The PCCE Round-Up: Jan-Feb, 2023

January-February, 2023

Volume 4, Issue 1

Working to improve lives, communities, the environment, and economies throughout Pima County.

Garden Discovery Days finds fertile ground in prisons

Gardens are much more than just soil and plants. Here at Pima County Cooperative Extension’s Family Engagement Program, we use the garden as a metaphor for raising children. Master Gardener and Family Engagement instructor Cassie Burruel combines her expertise in gardening with parenting concepts from the 'Brain Waves' and 'Partners in Parenting' Education classes to teach Garden Discovery Days to incarcerated fathers at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Tucson. Garden Discovery Days demonstrates how gardening can teach parents to engage, let go, encourage, redirect, and nurture their children. Bringing the class to the State Prison offers a creative, non-threatening way to enhance parenting skills, communication, and self-esteem. The concept evolved in collaboration with Leslie Baxley, Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR). Baxley says, “having people from the community come in and show they care about the future of these incarcerated individuals means so much to them. They feel supported by the University of Arizona.” Since this project launched in the Fall of 2022, incarcerated dads have begun learning the importance of the role they play in a child’s life in new ways. Garden Discovery Days allows dads to come together and ask questions, share ideas, and communicate among themselves about the impacts they have on their children. “When I heard about this class, it did not make sense to me why gardening and parenting would be taught together. After getting into it, I realized how the two do go together. The responsibility of caring for a garden is like caring for your child. Both need patience, preparation, food, and a healthy environment. It is a cool way of learning parenting!” says one of our participants. Through gardening and mutual support, the Family Engagement Program helps give dads tools, suggestions, ideas, and confidence in themselves to improve their relationship with their children and become positive figures in their children’s lives.

Happy New Year!

This is the time of year when greetings often include the well wish of “Happy New Year.” A happy New Year at Pima County Cooperative Extension would be a year full of meaningful engagements with you, our many stakeholders. Whether you are a volunteer, a participant, a university colleague, or a friend of PCCE, we use this newsletter, The Round Up, to share our whole story with you. Our subscribers include nearly 800 youth and their families participating in our 4-H club program, several thousand people engaging with our Master Gardeners each year, kids, teens, and adults that take part in Tucson Village Farm events and programs, and still others that learn important nutrition, health, parenting or other skills through our educational services. We hope that by understanding the breadth of our work through this publication, you may see new opportunities for partnering or can help us make new connections with those beyond our current reach. Thank you for opening, reading, and sharing The Round Up, and a Happy New Year to all!

Claire L. Zucker

Director, Pima County Cooperative Extension

Tucson Village Farm forms a new research partnership

People often say that as a land grant university, there are three legs to our proverbial stool: teaching, research, and extension. As an extension office, our mission is to take information from the university to the people. In a unique partnership with the University of Arizona Nutritional Sciences and Wellness, PCCE’s Tucson Village Farm will be helping researchers in a new and innovative research project. This spring, the “Easy Peasy” research project, which looks at the impact of healthy eating, will get underway. Participants will attend a weekly cooking class where they will receive culinary education as well as all of their vegetables for the following week. We are hoping to find people interested in seeing how eating 5+ servings of vegetables can impact their health. To learn more about the project or to learn how to participate, please contact Elizabeth Sparks at esparks@cals.arizona.edu

Arizona bees are buzzing!

Did you know that Arizona is home to more than 1300 species of ground-nesting, twig-nesting, and parasitic native bees? They range from the tiny Perdita bees measuring just 2 mm long to the giant Bumble bee queens and black Carpenter bees that are 28 mm long. Some bees feed on one specific type of plant while others will harvest pollen and nectar from anything blooming. While most bees will quietly go about their business of pollination and survival without bothering humans, we also have Africanized honeybees that can be quite aggressive when defending their nest. These bees are not native and have hybridized extensively with European honeybees which we use for honey production. Due to their potential aggressive behavior, we highly recommend only raising honeybees outside the city, and when a swarm takes up residence in densely populated areas call a professional beekeeper to remove the swarm. There are many beekeepers in the Tucson area who successfully raise bees and sell their honey. The Southern Arizona Beekeepers Association has a bee removal list on its website with several experienced beekeepers to help with removals. They also have a list of beekeepers who offer local honey for sale. If you would like to learn more about the science and art of beekeeping Anne LeSenne, Horticultural Agent in Pinal County has written a series of Extension publications including Getting Ready for Your First Hive and Honeybee Pollination in Arizona.

Article contributed by Anne LeSenne, Assistant Agent in Horticulture, Pinal County, University of Arizona

Over 40 exhibitors at the March 11th Sustainable Landscapes Expo

Come one, come all to the 4th annual Sustainable Landscapes Expo at Pima County Cooperative Extension on March 11, 2023,10 am – 2 pm! This free, family-friendly event will include over 40 exhibits to increase knowledge on efficient water usage and sustainable landscaping in the Southern Arizona desert. There will be educational, hands-on, and interactive activities for adults and kids; giveaways; a free raffle for items and services; food trucks, and Civano Growers will be giving away 200 free trees! An exciting addition to this year’s event is that Tucson Water, in partnership with Ewing Irrigation, will be offering a limited number of smart irrigation controllers that customers can purchase online and pick up at the Expo or at a later date. The controllers are valued at over $500, but with an instant rebate, they will only cost $100 plus tax. The customer must take a class on how to use the controller before taking it home. This year, we will have several presenters throughout the day including rainwater harvesting expert Brad Lancaster and Mr. Nature’s Little Leafs Roots & Jams! The Sustainable Landscapes Expo is hosted by Pima Smartscape, Tucson Water, and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, and is sponsored by Civano Growers and Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply. The Expo will be held at the PCCE offices, 4210 N. Campbell Ave. Enter from Roger Road and follow the signs or ride your bike along The Loop and take advantage of free bike valet by Living Streets Alliance. Visit pimasmartscape.arizona.edu for more information.

PCCE Community Nutrition brings healthy heart education to Pima County

Our Cooperative Extension EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) has partnered with the American Heart Association! Please reach out to us if you are interested in learning more about our new Healthy for Life classes. In the meantime, and in honor of Heart Month, here are the Ten Ways to Improve Your Heart Health, from the American Heart Association:

1 Balance calories with physical activity

2 Reach for a variety of fruits and vegetables

3 Choose whole grains

4 Include healthy protein sources, mostly plants and seafood

5 Use liquid non-tropical plant oils

6 Choose minimally processed foods

7 Subtract added sugars

8 Cut down on salt

9 Limit alcohol

10 Do all this wherever you eat!

Master Gardeners open the plant clinic and help you prepare for winter frosts

The Pima Master Gardeners are thrilled to announce the re-opening of their much-beloved in-person plant clinic! The plant clinic, located at the PCCE main offices, will be open every Monday from 11 am - 1 pm, starting on February 6. The Online Plant Clinic question form can still be used for all other times. One of the main questions for this time of year is how to care for plants during frost conditions. In Pima County the average date for our last frost is March 17th, so we still have several weeks left in the frost season. Here are some tips to protect your plants!

Use frost cloth: When you take out your frost cloth, try setting up a frame around the plant so that the frost cloth doesn't touch the plant. You can do this with wire hoops, stakes, or even lawn chairs. Make sure the frost cloth completely covers the plant and touches the ground. Remove the cloth when temperatures warm to 50 degrees. You can use a sheet or blanket as an alternative, but since they aren't breathable, be sure to remove them each day.
Reduce watering: For outdoor plants reduce watering during the winter months. Water needs will vary by plant but plan to reduce the number of times you water during our winter months.
Add a light bulb: For plants that are really frost sensitive, try putting a 100-watt light bulb in an approved outdoor fixture under the frost cloth. You could even use Christmas tree lights. Make sure the lights do not touch the plants or the cloth. For more information check out this extension publication on Frost Protection

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Visit our Master Gardener Application Webpage to apply online or to download the application and either email your completed application to celestegambill@arizona.edu or mail it to Master Gardener Training, Pima County Cooperative Extension. 4210 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson AZ 85719.

Preparing for the County Fair

Each Spring Pima County holds a county fair where youth complete their 4-H livestock projects when they show and compete their animals. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes preparation that goes into the Fair including tagging every animal that is shown at the Fair. Here is how it works. Every show animal that is going to be exhibited at the Fair must be accounted for and registered. At PCCE 4-H, we ensure that each large stock species, whether it’s cattle, sheep, goats, or swine have its own scheduled ear tagging events in the Fall and early winter before the Fair. At each of these events, 4-H and FFA members are required to bring their livestock, as well as ownership paperwork, and other documentation such as a certificate proving that each youth participating has completed a Youth Quality and Care Assurance course for the year. In addition, each animal has its health checked, including looking for open wounds or signs of infection such as ringworm. After the health checks are performed, our Assistant in Extension for 4-H, Ashlea Gideon, puts a unique Pima County tag in the animal’s ear, and then the animal can be registered to a specific 4-H or FFA member at the Fair. Pima County livestock projects are the largest 4-H projects in the county and this year Pima County already has 57 cattle, 38 sheep, 38 goats, and over 100 swine entered for the Fair. We hope you can come to the Pima County Fair April 20th - 30th to see our youth members and their livestock in action! See how many tags you can spot!

Welcome Lydia Rogan

We are very happy to welcome Lydia Rogan to PCCE as our new front-desk administrator. Lydia was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and raised in Tucson. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and loves spending time outdoors in the beautiful Tucson desert with her husband, two daughters, and sweet dog Chico. Lydia's interest in the culinary arts led her to a career in catering and food services. Learning about quality ingredients and wine gave her the skills to supply an experience people appreciated. "Working with a team and being able to support them is something that gives me a deep sense of pride. I am excited to start a new chapter here as the support person for this incredible team that I feel encourages community and personal growth for everyone." Welcome, Lydia!

Welcome Daniel Gracia

Please help us welcome Daniel Gracia to PCCE as our new 4-H Juntos Coordinator. The Juntos program helps Latino youth gain the knowledge and skills they need to bridge the gap between high school and higher education. Daniel grew up in Tucson and received a Bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Mexican American Studies from the University of Arizona. Before joining us at PCCE, he worked as a music teacher at various Tucson schools, as a Mariachi music instructor, and in event organizing. He has a passion for Chicano culture, food, music, and art and is excited to work with Latino students to see them not only graduate but achieve success as they take that next step beyond high school. Welcome, Daniel!

UArizona Pima County Cooperative Extension

Programs and Upcoming Events

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.

Master Gardeners | Smartscape

Online Gardening Talks: Various dates/times

Demonstration Garden Tours: Starting again in February - Wednesday and Fridays at 9 am Register, large groups (>10 people) can schedule at 520-626-5161

Campus Arboretum: Virtual and other tours of the University campus

Visit the Online Plant Clinic, or visit the PCCE plant clinic, Mondays 11 am - 1 pm, starting February 6 if you have a gardening or plant question

Pima Smartscape:

Sustainable Landscapes Expo, March 11, 10 am - 2 pm, 4210 N. Campbell Ave.

Residential Rainwater Harvesting and Drip Irrigation Classes

Landscape Professional Classes

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.

Family Engagement Program | SNAP-ED |Garden Kitchen |

Expanded Food and Nutritional Education Program (EFNEP)

Family Engagement Program Class Descriptions: Brain Waves, Triple-P Positive Discipline, Garden Discovery Days, Empowering People in the Workplance, Screen Free Moments, Seed to Read.

Resilience Film Screenings: upcoming: Feb 21, April 19

The Garden Kitchen SNAP-Ed Volunteer and Partner opportunities

EFNEP Community Nutrition classes

EFNEP Bite e-newsletter, December 2022

Pima Diabetes Prevention Program, New classes each month

4-H Youth Development

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.

4-H Clubs | Tucson Village Farm | High Ropes Course

4H Ranch Education Safety & Stockmanship Orientation for youth: Friday, Feb. 3, 5:30 - 6:30 pm PCCE office 4210 N Campbell Ave, or via zoom. Contact Hannah Rice for more information or to register. 4-H Bar V Ranch Open House, Saturday, Feb 11, 10 am - 1 pm (Must attend Ranch Education Safety & Stockmanship Orientation to participate)

TVF U-Pick, Every Tuesday, 4-6 pm at the Big Farm, 2201 East Roger

4-H TVF Spring Little Sprouts (Ages 2-5) Register

Session 1: Jan 27, Feb 3, 10; Session 2: Feb 17, 24, March 3; Sesion 3: March 17, 24, 31, April 7; Session 4: April 14, 21, 28, May 5

TVF Saturday Service Days: Jan 28, Feb 18, March 18, April 15, May 20

TVF Camp Survey

TVF Vegetarian Cooking Classes, Saturdays 9 am - 10:30 am: Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, Wednesday Feb 8 (evening class, virtual)

Watch the "Focus on the Farm" video series

4-H Tucson Village Farm, Shop the Farm Stand Online

Pima 4-H High Ropes Course Scheduling