Community is Our Jam describes a food preservation project led by Amira Resnick, statewide director of community nutrition and health, that addresses the connection between food safety, food insecurity, food waste and health equity. This publication offers an in-depth look into the UC Master Food Preserver program, which aims to curb food waste and promote safe food storage, preparation and preservation methods to enhance food security in our communities.
In the past year, the UC Master Food Preservers made it a priority to reach communities that are often underrepresented in such programs. The MFP Program partnered with UC Master Gardener Program, the Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program, 4-H and CalFresh Healthy Living, UC. The story narrates their journey and lessons learned in their efforts to promote equity and expand the program's reach.
A pullout version of the Community is Our Jam story includes on page 3 a note of dedication to Dorina Espinoza, UC Cooperative Extension youth, families and communities advisor for Humboldt and Del Norte counties, who recently passed away.
This 83-page yearbook publication – presented in a lively magazine format – shares how these grant projects improve human, environmental, and community health. It contains an overview of the NTAE program, which has supported nearly 75 Cooperative Extension projects and program teams over four years.
Using illustrated feature articles and Q&As, the publication shares innovative Cooperative Extension work across the U.S., from technology to composting to youth development to health and equity. In addition, the publication shares information about the vital work undertaken by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy's Program Action Teams.
The yearbook was edited by Julie Halverson, Rose Hayden-Smith (emeritus UC Cooperative Extension advisor for digital communications in food systems) and Heather Martin of the Extension Foundation.