A n n u a l R e p o r tMarin County 2001 - 2002

U N I V E R S I T Y O FC A L I F O R N I A

C O O P E R A T I V EE X T E N S I O N

Our Mission & Goals

T he University of California Cooperative Extension in Marin is part of a statewidesystem that makes UC research based information available to local agencies, indus-

tries and the public. Cooperative Extension's mission is to serve California through thecreation, development and application of knowledge in agricultural, natural andhuman resources.

Academic staff are at the forefront of change.Goals include working to preserve agricul-ture, protecting our environment, helpingcommunities shape wise public policy, andstrengthening community development andleadership skills in our youth and adults. InMarin County we are also known as theFarm Advisor's office.

Our programs operate through a uniquepartnership between county government, theUC system, support from the USDA, andother private funds. Backed by the resources

of the UC campuses, our educational programs use practically applied research informa-tion to solve community problems. We consult with individuals and organizations, pub-lish newsletters, conduct local applied research, produce information for mass media, andconduct seminars and workshops.

Serving both Marin and Sonoma counties, the livestock, marine, range, and dairy sci-ence programs work with producers, industry representatives, resource agencies, andother interested groups addressing the following topics:

Agriculture and Natural Resources with a special focus on:promoting and diversifying Marin agricultureenvironmental protectionwater quality in Marin watershedsanimal health & welfare

Urban Horticulture with a special focus on:providing Integrated Pest Management information to landscape industrycoordination of Sudden Oak Death information locallyvolunteer Master Gardeners providing community service at schools, community gardens and other public spaces

4-H Youth Development with a special focus on:providing nutrition and gardening education and curricular materialshands-on project based learningscience literacy4-H teen teachers and mentors program

2001-2002 Funding SourcesFederal $ 67,410County 204,555University 369,753Grants 262,953Gifts 2,500Direct funding comes from four primary sources: Federal 8%, State 39%, County 24%, and external grants at29%. For every $1 the county provides other sources contribute $4.

University of CaliforniaAcademic Advisors:

Ellie RillaDirector/Advisor, Marin

Pavel Svihra, Ph.D.Environmental Horticulture

Jane Chin Young4-H Youth Development

Cross County Advisorshoused in another county who serve clientele in Marin County:

Stephanie LarsonLivestock & Range Management

David LewisWatershed Management

Paul Olin, Ph.D.Sea Grant Marine Advisor

Paul VossenSpecialty Crops

UC Non-Academic StaffCindy Jensen4-H Program Representative

Dennis SalisberryDairy Water Quality Consultant

Grant Funded Support StaffJulie CarterIPM Program

Kim Keirnan/Janice AlexanderSudden Oak Death Regional Coordinator

Elsa LatiniFood Stamp Nutrition Education Program

Steve QuirtOrganic & Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator

Cathy SinclairSchool Gardens Program

Marin County StaffEffie CookSecretary

Terry McNally4-H Secretary

Pam Hartwell-Herrero PresidentMaster Gardener Program

Student InternMelissa Cheda PoncettaDairy Quality Assurance

Charise CordaAgricultural Producers Survey

S T A F F M I S S I O N & G O A L S

V O L U N T E E R SS P E C I A L E V E N T S

Special Events

Second Annual Sudden Oak Death SummitCoordinators: County of Marin; Multi-county Planning Committee; California OakMortality Task ForceCo-sponsors: Counties of Mendocino, Monterey, Sonoma, Napa, Alameda175 people from 18 counties representing parks, fire, agriculture, neighborhood asso-ciations, special districts and local, state and federal agencies attended the summit fora briefing on the latest information on the disease.

Library SeriesCoordinator: Mary Short, Master Gardener Master Gardener volunteers taught a range of fall and spring gardening talks for 172Marin residents at the Novato, San Rafael and Mill Valley public libraries. MasterGardeners focus on the least toxic approaches to solving horticultural problems andstress reduction of plant waste through composting and conservation of waterthrough appropriate plant selection.

Farm DayCoordinator: Jane Chin Young, PlanningCommitteeCo-sponsors: Marin County Office of Education;Farm Bureau; Marin Agricultural Land Trust;Marin Farmers Market; Marin County Fair &Exposition; Marin Center; 4-H Council; CorteMadera-Sausalito Farmers MarketOver 2,000 Marin schoolchildren ages 4-10attend this annual educational event at thecounty exhibit hall where live animal andinteractive exhibits teach about the heritageand diversity of Marin agriculture. Awardsare given for the best essays and murals.

The Real Poop II: Livestock Agriculture and Water QualityAdvisor: David Lewis Co-sponsor: Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT)The second in a two-part series of community lectures was presented in conjunctionwith studies being conducted in Tomales Bay. Professor James Moore from OregonState University offered research from Tillamook Bay that can provide lessons forTomales Bay. A total of 60 community members attended.

4-H Program EventsAdvisors: Jane Chin Young & Cindy JensenCooperators: Marin 4-H Council; 4-H volunteerleaders; community organizations4-H reached over 4,000 people through organ-ized clubs and groups, collaborative events andfairs. 295 adult volunteer leaders donated23,360 hours of service. With an enrollment of650 youth members, community clubs providedlearning and growth opportunities throughcommunity service and leadership programs.Almost 1,000 more youth in schools and youthcenters participated in special interest projectsin embryology, environmental education, andgardening.

Total Volunteer Hours in FY 2001-2002

4-H Youth DevelopmentProgram295 adult volunteers donated atotal of 23,360 hoursDonated Value Equivalent$513,920

Master Gardener Program134 volunteers donated a totalof 14,305 hoursDonated Value Equivalent $314,710

Department Total: 429 volun-teers donated 37,665 hours.

Volunteer and CommunityRecognitionKathleen and Don Seaman, of the4-H guide dog volunteers pro-gram, received a recognitionaward for their 22 years of serv-ice at a Board of Supervisorsceremony.

Jim Jensen, of the Tomales 4-Hclub, was selected as one of 8teens to represent California atthe National 4-H Conference inMaryland. Jim is a senior atTomales High School and stu-dent body president.

Jim Farley, Manager at theMarin Center, was recognizedby the Marin 4-H Council as the2001 Friend of 4-H recipient attheir annual awards programfor his exemplary service to theMarin 4-H program.

Kathy Reiffenstein, outgoingMarin Master Gardener boardpresident, was honored for herwork on the Marin IndependentJournal weekly column and her5 years of volunteer service tothe community.

Organic & Sustainable Agriculture ProgramFunding: Clarence E. Heller Foundation;County of Marin; UC SustainableAgriculture Research & EducationProgram (SAREP)Duration: 2002-2005The project is designed to strengthenthe viability and long-term success ofMarin agriculture by assisting farmersand ranchers with diversification. The“Grown in Marin” program has severalcomponents including ongoing speakerseries on crop and farm diversification, amonthly newsletter with information aboutnew and profitable marketing opportunities, field trialsassistance and the production of a web-based directory con-necting farmers to consumers.

Sudden Oak Death (SOD) Regional CoordinationFunding: California Department of Forestry; California OakMortality Task ForceDuration: 2001-2003Staff ecologist Janice Alexander provides regional and countycoordination on Sudden Oak Death in close cooperation withthe California Oak Mortality Task Force. Last fiscal year over2,000 Marin residents were provided information about SOD.Janice maintains a database on current research efforts, andprovides education materials and assistance to other infectedcounties.

Bay Area Gardening, Practical Essays by Marin Master GardenersFunding: DonationsThis book contains 66 concise, informative pieces on a widerange of gardening topics, all written by Marin CountyMaster Gardeners. Originally written for a weekly columnin the Marin Independent Journal, each topic in this vol-ume reflects basic philosophies such as non-toxic solu-tions to common pest problems, wise use of naturalresources and reliance on a balanced ecology to createhealthy, sustainable gardens. Proceeds from the sale of thebook go towards supporting community service projects in Marin.

2001-2002 Special Project Highlights

2 0 0 1 - 2 0 0 2 S P E C I A L P R O J E C T S

Food Stamp Nutrition Education ProgramFunding: USDA & California Department of Social ServicesDuration: 2002-2003Marin County 4-H is participating in the Youth Food Stamp NutritionEducation Program (FSNEP) through USDA and the CaliforniaDepartment of Social Services. This program promotes a healthy lifestylefor youth and their families who receive food stamps. Staff work withschool programs to offer nutrition education. At the completion of the fed-eral year, FSNEP had served 708 youth members, 75% of whom wereunder age 5 and 70% represented minority groups.

Marin Master Gardener IPM & School Garden Outreach ProjectFunding: Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program(MCSTOPPP)Duration: 1999-2003Julie Carter and Cathy Sinclair coordinated the Public IPM and SchoolGarden programs funded by MCSTOPPP. Over 21 schools received con-sulting on how to start, maintain and integrate their garden into the schoolcurriculum. Information and materials on least toxic alternatives to house-hold and garden pests were provided to almost 2,000 Marin residents atvarious workshops and special events held throughout the county.

What participants had to sayabout recent services:

Thanks so much for this wonderfulbook. It will be a great comfort whenthe weather is too bad for outside gar-dening. Thanks also to the MasterGardeners desk that provided bonusinformation on gophers. I havedeclared war on the varmint that atemy blue oat grass clump.

-Rosemary Bacy

My dad and I visited your office manytimes and with your help, we wereable to identify many of the plants atmy biology project site includinggrasses, wildflowers and 3 species ofoaks. I was able to earn a 92% on myfinal project!

-Andy Zalko

Thank you for the superb job you andyour staff did in putting on the 2ndAnnual Sudden Oak death Summit. Itwas one of the smoothest events I haveever attended, crisply and efficientlyprogrammed from beginning to end.

-Supervisor Cynthia Murray

This is an exciting time for agricul-ture in Marin and UC SAREP'svisionary support of the organic andsustainable agriculture coordinator isone reason for that. Workshops havebeen well received and Steve is gettingto know the concerns of rancherscountywide.

-Warren Weber, Organic Farmer

It is a pleasure to work with JaneChin Young of UCCE on issues relat-ing to child health. She has providedinvaluable leadership and resources tothe Marin Children and WeightCoalition of which I am co-facilitator.The wealth of knowledge and enthusi-asm that Jane brings to all of our proj-ects is most inspiring.

-Beverly Busher,Executive Director,American Academy of Pediatrics

T E S T I M O N I A L S2 0 0 1 - 2 0 0 2 S P E C I A L P R O J E C T S

Dairy Quality Assurance ProgramAdvisor: Stephanie LarsonMarin Dairy producers attended the trainings held inPetaluma and at least 50% of Marin producers have beencertified. The certification process was establishedstatewide to ensure a quality milk product and that pro-ducers have met specific environmental stewardship stan-dards.

Grown in Marin Speakers SeriesCoordinators: Steve Quirt & Ellie RillaCo-sponsors: Marin Organic; Marin Agricultural Land TrustFunding: Clarence E. Heller Foundation; UC SAREPSemi-monthly workshops in Pt Reyes for Marin farmersand ranchers with expert panels on value added and cropdiversification topics.

2002 Marin Master Gardener TrainingCoordinators: Tish Buckley & Cathy TeagueMaster Gardeners coordinated this 16 week course onhorticulture for 35 selected Marin residents. Class gradu-ates become interns and provide at least 50 hours of com-munity service at the office desk and in the community.

Expanding Your Business PotentialAdvisor: Ellie RillaCo-sponsors: Redwood Empire Small Business DevelopmentCenter; Marin Organic35 agricultural producers attended an afternoon sessionon business plan development and successful marketingtechniques from local entrepreneurs.

Winter Workshop for GrapegrowersAdvisor: Ellie RillaCo-sponsors: Marin Grape Growers Association; AgriculturalCommissioner’s OfficePacheco Winery was the site for an afternoon workshopfor 25 Marin commercial and non-commercial grapegrowers on erosion control, organic practices and varietaltrials.

Water Quality WorkshopsAdvisors: Stephanie Larson & David LewisSeveral local workshops were held for producers onriparian pastures and grazing management, waterdevelopment off stream, solar pumps, and fundingopportunities for improving grazing practices.

Estate Planning WorkshopAdvisor: Stephanie LarsonCo-sponsor: Marin County Resource Conservation DistrictLandowners attended an evening workshop on estateand financial planning for their ranch operations withpresentations from an estate attorney, a CPA, and aconservation easement expert.

Nutrient Budgeting for DairiesAdvisors: Stephanie Larson & Dennis SalisburyMore stringent water quality regulations for dairy andother animal operations may have serious impacts fordairy operators. A workshop on budgeting dairy nutri-ents for maximum use in field fertilization applicationswas conducted for Marin and Sonoma dairy producers.New TMDL standards and compliance levels will rollout in 2003.

Quarantine Compliance for Sudden Oak Death (SOD)Advisor: Pavel SvihraCo-sponsors: California Oak Mortality Task Force; CDFA;CDFFP; USDA Forest Service; Cities of Novato and San RafaelDaylong training was provided to 147 arborists andlandscapers in June on sampling, recognition, and quar-antine compliance for Sudden Oak Death. The coursefulfilled California Department of Food & Agriculturerequirement that arborists and landscapers be certifiedas non-regulatory SOD samplers.

Sudden Oak Death (SOD) Community PresentationsCoordinator: Kim KeirnanKim presented SOD updates to over 2,000 Marin andBay Area residents at gardening clubs, Lions Clubs,Native Plant Society, K-12 & college classes,Conservation Corps, and park staff meetings.

C O N F E R E N C E S , W O R K S H O P S & T O U R S

R E S E A R C H

Tomales Bay Water Quality ProjectAdvisor: David LewisCooperator: Tomales Bay Agricultural Producers GroupThis three year study monitored fecal coliform levels atten cooperating dairy and beef operations in theTomales Bay watershed. Producers are working to bet-ter manage nutrient outputs in order to minimize thenutrient loading to the Bay. The results from thisresearch will assist operators in better responding to theanticipated TMDL requirements for reduced fecal col-iform regulated and enforced by the Regional WaterQuality Control Board.

Phytophthora ramorum Infection Rate and SymptomProgression in a Natural ForestAdvisor: Pavel SvihraCooperators: Dr. Dave Wood, UC Berkeley; Dr. BriceMcPherson, UC BerkeleyA team of UC Berkeley researchers is studying the roleof beetles in the deaths of SOD-infected trees. Sites arelocated on Marin Open Space District lands with fund-ing for the field research provided by the CaliforniaDepartment of Forestry.

Native Oyster RestorationAdvisor: Paul OlinCooperators: Hog Island Oyster Co.; UC Davis; RombergTiburon CenterOyster shell bags and native olympia oysters are beingoutplanted in Tomales Bay as part of a multi-yearresearch project to restore oyster populations andimprove the overall ecology of Bay plant and animal

communities. Research has demonstrated an increase inthe diversity and abundance of fish and invertebrates,and enhanced native oyster populations by providinggood substrate for larvae to settle.

Agricultural Conservation Easement SurveyAdvisor: Ellie RillaCooperators: Dr. Al Sokolow, UC Davis; Marin AgriculturalLand Trust; Yolo Land Trust; Sonoma Co. AgriculturalPreservation & Open Space DistrictForty-six agricultural landowners from Marin, Sonomaand Yolo counties who had sold conservation easementswere interviewed to assess their satisfaction with theireasements. The landowners in most cases were enthusi-astic sellers. Their motivations included cash, keepingthe land in the family and conservation. They reportedgenerally satisfactory experiences with the easement pro-gram.

Copper Sulfate Effectiveness for SOD PreventionAdvisor: Pavel SvihraCooperators: City of Novato; Dr. Matteo Garbelotto,Extension Specialist & Adjunct Professor at UC BerkeleyTrials are underway, in cooperation with Dr. MatteoGarbelotto and other cooperators, for a preventativetreatment for Sudden Oak Death. The trial looks at theeffectiveness of preventing P. ramorum infection onmature coast live oaks with a copper sulfate spray. Thefield trials have been in place for the past year and arecontinuing this year at Miwok Park in Novato.

Phosphonate Effectiveness for SOD PreventionAdvisor: Pavel SvihraCooperators: Dr. Matteo Garbelotto, ExtensionSpecialist & Adjunct Professor at UC Berkeley; Marin CountyOpen Space District With funding from USDA Forest Service, trials areunderway to determine the effectiveness of phosphonateinjections on 30 P. ramorum infected trees as a preventa-tive. The team is monitoring each tree's health.

Private Agencies, Businesses and OrganizationsAmerican Academy of PediatricsCalifornia Aquaculture Association California Forest Pest CouncilCalifornia Oak Mortality Task ForceCommunity Alliance with Family Farmers Environmental Education Council of MarinHog Island Oyster CompanyInternational Society of Arboriculture, Western ChapterMarin Agricultural Land TrustMarin Agricultural Education AllianceMarin Art and Garden CenterMarin Community FoundationMarin Conservation LeagueMarin County Farm BureauMarin Farmers MarketMarin Food Policy CouncilMarin Food Systems ProjectMarin Grape Growers AssociationMarin ReLeafMarin OrganicNorthbay Woolgrowers AssociationPacific Aquaculture CaucusPacific Coast Shellfish Growers AssociationPt. Reyes Lions ClubRichardson Bay Audubon SanctuarySEEDSlide RanchThe Bay InstituteTomales Bay Agricultural GroupTomales Bay Oyster CompanyTomales Bay Watershed CouncilWestern United Dairymen

Public Agencies and OrganizationsCalifornia Department of Fish and GameCalifornia Department of Food and AgricultureCalifornia Department of Forestry and Fire ProtectionCalifornia Department of Health ServicesCity of NovatoCity of San RafaelFireSafe MarinMarin Agriculture Commissioner's OfficeMarin County LibrariesMarin County Office of EducationMarin Municipal Water DistrictMarin County Resource Conservation DistrictMarin County Wildlife & Fisheries CommitteeMCSTOPPPNational Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Wildlife Research CenterNatural Resources Conservation ServiceNorth Marin Water DistrictParks, Open Space and Cultural ServicesPt. Reyes National SeashoreRedwood Empire Small Business Development Center

Regional Water Quality Control BoardTomales Bay Shellfish TACUC Forest Products LabUC Small Farm CenterUSDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region

Schools (pre-school, elementary, high school, college)Bahia Vista ElementaryBodega Marine Laboratory, UC DavisBrookside Upper and Lower CampusCollege of MarinDepartment of Agronomy and Range Science, UC DavisDepartment of Community Development, UC DavisDepartment of Conservation & Natural Resources, UC BerkeleyDepartment of Fish, Wildlife & Conservation Biology, UC DavisDepartment of Forestry, UC BerkeleyDepartment of Plant Pathology, UC DavisDepartment of Environmental Science Policy & Management, UC BerkeleyDixie ElementaryEdna Maguire ElementaryOld Gallinas Children's CenterHamilton Child Development CenterHamilton ElementaryLagunitas School DistrictLaurel Dell ElementaryLu Sutton SchoolMarin Academic CenterMary E. Silveira SchoolMiller Creek SchoolNovato Charter SchoolNovato High SchoolNovato Youth CenterPark ElementaryRoss ElementarySan DominicoSan Jose Middle SchoolSan Pedro SchoolSt. Isabella SchoolSt. Marks SchoolStrawberry Pt. SchoolTam Valley ElementaryTerra Linda High SchoolUC IHRM ProgramUC Forest Products LabVallicito SchoolVeterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, Tulare

Published by the University of CaliforniaCooperative Extension, Marin CountySteve Quirt, Ellie Rilla, EditorsFrances Healey, Assistant

Partnerships and CollaborationsUCCE is dedicated to the principle of service, and believes that an informed and educated citizenry is necessary for the continueddevelopment of our society. Our goal is to ensure that high quality, creative and integrated research and extension programs are estab-lished and conducted in Marin County. To accomplish this, we need the help and expertise of many other groups and organizations.Following is a list of some of the groups with whom we collaborated this past year to accomplish many of our jointly held goals.

In accordance with applicable State and Federal laws and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate in any of itspolicies, procedures, or practices on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, veteran status,medical condition, ancestry, citizenship or disability. Inquiries regarding this policy may be addressed to the Affirmative Action Director,University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin Street, 6th floor, Oakland, CA 94607-5200, (510) 987-0096.Printed on (100% post consumer waste) recycled paper

UC Cooperative Extension, Marin County1682 Novato Blvd., Suite 150BNovato, CA 94947