Caroline Champlin
- Science Communication Specialist, UCANR
Los Angeles
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Articles by Caroline Champlin
F3 Local Opens Farming Equipment ‘Lending Library’ at Kearney REC
By Caroline D Champlin Small-scale growers invited to save money, try new techniques by checking out equipment and engaging with UC research. Everything starts with a tractor. That’s the mantra of grape grower Albert Smith, whose family has been farming in southwest Fresno for generations. “ Everything you do starts with a good machine,” Smith said. Purchasing new equipment, however, can be an exorbitant expense, especially for small-scale farmers like Smith.
F3 Local opens farming equipment ‘lending library’ at Kearney REC
Tracy Celio (left) cut the ribbon to open the lending library, along with grower Albert Smith (middle) and Ashley Swearengin (right), President and CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation. Photo by Caroline Champlin Small-scale growers invited to save money, try new techniques by checking out equipment and engaging with UC research Everything starts with a tractor. That’s the mantra of grape grower Albert Smith, whose family has been farming in southwest Fresno for generations.
As El Niño looms, scientists raise concerns about erosion in Altadena burn scar
Natalie Levy (left) digs up a soil sample from an Altadena backyard while the property owner watches. Photo by Caroline Champlin UC experts recommend using free public compost to ‘cap’ soil, keep heavy metals out of waterways Climate forecasters are sounding the alarm: we’re in for an El Niño year. This anticipated weather cycle may bring heavy rain and flooding to California over late fall and winter.
DroneCamp 2026 celebrates 10th year amid new regulations on tech
Attendees at a previous year's DroneCamp learn how to use remote sensing technology. Photo by Andy Lyons Week-long course to cover new federal drone restrictions, film-making, thermal data and flying drones from boats Ten years ago, if you spotted a drone flying overhead, it was most likely a hobbycraft operated recreationally. That changed in 2016, when the Federal Aviation Administration streamlined access to drone licenses for commercial and professional use.
Central Coast UC Cooperative Extension advisor Larsen retires, known for his word ‘as good as gold’
Royce Larsen (left) holds a kid goat next to rancher Roger Millers' son (right) in Parkfield, CA. Photo courtesy of Royce Larsen Watershed and natural resources advisor Royce Larsen retires this summer after extraordinary career helping ranchers care for rangelands By the time Royce Larsen turned 12, he had never traveled farther than a three-hour drive from his family’s dairy ranch in rural Utah. Caring for cows was a demanding household chore requiring participation from the whole family.
Registration open for 2026 California Agritourism Summit Sept. 23-25
By Caroline D Champlin San Luis Obispo County growers to share agritourism successes at gathering organized by UC SAREP Oak-studded Paso Robles is known for wine and olive oils, but many local farmers’ livelihoods transcend selling products – it’s about exporting the California experience.
Registration open for 2026 California Agritourism Summit Sept. 23-25
Last year's summit brought attendees to San Diego County. Now, attendees will get to visit San Luis Obispo. Photo courtesy of Rachael Callahan San Luis Obispo County growers to share agritourism successes at gathering organized by UC SAREP Oak-studded Paso Robles is known for wine and olive oils, but many local farmers’ livelihoods transcend selling products – it’s about exporting the California experience.
Dogs with jobs: Pups go on pest patrol as rodenticides phase out
JJ (left) and Mark Vick (right) have been working together to detect rodents for the last seven years. Photo by Caroline Champlin UC Cooperative Extension explores how dogs can help detect, control rodent populations JJ has a uniform to keep himself safe on the job. As a consummate professional, he always wears a collar. A harness fits snugly around his shoulders. When he treads on dangerous terrain, he sports protective booties on all four paws. JJ is a rodent detection dog.
Ventura County stands out as climate ‘hot spot,’ UC ANR scientist warns farmers
Prized crops like avocados may experience stress during prolonged heat waves and extended dry seasons brought on by the changing climate. Photo courtesy of Ben Faber UC experts share data, tips and tools for Ventura County growers to prepare for exceptional rates of warming in the region Ventura County is an agricultural hub renowned for premium produce, like strawberries and avocados. But, based on recent climate data, this coastal region is earning a new, unwelcome reputation.
Report: Calif. ag, natural resources generate $404b annually
In 2025, California surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. Contributing to that achievement are over a million farm laborers, winemakers, park rangers, agricultural truckers, renewable energy technicians and many other workers who generate value from the state’s natural landscapes.
UC ANR Creates New Report Highlighting Agriculture And Natural Resources Sectors’ Vital Role In California’s Economy
By Caroline D. Champlin Last year, California surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. Contributing to that achievement are over a million farm laborers, winemakers, park rangers, agricultural truckers, renewable energy technicians and many other workers who generate value from the state’s natural landscapes.
Agriculture, natural resources sectors support California’s rank as world’s fourth-largest economy
A new report published by UC ANR summarizes contributions made by all of the people working California's diverse landscapes, from farmworkers to park rangers. Report: California working landscapes – farms, ranches, mines, forests, renewable energy installations and fisheries – generate $404 billion in sales annually Last year, California surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.
Volunteers sought for 'blitz' to protect Ventura County oaks from destructive beetle
Goldspotted oak borers are small, invasive beetles posing a serious risk to California's native oaks. Photo by Douglas Morrison UC ANR partners with CAL FIRE and community scientists to survey for goldspotted oak borers, stop the movement of infested firewood Small beetles are chewing up Southern California’s beloved oak trees from the inside out.
‘Pocket parks’ promise climate resiliency on a small scale. Are they working?
Esperanza Elementary Green Schoolyard Project in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Land Trust UCCE specialist Monica Palta, UC Irvine colleagues to study value of small-scale green spaces If you see someone scrutinizing the trash at your local park, it could be urban ecologist Monica Palta. Fear not, you're just witnessing science in action. “It's basically trash archeology in a way,” Palta said.
UC Organic Agriculture Institute forges partnerships
[Editor's note: Are you registered for the Organic Grower Summit? Presented by Farm Progress, the event is Dec. 3-4 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa in Monterey, Calif. Don't miss out on this two-day action-packed event. Register here.] This fall, grower Rufus Jimenez was preparing to lead a tour of Golden Eagle Farm, a certified organic farm owned by the Mesa Grand Band of Mission Indians, when he had an idea.
UC Organic Agriculture Institute forges partnerships at first regional conference
UC Organic Agriculture Institute San Diego Field Crops Grapes Avocado Watermelon Farms and Agricultural Fields Sustainable Agriculture Food Access & Food Insecurity Free farm tours and local expertise helps ground organic farmers in the San Diego region This fall, grower Rufus Jimenez was preparing to lead a tour of Golden Eagle Farm, a certified organic farm owned by the Mesa Grand Band of Mission Indians, when he had an idea.
New laws reshape nursery operations across California
Nursery owners and landscapers are anticipating a slew of new laws to roll their way over the next few years. These rules are poised to alter business as usual in all sectors of the horticultural industry, from cut flower operations to native plant nurseries. The new rules encompass a variety of environmental topics, including single-use plastic pots, water use and nutrient management.
California nursery industry grapples with plastics, water, nutrients
UC Cooperative Extension Ventura Ornamentals Farms and Agricultural Fields Garden Natural Areas and Natural Environment Your Home Landscape Restoration Pests & Diseases Garden And Landscape Design Home Landscaping Landscaping Plant Care Climate Change And Drought Resilience Irrigation Management 2025California Nursery Conference briefs growers on a roundup of new environmental laws on single-use plastics, water efficiency and nutrient management Nursery owners and landscapers are anticipating...
Volunteers track invasive beetle threatening California oak trees
The invasive goldspotted oak borer first struck San Diego County woodlands over a decade ago, and the damage over successive years left “boneyards” behind. That’s how Jan Gonzales describes the dead trees removed after suffering an infestation of the tiny beetles – just piles of chopped wood and bare stumps remaining. “There were swaths of dead oaks,” Gonzales said. “You could go to a park, and all these trees were having to be cut down.
Everything In Life, From Water
Odeh giving a presentation during the 2024 Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program. Water in Palestine is rarely just that. Often, it’s salty. Sometimes it’s polluted with waste. When people need it most, it may not be there at all. “We are living in a hot area. This summer the situation became critical,” says Ali Odeh, executive director of the Union of Palestinian Water Service Providers. “We have supply systems, but we don’t have water.
The Eaton Fire Hit Caltech Scientists Close to Home. Now, They’re Studying the Toxic Aftermath
Failed to save article Please try again Professor François Tissot has collected dozens of samples from the Eaton Fire in Altadena for his research on understanding the potential harms of living amid environmental contamination. In the aftermath of the Eaton Fire that raged across Los Angeles County in January, Tissot and a team of Caltech scientists came together as a community to support their colleagues and ask critical environmental research questions.
New Study: What Do Solar and Wind Experts Think About Renewable Projects’ Risk To Biodiversity? — Wild Energy | Energy Solutions for Nature and Sustainability
While many regions did show a negative perception, the majority of Midwest respondents had a neutral outlook on solar’s impact on biodiversity. Condon’s team conducted interviews in the region to dig into that result. “ We're hypothesizing this could come from a recent rise in planting pollinator habitat underneath solar panels and increasing biodiversity space,” Condon says. “Some respondents were aware this multi-use type of development is going on.
UCLA librarians advance teaching, research and patient care needs of the UCLA Health enterprise
As an emergency room doctor at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Jake Toy sees the aftermath of the most serious incidents happening on a daily basis in Los Angeles. “It’s the spectrum of traumatic injuries: falls, car crashes, gunshot wounds, stabbings,” Toy says. Tough as his job is, he’s sympathetic to paramedics who arrive on the scene first. “There’s a lot of environmental factors going on. They’re on the highway; it’s often chaotic,” he says.
Activism as Academics
At her family’s dinner table growing up, Bhavna Shamasunder heard a lot about cancer. Her dad, an oncologist, treated patients across Southern California’s Antelope Valley and talked about his work at home. As a budding environmentalist, Shamasunder listened. “As I learned more about environmental exposures, he would tell me what he was seeing in his patients,” Shamasunder says. What he saw was higher rates of breast cancer in some neighborhoods more than others or in workers in specific industries.
How To Make LA Greener One Tree (And Park) At A Time
Start your day with LAist Sign up for How To LA, delivered weekday mornings. In Los Angeles, the lack of green space is real. One out of four people killed by extreme heat in L.A. could be saved if more trees were planted in the region, according to a recent study from UCLA researchers. And research from UC Davis found disparities based on race and class: on a hot day in the city, the neighborhoods that are made up of mostly Latino residents can be more than six degrees hotter than others.
A Year After Fireworks Explosion In South LA 'Nothing Is Going To Be Normal Again'
Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Natalie Quintanilla remembers everything. Last year she was living on 27th street in South L.A. in an apartment with her three kids. On the evening of June 30th, she heard a bit of a commotion. “So I wake up. I open the curtains and I'm like, what is going on. I see like four or five officers, cops,” Quintanilla said.
In case you forgot: COVID still runs this economy
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How will Black Friday and Cyber Monday fare this year?
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * In-store shopping was down on Black Friday compared with pre-pandemic times, according to data from Sensormatic Solutions. That was also true for e-commerce spending on the big sale day, based on analysis from Adobe. On Cyber Monday, there was evidence that shoppers have been spreading their spending over more than just a few days.
Zoom is essential for some pandemic-era entrepreneurs
The latest earnings report from Zoom beat estimates, with revenue coming in close to where it was last quarter. But Zoom is losing small business clients and individual consumers faster than it’s gaining large corporate customers, according to the digital intelligence company Similarweb. Still, some entrepreneurs have bet on video conferencing — including two small business owners — in an industry you might not expect to see online.
Deere strike will be felt throughout the agriculture industry
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * Later this week, we’ll get quarterly earnings from Deere & Co. The numbers could show any financial damage to the farm and construction equipment manufacturer following a monthlong strike by Deere employees in the United Auto Workers union. That strike just ended last week. The workers approved an immediate 10% raise.
Staffing is key to smooth air travel over the holiday period
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * The TSA says Thanksgiving air travel this year is expected to be very close to pre-pandemic levels, but still some airlines and airports are dealing with staffing shortages.
What do CVS store closures say about the future of pharmacies?
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * CVS says it is planning to close about 900 stores over the next three years, starting in 2022. The company says it’s an effort to review the retail side of its business, and focus on more health care services.
Apple opens up devices for DIY repairs
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * In a major shift in policy, Apple will start allowing customers to repair their own Macs and iPhone with parts and tools sold by the company. The new Self Service Repair program is set to launch early next year for the iPhones 12 and 13 first.
Earnings reports from Walmart, Target and friends show some holiday cheer
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * Segments From this episode Louis DeJoy on why he’s slowing mail and raising prices at the USPS: “We have no money” The Postmaster General explains his controversial plan for the future of the Postal Service.
What are small business owners thinking about paid family leave?
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * Many small businesses — just like other companies — are in a labor crunch at the moment. So how might they view paid family leave, which some lawmakers are pushing for in Washington? A group of small companies surveyed in New York and New Jersey became more supportive of the idea in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new working paper out this week.
Not everyone is planning to spend money on gifts this holiday season
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * A recent Deloitte survey on the upcoming holiday shopping season finds that overall spending is expected to be up compared to last year. But that depends heavily on higher-income households. Many lower-income households are approaching the season differently.
The storm of holiday advertising might be a little lighter this season
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * The team Latest Episodes From Our Shows 7:32 AM PST 7:37 2:17 AM PST 7:11 7:36 AM PST 1:50 Nov 12, 2021 24:48 Nov 12, 2021 27:51 Nov 11, 2021 35:53 Aug 10, 2021 23:59
Companies ease up on the holiday ads
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * Holidays are coming up and with them, holiday advertisements. This is usually one of the biggest seasons for automakers and retailers. You may have already started hearing the jingles and taglines, but maybe not as many.
Small LA retailers optimistic going into holiday shopping
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * We often report on how either huge corporations or individual workers are feeling about this economy. Today we decided to check in with small retailers in the Marketplace home base, Los Angeles, about how they’re feeling ahead of the biggest shopping season of the year.
How employer vaccine mandates are playing out in a tribal border town
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * Segments From this episode The Weekly Wrap To help break down this week's economic news, Kai Ryssdal is joined by ADP’s Nela Richardson and the New York Times’ Ana Swanson to chat inflation, supply chain consternation, the JOLTS reports and more.
Inflation, inflation, inflation
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * Segments From this episode Congress' budget gurus may slow down Biden’s Build Back Better plan Zach Moller talks about what a Congressional Budget Office score is and how it affects legislation.
What California's new law means for garment workers, businesses
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * Lonnie Kane started the Los Angeles-based apparel company Karen Kane with his wife in 1979. (Caroline Champlin) In the sample room of Los Angeles clothing brand Karen Kane, a worker is cutting out pieces of blue and white striped fabric for a dress. The boss, co-president Lonnie Kane, is watching. “This is only making one garment. That’s all we’re here to do,” Kane said.
Inflation rose 6.2% in a year. That hasn't happened since the '90s.
Also today: We hear some more insight on inflation from U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who talked with Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal earlier in the week. Sticking with the theme of rising prices, we look into how people are swapping out what they buy in the grocery store as a result. There's also been a rise in foreclosures, and it doesn't seem like it'll slow down.
Are in-store grocery chain brands having a moment?
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * We get the Consumer Price Index today, that will tell us where inflation is headed. With consumers becoming more cost-conscious, in-store brands are getting more attention from consumers. Boston College professor Francesco D’Acunto is usually loyal to Italian brands of pasta and pasta sauce.
US hiring bounces back in October with 531,000 jobs added
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * The team Latest Episodes From Our Shows 7:28 AM PDT 9:34 3:00 AM PDT 9:56 7:59 AM PDT 1:50 Nov 4, 2021 13:45 Nov 4, 2021 27:57 Nov 4, 2021 37:36 Aug 10, 2021 23:59
Deere union remains on strike, holding out for a better deal
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * United Auto Workers union employees at the farm equipment manufacturer Deere and Co. have rejected a second proposed contract from management this week, extending the union’s nearly three-week-long strike.
What does the failure of Zillow's flipping business mean for other ibuyers?
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * Segments From this episode How can the U.S. government better distribute funding to tribal governments? A Harvard policy paper out this week on the government's pandemic relief effort calls on the Treasury Department to create a dedicated tribal affairs office.
California farmers say crops are caught in the supply chain
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * The United Nations index that measures food prices climbed 3% in October and is at its highest level since 2011, the organization reported Thursday. High prices for raw materials should be good for farmers. But in California, growers are having trouble shipping out their crops. In Northern California, farmer Chris Fedora of Fedora Farms is finishing up the walnut harvest.
Stepping up the technology to find methane leaks
Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. Email address * The Environmental Protection Agency proposed new regulations Tuesday on methane emissions from existing oil and natural gas facilities. The agency is calling for companies to monitor their infrastructure and find and fix leaks of the potent greenhouse gas. But how exactly will they do that?
CEOs are putting their money where their diversity goals are. Can that work?
Our weekly “Econ Extra Credit” newsletter is an unexpected way to learn about the economy, one documentary film at a time. Sign up to watch, and learn, with us. Email address * The team Latest Episodes From Our Shows 7:27 AM PDT 8:18 3:00 AM PDT 9:31 1:53 PM PDT 1:50 Nov 1, 2021 18:14 Nov 1, 2021 27:53 Oct 28, 2021 32:23 Aug 10, 2021 23:59
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