The situation:
Sacramento County is facing a $50 million budget deficit and the Board of Supervisors is undertaking midyear program reductions to address the problem. The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in Sacramento County is eliminated in the proposed funding cuts. The doors could close as early as March 2004. This means the end of Cooperative Extension, including Master Gardener, 4-H, Master Food Preserver, and Farm Advisor programs in our county.
Cooperative Extension (formerly known as the Ag Extension) is supported by a combination of funds from Sacramento County, the State (through the University of California) and the Federal government. If one of these government entities withdraws its support, the others automatically do so too. The County funds about one quarter of the total UCCE budget, or $283,000, which includes a $100,000 charge for the building the UCCE occupies. This does not include the huge value of volunteer time&emdash;last year more than 1000 adults volunteered more than 20,000 hours in UCCE programs. For $183,000 ($283,000-$100,000) the county gets a huge benefit, but if they eliminate funding, it all goes away!!
What is being done to save UCCE?
A group of concerned citizens established this committee to lobby the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to reinstate funding for Cooperative Extension.
How can you help?
You can do three things immediately.
1. Write a personal letter to each of the five Sacramento County Supervisors and the County Executive requesting them to reinstate the funds for UC Cooperative Extension. Keep the letter to one page, with two or three paragraphs explaining the value and impact of the UCCE programs on you and your community. The tone should be respectful and the information factual. The attached information will help you draft your letter.
2. Send an e-mail with a similar message to each supervisor. It is important to both mail and e-mail your letter.
3. Forward this to friends or beneficiaries of UCCE services, asking them to do what you have just done. Or send us the names and e-mail addresses, and we'll send them this information. If we involve as many people as possible, the multiplier effect of this strategy could have a huge impact.
Thank you for your help!
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors
All supervisors have the same mailing address:
County of Sacramento
700 H Street, Suite 2450
Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 874-7593 FAX
Roger Dickinson, Supervisor, District 1
e-mail dickinsonr@saccounty.net
(916) 874-5485
Illa Collin, Supervisor, District 2
e-mail collini@saccounty.net
(916) 874-5481
Muriel Johnson, Supervisor, District 3
e-mail johnsonmu@saccounty.net
(916) 874-5471
Roger Niello, Supervisor, District 4
e-mail niellor@saccounty.net
(916) 874-5491
Don Nottoli, Supervisor, District 5
e-mail nottolid@saccounty.net
(916) 874-5465
Terry Schutten, County Executive
e-mail SchuttenT@saccounty.net
(916) 874-5833
Sacramento County UC Cooperative Extension Programs
Sacramento County established Cooperative Extension in 1917 when an agreement was made with the University of California to provide Extension Service. Federal, state and county governments have cooperated since that time to meet the goal of Cooperative Extension: to help people and make a positive difference in their lives. For more detailed information about UCCE and its programs in Sacramento County, visit the web site: http://cesacramento.ucdavis.edu.
Please keep in mind that all of the following programs will cease to exist if Sacramento County enacts the proposed funding cuts.
Agriculture and Horticulture Programs
The UCCE Horticulture Advisor conducts research and educational programs on growing commercial fruit and nut trees, wine grapes and strawberries, as well as organizing meetings for landscape professionals and Master Gardeners. Research projects include integrated pest management studies and cover crop trials.
•advisor worked in collaboration with county agencies on important problems
•tree-pruning workshops for Sacramento International Airport (SIA) landscape personnel
•solved several SIA landscape problems
•created conceptual landscape plan for Mather Airport entrance
•with Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, worked to find the best grass species to plant on a former treated solid waste site
•with Agricultural Commissioner's office, monitored sites for redgum lerp psyllid, vine mealybug in grapes and olive fruit fly
•organized meetings for Sacramento County pear, grape and strawberry growers and consultants to discuss timely and important research results
•helped growers to make informed decisions about the most economical and safe methods of growing crops and controlling pests
• created and distributed five educational newsletters to 450 growers, consultants and interested individuals
•responded to calls and visits from commercial landscapers and growers for identification and diagnosis of plant disease and insect pest problems
_tested several new, organically acceptable products for control of codling moth in organic pear orchards
_responded to more than 300 calls about control for the redgum lerp psyllid in redgum eucalyptus trees in Sacramento County
_worked with California Pear Advisory Board and their funding of projects in Sacramento County worth $120,000 to study control of fire blight and codling moth
•Water Wise Pest Control Program (WWPC) partners Sacramento Stormwater Management Program, UCCE Master Gardeners and UC Integrated Pest Management Project to help protect the health of Sacramento's local waterways
•instructs residents on least-toxic and non-chemical pest management techniques
•trained volunteers serve at community events such as the County Fair, festivals and UC Master Gardener plant clinics
•150 volunteers served 913 hours, making more than 9000 contacts
•more than 19,500 pest control consumer cards distributed
_Fair Oaks Horticulture Center (FOHC) is a collaborative project between UCCE Sacramento County, Fair Oaks Park & Recreation District and Fair Oaks Water District. The Center is a demonstration facility designed to educate home gardeners and landscape professionals about growing edible and ornamental plants, and water efficient gardens using integrated pest management practices.
•horticulture advisor and volunteers conducted 7 workshops, tours, training sessions
•more than 2000 attended FOHC educational programs
•annual Harvest Day event attracted over 700 attendees to hear
speakers, watch demonstrations, view educational exhibits and tour the demonstration gardens
•gardens and Master Gardeners featured on PBS show California Heartland and HGTV's Gardening by the Yard
Master Gardeners
Master Gardener volunteers are trained and certified to extend University of California research-based information in Sacramento County through telephone, office and plant clinic consultations, school garden programs, and through mass media and our speaker's bureau. The information that Master Gardeners provide to Sacramento County residents helps them reduce pesticide use, conserve water, decrease green waste disposal at landfills, and prevent pollution of creeks and rivers. Currently there are 150 Master Gardener volunteers; of that number, 15 have been with the program for more than 20 years! Forty-three Master Gardeners have given more than 1000 volunteer hours, 5 have 2000-4000 hours, and 4 have over 4000 hours.
_Sacramento County program began in 1980; since then Master Gardeners have volunteered over 160,450 hours
_last year Master Gardeners spent more than 11,000 hours helping to educate the residents of Sacramento County, including 17,365 adults and 5,864 children contacted
_volunteers staffed 23 plant clinics at nurseries and garden centers, workshops, festivals and fairs
_5500 phone calls were answered by Master Gardeners in the office
_671 people visited the office to speak with a Master Gardener
_special events include
•Sacramento County Fair&emdash;4 days, 1100 booth visitors
•California State Fair&emdash;18 days, 4000 booth visitors
•Home Show&emdash;3 days, 800 booth visitors; 2500 attended 12 speaker presentations
_special projects include
•Easter Seals&emdash;garden project for developmentally disabled adults
•gardening with youth projects with a dozen schools
•working with Community Gardens throughout the county and the
Sacramento Community Garden Coalition
•Speaker's Bureau arranged 35 talks given to 740 people
•volunteers teach adult and continuing education classes at several schools and park districts
_media participation
•Sacramento Bee, California Life, Garden Detective&emdash;200+ letters answered; provided referrals for feature articles
• referred local/regional experts for Metro section articles
•local radio garden shows hosted by Lifetime Master Gardener Fred Hoffman, with frequent MG guests, as well as local and national television segments featuring Sacramento County Master Gardeners
4-H Youth Development
The 4-H program helps children grow through educational, fun,community-centered activities. Last year the program served more than 2560 young people throughout the county. The 4-H program is both effective and efficient, and has a demonstrated ability to build citizenship, leadership and life skills in youth who participate. Sacramento County programs include clubs, science literacy projects and camps.
4-H Club Program
_21 4-H clubs, from Galt to Rio Linda, serve 1000+ youth
_295 dedicated adult volunteers serve as club and project leaders
_clubs offer meaningful activities for children, especially in rural areas with few after-school options
_club participation encourages youth to learn and practice leadership and decision-making by helping to plan and run their own meetings
_members from 21 clubs participate in the Sacramento County Fair and the California State Fair
4-H Science Literacy Projects
_4-H after-school science education programs serve nearly 1200 young children in Sacramento County, benefiting both the teens who teach and the children who learn
_4-H trained and supported 68 teenagers to deliver the Youth Experiences in Science (YES) after-school science curriculum to almost1000 elementary school children in Sacramento County's poorest neighborhoods
_On the Wild Side environmental education program reaches over 150 4th through 6th grade children from low-income families, offering them the opportunity to experience and learn about the outdoors through overnight camping adventures
_211 children benefited from "portable projects" borrowed by teachers for classroom use
4-H Camps
_week-long summer camp at Las Posadas State Forest in Angwin, where Sacramento County teens direct many camp activities
_5-day day camp for 6 to 10 year old children
Master Food Preservers
Master Food Preserver (MFP) volunteers are trained and certified to provide up-to-date research-based information on safe food handling, preventing food borne illness, and preserving food safely at home. MFP volunteers provide assistance to the general public by telephone or in person at farmer's markets, county festivals and other Sacramento Countycommunity events, as well as through their speaker's bureau. Currently there are 52 Master Food Preserver volunteers; of that number 13 have been with the program for more than 10 years! Eighteen MFPs have given more than 1,000 volunteer hours, and 10 have 2,000-5,000 hours. The Sacramento County MFP program began in 1983; since then MFPs have volunteered over 51,850 hours. Last year, MFP volunteers spent more than 4750 hours providing information to residents of Sacramento County.
_conducted monthly public workshops attended by 250 participants
_answered 558 consumer telephone inquiries
_answered questions from 129 visitors to the office
_disseminated educational information and answered questions for 1050
individuals at the Sacramento County Fair, county farmer's markets, home shows, festivals and demonstrations
Community Development and Public Policy
Community Development personnel conduct research and educational programs, and collaborate with county and local governments, businesses and community organizations to strengthen community economic capacity and address public policy.
_UCCE and In-Home Supportive Services Public Agency (IHSS) designed and delivered a Caregiver Training Program
_526 individuals participated in the program to enhance skills and knowledge of in-home caregivers
Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences
These programs provide opportunities for families, individuals and youth to enhance their quality of living by providing resources that support independence and self-sufficiency.
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
This program educates children, youth and families who have limited economic resources about nutrition, physical fitness and health. EFNEP participants learn to improve their health by maintaining nutritionally balanced diets, thereby reducing health risks and illness in children, adolescents and adults. Last year EFNEP:
_served 508 limited resource families and 927 limited resource youth
_trained 32 leaders to educate school children about nutrition
_conducted education programs for WIC, Head Start, and Birth & Beyond
_taught 487 families about meal planning and price comparison shopping
_partnered with California Nutrition Network African American 5-a-Day Campaign
Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program (FSNEP)
FSNEP educates food stamp recipients about selecting and purchasing food, and preparing low-cost, well balanced meals for themselves andtheir families. Last year FSNEP:
_enrolled 473 youth
_served 153 adult food stamp recipients
Help Save Cooperative Extension in Sacramento County! Send your comments to: saveucce@yahoo.com