July-Aug, 2024

Volume 5, Issue 4

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

Visit Us Online

Reaching out en Español

At Pima County Cooperative Extension we work to meet the needs of our Spanish-speaking participants. Language barriers can hinder participants from fully engaging or understanding material, which can lead to decreased participation, missed learning, and lost opportunities to serve the community. Simple yet impactful steps like engaging bilingual facilitators and staff or translating written materials to Spanish can significantly enhance accessibility.

Here are some of the ways Pima Extension programs ensure that all participants have equal access to vital information, boost confidence, and lower barriers to contribute to group discussions. The Pima EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) team is bilingual and routinely delivers programs to community members in English or Spanish. Their newsletter the EFNEP bite is published in both languages and community partners can request a Spanish series of classes. The Garden Kitchen has several bilingual staff and can teach all their direct education programs in Spanish or English. Many participants prefer to speak in Spanish because they can participate and understand education more thoroughly when it is available in Spanish. The Garden Kitchen website is bilingual and it offers many gardening resources written in Spanish. The Master Gardeners have Spanish-speaking Master Gardeners ready to respond to gardening or horticulture questions through their popular online plant clinic form , which is now available in Spanish. In addition, the Spanish-translated Tucson Gardening handbook can be purchased at Pima Extension for $15. The Pima Smartscape program partnered with native Spanish-speaking landscape professionals to improve the vernacular of their Spanish-translated Smartscape Study guide, so that it not only showcases current industry standards but also uses typical familiar language. Registration for the next Smartscape en Español will be open in August. The course will be taught by bilingual Smartscape staff, Spanish-speaking landscaping professionals, and community partners. In addition to our Pima Extension resources, the UA Cooperative Extension has many publicaciones en español on its website.

Director's Note

DEI at Pima Extension

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) means different things to different people, but here at Pima Extension, it means creating a safe space to share, listen, and learn from one another, build a sense of belonging, and advocate for change when needed. Last summer, we formalized our efforts by creating a DEI committee with representatives from each program area. With nearly 60 employees and four locations, this committee breaks down programmatic silos enabling our staff and faculty to share their experiences as employees as well as their experiences as educators for the diverse population we serve. Committee members often dig deep into topics to discuss nuanced issues such as how to speak about nutrition and activity in terms of health instead of appearances and how to be sensitive when the learning environment is impacting the ability of a participant to process information. The committee often brings these discussions and ideas to the larger group through our all-staff meetings and, in the Fall, they will lead a discussion on trauma-informed education. At our main office, we welcome visitors with a cabinet showcasing the inclusivity of our programs (see picture), our inside bathrooms have been changed to be all-gender facilities, and we are working to increase wheelchair accessibility. We make time at staff meetings so that people can share challenges they face, find support, get ideas for solutions, or just be heard. Making DEI a priority has helped us be more open to new ideas and ultimately do a better job for our employees and our community.

Claire L. Zucker

Director, Pima County Cooperative Extension

TVF Camps- A Smile for Every Kid!

Summer camps are in full swing at 4-H Tucson Village Farm, where every day, we witness firsthand the transformative power of experiential learning. This summer, TVF campers have been able to experience everything from farm and culinary camps to a variety of outdoor adventures and art camps. Thanks to our seasoned educators, we can provide unparalleled camp experiences filled with fun, learning, and skills that last a lifetime. This year, we offered more camps than ever before for youth ages 5-18, with a record-breaking 408 campers this season. One highlight is our team of 20 counselors and 60 counselors-in-training (CITs), many of whom were TVF campers themselves, some for up to 8 years, and they literally “know the ropes”. These counselors and CITs are youth themselves aged 12-18 and in their role they become immersed in the workings of the farm, receiving training in facilitation techniques, ice-breakers, games, farm procedures, and leadership skills. Sophie Roth Gordon (counselor, age 16) has been busy facilitating many of the culinary camps and also our infamous Adventure Camp in Mingus Springs, Prescott, Arizona. She reports that she has gained a ton of leadership experience working as a counselor this summer. Emma Weide (CIT, age 15) says “I really love seeing kids enjoy themselves. I had the best time when I was a camper because of the counselors, and I want to give the campers that same experience.” These roles do not only provide valuable skills but also serve as excellent resume builders for future job or college applications. Here's to a summer of growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences at Tucson Village Farm!

Professional Landscapers Learn New Skills at Smartscape Classes

This year, the Pima Smartscape Program will center on helping professional landscapers have the tools to meet rising requests for sustainable landscaping practices. Homeowners and businesses are increasingly opting for sustainable landscapes to reduce their water consumption and to meet a broader commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable living practices. The rapidly growing sustainable landscaping industry focuses on eco-friendly practices, like planting native desert species adapted to our climate and using passive and active rainwater systems to hold rainwater as long as possible. With this shift, there is a greater demand for a qualified workforce. Smartscape helps train this workforce through the Smartscape Series and Advanced Smartscape classes covering urban forestry management, green stormwater infrastructure design and maintenance, and sustainable landscape design. Our program participants are professional landscapers who bring a wealth of lived experience to the learning environment, many of whom learn best when they can connect new information to their existing knowledge base. Smartscape leverages this by encouraging collaborative learning experiences where participants actively engage with the material and share their insights. This not only makes the learning process more relevant but also helps in the retention of new skills and knowledge and ultimately will help participants meet new industry requirements. Pima Smartscape is a partnership between the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension and Tucson Water and because of this sponsorship, all Pima classes are free. We teach the Smartscape Series twice a year in Spanish and twice a year in English and advanced classes eight times a year. It is very rewarding to help Pima County build resilience by providing this educational service for landscaping professionals in the region.

EFNEP's "Choose Health" Curriculum for Kids

Choose Health: Food, Fun and Fitness (CHFFF) is an experiential, research-tested youth curriculum designed specifically for use by Cooperative Extension's community nutrition educators. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in Pima County is having so much fun teaching these hands-on, interactive lessons to youth at recreation centers and schools this summer! Food preparation and tasting is an important element of every CHFFF lesson. Kids get opportunities to play games, try new flavors, and prepare and taste a wide variety of healthy foods. Here are just some of the lessons included in this curriculum: Color Your Plate; Eat More Vegetables and Fruits; Read it Before You Eat It; The Nutrition Facts Label; and Power Up Your Day: Eat Breakfast! Our youth classes are a great way to involve the children and get them started on their nutrition journey!

Raising Poultry? How Can We Help You?

Backyard urban agriculture is gaining momentum and many people in Pima County, Tucson, and surrounding communities are now raising chickens or other poultry. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has just released a Poultry Needs Assessment Survey to help us tailor our education to help small-scale poultry farmers and backyard growers in the state. If you are interested in raising poultry or are already engaged in poultry, this survey will help us understand your challenges, goals, and priorities. Are you interested in laying hens, meat chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, or guineas? Are you doing this as a hobby, to provide food for yourself or your family, or to sell eggs and meat as a business? Our education may range from helping you evaluate the best nutrition for your poultry, manage extreme summer temperatures, or understand emerging diseases, but we need the survey to help us focus our education to best address your interests. The survey will be up until the end of August so that we can plan educational offerings here in Pima County for next winter. If you have a question about backyard chickens visit our Pima Poultry web page. Also, if you are thinking of starting an urban farm or need support as a small-scale farmer, please check out the UArizona Cooperative Extension Urban Ag Production, Small-Scale Farmer Program.

The Heat is Here!

As the temperatures rise, we all need to think about how to stay cool. Prolonged heat can impact our health, our mental state, and even our speech and mental acuity. Because heat escapes through the skin, which is the largest organ in the body, the more skin you can cool down, the better. Visit the National Weather Service Tucson Forecast page to learn about temperatures to plan for each day and here are some tips to help you have your summer fun without risking your health.

Plan your day to be inside in a cool environment as much as possible.
If you need to be outside for any length of time, remember “wetter is better.” Soak your shirt or wet your head to cool your body with evaporation. Use a fan to increase the cooling effect.
Prepare your body for heat by drinking plenty of water, eating light meals, and reducing dehydrating beverages like alcohol.
If you do get overheated, cool slowly by taking a cool shower, getting in a cool bath, or soaking your ankles and wrists in cool water to help bring down your body temperature.

There are many resources in our community, so please take advantage of them if you need them. Learn about Tucson area cooling centers, the United Way transportation hotline, and more tips to stay cool at the City of Tucson and Pima County Heat Relief Services Web page.

Photo: National Weather Service map for July 9, 2024

Welcome Nataly

The Family Engagement Program (FEP) at PCCE is very happy to welcome Nataly Quiroz as our new full-time Program Coordinator! Nataly comes to us most recently from TUSD where she served for two years as a substitute teacher at four different K-8 schools. Before that, she worked as a home visitor and supported families in the foster care system. In addition, FEP is thrilled to benefit from the skills and creativity she gained in her two years working with youth on the Disney Fantasy Cruise line! Nataly’s proudest achievement is being mother to a beautiful two-year-old girl. As Program Coordinator, Nataly will spend half of her time providing coordination for FEP activities and the other half teaching classes for parents and children in both English and Spanish.

Pima Extension Has a New Marquee

We are excited to share that our main office now has a new marquee and an electronic sign! Located on the east side of Campbell Avenue, just west of our main buildings and demonstration garden, the sign's changing message will help you know what is happening and how to engage in our programs. Please check it out and thank you to everyone who helped make this happen!

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 | Smartsca pe | Invasive Spec ies Program

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 | The Garden Kitchen |

Expanded Food and Nutritional Education Program (EFNEP)

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 | 4-H Ranch Education

Upcoming Events

Saturday, July 27 – Master Gardener, Make & Take Workshop; Wall Hanging

Saturday, August 10 – 4-H Tucson Village Farm, Service Day on the Big Farm

Saturday, August 24 – Master Gardener, Make & Take Workshop; Gourd Birdhouses

Saturday, August 24 – 4-H Club Leader and Coordintors Orientations

Saturday, October 5 – 4-H Bar V Ranch Open House, 3;30 - 7 pm.

October 19 – Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale

November 15 – Green Valley Veteran's Garden Grand Opening

November 15 – 4-H Tucson Village Farm, Tunes Under the Moon

Pima County Cooperative Extension

Website | 2023 Annual Report

Main Office: 4210 N Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719-1109

Green Valley Location: 530 E Whitehouse Canyon Rd

South Tucson, The Garden Kitchen: 2205 S 4th Avenue

Email: pcce@arizona.edu

Our Main Office on Campbell is open M-F 8:30 - 4:30

SUBSCRIBE to the PCCE e-newsletter, The Round-Up

All PCCE program subscribers also receive our bi-monthly Round-Up. To be removed from the Round-Up e-list, choose the "Update Profile" link below. Do not choose the "Unsubscribe" link unless you wish to be removed from all PCCE program correspondence