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September-October 2026
Volume 9, Issue 5
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Working to improve lives, communities, the environment, and economies throughout Pima County. | | |
Explore Ranch Life at the Bar V Ranch Kick-Off Event
Curious about ranch life, local agriculture, and Southern Arizona’s natural resources? Join the Pima County 4-H Ranch Education Program on October 24th, 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Bar V Ranch for the annual kick-off event! Families and community members are invited to explore the ranch, discover its history, and learn more about the resources that support our local agricultural community. Participants can take part in a solar well/pump demonstration, test their skills with a geo-scavenger hunt, and tour the ranch headquarters while learning about ranch operations. Guests can also explore the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists North America exhibit and visit the Santa Cruz Valley and Southern Arizona Conservation District Partnership 25th anniversary table. Lunch will be provided, offering time to connect with other families, community partners, and people who share an interest in agriculture and natural resources. Whether you are already involved in 4-H or simply want to learn more about ranching and the land around us, this is a great opportunity to get involved and experience Ranch Education firsthand. RSVP by October 19th. For more information, contact 4-H Agent Ashlea Gideon at agideon@arizona.edu or Pima County Range and Agricultural Superintendent Vanessa Prileson at vanessa.prileson@pima.gov. We hope to see you there!
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Director's Note
Fall is my favorite time of year in Tucson. As temperatures begin to cool, it is the perfect time to get outside, enjoy everything the Sonoran Desert has to offer, and connect with the people and programs that make our community such a special place. We were fortunate to welcome our new Dean, George W. Smith, to Pima County Cooperative Extension recently and share some of the amazing work happening across our programs. I am always proud to highlight the dedication of our faculty, staff, volunteers, and community partners, and the many ways they serve Pima County. This fall, I encourage you to connect with us around something you are passionate about. Plant a garden, volunteer with 4-H, join an invasive species pull, try one of our seasonal recipes, or attend one of the many events happening across our programs. There truly is something for everyone at Pima County Cooperative Extension. I know I plan to enjoy as much of it as I can, and I hope to see you out in the community this fall!
Jennifer Parlin, Interim Director, Pima County Cooperative Extension
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Supporting Healthy Pregnancies Through EFNEP: Introducing Today's Mom
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension is excited to introduce Today's Mom, a new Arizona EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) curriculum designed specifically for pregnant teens and adults. This evidence-based program helps participants build healthy habits during pregnancy through engaging lessons focused on nutrition, physical activity, food safety, breastfeeding, stress management, and healthy weight gain. Today's Mom provides practical, easy-to-use information that empowers expecting parents to make informed decisions that support their health and their babies' healthy development. Participants gain valuable skills to plan nutritious meals, stay active, manage common pregnancy concerns, and build a strong foundation for their growing families. Offered through Cooperative Extension and community partner organizations, Today's Mom supports EFNEP-eligible pregnant teens and adults with practical education, encouragement, and resources for a healthy start for both mom and baby. To learn more about the program or to connect with EFNEP in Pima County, visit the Pima County EFNEP website.
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Four More Years of Farm Stress Support
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has received renewed funding for four more years of farm stress programming through the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership (WRASAP 6), administered through Washington State University. Cooperative Extension agents Gayle Gratop, Ashley Wright, Juan Arias, and Ashley Menges lead Arizona’s statewide effort to connect farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their families with stress management education and support resources. Agriculture brings unique challenges, from financial uncertainty and unpredictable weather to the daily demands of caring for land and animals. These pressures can affect individual well-being, as well as the families and communities that depend on agriculture. WRASAP 6 will provide more resources to Cooperative Extension’s agricultural agents, helping them reach more producers in Pima County and across Arizona. By equipping agents who already work closely with agricultural communities, the program will expand opportunities to share practical stress management tools, raise awareness of available support, and connect producers with resources when they need them. Strong collaboration with Arizona Farm Bureau and other partners will help extend this outreach, making assistance more accessible through trusted local relationships.
Find resources at extension.arizona.edu/agristress-helpline. For free, confidential support available 24/7, call or text the AgriStress Helpline at 833-897-2474.
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Accelerate Water Savings with Smartscape Tracks
Starting January 2027, Smartscape will offer Tracks alongside the 10-class Smartscape Series. Participants can save time by attending only the classes in their chosen track. Recommended for maintenance crews, HOA staff, and municipal grounds workers, the Landscape Maintenance & Plant Health Track teaches the fundamentals of watering, pruning, and fertilizing, including the why, when, and how. Learning best industry practices is essential to receiving the full benefits of sustainable landscapes. Enthusiasts, irrigation techs, water auditors, and utility workers can master low-water-use landscaping practices in the Irrigation & Water Management Track. They will study the why, when, and how of efficient drip irrigation systems and irrigation controllers, using evapotranspiration, soil characteristics, and plant water needs to eliminate water waste. Designers, installers, and landscape architects understand the unique design challenges and opportunities of our urban desert environment. In the Landscape Design & Installation Track, learn the important role landscape plants play in saving water, cooling cities, and managing stormwater runoff. Connect native and desert-adapted plants with passive and active water harvesting to reduce dependency on potable water for irrigation. Visit the Smartscape courses page for more information.
Two participants receive their Smartscape Certificate of Completion after concluding the Summer 2026 Smartscape Series
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Pima County Mitigation Plan Finishes First Year
The end of the County’s fiscal year also signaled the first full year of the Pima County Wildfire Mitigation Plan. The Pima County Extension office is a key partner in this multi-agency effort, providing neighborhood and community support to raise awareness of wildfire risk-reduction practices such as defensible space and home hardening. The Cooperative Extension also provides facilitative support for the Desert Fire and Invasives Collaborative, which recently finalized the FY2027 Outreach Calendar to guide Countywide awareness efforts. In its second year, the Cooperative Extension will continue contributing to the Mitigation Plan by developing Sonoran Desert-relevant educational materials, expanding partnerships across high-risk areas like the Catalina Foothills and Ajo, offering free home risk assessments, and assisting with volunteer fuels reduction efforts. You can access the FY26 Annual Review and Year 1 Accomplishments report here. The FY27 Mitigation Plan is in final review and will be published soon.
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Tucson Village Farm's Celebration of Chiles
Get ready for a sizzling evening of food, music, culture, and community as Tucson Village Farm presents its Celebration of Chiles on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5:30–8:30 p.m.! This one-of-a-kind event celebrates the Southwest's incredible flavors, rich traditions, and fiery spirit, bringing together delicious food, fascinating science, and hands-on experiences in the beautiful setting of Tucson Village Farm. A highlight of the evening will be an extraordinary chile-inspired culinary experience created by Chef Bruce Yim, whose passion for food and creative approach to cooking will showcase the incredible versatility and flavors of Southwest chiles. Guests will enjoy a delicious meal, live music, chile tastings, and the opportunity to create their very own traditional chile ristra to take home. The evening will also feature two extraordinary guests: renowned chile grower Ed Curry and internationally recognized University of Arizona plant geneticist Dr. Rod Wing. Together, they will explore the fascinating history, genetics, and future of chiles, from seed to table, including the importance of sustainability and agricultural biodiversity. More than just a celebration of food, this event highlights Tucson Village Farm's commitment to connecting our community with agriculture, science, and the joy of growing and sharing food. Tickets are $75 per person and include Chef Bruce Yim's delicious meal and two beverages. Beer and wine will be available. This is a 21+ event.
Come hungry, bring your friends, and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating one of the Southwest's most beloved ingredients!
Friday, October 23 | 5:30–8:30 p.m. | Tucson Village Farm
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Master Gardener's Fall Plant Sale
The Pima County Master Gardener Program invites the community to its Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at 4210 N. Campbell Ave. Shoppers will find a wide selection of desert-adapted plants grown for Southern Arizona landscapes, while supporting Pima County Master Gardener educational programs. This year's sale marks the debut of the program's new nursery! Located just south of the demonstration gardens, the ADA-compliant facility is three times larger than the previous nursery and features wider aisles designed to accommodate wagons and carts for a more comfortable shopping experience. Patrons are strongly encouraged to bring their own wagon or cart, plus a hat and water. Visitors should enter from Roger Road, where signs will direct them to public parking. ADA parking is available in front of the Extension office on Campbell Avenue. Come early for the best selection and discover beautiful trees, shrubs, perennials, seasonal herbs, succulents, cacti, and other plants well-suited to Southern Arizona gardens.
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Congratulations to Debbie Curley on her new role as Interim Cooperative Extension Director for Santa Cruz County! This is a homecoming of sorts for Debbie, who began her Extension career in Santa Cruz County before joining us in Pima County. We are excited for Debbie and for Santa Cruz County. Her warm, encouraging nature and ability to build meaningful relationships with partners and community members will serve the county well. Debbie will continue her faculty work in Pima County while taking on this additional leadership role, and we can’t wait to see the opportunities her work across both counties will bring. We wish her every success in this new role!
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UA Pima County Cooperative Extension
Programs and Upcoming Events
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Agriculture and Natural Resources
Residents and growers can access 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 | Invasive Species | Wildfire Mitigation | Livestock Assistance
Family and Consumer Health Sciences
PCCE health education helps people improve their nutrition, family dynamics, and lives. Parents and caregivers can use the Family Engagement Program to enrich children’s lives. Find nutritional and life-skills education through the SNAP-Ed/Garden Kitchen and EFNEP programs.
Family Engagement Program | Garden Kitchen |
Expanded Food and Nutritional Education Program (EFNEP)
4-H Youth Development
Through Cooperative Extension 4-H, youth build lifelong skills and have great fun. Get involved in one of our many clubs or projects, culminating in participation at the County Fair. Enjoy seed-to-table programming at Tucson Village Farm, a working urban farm built by and for our community's youth.
4-H Clubs | Tucson Village Farm | High Ropes Course
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Pima County Cooperative Extension
Website | 2025 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-Th 8:30 - 4:30
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