Event Recap

Urban Ag and Garden Expo

On October 11th we hosted our annual Urban Ag and Garden Expo, a family-friendly event that gives the public a behind-the-scenes look at all that we do at South Coast REC. Even before we officially opened, folks were lined up and ready to pick pumpkins and enjoy the day. From 9am to 2pm we had nearly 1,000 attendees! Scroll down to see some photos of the event and to learn more about all of the activities we offered.

Expo attendees had the opportunity to interact with all of our researchers, Cooperative Extension programs, and community partners.

The produce tasting is a very popular booth where folks can taste pomegranates, avocados, citrus, and more, all grown on site at South Coast REC.

Folks walked through our vendor fair to interact with our researchers, UC Cooperative Extension programs, and community partners, where they learned about everything from garden hydroponics to growing rare fruit to beekeeping! We also offered presentations from our expert partners and researchers, highlighting projects happening at South Coast REC and throughout Orange County. See below for a full list of presenters and booths.

Attendees had the opportunity to taste produce grown on site, including avocados, pomegranates, and several varieties of citrus. Folks could also take a tractor tour of the center, get their gardening tools sharpened, and tour the Master Gardener's demonstration gardens and landscapes, getting an idea of what they can grow in their own communities.

Thank you to our presenters for your engaging talks!

• Juan Garcia, Senior Water Efficiency Specialist, Irvine Ranch Water District
• Natalie Levy, SCREC Soil Health and Organic Materials Management Advisor
• Eric Focht, UC Riverside Avocado Research Associate
• Beatriz Nobua Behrmann, UCCE Urban Forestry Advisor
• Grant Johnson, SCREC Urban Agriculture Technology Advisor
• Niamh Quinn, UCCE Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor

Folks were lined up to purchase their u-pick pumpkins and drought-tolerant landscape plants!

For just $1, attendees could take a tractor tour of the research center, learning about current and past research projects.

Our Urban Agriculture Technology Advisor Grant Johnson talked with folks about Kratky hydroponic systems.

Thank you to Irvine Ranch Water District for sponsoring lunch for our volunteers and DJ Art for providing sound equipment and music!

The pumpkin u-pick was a highlight of the Expo. This year, we grew the most pumpkins we've ever grown and we had several different shapes, sizes, and colors to offer. People also got to browse and buy drought-tolerant plants propagated by our very own UC Master Gardeners. Just across from the pumpkin patch, folks could visit the Master Gardener Education Garden and Compost Site to learn about different crops and planting methods they can use in their own gardens. Natalie Levy, our Soil Health and Organic Materials Management Advisor, was present with the Master Gardener Compost Team to educate the public about why composting is so important and how to use it.

Our Soil Health and Organic Materials Management Advisor Natalie Levy and her daughter enjoyed the pumpkin u-pick!

Eric Focht, Avocado Research Associate with UC Riverside, talked with folks about avocado breeding and research.

Some of our awesome, dedicated South Coast Stewards volunteers who helped make sure the event ran smoothly!

Thank you to our UC partners who hosted a booth for the day!

• 4-H Youth Development Program of Orange County
• California Master Beekeepers Orange County Team
• Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program of Orange County
• UC Avocado Research
• UCCE Organic Waste and Composting
• UCCE Urban Agriculture Technology
• UCCE Urban Forestry and Pest Management
• UCCE Water Conservation and Quality
• UC Master Food Preservers of Orange County
• UC Master Gardeners of Orange County: Hydroponics Team, Tool Care Team, Education Garden Team, and Composting Team
• South Coast REC GROW Program
• South Coast REC fruit tasting team



Thank you to our community partners who hosted a booth for the day!

• Arrak Outdoor USA
• Bahco Tools
• California Rare Fruit Growers
• Cool OC
• El Toro Water District
• H2OC Stormwater Program
• H.I.R.E. OC
• Irvine Ranch Water District
• K-9 Indigo Dog Training
• Orange County Agricultural Commissioner
• Orange County Waste and Recycling
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
• Southern California Bluebird Club

I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who attended and express my deep gratitude for the South Coast REC team that spent countless hours planning and organizing the event, especially Tammy Majcherek and Jason Suppes, our Community Education Specialists. The event went so smoothly and it was very special to see so many people enjoying the research center. It truly would not have been possible without our amazing team of employees, volunteers, and supporters. Thank you for your dedication, energy, and enthusiasm! We have already started planning next year's Expo, so mark your calendars for the first Saturday of October!

-Lindsey

Upcoming Events

3-part Forestry Webinar Series

H2O for HOAs: Free Education and Networking Event

UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials Fall Open House

Learn more about the UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials here and watch the video below for a look at the Spring Open House!

UCCE San Diego Vineyard Management Event

4-H Youth Development Book Drive

Join OC 4-H in our Fall Community Service Project: 1000 New Books Drive for CHOC Hospital Little Library, which provides books to patients and their families during their hospital stay. Until November 16, drop off NEW BOOKS ONLY in the box in Building 103 at South Coast REC.

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