Recent ucsc_agroecology_other items

Impact Report–2024-2025

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Impact Report–2024-2025

Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) to suppress soil borne pests

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) to suppress soil borne pests

Rose Primer: An Organic Approach to Rose Selection and Care

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A primer is defined as “a book that covers the basic elements of a subject.” In this primer, Alan Chadwick Garden manager Orin Martin discusses the basic steps involved in cultivating a healthy rose plant. Organic pest and disease control options are addressed, but the emphasis here is on selecting, establishing, and caring for your roses in a way that gives them the best chance to thrive in an organic setting — what Martin calls a “plant positive” approach.

Sensing the Fields: A Report on the Emerging Ag-Tech Initiative at UCSC

Fri, 3 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

In 2018, conversations began at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) to make ag-tech a major priority in programming. Many of the discussions referred to how this programming could build on three distinct campus strengths: agroecology, engineering, and an overarching commitment to social justice, all while being positioned between the tech-heavy Silicon Valley and the agriculturally prolific Salinas Valley. In light of these emphases and UCSC’s unique campus setting, the research detailed in this report sought to identify the synergies and frictions between agroecology and ag-tech, the potential for meaningful collaboration across campus units, and the prospects for incorporating social justice values into campus ag-tech efforts. Based on interviews with 23 UCSC engineers, agroecologists, and social scientists, we found far fewer synergies than anticipated, and indeed hoped for, and some significant barriers to collaboration. Given what we identified as substantial...

Mapping the markets: the relative density of retail food stores in densely populated census blocks in the central coast region of California

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Research in the United Kingdom and more recently in the United States has found geographic differences in access to affordable, nutritious food. In some cases more limited access has been associated with a higher proportion of residents in ethnic minority groups. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), we explored the potential existence of “food deserts” and their relationship with ethnicity in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties. Relative to the region as a whole, there were few clusters of census blocks with less access to retail food outlets with fresh produce (grocery stores, supermarkets and fruiterias) after adjusting for population density. In addition, access to these retail food outlets was not associated with the percentage of the population that was Latino. However, we identified some areas that would benefit from further investigation, and that may be suitable locations for locating new fruit and vegetable markets. Such markets may benefit local residents,...

Central Coast consumers want more food-related information, from safety to ethics

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Information is lacking on what consumers want to know about food production, processing, transportation, and retailing. Focus groups and a random-sample mail survey of consumers in the Central Coast region indicate that food safety and nutrition generate the most interest. However, ethical concerns such as the humane treatment of animals, the environmental impacts of food production, and social justice for farmworkers also have strong support. The results suggest that voluntary food labels on these issues may be a promising way to meet consumer needs for more information.

2001-2003 Activity Report and Research Summary

Wed, 29 Oct 2003 00:00:00 +0000

The 2001-2003 Activity Report/Research Summary reports on the research, education, and public outreach work of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2003.

1999-2001 Activity Report and Research Summary

Wed, 29 Oct 2003 00:00:00 +0000

The 1999–2001 Activity Report/Research Summary reports on the research, education, and public outreach work of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems from July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2001.