Kings County Coop Extension honored as Ag Supporter of the Year by Lemoore Chamber

The UCCE’s 64 California offices, including the one in Kings County, are local problem-solving centers. They are the bridge between local issues and the power of UC research. The county-based staffers are part of the community they live and work in.

More than 300 campus-based specialists and county-based farm, home, and youth advisors work as teams to bring practical, unbiased, science-based answers to problems across California.

As part of the agricultural community, UCCE helps farmers develop more efficient growing methods, solve pest management problems and develop irrigation methods that use less water. As stewards of the land, UCCE helps develop smart water-use strategies, develop wildfire education and help preserve natural areas and farmland.

As advocates for healthy communities, UCCE promotes healthy diets and exercise for better health, helps Californians learn to choose the most nutritious foods and helps shape the citizens of tomorrow through the 4-H Youth Development programs.

Thousands of volunteers extend the reach of their work through the Master Gardener Program and the California 4-H Youth Development Program. UCCE works in full partnership with federal state, county and private resources. They are stewards, problem-solvers, catalysts, collaborators and educators.

For 100 years, UC Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists have worked with communities across the state to solve economic, agricultural, natural resource, youth development and nutrition issues. They trace their roots to legislation signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, the Morrill Act that created the land grant universities.

This year the Chamber is also recognizing the efforts of UCCE Emeritus Farm Advisor, Bob Beede. After two years as a staff research associate for tree crops and grapes at the Kearney Agricultural Center, Beede acquired the farm advisor position for grapes, tree fruits, nuts and vegetables in Kings County in December, 1980.

Beede is recognized as the world authority in pistachio production, one of the key advisors for walnuts culture and the father of ReTain, a plant growth regulator which he discovered and developed commercial use guidelines for to solve the 40-year-old problem of pistillate flower abortion in walnuts.

Tickets for the Annual Jack Stone Salute to Agriculture Banquet are available from the Chamber of Commerce office at 924-6401. There will be no tickets sold at the event.