April 2026 | Volume 10, Number 4 | | |
UC ANR Giving Day: Donors make the difference
UC ANR Giving Day is more than a 24-hour campaign – it’s a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins with people like you.
From noon on Thursday, May 14, to noon on Friday, May 15, supporters across California will come together to invest in the work of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. And at the heart of it all are donors – individuals who believe in the power of science, education and community to create a better future.
With the support of donor generosity, UC ANR programs continue to thrive in communities statewide. Gifts made on UC ANR Giving Day help fund hands-on learning in demonstration gardens, open doors for youth through scholarships, and deliver trusted, science-based information to farmers, families and local leaders. These are real, tangible impacts made possible by people who choose to give.
What began as a single day of support has grown into a tradition of collective impact. Over the past seven years, donors have contributed more than half a million dollars to programs that strengthen California’s food systems, protect natural resources and improve community well-being.
This UC ANR Giving Day, your support becomes part of something bigger. Every gift – no matter the size – adds momentum, expands reach and helps UC ANR continue our work to serve all Californians.
Mark your calendar, share the opportunity and consider the role you can play. When you give, you’re helping drive solutions, empower communities and shape a more resilient California. Join us at give.ucanr.edu and be the difference.
| Spotlight on Practical Resources | | |
Don’t wing it: Vets pen ‘Dr. Cluck’ book to help keep chickens healthy, safe
“Dr. Cluck’s Backyard Chickens,” available in paperback and hardbound, provides chicken owners with science-based advice for poultry care. This fun guide is the first comprehensive how-to book that is peer-reviewed, poultry vet-approved... and reads like a sitcom! Maurice Pitesky, professor of Cooperative Extension in the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine and veterinarian Evan Adler advise readers on choosing breeds, setting up a brooder, diagnosing disease, understanding nutrition and more. Read full article.
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Dogs with jobs: Pups go on pest patrol as rodenticides phase out
During the 2026 Vertebrate Pest Conference in Southern California, attendees visited a working farm to watch JJ, a rodent detection dog, at work. The field trip was organized by UC Cooperative Extension human-wildlife interactions advisor Niamh Quinn. By identifying rodent activity before infestations become obvious, dogs can help land managers rely less heavily on toxic measures. “We know that dogs can do amazing things, right? We’ve seen them sniff out cancer and COVID and bombs,” Quinn said. “Dogs have potential.” Read full story.
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After UC California Naturalist course,
City Gurlz Hike founder strives to instill wonder
Daisy Prado brings Black, Latina and Indigenous women and allies to experience nature within a safe and inclusive community. After taking a UC California Naturalist course delivered by All Hands Ecology (a conservation nonprofit in Marin County), Prado is helping City Gurlz Hike participants slow down to observe and cherish living things. “We do need to be more curious about our collective home, and that curiosity also leads to deep affection for our collective home,” Prado said. Read full story.
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Navigating ADA Compliance
for Agritourism Guests
Online, May 5, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Explore how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to agritourism guests, including general business requirements and various strategies for making your operation more inclusive and accessible. A large portion of the session will focus on service animals and emotional support animals. There will also be discussion on requirements for removing physical barriers and digital accessibility for websites and social media. Hosted by the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. Learn more and register for webinar.
Preserving Cherries at Home
Online, May 12, 7-8 p.m.
This free online class, taught by the UC Master Food Preservers Online Delivery Program, focuses on safe, research-based methods to preserve cherries, including dehydration, pickling and canning techniques. Other topics include common cherry varieties and how to select fruit for preservation, as well as food safety practices and storage tips for quality and shelf life. Register for webinar.
Broomrape 101 for Organic Vegetable Farmers
Online, May 19, Noon-1 p.m.
Broomrape is a noxious parasitic weed that recently reemerged in processing tomato fields in California, with the outbreak centered in the southern Sacramento Valley. This parasite attaches to the roots of tomato and other host crops and does most of its damage to the crop before it emerges from the soil. This free webinar will cover broomrape biology and identification, field scouting, organic management tools and best practices. Presented by UCCE weed specialist Brad Hanson. Register for webinar.
Botanical Beauty: Creating Body Scrubs
May 30, 9:30-11 a.m.
Garden of the Sun
1750 North Winery Avenue, Fresno, CA 93703
During this UC Master Food Preserver-UC Master Gardener collaboration, learn how to create luxurious body scrubs using home-grown botanicals. This session covers selecting and blending herbs, flowers and fruits for skin-nourishing benefits, exploring a range of exfoliation and moisturizing options, and customizing scents and textures to suit individual skin needs. Registration is encouraged. Register for event.
| | Social Media Posts of the Month | |
It is the policy of the University of California (UC) and the UC Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities.Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies may be directed to UC ANR, Affirmative Action Compliance & Title IX Officer, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources,
2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618, (530) 750-1280, tljordan@ucanr.edu.
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University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
2801 Second Street
Davis, CA 95618
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