Quarterly News & Events March 2022
UCCE San Mateo and San Francisco Counties
|
|
Mistletoe: parasite or a natural element of our local ecosystem? (hint: replace ‘or’ with ‘and!’)
by Urban Forestry Advisor Igor Lacan
|
|
Broadleaf Mistletoe - photo by Jack Kelly Clark |
|
Mistletoes are arboreal parasites of woody plants – sounds scary, doesn’t it? It is true that mistletoes damage trees (to a greater or lesser extent), but they also provide food for birds and even are considered attractive by some people. In our new publication (http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7437.html), UCCE Advisor Igor Lacan with colleagues from Marin County (Steven Swain) and Stanislaus County (Ed Perry), review the issues associated with mistletoe, their biology, and management.
We start the PestNote by covering the basics:
|
|
|
 |
Composting at Crystal Springs 4‐H Farm
Our county leased Crystal Springs 4‐H farm has rolled out its new composting facility, with training and eager members already underway composting, turning, watering and monitoring temperature.
|
|
|
|
Every day is a good day to plant a tree!
Our 4‐H Million Tree (4HMT) project continues, holding their first tree planting on January 29, 2022 at Sanchez Adobe Park in Pacifica, CA. We had a great turnout with 4‐H members and their families across our county planting trees and shrubs to beautify the park and help with slowing climate change. Thanks to the San Mateo County Park Rangers and volunteers for providing tree planting tips and guidance as well as giving us a history lesson on the Sanchez Adobe Historical Site. There will be one more planting event to complete the project on Saturday, March 19 from 9:00 – 11: 00 AM. More photos...
|
|
|
|
|
Elkus Ranch Welcomes a Few New "Kids" on the Block! |
It's that time at the ranch when we are graced by the tender bleats which signal the arrival of our new baby goat "kids" of the year! So far we have (3) little cuties with more on the way :)
We are booking up quickly for our educational programs and private tours - with summer camp already sold out - so, if you are interested in a first hand look at our newest members, please make plans for a visit soon!
Hope to see ya at the ranch...
|
|
|
|
|
In continued partnership with the San Mateo County Library System, Master Food Preservers hosted another tasty presentation on Feb. 15th entitled "Surfeit of Citrus". MFP Maeve Knoth presented multiple techniques for the preservation of lemons, grapefruit, oranges, and other seasonal fruit that are so bountiful in our region. Recipes included Traditional Preserved Lemons, Grapefruit Marmalade, and Honey Orange Slices.
|
|
|
|
|
Tompkins Stairway Project
The Tompkins Stairway Garden is our newest SM/SF UC Master Gardener project, located in SF. Master Gardeners and community volunteers focused on cleaning up and pruning the calandrinia, which have overrun the hill, to open up more space for planting natives, to follow. Over 20 bags of undesired weeds were removed!
MG Nancy Lewis demonstrated how to plant native clarkias and irises.
Photos by MG Patty Sigman
|
|
|
|
|
Educators Marisela Ceron and Will Easlea encourage Pescadero Elementary School students to be physically active by providing structured physical activity lessons every Wednesday both at lunch recess and afterschool. The Coordinate Approach to Child Health (CATCH) physical activity lessons are designed to promote students’ enjoyment and participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity. In addition to encouraging the entire school’s student body to be more physically active, the age-appropriate CATCH lessons are helping students to build important social skills while they re-adjust to in-person learning. |
|
|
|
Universal Meals are Coming to California!
|
All public school children in California can eat school meals - totally free of charge! School meals support student learning and health. Universal meals, where all students can eat school meals for free, have been shown to improve student diet quality, academic performance, attendance, and to reduce food insecurity.
|
|
|
|
-
Elkus Ranch "Sheep to Shawl | June 4th (more info later)
|
|
|
|
HEALTH & SAFETY RESOURCES
|
|
Located at Elkus Ranch
1500 Purisima Creek Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650-726-9059
|
|
The Master Gardener Helpline continue to operate remotely per their regular (Mon, Wed,Thurs) volunteer schedule.
Please submit all Helpline inquires to:
Phone: 650-276-7430
|
|
ANR NONDISCRIMINATION AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY STATEMENT FOR UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
It is the policy of the University of California (UC) and the UC Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities (Complete nondiscrimination policy statement can be found at http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/215244.pdf )
Inquiries regarding ANR’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to UCANR, Affirmative Action Compliance & Title IX Officer, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618,(530) 750-1397.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
