Volume 1 Issue 2

February 2025

The RECap

A newsletter from South Coast Research and Extension Center

and UC Cooperative Extension Orange County

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Calling all researchers

Apply to conduct your research at South Coast REC!

Submit your research proposal by April 28, 2025 to have your project considered for our 2025-2026 season.

To view our current recharge rates, please visit our website.

Questions? Contact Lindsey Pedroncelli Lrpedroncelli@ucanr.edu

Submit A Proposal

Thank you for reading the second edition of The RECap, our new monthly newsletter brought to you by South Coast Research and Extension Center (REC) and UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Orange County.

In this issue, we are excited to share updates on recent events hosted by our extension programs, our first Employee Spotlight, some helpful gardening tips as we get closer to spring, and info about upcoming events!

Sincerely,

Lindsey Pedroncelli, Interim Director of South Coast REC

and

Rita Clemons, Director of UCCE Orange County

P.S. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter in the future, please unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.

South Coast REC Program Spotlight:

The GROW Program Ag Mechanics Field Day

Students toured the center and learned about former and current research projects.

The GROW Program hosted its annual Ag Mechanics Field Day on February 11, during which 30 Downey High School students from botany and mechanic Career Technical Education Programs toured the center, tasted citrus and honey, and learned about the farm machinery that we have. They explored the equipment graveyard and got to look under the hood of some of our oldest vehicles. If you are interested in taking a field trip to South Coast REC please reach out to our Community Education Specialists Tammy Majcherek (tjmajcherek@ucanr.edu) and Jason Suppes (jrsuppes@ucanr.edu).

Eric Palmer, Center and Facilities Maintenance, gave students a tour of the barn and talked about the farm machinery we have.

Eric also showed students the shop and taught them about how we maintain our machinery.

Students explored our equipment graveyard and looked under the hood of some of our oldest vehicles.

Students tasted several varieties of citrus grown at South Coast REC.

The California Master Beekeepers offered a honey tasting and lessons about pollinators.

UCCE Orange County Program Spotlight:

4-H Youth Development Program

Orange County 4-H offers youth development experiences for youth ages 5-18 and volunteer opportunities for youth and adults of all ages. Youth are encouraged to find their spark through project-based experiential learning. Strong youth-adult partnerships encourage growth and development and offer youth role models in their club and project leaders. Youth-driven leadership is a hallmark of the 4-H program and youth have many and varied opportunities to learn and practice leadership skills. Public speaking and civic engagement are also pillars of the 4-H program. Youth learn to deliver presentations and find their voice within their community.

The 4-H program has a vast array of high quality, peer-reviewed curriculum on which to base a project. Professional development is available for adult volunteers, teachers, and frontline staff at partner agencies. In cooperation with other UC Cooperative Extension programs, such as Master Gardeners (MG) & Master Food Preservers (MFP), 4-H projects are enriched with local expertise and hands-on learning. OC 4-H has offered Countywide Projects in Community Service - Landscapes Maintenance (MG volunteer-supported) and Food Preservation (MFP volunteer-supported), Citizen Science finding ISHB infestations (Urban Forestry Advisor-supported), and water and soil studies at the Landscapes & Research plots (Water & Soils Health Advisor-supported). OC 4-H currently has a countywide project designed specifically for the homeschool family with hands-on, project-based learning housed on Tuesdays at SCREC and Fridays with community-based field trips focused on civic engagement.

Keep an eye out for our Kindness Rocks, created by our 4H Home School group. Pick one up, take it with you, and drop it somewhere for someone else to find and brighten their day!

Through our SoCal Collaborative – a regional collaboration between staff, volunteers, and youth across 4-H Regions 11 (LA, Orange, Ventura counties) and 12 (Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego) – opportunities for family fun events, educational field trips, and regional projects are developed. Some of the favorites have been trips to the LA Natural History Museum, La Brea Tarpits, Oak Glen/Yucaipa Apple-Picking & Nature Hike, 4-H Night at the Ontario Reign (Ice Hockey) Game, and family meet-ups for ice skating!

Research Spotlight

The California Master Beekeeper Teaching Apiary

One of the best kept secrets at South Coast REC: the teaching apiary! It started in 2016 with 3 hives and a few students, but there are now 12 hives that are managed by a team of volunteers trained by the California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMBP). The Bee Team meets every Tuesday morning and cares for their bees as well as their plants that serve a dual purpose for the pollinators and for beautifying our apiary. We offer Zoom classes and in-person classes, tours and workshops.

If you would like to know more about opportunities, you can contact us at: ocbeeteam@gmail.com or visit our website: https://ocbeeteam.org/ .

In addition, the Bee Team will have a booth at the Master Gardener Expo in Mission Viejo on April 12, 2025 from 9am-12pm. We will be focusing on the role of honey bees in collecting pollen and their importance to global food production.

Employee Spotlight

Get to know the folks who work with South Coast REC and UCCE Orange County.

Grace Dean

-Forest Stewardship Communications Specialist

-2 years with UC ANR

Click here to learn more about Grace.

To get in contact with Grace, email gndean@ucanr.edu

UC ANR Forestry Work

UC ANR Forest Research and Outreach Blog

Get to know

Grace Dean

a Forest Stewardship Communications Specialist with UC ANR's Forest Stewardship Program

What does a "typical" day look like for you?

Each morning looks pretty similar- first making some coffee, checking my emails and planner, etc. From there, I could really be up to anything! For some background, I work with UC ANR’s Forest Stewardship program. The program delivers forest management education to forest landowners all around California, and my role includes a mix of event advertising, social media coordination, and any other ‘front-facing’ communications that highlight our clientele and collaborators.

My work day includes a bit of all of the above. I’ll be making graphics for our social media pages on Canva, maybe interviewing a forest landowner for a blog or other project, writing for the blog, or contacting local community organizations via phone or email to spread the word about an upcoming Forest Stewardship event.

What part of your work are you most excited about or proud of right now?

I’m really proud of our Forest Stewardship Story Map, which hosts narratives from forest landowners and forestry professionals around California. Each story comes together after a one-on-one interview, where each interviewee can share their experiences and insights into forestry and forest management. The Story Map is our program’s opportunity to both show the connectedness of California’s forestry community and share the impact of our educational workshops.

This was the first big project that I undertook; it was my introduction to facilitating interviews and using ArcGIS applications. It remains something that I’m very proud to show others and is continually updated with new stories, so it’s something I also stay excited about.

What’s your favorite fruit/vegetable we grow at SCREC?

The avocados! They make the best smoothies with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and ice.

Pro Tips

Tips, tricks, and advice from our program experts

March In Your Garden

This month offers unique opportunities for both novice and experienced gardeners to engage in essential seasonal tasks such as planting quick growing cool-season crops like lettuce, pruning perennials, and preparing garden beds for the upcoming growing season. Research-based practices suggest that now is also an ideal time to assess soil health and amend it with organic matter to enhance fertility. The UC Master Gardeners of Orange County are dedicated to community education and invite you to take advantage of various workshops and programs scheduled throughout March, focusing on sustainable gardening practices that benefit both the environment and your garden. Remember, you can always reach out to our gardening hotline or explore additional resources to support your gardening journey this month. Learn More

Warm Season Planting

Dive into the vibrant world of warm season planting and unlock the potential of your garden! As the sun shines brighter and temperatures soar, it's time to embrace the opportunity to cultivate a variety of delicious crops, from juicy tomatoes to crisp cucumbers. By understanding the nuances of your local climate and soil, you can tailor your planting strategy for optimal growth. Incorporate innovative techniques like crop rotation to not only boost your yields but also create a thriving ecosystem in your garden. Get ready to enjoy a bountiful harvest and transform your gardening experience this warm season. Learn more with our planting guide.

Tomatoes

Planting tomatoes in Southern California is an exciting venture that brings both challenges and rewards, especially for our vibrant local gardening community.

- To ensure success, focus on the soil conditions—rich, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic is ideal.

- Tomatoes thrive in full sun, so select a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.

- For best results, wait until daytime temperatures are regularly over 70°F.

- Watering techniques are equally important; aim for deep watering once a week to encourage strong root development, taking care to avoid overhead watering which can promote diseases.

- Embrace sustainable practices by implementing organic pest management strategies and exploring companion planting, such as growing basil alongside your tomatoes to enhance flavor and deter pests.

For those looking to deepen their gardening skills, we invite you to join our workshops or participate in community gardens, where you can gain hands-on experience and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. Remember, the UC Master Gardeners of Orange County are here to support you on your tomato planting journey—don’t hesitate to reach out to our hotline for advice on your gardening needs. Learn more.

Drinking Water Quality

Is your water safe?

Understanding the quality of your water is essential for you and your loved ones! The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is a key resource that reveals how your water is sourced, treated, and tested for contaminants. You can request the report from your water providers annually. It is your right to know what is in your water.

Want to learn more about CCRs and what to look for in your report? Visit our Drinking Water Quality blog.

¿Es segura su agua potable?

¡Entender la calidad de su agua es esencial para usted y sus seres queridos! El Informe de Confianza del Consumidor (CCR) es un recurso clave que revela cómo se obtiene, se trata y se analiza su agua en busca de contaminantes. Puede solicitar el informe a sus proveedores de agua anualmente. Es su derecho saber qué hay en su agua.

¿Quiere obtener más información sobre los CCR e informarse sobre qué buscar en su informe? Visite nuestro blog sobre la Calidad del Agua Potable.

SCRECipes

South Coast REC-ipes: delicious dishes made with SCREC-grown produce

Did you make something with produce grown at SCREC? Post it on Instagram and tag us! @UCSouthCoast #SCRECipe

Upcoming Events

Vertebrate Pest Control Events

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West Coast Rodent Academy

March 12-14, 2025

7601 Irvine Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618

Register early to join us for this unique urban rodent management workshop which includes lectures to help you better understand rodent ecology and integrated pest management (IPM). Learn about rodent disease, monitoring, trapping, urban rodent surveys and much more.

More information here: https://ucanr.edu/sites/wcra/

UC Master Food Preserver Events

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Pressure Canning Salmon Workshop

April 8, 2025 11am-3pm

7601 Irvine Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618

Have you always wanted to Pressure Can fish? Well, now is your chance to learn the safe way to do just that during this $45 workshop hosted by the UC Master Food Preservers of Orange County.In addition to taking a jar of salmon home, you will create a seasoning mix to take as well.

More information here: https://ucanr.edu/sites/MFPOC/Events/index.cfm

California Master Beekeeper Program Events