Cooperative Extension 'takes the University to the people,'
VP Gomes tells the Regents*

*Excerpts from the ANR Report, February, 1996

Cooperative Extension's job for the last 82 years has been to "take the University to the people" so that all Californians can benefit from the science-based information developed by UC's human, agricultural and natural resources programs, Vice President Gomes told the Regents in February.

In his remarks, Gomes noted that earlier this century CE programs focused almost exclusively on agriculture and the needs of rural families and communities. These efforts, he observed, helped develop " an agricultural industry that is one of the largest and most productive sectors of the California economy."

More recently, CE has broadened its focus to bring science-based knowledge to rural and urban residents alike. "The programs and activities of (CE) show how it has successfully responded to change and to the increasing social and economic complexities facing the Golden State," Gomes said. He used examples of CE efforts from throughout the state to show the Regents how UC is addressing the changing needs of California.

• In the future, much of CE's work will focus on the interface between agriculture, natural resources and the environment.

• CE advisors have a critical role in bringing science-based information to help resolve conflicts in natural resource use and land management.

"Our Extension faculty will continue to be innovative and productive in taking the University of California to the people of the state."

• He cited the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Programs (EFNEP). Each year more than 3,000 families learn how to save, on average, $150 a year on food costs. They also learn how good nutrition can improve health and lower the risks of diet-related diseases. Nearly 800 people enroll in a home study program each year. The programs also target food contractors serving seniors; last year these nutrition extenders used UC's curriculum to teach over 150 classes, ultimately benefiting over 9,000 seniors. EFNEP is a federally funded program for low-income families that operates in 17 California counties under the supervision of CE home economists.

• "Another important way in which we take human resource programs to the people in urban areas is through our 4-H after school activity program (4-H ASAP) in Los Angeles County," Gomes said. More than 1,000 inner city kids at 23 sites at or near public housing" are choosing the 4-H program instead of the streets," he noted.

  4-H ASAPs modeled after the Los Angeles program will soon open in Oakland and is in partnership with the Oakland Housing Authority. This site, as well as ones in Kansas City and Philadelphia, received partial funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

• Spanish Broadcast and Media Services at UC Riverside helps CE advisors and specialists bring research-based information to Spanish-speaking audiences through media outlets that reach 8.6 million Hispanics. These educational services focus on nutrition, food safety, pesticide training, farm-worker safety plus money management and other consumer issues.

• The statewide Integrated Pest Management Program is an outstanding example of how CE helps both large-scale and small-scale growers control damage from pests.

• CE's small-farm advisors help growers who often make do with limited physical resources and limited knowledge. Along with one-on-one assistance, these specially trained professionals provide valuable information to their clientele through CE publications adapted in many languages, including Spanish, Punjabi and Hmong.