News | Arizona Cooperative Extension News

4-H Metalworking Projects Helping Youth Across Arizona Explore New Possibilities

In the News

From Broomfield Enterprise, November 7

People and Plants: Bring out veggies’ wild cultures with kimchi

Fermented foods are beneficial to the gut microbiome, which is made up of “trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that inhabit our intestinal tracts.” Researchers believe a healthy gut microbiome is associated with lower levels of inflammation in the body.

According to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, the probiotics in kimchi may prevent inflammation, lower cholesterol and have beneficial effects on the immune system. Napa cabbage, one of the main ingredients in kimchi, is high in fiber and may be beneficial in “preventing stomach cancer.” Interestingly, “research has found lactobacillus (extracted from kimchi) to be effective against avian influenza (bird flu).”

2023 Monsoon Totals

Check our Extension monsoon guide for season totals for this year's monsoon, which ended September 30.

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
Check monsoon rainfall across the state
Check the “greenness” of the state after monsoon rains
Be ready for next year - Become a citizen scientist and help RainLog track precipitation in your neighborhood

See 2023 Monsoon Statistics

In the News

From Tucson.com, October 31

Planting tips for higher elevations around Tucson

Thanks to the four mountain ranges surrounding our beautiful city, the Tucson area has a variety of microclimates. These microclimates affect the plants that you can grow in your yard.

For example, if you’re located in Patagonia, you’re at over 4,000 feet in elevation, compared to around 2,500 feet in Tucson. Tucson also exhibits the effect of the urban heat island which more rural areas don’t experience. This changes your gardening zone. Tucson is considered to be Zone 9b (USDA) or Sunset Zone 12. Sierra Vista, on the other hand, is USDA Zone 8b and Sunset Zone 10.

You can also check out the plant list in the University of Arizona publication mentioned above, “Arizona Climate Zones and their Application to Growing Plants.”

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.

Nutrition a Thread Through History for Women in Extension

March 14, 2023

UArizona Research in Yuma Helps Fight Global Spinach Nemesis

Feb. 27, 2023

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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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