[CED/CD/EAT] University of Arizona Santa Cruz County Cooperative Extension - Newsletter

Mon Jun 2 18:23:02 MST 2025

Dear Collaborators,

Below is our Winter-Spring 2025 newsletter.
Enjoy!

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Rodolfo Martinez Morales, PhD
Director-Santa Cruz County Cooperative Extension
Associate Agent-Agriculture and Natural Resources
Cell Phone: 520-987-6057
Web: extension.arizona.edu/santa-cruz
Email: rodolfom at arizona.edu<mailto:rodolfom at arizona.edu>
489 N. Arroyo Blvd, Nogales, Arizona 85621

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Greetings Santa Cruz County Families! Santa Cruz Cooperative Extension is pleased to inform you on the plethora of programs we offered during the Winter-Spring 2025. We hope you continue to enjoy our educational programming and stay tuned to future collaborations. Wishing you the best from the Santa Cruz Team!

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May 17th, 2025 marks the day that the Emerging Leaders of Santa Cruz were awarded with a University of Arizona certificate which took one year to complete 100 hours of class time and community work. The program was developed and organized by Dr. Rodolfo Martinez Morales, UofA Cooperative Extension Director in Santa Cruz County, in collaboration with multiple UofA leadership centers, Santa Cruz County and Nogales City governments, the Consulate of Mexico, middle schools and high schools, several social organizations, and enterprises like Vantage West credit union. The program selected outstanding students from grades 8 through 12 across Santa Cruz County, who demonstrated the interest in learning leadership skills and desire to work toward the best possible environment for families, government, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other systems that nurture strength within communities. By doing so, the program fostered an environment that empowers and motivates the youth to successfully accomplish their professional objectives while increasing awareness of cultural values, diversity, social organizations, economic development and influential networks, which will allow an early start for them to contribute to the betterment of society. Congratulations to the students for obtaining leadership credentials and a life-time milestone at an early age. Kudos to the parents for their effort to fully support their children. Join us for the next certificate edition if you are academically outstanding in grades 8 through 12 at any school within Santa Cruz County. Send an email to rodolfom at arizona.edu<mailto:rodolfom at arizona.edu> and mlsalcedo at arizona.edu<mailto:mlsalcedo at arizona.edu> with your last year grade report before August 1, 2025 as program starts in August 29, 2025 to end in May 9, 2026. Check out the following link to learn more about the program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCMepASkU94<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCMepASkU94>

See more here<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=b90eab983458d5ae22016503db02a920eae2c6f7e79c012c4b8016b62a6916155e1c077efbd0682d9ade1ba9341409f63d9ec4ead8068be3>

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On the Move with FCHS: Serving Santa Cruz County

By: Rosie Stewart (Area Assistant Agent)

2025 started off with lots of energy and excitement! The Family, Consumer, and Health Sciences (FCHS) team from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Santa Cruz County (UACE, SCC) has been out in the community sharing free programs and meeting new families.

In February and March, our team joined the Gear Up Family Resource Nights at Nogales and Rio Rico High Schools. These fun events were organized by the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent's Office and the C-CREO hub to give families helpful information and free resources.

In April, we celebrated Early Childhood Education Awareness Month. This special month reminds everyone how important the first five years of a child's life are. The Santa Cruz County School Superintendent's Office, First Things First (FTF), and many other groups, including our FCHS team, worked together to share this message. We took part in:

  *   Early Childhood Education Awareness Month proclamations at the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 1 and the City of Nogales meeting on April 2
  *   The Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs meeting on April 9 to show support for Early Childhood Education Awareness Month
  *   FTF Celebrate the Young Child on April 12
  *   Early Childhood Education Awareness Awards Luncheon on April 24
  *   OS3 Nogales ¼ Marathon and Health Fair and Art in the Park-ing Lot on April 26

At most of these events, we gave out free goodies like pens, water bottles, lunch bags, recipe books, and more. We also shared info on our free programs:

  *   Child Care Health Consultation (CCHC)
  *   Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) - free if you qualify
  *   Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
  *   Family Resource Centers (FRCs) in Nogales, Rio Rico, and Patagonia
  *   AZ Health Zone/SNAP-Ed

We had a great time at every event and are thankful to all the people who helped plan them. Our team is excited to keep meeting families and sharing programs that help people live healthier lives.

To learn more, visit: https://extension.arizona.edu/santa-cruz<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=b90eab983458d5ae02b634875892914fcc3ae2297670e1553107c9febd336db7bb4037534251609bcc99c2e4e9a6f221118ff68fa2c6ff16>
Getting Ready for Kindergarten

By: Karla De la Cruz (Child Care Health Consultant) and Rosie Stewart (Area Assistant Agent)

Helping families get ready for school is important. That's why the AZ Health Zone/SNAP-Ed team worked with the Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District #35 to invite the Child Care Health Consultant to a special event at Mountain View Elementary School on April 30.

At this Kinder Readiness Event, the Child Care Health Consultant gave out free health and safety information to 20 families with children ages 0-5, and shared information on other free services from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Santa Cruz County.
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The children had fun playing games! They used magnets to match foods to the right food groups and practiced their motor skills by playing a ring toss. It was a great day of learning, fun, and meeting new families.
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Stopping Diabetes Before It Starts
By: Cynthia Aspengren (Program Director) and Rosie Stewart (Area Assistant Agent)

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a free program that helps people lower their risk of getting type 2 diabetes. It teaches easy ways to eat better, move more, and stay healthy.

People in the program meet with trained lifestyle coaches. These coaches help them set small goals like walking more or eating more vegetables. It's not about being perfect, it's about doing better a little at a time.

DPP also gives you support from others in the group who are working on the same goals. Together, you cheer each other on and learn how to live healthier.

If you or someone you know wants help staying healthy, ask us about joining a DPP group!

Learn More<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=b90eab983458d5ae64664d51a63a1c41e42c4c7b053672ffd6eaba46ff2bc9b3649ce773c81d4ffb5f61dea050a8e30380409a09c7ea6fb3>

Helping Kids Learn About Food and Health

By: Cynthia Aspengren (Program Director) and Rosie Stewart (Area Assistant Agent)

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helps kids learn how to eat smart and stay active. We visit schools, after-school programs, summer camps, and other places where kids gather.

EFNEP teaches kids how to:

  *   Pick healthy foods
  *   Read food labels
  *   Make easy snacks
  *   Stay active every day
  *   Practice kitchen safety

Kids also learn teamwork and how to make good choices for themselves and their families. EFNEP lessons are fun, hands-on, and just right for each age group.

The EFNEP youth educator Margarita Jacobo leads these lessons with energy and care, helping young people
[Photo from the Challenger Elementary School Garden Club]

Photo above from the Challenger Elementary School Garden Club.

build healthy habits in a fun and supportive way.

We work with schools and community groups to reach kids across Santa Cruz County. This program helps families fight hunger and helps children build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@UArizonaCNEP).

Family Resource Centers Support Young Children and Families
By: Jennifer Argyros (Program Director) and Rosie Stewart (Area Assistant Agent)

This year, Early Childhood Education Awareness Month was in April instead of February in Santa Cruz County. It's a time to help people learn why the early years of a child's life are so important. Our Family Resource Centers (FRCs) worked with the Santa Cruz County School Superintendent's Office, First Things First (FTF), and other groups to share this message.

[Photo from the Challenger Elementary School Garden Club]

Follow us on Facebook (Nogales Family Resource Center, Rio Rico Family Resource Center) and Instagram (@nfrc_uace, @rrfrcaz_uace).

To learn more about the FRCs Program, visit: https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/santa-cruz-county-family-resource-centers.

[Photo from the Challenger Elementary School Garden Club]

This is the 9th year the FRCs have helped with this work. And we're seeing great results:

  *   More families understand how children grow and learn
  *   Community leaders are making better choices for young children
  *   More children are ready to start kindergarten
But there is still more work to do. Many families still need help finding child care and other support. The FRCs are working hard, but we need to keep working together and continue putting in time and resources to help more families.

In April, the FRCs took part in FTF Celebrate the Young Child, a fun event with games, learning stations, and free books and toys for families. We believe all kids should grow up happy, healthy, and ready to learn. We're here to help make that happen.

Curious Quails Brings Families Together Outdoors
By: Rhegan Derfus (Program Director) and Rosie Stewart (Area Assistant Agent)

This year, the AZ Health Zone/SNAP-Ed team started a fun new program called Curious Quails! It's for families with young children, and anyone who likes being outside.

[Photo from the Challenger Elementary School Garden Club]

Curious Quails brings people together to walk, explore nature, and spend time as a community. Our first walk happened in January at the Rio Rico Community Center. It was a sunny day, and families came ready to move and enjoy time outdoors.

[Photo from the Challenger Elementary School Garden Club]
[Photo from the Challenger Elementary School Garden Club]

The second event was held on March 29 with help from the Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District #35 and the Tubac Fire Department. Families got to:

  *   See and explore fire trucks
  *   Spray a fire hose
  *   Plant vegetable seeds to take home
  *   Walk together along the community path
  *   Learn and play outdoors with neighbors

>From little kids digging in the dirt to grandparents walking with family, Curious Quails shows how nature, movement, and community can help us live healthier lives.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@usanctacruzcountycoopext) to find out when the next walk is happening. We hope to see you there!

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My Hometown is Cool - 4-H Students Champion Change in Santa Cruz County
By:  Norma Elisa Ruiz, Santa Cruz County 4-H

Santa Cruz County 4-H launched the first "My Hometown is Cool" initiative during the 2024-2025 school year with the Lourdes Catholic School 4-H Warriors Club. This inspiring new 4-H program is designed to spark youth entrepreneurship and community service. Forty-two enthusiastic 4-H students in grades 6-12 participated, developing leadership skills, envisioning meaningful change, and proposing innovative solutions to improve the community.

On March 19, five 4-H student teams competed in an exciting Elevator Pitch Competition, sharing creative and impactful call-to-action project ideas. The winning team, "A Safe Crosswalk for a Safer Community!" was awarded $2,000 to bring their vision to life, with the help of fellow 4-H club members. In honor of their achievement, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors invited the team to present at the April board meeting where they received recognition. Special thanks go to the esteemed panel of local leaders who served as judges and helped make this event a success for the students and community (everyone displayed in the picture).

For further inquiries, please contact normaelisaruiz at arizona.edu<mailto:normaelisaruiz at arizona.edu> or visit our website below:

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