From the UC Blogosphere...

Stink Bug on a Bee

When  self-described "rock artist" Donna Billick of Davis created the morphologically correct honey bee sculpture for...

Consperse stink bug, Euschistus conspersus, crawls on the bee sculpture in the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Consperse stink bug, Euschistus conspersus, crawls on the bee sculpture in the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

It's not visible in this photo, but there's a stink bug is on the left antenna of the "Miss Bee Haven" sculpture created by Donna Billick of Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

It's not visible in this photo, but there's a stink bug on the left antenna of the "Miss Bee Haven" sculpture created by Donna Billick of Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Farm advisor Allan Fulton a 'western innovator'

Capital Press writer Tim Hearden called UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Allan Fulton a "western innovator" in a feature story about the 21-year UCCE veteran.

Fulton became interested in an agricultural career during childhood working on his grandfather's ranch in Colorado. He served as an irrigation farm advisor in Kings County for 9 years and, after a 4-year stint in private industry, joined Tehama County Cooperative Extension as the irrigation and water resources advisor 12 years ago.

Fulton publishes weekly soil moisture loss reports based on real-time regional weather conditions, helped develop the mathematical equation that allows growers to figure out how much water is needed for irrigation at a given time of year and visits farms to advise growers on their irrigation systems.

"In extension, it's a great opportunity to always be learning," he said. ". . . The biggest reward is when somebody hears of a new idea, puts it into use and is happy with the benefit from it."

At a field day in Chico, Allan Fulton shares information on the different methods available for managing tailwater runoff from irrigated fields.

Getting the Red Out

What's that?When award-winning photographer Teresa Willis of Vacaville encountered a red caterpillar on a dirt road at...

Larvae of an owlet moth turned bright red by the parasitic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. (Photo by Teresa Willis)

Larvae of an owlet moth turned bright red by the parasitic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. (Photo by Teresa Willis)

Red caterpillar on the move--but it probably won't be eaten by birds. (Photo by Teresa Willis)

Red caterpillar on the move--but it probably won't be eaten by birds. (Photo by Teresa Willis)

In Pursuit of Ants

Ants are such tiny critters. But they're much more than that. Much more. Ant specialist Brian Fisher, an entomologist with...

Ants crawl along a vine. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ants crawl along a vine. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC farm advisor recognized for contributions to ag

UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Joseph Connell was honored this week for his career-long contributions to Butte County agriculture, according to the Chico Enterprise. He was one of four community leaders recognized as part of the annual Farm City Celebration.

The Farm City Committee acknowledged Connell's broad range of scientific, practical and professional competence and his fairness. Connell began his UCCE career in 1977 and moved to Butte County in 1980, where he has been responsible for almonds, walnuts, olives, citrus and ornamentals.

Gold Spotted Oak Borer infesting oak trees in So Cal
Angela Meyers, Big Bear News

Although the limited number of oaks in Big Bear mean the Gold Spotted Oak Borer doesn't pose a serious threat in the community, the local newspaper advised its readers that trees in nearby Yucaipa and Live Oak are in danger. The story suggested readers interested in more information visit UC ANR's Gold Spotted Oak Borer website.

Farm Smart starts corny lessons for local students
Elizabeth Varin, Imperial Valley Press

The UC Desert Research and Extension Center is kicking off its new season of Farm Smart, which educates students about natural and renewable resources, including agriculture. The program combines hands-on activities, such as visiting a corn maze and making corn starch plastic, with historical lessons, on such topics as the uses of bandanas and traditions behind hoedowns, said Nancy Caywood Robertson, education outreach coordinator for the Farm Smart program.

“Our No. 1 rule is they have to have fun,” she said. “Are you having fun?” she asked the crowd.

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