Solano County

UC Coop




Can someone come out to my property and prune my trees? Do I need a uniform to be part of the 4-H? How do I become a Master Gardener? What do I have to do? How do I contact a Community Leader? How do I get my child into a UC school? How do I preserve my blankets and quilts and other textiles? How do I view a copy of the Master Gardeners’ newsletter Seeds for Thought? How much does it cost to be a Master Gardener? How much does it cost to join the 4-H? I am a hunter and I’m hunting deer. Are there any considerations if I want to eat venison? I am concerned about my child and childhood obesity. How can I obtain any additional information? I bought a pressure canner at a garage sale, but its missing some parts. How do I order these replacement parts? I bought a pressure canner at a garage sale. Will you test it to ensure that it works properly? I bought some grapes to make grape juice, but it tastes terrible. What did I do wrong? I don’t have an animal, can I still join 4-H? I found some blackberries on the road side. Are these safe to eat? I have a home food business and I have some questions. Who should I talk to? I have an animal that I don’t want any more. What should I do? I have bees on my property and need to get rid of them. What should I do? I have snails in my yard and want to know if I can use them for escargot. How do I do this? I have weeds in my yard. Which ones can I eat? I need to sample my soil. How do I do this? I want to be a volunteer leader for 4-H. How do I become one? I want to can fruit and vegetables. How do I do this? I want to go to a local Farmers’ Market. How do I find one? I want to know more about the community workshop schedules. Who do I talk to? I want to learn more about the local food systems. Who do I talk to? I want to pick mushrooms in my yard or in the wild. Which ones can I eat? I want to preserve my own olives. How do I do this? I want to send a military package to someone overseas. How do I do this? I want to talk to someone about childhood obesity. Who can I talk to? I’d like more information about canning, freezing, preserving, curing and smoking a variety of fruits, vegetables and meats. Where can I obtain information on how to do this? I’d like to receive a copy of the ANR Catalog. How do I get a copy? I’m planning a holiday meal. Who should I contact regarding food preparation? If I have specific gardening questions. Who can I talk to? My freezer was turned off for several days. Is the food still good to eat? My garden has bugs and I want to get rid of them. What do I do? My turkey is thawing in my car. Is it safe to eat? What age groups participate in 4-H? What are some of the 4-H projects? What does the University of California Cooperative Extension do? What is the 4-H Club? What is the Master Gardener Hotline? What is the Master Gardeners’ program? Who are the Master Gardeners? Where are 4-H club meetings held? Where can I find the Master Gardener workshop schedule? Can someone come out to my property and prune my trees? UC Coop nor the Master Gardeners do not come out to private property to trim trees and shrubs. Please call a tree service. One can be found in the local phone book make sure they are certified and bonded operators. Do I need a uniform to be part of the 4-H? No. A uniform cannot be required for membership in 4-H. While caps and scarves and uniform items are available, they are never a requirement for membership. Some livestock shows and local fairs do require 4-H’ers to wear uniforms when exhibiting animals. When this is the case, check with your project leaders for the requirements. How do I become a Master Gardener? What do I have to do? Take a 10 week course and after attending all class sessions, and the final exam is completed, trainees receive a graduation certificate. New Master Gardeners are required to contribute fifty hours of community volunteer work during the next twelve months. Applications will be accepted through mid October. Late applications will not be processed. These costs will vary, for more information complete service request and you will receive a callback. To remain certified, every year thereafter, twenty-five hours of volunteer activity is required as well as 12 hours of continuing education. UCCE approved volunteer opportunities are available for Master Gardeners to extend University research based information to the gardening community in Solano County. The Project Coordinator of the UC Master Gardner Program- Jennifer Baumbach 707.784.1321 or you can go to http://camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu/ or www.solanocounty.com Cooperative Extension for more information or go to http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu/ and look under "Master Gardeners. How do I contact a Community Leader? Go to the http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu/ website then 4-H and select How To Join Solano County 4-H on the left side of the page, then under FAQ select Where are 4-H club meetings held and how do I contact a community leader? How do I get my child into a UC school? This is not a question UC Coop can answer. You will need to go to the UC school website for information on this. How do I preserve my blankets and quilts and other textiles? Please call the UC CoOP main phone number at 707.784.1317 during normal business hours for more information. If after hours, or if no one is available, please leave a voice mail. You can also get this information at the library or the UC Davis Textile Department. How do I view a copy of the Master Gardeners’ newsletter Seeds for Thought? UC Coop external website at http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu/ then have them click on Master Gardeners, then on the left margin select “Newsletters”. You can also sign up for the newsletter online and one will be sent to you if you live in the county. You can also call the UC Coop main phone number at 707.784.1317 during normal business hours for more information. If after hours, please leave a voice mail. How much does it cost to be a Master Gardener? There are fees associated with being a Master Gardener. Please contact the Project Coordinator of the UC Master Gardner Program- Jennifer Baumbach at 707.7841317, during normal business hours. If after hours, or if Jennifer is unavailable, please leave a voice mail. You can also refer to http://camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu/ or Cooperative Extension for more information or go to http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu/ and look under Master Gardeners. How much does it cost to join the 4-H? There is a minimal statewide program fee that is associated with membership. The program fee supports development of educational materials and volunteer training and covers the cost of accident/sickness insurance. There may also be a county or regional program fee. Generally, the enrollment fees for 4-H are $12 for youth and $8 for adults. Youth retain their membership until Dec 31 of the year that they turn 19. I am a hunter and I’m hunting deer. Are there any considerations if I want to eat venison? Please call Diane Metz at 707.784.1323 during normal business hours. If Diane is not there, please leave a message. I am concerned about my child and childhood obesity. How can I obtain any additional information? Please call Diane Metz at 707.784.1323 or view the UC Cooperative Extension website: http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu/ and click on the Children and Weight Coalition of Solano County link. I bought a pressure canner at a garage sale, but its missing some parts. How do I order these replacement parts? You will need to contact the original manufacturer of the pressure canner for parts. Presto and Mirro. For most pressure canners they can order parts for most models at the http://www.goodmans.net/dept.asp website. The pressure cooker should be tested for accuracy once the parts have been replaced. Call Georgia Hall at 707.784.1324 to make an appointment or for more information. I bought a pressure canner at a garage sale. Will you test it to ensure that it works properly? Please call Georgia Hall at 707.784.1324. If Georgia is not there, please leave a message. I bought some grapes to make grape juice, but it tastes terrible. What did I do wrong? Please call Georgia Hall at 707.784.1324. If Georgia is not available, please leave a voice mail. It’s very possible that you are using the wrong type of grapes for making grape juice. I don’t have an animal, can I still join 4-H? Yes I found some blackberries on the road side. Are these safe to eat? Often times blackberry bushes are sprayed with herbicides by the Cal Trans and that eating them may cause people to get sick. We suggest that you buy your blackberries from a grocery store or local Farmers’ Market. For local Farmers market information go to www.solanocounty.com /Agriculture Dept/ Fruit Vegetables and Eggs on the left margin then select Certified Farmers Markets & Producers. I have a home food business and I have some questions. Who should I talk to? Please call Diane Metz at 707.784.1323. If Diane is not available, please leave a message. I have an animal that I don’t want any more. What should I do? Please contact Animal Care at (707)784-1356. If after hours please leave a voice mail. Someone will usually get back to them during the next business day. I have bees on my property and need to get rid of them. What should I do? Call the Agriculture department at 707-784-1310. I have snails in my yard and want to know if I can use them for escargot. How do I do this? Call Diane Metz at 707.784.1323. If Diane is not there, please leave a message. I have weeds in my yard. Which ones can I eat? Please call the UC Coop main number: 707.784.1317. If after hours leave a voicemail for Jennifer Baumbach at 707.784.1321. I need to sample my soil. How do I do this? Please call the Master Gardeners Hotline is 707.784.1322, if after hours leave a voice mail. I want to be a volunteer leader for 4-H. How do I become one? Please call the 4-H Program Assistant :707.784.1319. If after hours, please leave a voice mail. Someone will usually get back to you during the next business day. I want to can fruit and vegetables. How do I do this? Please call Diane Metz at 707.784.1323. If Diane is not there, please leave a message. I want to go to a local Farmers’ Market. How do I find one? Go to www.solanocounty.com /Agriculture Dept/ Fruit Vegetables and Eggs on the left margin then select Certified Farmers Markets & Producers. I want to know more about the community workshop schedules. Who do I talk to? Please call Georgia Hall at 707.784.1324. If she is not available, please leave a voice mail. I want to learn more about the local food systems. Who do I talk to? Please call Diane Metz at 707.784.1323 or Georgia Hall at 707.784.1324. Call Mario Moratorio at 707.784.1325 if you are a grower or desire to grow food for the local food system and have a question. If the staff person is not available please leave a voice mail. I want to pick mushrooms in my yard or in the wild. Which ones can I eat? You should not eat any mushroom that you pick as some of them are deadly. Buy your mushrooms at a local farmer’s market or your local grocery store. I want to preserve my own olives. How do I do this? Please call Diane Metz at 707.784.1323. If Diane is not there, please leave a message. I want to send a military package to someone overseas. How do I do this? Visit http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9072.asp website. There you will get tips on how to send packages overseas. I want to talk to someone about childhood obesity. Who can I talk to? Please call Diane Metz at 707.784.1323. If Diane is not available please, leave a voice mail. You can also go to http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu select Children and Weight Coalition of Solano County and on the left margin select Contact Us for a list of phone numbers to call. I’d like more information about canning, freezing, preserving, curing and smoking a variety of fruits, vegetables and meats. Where can I obtain information on how to do this? Please call Georgia Hall at 707.784.1324. If Georgia is not there, please leave a message. I’d like to receive a copy of the ANR Catalog. How do I get a copy? Please call 707.784.1317 during normal business hours. If no one is available or if it’s after hours please leave a voice mail. I’m planning a holiday meal. Who should I contact regarding food preparation? Go to the Partnership for Food Safety Education www.fightbac.org. Go to the “Safe Food Handling” section on this web page. There you will find tips on how to prepare a holiday meal safely. You can aslo go to the library to access "Safe Food Handling". If you do not want to go to the Library you can call the UC CoOP main phone number at 707.784-.317 if during normal business hours. If after hours, or if no one is available, leave a voice message. someone will get back to you approximately by the next business day. If I have specific gardening questions. Who can I talk to? Please call the Master Gardener Hotline number is 707.784.1322. Master Gardeners also have an e-mail account where you can send your gardening questions via email at: [email protected] The Master Gardener Hotline has got answers to all your gardening questions. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The message center will take all of your questions and information. Please remember to give your name, phone number, a description of your problem and your address. A Master Gardner will research your problem and return your call. Written materials can also be sent to your home about most gardening problems. The Hotline is currently attended on Thursdays. My freezer was turned off for several days. Is the food still good to eat? A good rule of thumb is: “When in doubt, throw it out” so as to not get sick. For more information please call to Georgia Hall at 707.784.1324. If Georgia is not there, please leave a message. My garden has bugs and I want to get rid of them. What do I do? The Project Coordinator of the UC Master Gardner Program- is Jennifer Baumbach 707.784.1317. If Jennifer is not available please leave a voice mail for her. You can also refer to http://camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu/ or http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/menu.homegarden.html or (State Pest Control Program) or www.solanocounty.com Cooperative Extension for more information or go to http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu/ and look under Master Gardeners. Or you could bring in some bugs (in a container) for inspection to the UC Coop, M-F 8 to 5 PM, 501 Texas St., Fairfield, CA. My turkey is thawing in my car. Is it safe to eat? The rule of thumb if food is safe to eat is: when in doubt, throw it out. For more information call Georgia Hall at 707.784.1324. If Georgia is not there please leave a message. What age groups participate in 4-H? Youth are eligible to participate in 4-H as primary members if they are 5 years old or in kindergarten as of January 1 of the program year. Because programming varies from county to county, check with your local county 4-H office to learn what is offered for primary members. If a youth is 9 years old or enters 4th grade by January 1 of the program year, he or she enrolls as a regular member. Please note that the grade criterion does not apply to home schooled children. Youth remain eligible for membership until December 31 of the year in which they turn 19 years old. What are some of the 4-H projects? You can visit the 4-H website at http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu and select the 4-H Program. At the left hand margin are links to the 4-H Club and more information. Or you can call 707.784.1319 during normal business hours. If after hours, or if no one is available please leave a voice mail. A list of the 4-H projects can be found on the back of the publication, 4-H Member’s Guide (4-H-1052). Check with your county office to see which projects are currently being offered in your county. The availability of a project depends upon whether an adult volunteer is available to lead it. What does the University of California Cooperative Extension do? The mission of Solano County''s University of California Cooperative Extension department is to serve County residents through the creation, development and extension of knowledge in agriculture, natural resources, youth development, and family & consumer sciences. The CE department is organized regionally to tailor programs for the special needs of people throughout the state. The Solano County staff is available to provide you with information from problem-solving research to public education. Advisors can help with questions on a variety of subjects related to agricultural sciences; livestock and natural resources; nutrition, family and consumer sciences; and youth development. CE tailors its programs to meet local needs. CE''s many teaching tools include meetings, conferences, workshops, demonstrations, field days, video programs, newsletters and manuals What is the 4-H Club? The 4-H Youth Development Program is a nonprofit youth educational program administered through the UC Cooperative Extension. In 4-H, kids learn, have FUN, and run the show! 4-H is an international organization for youth that promotes hands-on learning, for ages 5-19, from all ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds who live in rural, suburban, and urban communities. Age appropriate projects within each club are the heart of 4-H''s hands-on learning. Each project focuses on a topic - anything from art to zoology - including: animal sciences, bicycling, camping, computers, drama, entomology, leadership, music, photography, quilting, rocketry, textile arts, and woodworking to name a few. These opportunities are designed to be fun while teaching real life skills. Projects are lead by older youth and/or adult volunteers. For more information on how you can become involved in 4-H, contact Valerie Williams, 4-H Program Assistant: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (12 p.m. - 1 p.m. closed) at 707.784.1319. What is the Master Gardener Hotline? The Master Gardener Hotline has got answers to all your gardening questions. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The message center will take all of your questions and information. Please remember to give your name, phone number, a description of your problem and your address. A Master Gardener will research your problem and return your call. Written materials can also be sent to your home about most gardening problems. The Hotline is currently staffed on Thursdays. The Master Gardener Hotline number is 707.784.1322. Master Gardeners also have an e-mail account where you can send your gardening questions via email at: [email protected] What is the Master Gardeners’ program? Who are the Master Gardeners? Master Gardeners are non-paid, formal volunteers for the University of California.The California Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program by which the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) extends research-based information in home horticulture and pest management, verified by UC experts, the residents of Solano County. Where are 4-H club meetings held? You can visit http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu/ Select 4-H and then select "How To Join Solano County 4-H" on the left side of the page, then unde FAQ select Where are 4-H club meetings held and how do I contact a community leader? Where can I find the Master Gardener workshop schedule? Go to the Cooperative Extension department, and then click the link to the UC website which is http://cesolano.ucdavis.edu/. On the left side click on “Calendar”. You can also contact the UC Coop main phone number at 707.784.1317 if during normal business hours. If after hours, or if no one is available, leave a voice mail, and someone will usually get back to you usually on the next business day.