News | Arizona Cooperative Extension News

State Pumps More Money into $30M Effort That Will Cut Ag Water Use, Fund Science

In the News

From AzFamily.com, September 10

Inflation Reduction Act funding helps Yuma farmers grow sustainably

“We’ve had a number of farms in Pinal County that would be out of business if it wasn’t for this program, and when it goes out of business, you create a fallow field that produces dust,” said Ethan Orr, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension associate director for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Economic Development.

Driven by research, Orr and his team at the University of Arizona work closely with farmers across the state to help them improve farming practices. He said in the Yuma Valley, most farmers already farm at 90% efficiency. “And so the question is do we want to support our farmers, maintain food and a healthy environment or not,” Orr says.

Track the Monsoon

Cooperative Extension scientists have long been at the forefront of climate science in the United States, and now we’ve compiled their work in a monsoon guide.

Photo of lightning and saguaro cactuses — Many parts of southern Arizona get half of their annual rainfall from June – September. Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and frequent lightning sweep across the desert, leaving an explosion of life in their wake.

Take a deep dive into what monsoon is and how it works
Track rainfall across the state
Track the “greenness” of the state as monsoon rains spark plant growth
Become a citizen scientist and help RainLog track precipitation in your neighborhood

Get to Know Your Monsoon

In the News

From Ag Daily, September 13

Does success in agriculture require an academic degree?

In the course of one day a farmer could be working on marketing, finances, insurance, and more. As a farmer we are expected to be proficient in all of these, but each one is a career path in its own right. Which begs the question, is a formal education necessary to be a successful producer?

Dr. Ayman Mostafa with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension doesn’t believe that a disconnect exists between academia and the realities of farming and feels that a formal agricultural education is an important part of modern farming. Based on his experience at Extension, he contends that “almost all successful, long-term and innovative growers and ag professionals are those who have their academic degree.”

Dave Long, a 4-H volunteer in Dewey, is teaching members of the Lonesome Valley Wranglers how to use a wood lathe. The kids will make wood bowls, then later as their skills develop, more complex projects. For information about 4-H programs in your area, check out the Explore link at the top of this page.

Group of teens with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and Yuma Mayor Doug Nichols met recently with six of Arizona's seven 4-H ambassadors. The elected ambassadors represent the organization at events across the state.

Photo of a helicopter hovering over a lake

(DEWEY, Arizona) – Gatherings at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension’s Harold and Mitzie James 4-H Camp and Outdoor Learning Center were canceled the week of July 23 when the nearby Grapevine and Racetrack fires got near the 55-acre compound. A U.S. Forest Service firefighting crew used the pond at the camp to collect water to douse the flames, which were moving away from the camp.

Youth from across Arizona gathered this week at Maricopa County 4-H Camp GRIT. The goal is simple: to create lasting memories. GRIT defines what 4-H camp is all about - GROWING, learning new things and growing old skills; REACHING, disconnecting from day-to-day life and connecting to a hand-on learning environment; IMPACTING, getting positive impressions; and TOMORROW, preparing to tackle any challenge you might face tomorrow.

Miriam and Noah Orozco take advantage of baby gym class at Santa Cruz County Cooperative Extension's Rio Rico Family Resource Center. For more information, find the Santa Cruz County Extension page in Locations at the top of this page.

The Yuma master gardeners recently harvested 1,442 pounds of cabbage and cauliflower from the Farm to Family garden at the Yuma Agricultural Center, bringing their annual harvest to 29,637 pounds. All of the food is donated to the Yuma Community Food Bank.

State Pumps More Money into $30M Effort That Will Cut Ag Water Use, Fund Science

Tuesday

University of Arizona Web Dashboard Opens Needs Assessment Data to Public

Thursday

Cooperative Extension's Sharon Megdal Talks Water with UArizona President Robbins

Wednesday

Photo of 4-H youth at Washington Monument

State 4-H Ambassadors Get Engaged - with the Federal Government in Washington

July 21, 2023

Prepare for Wildfires with Advice From Cooperative Extension Experts

June 30, 2023

Photo of Robert Masson in a lettuce field

University of Arizona Study Paves Way Toward Water Savings, Increased Crop Yields

June 22, 2023

Have a Story Idea?

We are always looking for stories that show the impact of Cooperative Extension work. If you have a story you would like to see on this News page, or if you have a comment or suggestion, please contact Brad Poole at bradpoole@arizona.edu.

All Extension news page stories are vetted by the Cooperative Extension communications team and available for journalists to use as they would news releases. Please attribute stories or passages taken from the news page to Arizona Cooperative Extension.

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