January 2009 Announcements
I’m sad to report Cal Poly has lost a well-loved faculty member, Dr. Thomas Ruehr of the Earth and Soil Sciences Department. Among his many other contributions, Tom was a founding faculty member of the SARC, and throughout his career has been a strong voice for sustainability in agriculture - balancing a holistic perspective with a solid grounding in the sciences. His mastery of Soil Science and passion for teaching are legendary. He was a mentor, friend and inspiration to many here, and will be missed. Services for Dr. Ruehr will be held this Sunday, January 11th, 2009 at 2:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church at 981 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo. Donations in his memory can be made to the Thomas Ruehr Honorary Scholarship Fund by sending a donation in his name to: Ms. Lisa Wallraven, Earth and Soil Science Dept., Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407. To see today’s obituary in the SLO Tribune, please visit:
http://www.legacy.com/sanluisobispo/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=122375301
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OTHER NEWS FOR JANUARY
1. Special Opportunities at SWANTON PACIFIC RANCH
2. RARE FRUIT GROWER Meeting at Cal Poly Tomorrow! 1/10
3. 20th annual Cal Poly AG SHOWCASE: 1/13
4. GREEN CAREERS in Agriculture Panel : 1/13
5. Spiral Kitchen & HERB GARDEN Workparty in Los Osos: 1/17
6. GREEN MEDIA CONFERENCE at Cal Poly: 1/22
7. FOCUS THE NATION - Building a Sustainable Economy: 2/3-6
8. Aquatic BIOASSESSMENT Workshop: 2/6&7
9. FARM SUCCESSION Workshop to be held in SLO: 2/28 & 3/28
10. 1st Annual LAVENDER GROWER’S Alliance Meeting: 3/28
11. SARC Mixer at ECO-FARM CONFERENCE! 1/23
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1. Special Opportunities at SWANTON PACIFIC RANCH
Special offer to students and faculty: Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch in Santa Cruz County is offering to provide transportation, meals and instruction to those willing to help the Ranch accomplish the following: tree planting, pruning orchards & chipping wood waste (late Jan/early Feb). ALSO, on-going paid internships with an organic agriculture focus are offered at the Ranch each quarter. These include working in the organic apple orchard, and with Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo on their production-scale organic ag operation. For more info, please contact: Dr. Brian Dietterick at 756-6155 or bdietter@calpoly.edu. See the SPR website at: www.spranch.org
2. RARE FRUIT Grower Meeting at Cal Poly Tomorrow! 1/10
This is the SLO CRFG annual "Pruning Meeting" and will host a "Guest Pruner" who will give a pruning lesson, demonstration and supervise CRFG members & friends as they refine their pruning skills. Meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. at the Cal Poly Crops Unit, corner of Highland and Mt. Bishop Road. Bring your clippers, and wear appropriate clothes and footwear!
3. 20th annual Cal Poly AG SHOWCASE: 1/13
The Cal Poly Ag Showcase is an annual career fair presented by Cal Poly’s Agri-business Management Club and the National Agri-Marketing Association. Over 70 agriculture companies from around California and the nation will be in attendance, sharing information with students about internship and job opportunities. Tuesday, January 13 from 8:30a.m. - 2:30p.m. in Chumash Auditorium. For more information contact: Elena Hart at cpagshowcase@yahoo.com or (530)864-0979.
4. GREEN CAREERS in Agriculture Panel : 1/13
Following the Ag Showcase above (Tuesday, January 13), a panel of industry representatives will share information about the many facets of sustainable agriculture and how to enter careers in this rapidly growing field. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear how Cal Poly alums and others are forging new paths in the industry. To be held from 4-5 pm in Building 10, Room 200. Sponsored by Cal Poly Career Services, 805-756-2501, www.careerservices.calpoly.edu
5. Spiral Kitchen & HERB GARDEN Workparty in Los Osos: 1/17
Learn to install a large spiral herb garden, along with setting up a composting site, water-harvesting and much more. January 17 from 10 AM -2 PM. Bring water, gloves and sunglasses. Call Jordan for more info: 805-234-7799.
6. GREEN MEDIA CONFERENCE at Cal Poly: 1/22
SustainCommWorld and the Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly will present the 2nd annual "Business Of Green Media Conference" on January 22 at the Performing Arts Center, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. See details at: www.businessofgreenmedia.com
7. FOCUS THE NATION - Building a Sustainable Economy: 2/3-6
Cal Poly will host its 2nd annual Focus the Nation event with this year’s theme: Building a Sustainable Economy. This is one of the nation’s largest ‘teach-ins’ and will include a Green Job Fair, showcase projects, and host leading speakers on an array of topics related to sustainability. For details visit: www.focusthenationslo.com
8. Aquatic BIOASSESSMENT Workshop: 2/6&7
Bio-assessment is one of the most meaningful ways to answer basic questions about water quality because it relies on direct observation of creek communities. The presence, condition and numbers of types of fish, insects, algae, plants, and other organisms are data that provide information about the health of specific bodies of water. Learn the latest bio-assessment sampling techniques! The two day workshop will be held from 9 to 4 on Friday, Februrary 6 and Saturday, February 7 at the Salmon Enhancement office in Arroyo Grande. Participants that attend both sessions will become certified in bio-assessment sampling. RSVP for this workshop by January 30th at 3pm as space is limited. Contact Nicole Smith at 473-8221 or nicoles@centralcoastsalmon.com for more information. Other opportunities also listed on the Central Coast Salmon Enhancement website: www.centralcoastsalmon.com
9. FARM SUCCESSION Workshop to be held in SLO: 2/28 & 3/28
“Sowing the Seeds of Farm Succession” - A Series of Regional Conferences on Planning for Farm and Ranch Succession in Humboldt, Sonoma and San Luis Obispo Counties, Jan - March, 2009. Who will lead your family farm into the next generation? How do you minimize debt for the farm business and treat all heirs fairly when the farm transfers to the next generation? California FarmLink in collaboration with U.C. Cooperative Extension, and the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau will sponsor a two-part Succession Planning Conference to help families understand the facts in preparing for a farm transition & plan for a smooth transfer of assets to the next generation. Saturdays Feb 28th and March 28th from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Courtyard Marriot in San Luis Obispo. Pre-registration required. For more information or to register call Reggie Knox at CA FarmLink, 831-425-0303, or visit www.californiafarmlink.org
10. 1st Annual LAVENDER GROWER’S Alliance Meeting: 3/28
Lavender growers from around the world are coming together to join area farmers in the Central Coast Lavender Grower’s Alliance to celebrate the global growth of lavender. On March 28, lavender lovers will meet to discuss all the growing trends in rural tourism. It will be held at the Green Acres Lavender Farm. If you are interested in joining/attending, contact Janice@GreenAcresLavenderFarm.com. More info can be found at: www.GreenAcresLavenderFarm.com
11. SARC Mixer at ECO-FARM CONFERENCE! 1/23
Reminder: for those who will be attending the Ecological Farming Conference at Asilomar later this month (www.eco-farm.org), please stop by for refreshments and good company at our annual ‘Cal Poly Mixer’ on Friday, January 23rd from 5:30 – 7 PM (location TBA)! Stay tuned at: www.sarc.calpoly.edu/events/eco-farm_mixer.html
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