ABOUT THE COLLECTION

Arizona Cooperative Extension is an outreach arm of The University of Arizona and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). The repository collection includes current and historical Extension publications on these topics: Animal Systems; Consumer Education; Farm Management and Safety; Food Safety, Nutrition and Health; Gardening/Home Horticulture; Insects and Pest Management; Marketing and Retailing; Natural Resources and Environment; Plant Diseases; Plant Production/Crops; Water; and Youth and Family. Current publications are also available from the Cooperative Extension Publications website.

QUESTIONS?

Contact College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Publications at pubs@cals.arizona.edu.

Recent Submissions

  • 4-H Project Essentials - Livestock Feeding Glossary of Terms

    Farella, Joshua; Menges, Ashley Js (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2024-01)
    This resource is intended to give 4-H leaders, youth, and families an overview of key terminology involved in the feeding of livestock.
  • Arizona 4-H Livestock Judging: Program Overview

    Menges, Ashley Js; Farella, Joshua (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-03)
    4-H Livestock judging is a great program opportunity where youth can strengthen their decision-making abilities, grow communication skills, and develop sound critical thinking and articulate reasoning. Youth that excel in livestock judging cultivate an ethic of research, practice, and work hard to communicate clearly and concisely to judges and peers. Livestock judging is a competitive event centered around the visual evaluation of an animal’s physical traits and at times performance data. The goal is to compare and contrast four animals in a class against each other as well as the “ideal” animal.
  • Arizona 4-H Professionals Onboarding Program Guide

    Elliott-Engel, Jeremy; Parrott, Amy; Hauser, Michael; Sparks, Elizabeth W. (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-02)
  • AZ 4-H Shooting Sports: Program Overview

    Menges, Ashley Js; Farella, Joshua (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-03)
    Shooting sports programs are a wonderful way to connect youth with safely trained caring adult mentors. Certified volunteers teach safe and appropriate firearms/archery etiquette and provide youth with leadership and competition opportunities. Shooting sports certifications are also a great avenue for volunteer professional development, with opportunities to become certified to teach youth, adult level 1 instructors, and nationally certified level 2 instructors. Young people can also take on leadership roles in clubs as Youth Instructors. Like any project, there are opportunities for members and volunteers to participate at county, state, and national levels. In addition, there are a few key requirements found in shooting sports that other 4-H projects do not have. Read through the information below to learn how to grow a shooting sports program in your county!
  • Community Engagement for Cooperative Extension: Collaborate and Community Directs from the Spectrum of Public Participation

    Leih, Rachel; McCullough, Lauren; Farrell, Vanessa; Walsh, Michele (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-09)
    The International Association for Public Participation developed a spectrum of public participation with five different levels that indicate the various depths of community engagement.1 The levels include Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, and Community Directs (Figure 1). This publication will review the Collaborate and Community Directs levels of the spectrum.
  • Community Engagement for Cooperative Extension: Inform and Consult from the Spectrum of Public Participation

    Leih, Rachel; McCullough, Lauren; Farrell, Vanessa; Walsh, Michele (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-09)
    Community engagement addresses the core concerns of residents and stakeholders by engaging them in a process of initiating, drafting, and implementing community-based programs. Community engagement guides collaboration and communication among organizations, stakeholders, and the public to create sustainable community-driven change. The International Association for Public Participation has developed a spectrum of public participation with five different levels that indicate the various depths of community engagement. The levels include Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, and Community Directs. This publication will review the Inform and Consult levels of the spectrum.
  • Community Engagement for Cooperative Extension: Involve from the Spectrum of Public Participation

    Leih, Rachel; McCullough, Lauren; Farrell, Vanessa; Walsh, Michele (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-09)
    The International Association for Public Participation developed a spectrum of public participation with five different levels that indicate the various depths of community engagement.1 The levels include Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, and Community Directs (Figure 1). This publication will review the Involve level of the spectrum.
  • Community Engagement for Cooperative Extension: Strategies to improve representation in community engagement efforts

    Leih, Rachel; McCullough, Lauren; Farrell, Vanessa; Walsh, Michele (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-09)
    A key to meaningful program efforts is community engagement. Community engagement must engage community members most directly impacted by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (Extension) programs and allow participants to guide their needs and interests. To gather community input and feedback, it is not enough to simply pick a date, reserve a space, and expect a representative group of people from the community to come to an event. Even when people from the community attend engagement events, significant thought should be given to how information is presented and how feedback is gathered to encourage broad and authentic participation. Consideration should also be given to how these experiences are mutually beneficial for Extension and the community members participating.
  • Community Engagement for Cooperative Extension: Using Interactive Maps to Understand Communities

    Leih, Rachel; McCullough, Lauren; Farrell, Vanessa A.; Tanoue, Kara Haberstock; DeBlois, Madeleine; Walsh, Michele (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-10)
    Before a plan for community engagement can be effectively developed, it is important to first vunderstand the community. Interactive Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps are a useful tool to gather and visualize data that can describe a community, and have been used to inform Extension program design and planning in multiple other states, including California, Minnesota, and Florida. The University of Arizona’s (UA) Community Research, Evaluation, and Development (CRED) Team, from the Norton School of Human Ecology, created GIS maps to support the UA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (UA SNAP-Ed) efforts across the state of Arizona. These interactive GIS maps can be a useful resource for all of University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension (Extension) programs to assist in planning and implementing community engagement work. By using the maps to identify a community’s existing resources and gaps in services, Extension can identify a community’s strengths and areas of need that could be supported by Extension efforts.
  • Community Engagement for Cooperative Extension: What is Community Engagement?

    Leih, Rachel; McCullough, Lauren; Farrell, Vanessa; Walsh, Michele (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-09)
    The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention defines community engagement as, “the process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, or similar situations to address issues affecting the well-being of those people." Community engagement addresses the core concerns of residents and stakeholders by engaging them in a process of initiating, drafting, and implementing community-based programs. Community engagement guides collaboration and communication among organizations, stakeholders, and the public to create sustainable community-driven change2 Some community-based programs may seek to solve a specific problem, others may involve policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes.
  • Community Engagement for Cooperative Extension: Who Is and Is Not Participating in Community Engagement?

    Leih, Rachel; McCullough, Lauren; Farrell, Vanessa; Walsh, Michele (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-10)
    Many communities face critical issues, such as how to develop sustainable food systems, assure economic development, and promote community health. Effectively addressing these issues requires engaging the community members most impacted by them in efforts to develop solutions. It is also important to include the multiple stakeholders who work on local issues and who serve affected community members.
  • Ecological Restoration Activity Book

    Gornish, Elise S. (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-04)
    The Society of Ecological Restoration defines restoration as the process in assisting in the recovery of a habitat that has been degraded or destroyed. Essentially, ecological restoration means fixing up the environment. Restoration can: enhance plant cover, provide habitats to wild animals, make habitants more resilient to climate change, and more! Get involved in helping out the environment where you can by caring for native plants and animals, picking up litter and saving water. This activity book was made with love by the Gornish Lab at the University of Arizona for kids of all ages.
  • Focus and Fun: Setting the Course for Productive Project Meetings

    Martinez, Cathy L.; Blumanhorst, Gloria (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-11)
    Preparing for a project meeting on any topic within our many 4-H Project Areas takes time and effort. Even if you are using a 4-H curriculum with pre-written lesson plans (and there is curriculum available for a wide range of subjects), at the very least you should read through the lesson plan (review both the leader guide and the member guide) so you can gather together the materials needed for the meeting and be familiar with the activities included.
  • Gardening with Children in Early Care and Education Centers and Classrooms

    Wilson, Hope; Speirs, Katherine E.; Derfus, Rhegan; Garcia, Dominique (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-09)
    Gardens provide a hands-on learning environment for engaging young children. While they do require some planning and resources to build and maintain, incorporating gardening activities into your early childhood classroom or center can be rewarding for teachers and children. Below we provide suggestions for planning a garden, gardening activities and how to use gardening activities to promote learning and development.
  • How to Find Children's and Young Adult Books That Can Help Caregivers Promote Anti-Racism

    Speirs, Katherine E.; Parlin, Jennifer; Argyros, Jennifer; Dixon-Kleibe, Ashley L.; Stuth, Christy; Joyner, Shevonda (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-08)
    Books can be a great way to help children, from preschoolers to teens, understand other people's experiences and develop compassion and empathy. Books can also help you start or continue a conversation about what it means to be anti-racist.1,2 Below you will find information about selecting books that promote anti-racism, making sure all children in your community have access to these books, and using online resources to find books.
  • Project Essential Fact Sheets: Growing a Show Beef Project

    Menges, Ashley JS; Farella, Joshua (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-10)
    Raising a beef project is a great way for youth to learn about livestock and raise a quality market product through the 4-H program. In this document we have listed some strategies and resources that will help ensure you have a successful project experience for your local fair and auction. Some essential considerations include ration composition, ration schedule, and understanding/planning around your beef’s ability to gain weight. Be sure to work with your county Extension staff and 4-H Leaders to find additional resources and have the best chance for success!
  • Promote Anti-Racism Using Children's Books: A Parents' Guide

    Dixon-Kleibe, Ashley L.; Argyros, Jennifer; Pacheco, Daniela; Downer, Ben; Speirs, Katherine E.; Parlin, Jennifer (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-08)
  • Project Essential Fact Sheets: Growing a Show Swine to Market Weight

    Farella, Joshua; Menges, Ashley Js (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-10)
    Raising a swine is a great way for youth to learn about livestock and raise a market product through 4-H. In this document we have listed some strategies and resources that are important in making show weights and growing a high-quality agricultural product. Some important things to know about your swine project include appropriate feeds and feeding, planning to ensure your swine makes weight for the show, and how to spot common health problems. Be sure to work with your county Extension staff and 4-H Leaders to find additional resources and have the best chance for success!
  • The AR Floating Farm Project Facilitator Guide

    Rodriguez, Andie; Lopez, Gerardo (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-02)
  • The AR Floating Farm Project Student Guide

    Rodriguez, Andie; Lopez, Gerardo (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-02)

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