Greetings from Imperial County!
WELCOME to our new Plant Pathologist
Ana M. Pastrana joined UC ANR on January 16, 2024, assuming the role of Plant Pathology Advisor for Imperial, Riverside, and San Diego counties. Before this position, Dr. Pastrana contributed her expertise as a Research Scientist in the Department of Agronomy at the University of Seville, Spain, from 2022 to 2024. During her time there, she not only conducted valuable research but also shared her knowledge by teaching a graduate-level Plant Health course. From 2020-2022, Ana played a significant role as a Research Scientist-Plant Pathology at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Canada.
Dr. Pastrana earned her Ph.D. in 2015 from IFAPA, Spain, and subsequently advanced her research during post-doctoral studies at the University of California, Davis, USA.
With over a decade of experience, Ana's work has focused on investigating the etiology, epidemiology, and management of plant diseases within agricultural ecosystems.
She is excited about her new role as Plant Pathology Advisor based in Southern California. The varied and intense crop cultivation in this area requires focused research to address disease management challenges and efficient outreach programs to engage a diverse audience. With my background and enthusiasm for community service, I believe I am well-equipped for this role, and I am excited to connect with local growers and PCAs.
Congratulations to the 1st Class of Master Gardeners
CONGRATULATIONS to the 29 Gradulates of the UCCE Imperial County - Master Gardener Program
UCCE Imperial Livestock Program Summer Intern Presentations
Left to right: Interns Brianna Denault, Yvette Paez, and Emma Adams and UCCE Livestock Advisor Brooke Latack
On July 13th, the three student interns currently working with the UCCE Imperial Livestock Program presented on topics related to the beef industry. Each student chose a topic that interested them and created their presentation through independent work throughout the summer.
First to present, Emma Adams presented on the history and process of tanning hides. She detailed the significance and widespread use of both vegetable and brain hide preservation methods. Emma graduated from Imperial High School in 2023. During her time attending Imperial High School, she was a four-year FFA member and discovered the love she has for working with livestock, mainly from raising a feeder calf she named Waylan her senior year. Because of this, she hopes to become a large animal veterinarian and possibly own some livestock of her own. Emma is currently enrolled at Imperial Valley College working toward getting her degree in Agriculture Business. In her future she hopes to attend Oklahoma State University or University or Arizona to pursue becoming a veterinarian.
Next, Yvette Paez presented on marbling in beef. Yvette discussed the biological processes that lead to marbling and the management practices that may increase or decrease marbling in beef. Yvette is a 2023 high school graduate of Southwest High School. She was a member or 4-H and FFA raising chickens, rabbits, goats, lambs, and a feeder calf. She is currently attending Imperial Valley College to major in Biology. She plans to transfer to UC Davis to get a bachelor’s degree in animal science. She plans on attending the School of Veterinary Medicine to get her DVM. Her dream career is to be a veterinarian.
The final presentation was an overview of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) by Brianna Denault. Brianna covered the history and devastation the disease has caused in the cattle industry as well as current occurrences still happening throughout the world. Brianna is a 2023 graduate of Imperial High School. During high school she was involved in FFA where she raised market swine and a production steer. She is currently attending Imperial Valley College majoring in Agriculture Business. After earning her associate’s degree, she plans to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for her bachelor’s degree in Ag Education. Once she finishes her degree, she plans to come back and become an agriculture teacher in the Imperial Valley.
All three presentations were very thoughtfully detailed, and the presenters were able to educate the audience on the topics presented. We look forward to the future of all three interns as they finish up their summer internship here at UCCE Imperial and move toward their goals working in the agriculture industry.
2023 Guidelines
4 Tips To Stay Healthy with CalFresh Healthy Living - UCCE Imperial County
Check out our latest youtube video!!!
Kids R Us Preschool
Great video in Spanish. Wonderful job that CalFresh is doing in our preschools.
Desert Research and Education Center
Watch this short but very informative video about DREC.
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Links
CHECK OUT OUR "LINKS" PAGE!!!!! WE HAVE ADDED A LOT.
Home Garden Planting Calendars
Insights: Water and Drought Online Seminar Series
The latest research-based advice on weathering a drought is now available free online. The UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is working to help farmers cope with the unwelcome outcome of historically low rainfall the last three years. UC scientists, with support from the California Department of Water Resources, have recorded video presentations on high-priority drought webpages.
Each presentation is about one half hour in length and are available at the link below:
Drought Information
The University of California has been extensively involved in research and implementation of water conservation/management strategies throughout the state. A lot is knows about when and how to most effectively use limited water supplies. The links below contain a brief introduction. Additional information is available at UC ANR drought website. http://ciwr.ucanr.edu/California_Drought_Expertise/
Calendar
| Event Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Sheep Shearing School 2024 | 4/22/2024 |
| 2024 Agronomic Crops & Irrigation Water Management Workshop | 5/15/2024 |
| 2024 California Date Palm Workshop | 5/22/2024 |
Current Newspaper Articles
Club Celebrates National 4-H Week
UCCE's Bachie tests new desert crops to spur local ag growth
Mysterious unsolicited seed packets prompt warnings
Long-needed Positions soon to be filled at UC Cooperative Extension Office
Holtville Ag Station in Action - Bachie completes two-year insecticide study
13 local farmers awarded Healthy Soils grants
Vegetable Crops Planting & Harvesting Calendar
UC Food Blog
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New UC study estimates costs for growing strawberries on the Central Coast
A new study that can help growers and other readers estimate costs and potential returns for growing strawberries on California's Central Coast was recently released by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Cooperative Extension and the UC Davis...
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Homeless people cultivate food, better health while gardening in Alameda County
Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential to a healthful diet, but it's hard to keep perishable foods on hand if one doesn't have a refrigerator or a home. To enhance the health of homeless people, the CalFresh Healthy Living, UC Cooperative Extension...
Contact Information
Imperial County
UC Cooperative Extension
1050 East Holton Road
Holtville, CA 92250-9615
Phone: 1-442-265-7700
Fax: 1-442-265-7723
Director:
Dr Oli G. Bachie