and to help support our fundraising efforts. We are so grateful that she included us as well as Desert Survivors, the Tucson Botanical Garden, and the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, as part of her exit strategy. We thank the Magic Garden for their years of service to the southern Arizona nursery industry and the gardening community. We wish Sandy the best in her next adventure, including some well-deserved trail riding time with her horse, Cici.
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Teen Outdoor Leadership Camp Has An Exceptional First Year
Last winter, 4-H Tucson Village Farm teens were telling us that they were really tired of zoom and they wanted to get outside and socialize with their peers. Responding to these requests and ensuring a covid-safe experience, we launched an exciting new “4-H Outdoor Leadership” camp In June. In this camp young people learn life and leadership skills as they hike or bike in the backwoods of Southern Arizona. During our two backpacking trips and one bike packing trip, campers explored the outdoors and were challenged to set goals, push themselves, persevere, and succeed. We used hammocks for sleeping and the youth prepared all their own meals, including dehydrating produce from Tucson Village Farm, truly making camps a seed-to-trail experience. The camps were magically transformative. As one camper said, “I didn’t think I would be able to do it. But our team helped each other, and I found strength and courage I didn’t know I had”. Another camper said, “do we have to go back home? I would like this camp to last all summer!” We lucked out with the weather too as all the camps took place in June before the monsoons started. Stay tuned for more outdoor leadership camps next summer and to participate sooner, youth can enroll in the 4-H outdoor leadership project through the 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador Club at Tucson Village Farm.
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SmartScape Says "Let It Rain!"
This historic monsoon season is a welcome relief after the “non-soons” of 2019 and 2020. Nevertheless, water conservation remains a high priority because much of the southwest, including 96% of Arizona*, is still experiencing moderate to severe drought. The sudden abundance of monsoon rains also underscores the critical issue of how to effectively manage our stormwater runoff. Earlier this year, our Pima Smartscape Program began grant-funded work with several UArizona and community partners to develop and deliver a four-part training module on Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) maintenance. GSI includes rain basins and curb cuts that allow water to exit road surfaces and soak into medians, roundabouts, and other right-of-way areas, providing water to street-side vegetation and trees. The primary objective of this project was to create a maintenance standard for GSI, with input from industry leaders, university specialists, and community members, and then to share the information and promote a consistent management strategy to protect and enhance GSI assets across the region. Trainings were delivered in English and Spanish and to over 100 individuals and professionals including employees within five City of Tucson departments and Pima County whose duties involve caring for desert landscapes and Green Stormwater Infrastructure. Much like desert plants, it is up to us to make the most of rainfall when we’re lucky enough to have it. We say, "Let it Rain" and we’ll keep the training and education flowing!
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4-H Builds Skills
Youth Member Spotlight
4-H member, Elijah Parent writes about his 4-H college readiness experience.
"4-H has helped me prepare for college and my future career by allowing me to develop my leadership and public speaking skills in a supportive environment. When I started in 4-H I was very shy, but through the club meetings, showmanship, community service and outreach, and many other opportunities, I have been able to succeed in leadership roles. I even ended up leading a project for three years where I taught other youth to solve the Rubik’s cube, something that many perceive as impossible for them to accomplish. Without these experiences, I likely would not have applied for an AmeriCorps position where I continued work on getting the 4-H FAB LAB operational and the machinery documented.
"4-H teaches amazing skills through the projects that are offered, but more important than all of that to me was being able to enhance my soft skills like leadership, communication, organization, and teamwork. Going into the University of Arizona as a freshman this year, I feel that I would be far less well equipped to work with my teachers and peers if not for my participation in 4-H. Even though I am majoring in Game Design and Development with a minor in Computer Science, which doesn’t directly relate to the projects I completed in 4-H, the skills that I have learned while doing them will help me through college and into my future career."
--- Elijah Parent
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The Perfect Taste of Fall with Homemade Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin-flavored everything has returned! Our Community Nutrition Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is here to help you roast your own pumpkins and make a delicious puree for all sorts of recipes. Before we get started, make sure you remember to wash your hands before, during, and after preparing food. Then wash your pumpkin(s) with your designated fruit and vegetable brush. Never use this brush to clean anything else in your home.
Recipe:
1) Take two small pumpkins - remove the stems and cut in half, 2) Scrape out the seeds and pulp and set aside 3) Place pumpkin halves face up on a baking sheet and roast at 350-degrees for 45 minutes until light golden brown or until the pumpkin is fork-tender 4) Peel off the skin and mash using a potato masher, adding a bit of water if your puree is too dry 5) Use your fresh puree immediately, or store it in the freezer for later. Here are some simple recipe ideas:
- Add to oatmeal with little cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove to create your own special flavor
- Create pumpkin butter by mixing the puree with softened butter and adding brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or clove to taste. Delicious on toast!
- Add pumpkin puree to any creamy vegetable soup to give it a rich hearty flavor.
Now, to roast those pumpkin seeds! 1) Wash the seeds and remove as much pulp as you can 2) Dry the pumpkin seeds toss with a drizzle of cooking oil, salt, and pepper
3) Spread seeds on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Enjoy!!
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UArizona Pima County Cooperative Extension
Programs and Upcoming Events
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Agriculture and Natural Resources
Residents and growers have ready access to research-based horticultural information at PCCE. Get gardening answers from our Master Gardener experts and learn about water conservation, xeriscape, irrigation, and more through our Smartscape courses.
Free Online Gardening Talks, Various dates: Register
Smartscape Residential and Rebate Courses: Register
Smartscape Rainwater Harvesting Professional Classes: Register
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Family and Consumer Health Sciences
PCCE health education helps people improve their nutrition, family dynamics, and lives. Parents and caregivers gain tools to enrich children’s lives through the Family Engagement Program. Find nutritional and life-skills education through the SNAP-Ed/Garden Kitchen and EFNEP programs.
FEP Positive Discipline Classes (Virtual & In-person): Register
The Garden Kitchen SNAP-Ed Volunteer and Partner opportunities: Learn More
EFNEP Making Mealtime a Lifestyle Series: Daily 9:30 am-11:00 am English | Spanish
Pima Diabetes Prevention Program, New classes each month: Register
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4-H
Youth build lifelong skills and have great fun through Cooperative Extension 4-H. Become involved in one of our many clubs or projects, capped by participation at the County Fair. Enjoy seed-to-table programming at Tucson Village Farm, a working urban farm built by and for the youth of our community.
Saturday Cooking Classes, ages 9-12, 9 am – 1 pm, Sep.11, 18, and 25, Register
4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors, ages 12-18, Join Here
TVF Fall Field Trips, Teachers can Register their class, K-5 th grades
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Pima County Cooperative Extension
Main Office: 4210 N Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719-1109
Green Valley Location: 530 E Whitehouse Canyon Rd
South Tucson Garden Kitchen: 2205 S 4th Avenue
Our Main Office is open M-F 9:00 - 4:30, with most staff on-site T, W, Th
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