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LinkedInPosts Tagged: Riverside County
Riverside supervisors vote to restore UCCE funding
After more than 100 4-H members, UC Master Gardeners and others attended a Riverside Board of Supervisors' meeting in support of UC Cooperative Extension June 10, the panel voted 5-0 to restore UCCE's funding, reported Jeff Horseman and Matt Kristoffersen in the Riverside Press Enterprise.
The vote reversed an earlier decision to cut UCCE funding as part of a larger plan to deal with reduced county tax receipts. If the funding had not been restored, services including 4-H, nutrition education and agricultural programs would have been effected, said Eta Takele, UCCE director in Riverside County.
UC Cooperative Extension, a key part of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, serves all California counties. Academic advisors work with farmers to implement more-efficient growing methods, solve pest management problems and develop smart water-use strategies. Natural resources advisors conduct wildfire education and research natural resources conservation. Nutrition educators promote nutritious eating habits and exercise for better health. California 4-H Youth Development Program engages youth to become leaders. Thousands of volunteers extend UCCE's through the Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, California Naturalist, and the California 4-H Youth Development Programs.
During the June 10 meeting, the supervisors heard from Riverside 4-H members who have been aided by their involvement in the program.
4-H member Bethany Campbell told the supervisors 4-H helped her overcome shyness and gain confidence.
“4-H helped me rise above fear and insecurity to become a leader," Campbell said.
A Blythe 4-H member, Samantha Teater, 17, said, 4-H "definitely saved me from getting into trouble."
UC ANR associate vice president Wendy Powers attended the supervisors' meeting.
"Those who offered public comment provided heartfelt testimony about the impact of our programs and how they, personally, have benefited and how the county has benefited," Powers wrote in her blog. "The work's not over. We need to continue to engage those who don't know us but make decisions that impact us. We need to continue to engage those who do know us, and brainstorm how to do better – reach more people, have a greater impact."
The article said Riverside County officials would work with UC Cooperative Extension to save money by moving its offices from leased office space to county-owned space.
Local students attend state 4-H conference
BLYTHE - Six students from Blythe representing Riverside County were among over 80 delegates from throughout California who attended the 4-H California Focus Conference in Sacramento on June 17-21, 2011.
Bucking the current trends of students' limited knowledge of history and civics, these youth covered these subjects in a very hands-on way. During this cram-packed five day event, delegates participated in political campaigns, elected constitutional officers, created legislation, and toured the California Supreme Court, State Capitol, and Old Sacramento.
Delegates observed the Assembly and Senate floors in action, as well as met with Senator Juan Vargas, who personally led them on a selective tour and enthusiastically explained historical facts not only of the Senate and Assembly Chambers, but of the ever mysterious Void where Theodore Roosevelt stood and gave his speech to the people on the grounds.
Delegates participated in activities designed to encourage them to become active in current issues and affairs with a focus on social media and its influence on our lives.
They conducted a mock trial, visited with a member of the Governor's staff, elected and participated in a legislative simulation.
They had the opportunity to experience cultural events and use city transportation methods otherwise not available in our area. All of the delegation participated in a statewide service action program supporting children of deployed parents in the National Guard and Army Reserve.
California Focus was the beginning of a life of public participation that left these students with a strong determination to become involved in their community.
They are now creating a service plan of action for the local community organizing an educational program emphasizing the Don't Text and Drive message and educating youth on the history, pride and respect of the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America.
These students will continue the two-year citizenship program and travel to Washington D.C. next summer where our Nation's Capitol will become their living classroom.
For more information visit the 4H website www.ca4h.org.
