Author: Alan Scott Davis

Recognizing that ninety percent of the human brain is developed by the age of three, the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension employees created the Brainbuilders for Life program. The program teaches childcare providers, parents and whoever can sign up for the class about educating young children in a way that maximizes the child’s potential.

On the Navajo nation, producing beef in today’s competitive market has been a challenge. The Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP) has long been searching for a way to help turn that around. Their chance came, when the producers decided to band together into a large producing cooperative called the 14R, and a unique relationship with a major packing company, Labatt Foods Inc., the Navajo producers have built a brand around their beef, and found distribution to high end restaurants in Navajo Casino’s like Twin Arrows. But most importantly, they have doubled the price they get for their product.

Since its foundation in 2000 the Reading the Range program has transformed ranching in Gila County, AZ. The percentage of ranchers who incorporate Reading the Range monitoring techniques has risen from an original 2% to approximately 50%. In key areas of Gila County, the inclusion of range monitoring techniques has increased the number of perennial grasses by five times

William Herschels’ discovery of infrared light has changed the world. What is infrared light, how did he find something we can’t see, and how do scientists and engineers use it today? Doug Tolleson, Extension/Research Specialist at the University of Arizona tours these topics against the stunning backdrop of the Meinel Building (College of Optical Sciences), University of Arizona.

For over 100 years, the partnership between Cooperative Extension and local farmers has cultivated Arizona’s agriculture into one of the states biggest success stories. By pairing methodologies such as seasonal crop rotation with year round management, Arizonan agriculture has transformed from a desert into a major player in meeting the world’s demand for food.

With a dash education and a slice of community, the Garden Kitchen has nurtured proper nutrition in South Tucson. With the number of SNAP participants growing in the US programs like the Tucson Garden Kitchen are paramount to keeping the population healthy.