The Weekend Pinnacle in San Benito County ran an article last week about the county's newest farm advisor, Maria de la Fuente. She began working from the county's Hollister office in March, but has been advising farmers and nursery operators in the Central Coast since 1996.
The article said de la Fuente is particularly interested in continuing her work on waste management.
"I feel very blessed to be able to accomplish research that helps through better use of resources by recycling," she was quoted in the story, "by using garbage or stuff that would be discarded. We are growing food from garbage."
The story gave de la Fuente the opportunity to describe UC Cooperative Extension's role as more than just a conduit of research information from UC campuses to farmers, nursery operators and home gardeners.
"When [researchers] find new things, we make it applicable to the field," she explained. "We try to see if it applies here, or modify it to the area. Each one has its own geographical features, and microclimate."
A community newspaper in Santa Barbara County ran a story about a surprise dinner for long-time 4-H program representative Zelda Hughes, who retired in July.
“I am so surprised. I can’t believe they went to all this trouble,” Hughes was quoted in the Santa Ynez Valley News.
Hughes has been involved with 4-H since she was 10. Once she had her own children, Hughes worked as a volunteer leader and eventually was hired by the UC Cooperative Extension program to facilitate paperwork and coordinate programs.
Going full circle, Hughes now rejoins the 4-H volunteer ranks.