Volume 2 Issue 5
May 2026
The RECap
A newsletter from South Coast Research and Extension Center
and UC Cooperative Extension Orange County
| | SCREC-Grown Avocados Featured at Ag Day at the Capital | With the UC Riverside Avocado Breeding Program based in part at South Coast REC, a wide variety of avocados are grown on site. Thanks to the generous researchers, we are able to feature these varieties in events both on and off site. We are proud to feature avocados of all shapes and sizes at the annual Ag Day at the Capital on April 21, 2026 in Sacramento, California. | | Former South Coast REC and UCCE OC Director, and current UC ANR Associate Vice President of Research and Cooperative Extension, Darren Haver, right, talks with an event attendee about the avocados featured at the booth. | | Darren unpacking the expansive variety of avocados that were featured at Ag Day. | | Pam Kan-Rice, Assistant Director of News and Information Outreach, at the booth featuring various citrus and avocado varieties grown at UC ANR Research and Extension Centers. | | May 3-9, 2026 is International Compost Awareness Week! | | Starting on Sunday, May 3rd and going through Saturday, May 9th, it's International Compost Awareness Week, a week dedicated to highlighting the benefits of creating and using compost. | | |
What is compost?
Compost is the biologically active material that results from decomposition of organic matter under controlled circumstances.
| | |
Why compost?
- Reduces green waste and landfill use
- Reuses valuable green waste
- Recycles waste into a useful garden asset
- Restores soil health
| | Natalie Levy teaching event attendees about the benefits of compost. | | Do you already compost your food waste? Are you interested in learning how to compost at home? Check out the UC Master Gardeners of Orange County's Composting Fact Sheet for more information. | Natalie Levy teaching event attendees about each stage of making compost in the UC Master Gardeners of Orange County's Compost Demonstration Site. | | |
Urban Watershed Resilience
by Esther Lofton, PhD, Urban Watershed Resilience Advisor
| | |
OC Children's Water Festival:
Inspiring Young Water Stewards Through Hands-On Learning
At the 2026 OC Children’s Water Education Festival, thousands of students explored how water is cleaned, from dirty to drinkable, through hands-on learning that turned curiosity into understanding.
From “It’s magic!” moments to thoughtful water-saving promises, these young learners are already becoming the next generation of water stewards.
Dr. Esther Lofton is shown in the photo on the right talking with children at the OC Children's Water Festival.
👉 Read the full blog post: https://ucanr.edu/blog/water-supply-security-wss/article/oc-children-water-festival-2026-water-education
| |
🌊 Explore More
💧 Read the latest blog:
Water as Our Power: Earth Day Reflections from Southern California’s Watersheds
👉 https://ucanr.edu/blog/socal-water-resources
📖 SoCal Water Blog Series
👉 https://ucanr.edu/site/socal-water-resources/socal-water-blog-series
📩 Contact / Collaborate
👉 mailto:anrsocalwater@gmail.com
📲 Follow SoCal Water Resources
Instagram & Threads https://instagram.com/socal_h2o
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@socal_water
X https://x.com/SoCal_H2O
🤝 Become part of our growing watershed stewards community or bring hands-on water education to your students or organization by reaching out to Dr. Esther Lofton 📧 anrsocalwater@gmail.com
| |
Earth Day Reflections:
Water as Our Power
Earth Day offers more than a moment to celebrate. It is a time to reflect on how our everyday actions shape the environment around us.
Across Southern California, communities came together through cleanups, education, and local events focused on sustainability and watershed health. From city streets to coastal areas, these efforts highlighted an important truth: what happens on land does not stay there. Water connects it all.
As water moves through our neighborhoods, it carries the imprint of our choices, transporting pollutants into rivers, groundwater, and the ocean. At the same time, it also carries the impact of positive actions, community engagement, and thoughtful design. Understanding this connection is key to protecting water quality and building more resilient communities.
| |
Join Our Growing Community
If you are interested in becoming part of a growing community of water and watershed stewards, we invite you to subscribe and stay connected. Opportunities include citizen science, environmental monitoring, and community engagement for both youth and adults. Subscribe to receive updates, resources, and opportunities to get involved across Southern California.
💧 Read the full Earth Day blog:
Water as Our Power: Earth Day Reflections from Southern California’s Watersheds
👉 https://ucanr.edu/blog/socal-water-resources
| | |
4-H Youth Development Program
by Rita Jakel, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator
| | |
Visit OC 4-H this summer at these public events:
-
Clover-Joyed Spring Showcase & Senior Send-Off – Sat Jun 6 – 4-8pm at SCREC – Program Sampler – see what we do in 4-H projects; youth and adult volunteer recognition; snacks, dinner and movie night – Family Fun!
-
OC Fair – Your Adventure Awaits – July 17-Aug 16 - see OC 4-H’ers at work in Livestock and see their handiwork in the building exhibits
-
Summer Experience – Aug 3-7, 9am-noon – limited spots available to learn about the 4-H program, sample 4-H projects, learn about leadership and service learning projects
-
Open House & Enrollment Extravaganza – Sun Aug 23 – 2-5pm at SCREC – club and project showcase; tractor rides around SCREC; enrollment discounts and enrollment help; family fun and games
A big thank you to all of our community members who supported our events and activities this year by attending, helping, evaluating, and supporting 4-H projects. Watch this newsletter, our website (oc4h.org) and our Instagram (@4horangeco) for all the latest news and updates and details of how you can help us “Make the Best Better”!
| | |
Water & Nutrient Use Efficiency in CEA
UC Davis & UC ANR CDFA Supported Project
| |
Calling all Controlled Environment Agriculture growers!
Grower Participation Study
Goal: Improve irrigation & nutrient efficiency in Controlled Environment Agriculture
On-site assessment includes:
- Irrigation system performance
- Water quality (pH, salinity, nutrients)
- Substrate water & nutrient holding capacity
- Pump efficiency & energy use
- Water recycling opportunities
- Sensor calibration & automation
Growers receive:
- Customized recommendations/ free water and nutrition testing from UC Davis
-
Training workshops access
Contact detail:
Amrita Mukherjee, Urban Ag/ Small Farm Advisor, UCANR, Co-PI
Email: amukherjee@ucanr.edu Phone: (909) 602 8339
| | How to become a master beekeeper: A look inside the hive | |
Two volunteers place a package of bees in the apiary of the UC Irvine South Coast Research Center. (Photo courtesy of Diana Cervantes)
The California Master Beekeeper Program of Orange County and their apiary at South Coast REC was featured in a Times of San Diego article written by UC ANR Communications Specialist Diana Cervantes. Read the full article here.
| |
Employee Spotlight
Get to know the folks who work with South Coast REC and UCCE Orange County.
| |
|
Meet
Rita Jakel
Community Education Specialist/
Orange County 4-H Youth Development
Program Coordinator
Not sure how it happened so fast, but in July it will be 7 years with UC ANR!
What does a "typical" day look like for you?
No such thing! I’m about as hard to find as Waldo! On any given day you might find me at SCREC for events and activities, at a school visiting an In-School or After-School club meeting, out in the field hosting an outreach table at a community event, at a Community Club meeting visiting with members, at a partner agency, like Boys & Girls Clubs, training staff or developing new programming, in a meeting with a variety of OC 4-H committees, in a meeting with the SoCal Collaborative to plan regional events, in a meeting with other UCCE programs like the Master Gardeners or Master Food Preservers developing activities that connect our programs – you get the idea! Sometimes a day includes many of these! I certainly am never bored and there is always something to challenge my old brain!
| From left to right, Rita Jakel with 4-H volunteers Tiffany Hoskinson, Susie Franklin, Vanessa Walters at the outreach table at the American Farm Bureau Convention in January. | |
What part of your work are you most excited about or proud of right now?
How much we have grown the OC 4-H program. With the support of some pretty amazing volunteers we have increased enrollment in our Community Clubs, revitalized events, connected with an incredible array of local partners, reorganized our committees, and overall just breathed new life into so many aspects of the program. Specifically, I am most excited about:
-
The increased participation at all of our county events We can see our growth because we have been breaking attendance records and sometimes feel like we are outgrowing the spaces at SCREC!
-
Our SoCal Beyond Ready Initiative An example of the kind of new partnerships developing in this initiative is a program developed with Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove called Teens Leading Tomorrow with two cohorts of Teens as Teachers (youth from Garden Grove high schools and 4-H senior members) delivering two 4-H curricula (YES! Youth Experiences in Science and Cooking Academy) to groups of BGC youth in grades K-3 and 4-6, plus receiving Workforce Development and Career Readiness training during a 7-week summer session.
-
Our Home School Collective This group of parents/4-H volunteers is leading 4-H projects to enrich the learning of home school students. They meet at SCREC one day per week and at parks and go on field trips other days.
What’s your favorite fruit/vegetable/plant we grow at SCREC?
Hands down the avocados – better than any avocados you can get at the store! And it has been fun trying all the different varieties that are grown at SCREC.
Looking for information about the 4-H program? Visit our website: oc4h.org
Looking for partnership opportunities? Email us at oc4h@ucanr.edu
We are always looking for new volunteers, new families to join 4-H, new schools that would like a 4-H program, community members to help as evaluators at events like Food Fiesta and Presentation Day.
Many of our events are open to the public – come check out our amazing program! Get updates on Instagram @4horangeco
| | | | Workshop in Spanish: How to Prepare for the Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) Licensing Exam | | |
SIGN UP TODAY!
Topic: How to prepare for the Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) licensing exam
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 (3:00-5:00 pm, Pacific Time)
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Registration: Sign up on our registration page
The 2026 UC ANR Pesticide Safety Training from the Small Farms Network is intended to support small-scale and diversified family farms, as well as beginning, immigrant, and refugee farmers, in applying and handling pesticides safely and effectively.
This 2-hour educational workshop will support Spanish-speaking growers by providing technical guidance and information on how to prepare for the Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) licensing exam, especially for those who need to use restricted-use pesticides.
Topics to be covered:
- Guidance on taking the Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) exam
- What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
- How do you choose the right pesticides?
- Laws and regulations
- Pesticide safety
Presenters:
- Small Farms Network
- University of California Cooperative Extension
| | |
¡REGÍSTRESE HOY!
Tema: Cómo prepararse para el examen de certificación de Aplicador Privado (PAC)
Fecha y hora: miércoles, 13 de mayo de 2026 (3:00-5:00 pm, hora del Pacífico)
Lugar: En línea
Costo: Gratis
Inscripción al evento: Regístrese en nuestra página de registro
La capacitación en seguridad de pesticidas 2026 de UC ANR, a través de la Red de Pequeñas Granjas, tiene como objetivo apoyar a las pequeñas granjas familiares y diversificadas, así como a agricultores principiantes, inmigrantes y refugiados, en el uso y manejo seguro y efectivo de pesticidas.
Este seminario educativo de 2 horas está diseñado para apoyar a productores que hablan español, proporcionando orientación técnica e información sobre cómo prepararse para el examen de certificación de Aplicador Privado (PAC), especialmente para quienes necesitan usar pesticidas de uso restringido.
Temas que se cubrirán:
- Orientación para tomar el examen de Aplicador Privado (PAC)
- ¿Qué es el Manejo Integrado de Plagas (MIP O IPM por sus siglas en ingles)
- ¿Cómo elegir el pesticida adecuado?
- Leyes y regulaciones
- Seguridad en el uso de pesticidas
Personas presentadoras:
- el Programa de Granjas en Pequeña Escala
- Extensión Cooperativa de la Universidad de California
| | |
The California Fire Science Coalition, the Society of American Foresters and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy invite you to join us for the Southern California Oak Woodlands: Fire, Change, and Collaborative Stewardship Symposium on May 13, 2026 at Quail Hill Community Center in Irvine, CA from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
This symposium will bring together land managers, researchers, Tribes, Tribal organizations, policymakers, and community members to explore how fire shapes oak ecosystems and how collaborative stewardship can build resilience in a rapidly changing environment.
Participants will engage with the latest science on fire behavior and oak ecology, learn from on-the-ground management experiences, and discuss strategies for collaboration. Through presentations, case studies, and facilitated dialogue, this symposium will highlight practical tools and partnerships that support healthy, fire-adapted oak woodlands across Southern California.
Whether you are a natural resource professional, student, decision-maker, or engaged community member, this symposium offers valuable insights and opportunities to connect with others committed to sustaining these vital landscapes.
Join us as we work toward resilient oak woodlands through science, shared knowledge, and collaboration!
| |
Questions? Please contact:
Jan Gonzales, jjggonzales@ucanr.edu
| | Orange County Bee Team Apiary Tours | | |
Explore the world of honey bees and their habitat with our Certified California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMBP) Instructors. After this tour, participants will be able to:
- Explain how to light a hive smoker.
- Describe a complete hive inspection.
- Identify eggs, larvae, and capped brood.
- Distinguish hive food sources.
- Identify the queen, worker, and drone.
Date(s):
| | |
May 9, 2026
May 23, 2026
June 5, 2026
June 20, 2026
| | |
June 26, 2026
July 11, 2026
August 29, 2026
September 11, 2026
| |
Cultivating Minds: Educating for Sustainable Growth | |
Professional Development for K-12 Educators
presented by
Magnolia Agriscience Community Center
and
High School Inc.
Date: June 17 and 18, 2026
Time: 8:30 am to 2:30pm
Location: Magnolia High School 2450 W Ball Rd, Anaheim, CA 92804
Registration: https://maccfarm.org/pages/calendar-of-events#?event-id=66612
$50 for AUHSD and NLMUSD Educators (partner districts)
$250 for educators from other districts
Includes farm to table breakfast and lunch!
Questions?: Contact macc_farm@auhsd.us
Farm to Future participants will engage in hands-on edible education workshops and expert-led discussions designed to integrate agriculture, sustainability, and nutrition into K-12 education. Using the Green Schoolyard curriculum, educators will explore ways to incorporate garden-based learning into their classrooms. Sessions will cover the fundamentals of starting and maintaining school gardens, including securing funding, building community partnerships, and navigating grant opportunities. Educators will learn about career pathways for students through CTE and dual enrollment programs while discovering the benefits of fostering agriculture leadership, literacy, and hands-on learning. Whether new to school gardens or looking to enhance existing programs, participants will leave with practical tools, resources, and inspiration to bring edible education to life in their schools.
| Forestry Institute for Teachers: 2026 Summer Sessions | | |
🌲Ready to take your teaching beyond the classroom?
This summer, the Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) invites you to join one of four immersive FIT sessions — week-long professional learning experiences designed for both formal and nonformal PreK-12+ California educators.
Each session combines hands-on field instruction with insights from forestry and natural resource experts, giving you fresh tools to bring environmental education to life in your classroom or program. Plus, it’s a chance to connect with peers from across the state who share your passion and curiosity for forest stewardship.
🧭Choose your adventure:
📍El Dorado FIT | June 14–20
📍Tuolumne FIT | June 22–28
📍Humboldt FIT | July 11–17 (WAITLIST)
📍Shasta FIT | July 19–25
✨Space is limited — apply today!
🔗https://www.forestryinstitute.org
| | | | |
