2012 Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Fair

Tuesday May 15 through Saturday May 19, 2012

"California--We have a good thing growing"

at the Pomona Fairplex, Building 10.

May 17, 2012 AG Day LA will be at the Schools’ Agriculture and Nutrition Fair. Pre-registration is mandatory at www.agdayla.com.

Saturday February 11, 2012 – FREE Square Foot Gardening Workshop and Open House
“Together we build a Square Foot Garden with everyone taking part in the fun.” Jo Ann Carey from SquareFtGardens4u.com will present this fun and educational 3-hour workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. RSVP by email to daa48th@aol.com or call 909-468-4433.

Also, the 48th DAA office will remain open until 2 p.m. for teachers who want assistance with entry forms and to pick up supplies.

The deadline to turn in your entry forms is March 1, 2012 so you still have some time to plan your projects.

Save the Date! Saturday, March 3, 2012
We will have another Open House from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and possibly, another workshop, TBD.
If you missed the March 1 deadline for your entry forms, you can drop them off at the 48th DAA office on this day.

Click on "Contact" for directions to the 48th DAA office.

***

Purpose of the Fair: the fair is an agricultural educational fair featuring thousands of individual and classroom entries from hundreds of schools in the greater Los Angeles basin and surrounding areas. Exhibits/projects include art, photography, beneficial insects and worms, birdhouses, crafts, horticulture, hydroponics, mission models, paintings, posters, quilts, quilt blocks, sawhorses, scarecrows, school garden projects,science projects, terrariums and trout-in-the-classroom projects.

The event attracts students, families, educators, and community members to celebrate the achievements of local students (pre-K through high school) and teachers, and to educate the attendees about the importance of agriculture and nutrition to California.

Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Program School

Presentations - Help others to learn about our fair. Call our office to schedule a presentation at your school or district office. Spread the word about our program to teachers and administrators.

Join our Foundation and help the Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Fair - members receive a bi-monthly newsletter, invitation to events and annual meeting. They also have an opportunity to network with others interested in agricultural literacy.

Southern California Agriculture and Nutrition Foundation (SCAN) Tax ID # 95-3723190. See below for "Ways to Support the Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Program."

*************************************************************************

Ways to Support the Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Program:

Join our Foundation and help the Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Fair - members receive a bi-monthly newsletter, invitation to events and annual meeting. They also have an opportunity to network with others interested in agricultural literacy. Southern California Agriculture and Nutrition Foundation (SCAN) Tax ID # 95-3723190. Call for information about membership 909.468.4433.

Join the Albertsons/Sav-On Drugs Community Partners Program. Eligible purchases on your Preferred Savings Card will result in a cash donation - of up to 4% - to our program. All donations will support student program supplies. Just go to www.albertsons.com, click on "In The Community", then click on Community Partners logo link, then click on "Sign me up". Be sure to provide our ID #: 49001009834.You may also call Albertsons at (877) 932-7948 or call our office. Your participation in this program will be appreciated.

Make a cash or in-kind donation or volunteer your time. Call the office to discuss how you would like to help.

*************************************************************************

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday; 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, closed for lunch 12:00 - 1:00 pm. It's always a good idea to let us know when you plan to visit by calling (909) 468-4433. Please arrive by 4:30 pm.

Careers in Agriculture web sites:

Kid's Science Page at the National Agricultural Library gives information on carreers in science from agriculture to zoology: www.nalusda.gov/ttic/nalsci/careers.htm

Sources of information for careers in the science of food, agriculture and the enviornment: www.cast-science.org/careers.htm

AgJobsUSA, a nationwide computerized employment system that matches employee interests with agriculutral employers needs: www.agjobsusa.com/

Search for an Ag career: www.ag-biz.com/main.asp

Post your resume, view jobs and access other career resources: www.agricareers.com/

Credits: California Foundation For Agriculture in the Classroom

January 2012

California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month
National Hot Tea Month
Oatmeal Month

Jan. 1 Imagine this...—Announcement of statewide winners

Jan. 1 Betsy Ross Birth Anniversary—Betsy Ross created the first American Flag under instructions from George Washington in 1775.

Jan. 4 Sir Isaac Newton Birth Anniversary—Sir Isaac Newton led the science revolution of the 17 century. He was a physicist and mathematician who laid the groundwork for calculus and discovered the law of gravitation.

Jan. 5 Edmund Ruffin Birth Anniversary: January 5, 1794—Ruffin's thoughts on fertilizer, crop rotation, and drainage made him known as the father of soil chemistry in early 19th century America.

Jan. 14 Great Fruit Cake Toss—Toss, hurl and launch your left over fruit cake in Manitou Springs, CO.

Jan. 15 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a black civil rights leader, minister and advocate of non violence. He was also the recipient of the noble peace prize in 1964.

Jan. 17 Kid Inventions Day—More than 500,000 kids have invented some of the products we use daily including water skies, earmuffs and popsicles. Celebrate their innovation.

Jan. 17-23 National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week

Jan. 19-20 Women in Blue Jeans days

Jan. 21-22 Bald Eagle Appreciation Days

Jan. 23 Chinese New Year: Year of the Dragon

Jan. 23 National Pie Day—Since 1975, people have been celebrating their favorite pie on this day.

Jan. 24 California Gold Discovery Anniversary: 1848—The discovery of gold had a massive impact on the development of agriculture in California.

Jan. 28 National Seed Swap Day—Trade your extra garden seeds with a friend.

Jan. 29-Feb. 5 Meat Week—Meat week started six years ago in the Southern US. Participants dine on barbecued meat for a whole week while non-meat-eaters celebrate by enjoying the sides.

More Information:

Imagine this... http://www.cfaitc.org/imaginethis/

California Dried Plums http://www.californiadriedplums.org/

Women in Blue Jeans http://www.womeninbluejeans.org/

February 2012

National Cherry Month
Bake for Family Fun Month

Feb. 3 Norman Rockwell Birth Anniversary: 1894—Share the American spirit portrayed so vividly by Rockwell. How is agriculture ensconced in his homey scenes?

Feb. 5 Weatherman's Day—Farmers and ranchers are always tuned in to the weather report

Feb. 5 Biggest Avocado Consumption Day of the year—46th Super Bowl in Indianapolis

Feb. 13 Grant Wood Birth Anniversary: 1892—Explore how rural America influenced this prominent American artist.

Feb. 14 Valentine's Day—California supplies approximately 184 million stems of fresh cut roses sold in the U.S.

Feb. 15 Cyrus H. McCormick Birth Anniversary, 1809 McCormick patented the reaper in 1834, reducing the amount of time and labor required to harvest a field of grain

Feb. 18 Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Anniversary, 1930

Feb. 20-27 National FFA Week—FFA students are an amazing resource. Get to know your local chapter!

Feb. 19 – 25 National Engineer’s Week Engineering is an integral part of agriculture!

Feb. 19 – 25 National Pancake Week

Feb. 23 Diesel Engine Patented Anniversary, 1893—Rudolf Diesel's internal combustion engine was more efficient than steam engines

Feb. 23 First Cloning of an Adult Animal Anniversary, 1997—Happy Birthday, Dolly the Sheep.

More Information:
California Avocado Commission http://www.avocado.org/
Bake for Family Fun http://www.homebaking.org/familyfun/
National Engineers Week http://www.eweek.org/Home.aspx

Credits: Chase's Calendar of Events 2012

School Field Trip Ideas

• Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition Fair - call office at (909) 468-4433 to sign up.
• Homestead Museum in the City of Industry. Visit www.homesteadmuseum.org.
• Hurst Ranch in West Covina provides students with the opportunity to experience farm life from the pioneer past. Students will be able to make butter; grind coffee, pump water, and much more. Visit www.hurstranch.com for details.
• Farm Tour at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. Sac) provides students with the chance to spend an hour with unique farm animals at no cost (although donations would be appreciated). Call 909.594.5611 ext. 4540 for more details.
• Wildlife Sanctuary Tour at Mt. Sac focuses on the wonders of nature, exploring water and land ecosystems, studying plant and animal habitats, and observation of lake, pond, swamp and stream environment on a first-hand basis.There is no cost - a donation would be appreciated. Please call (909) 594.5611 ext. 4794 for more information.
• Santa Fe Dam Nature Center and Trail. Please call the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy (626) 335-1771 for information or go to http://www.sgmrc.org
• Heritage Park, Santa Fe Springs, (562) 946-6476