Universal School Meals provide free meals to all students, helping reduce stigma, administrative burden, and unequal access, while also supporting nutrition, health, food security, and academic outcomes. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal waivers allowing all students, regardless of…
Tap Water Day 2026: What Shapes Trust in Tap Water Tap water trust has become an increasingly central concern across the water sector, drawing attention from agencies, educators, and policymakers alike.This growing focus reflects a broader recognition: communities have consistently signaled the need for…
About Carrots, Parsnips and RadishesCarrots are native to Eurasia, with the typical orange variety coming from east Asia. Parsnips are native to the eastern Mediterranean and north to the Caucus Mountains. Beets also are from the Mediterranean region usually along the sandy coast. Lastly radishes…
About OnionsOnions grown in the Tahoe/Truckee area do not typically achieve the size found in the markets.Onions are defined as short day, long day and intermediate day onions. Intermediate day onions may do best in our area. Tahoe is on the demarcation line for the limits of long-day and short-day onions…
Growing SquashSquash have separate male and female flowers (monoecious).Flowers are edibleCompanion plantings include corn, lettuce, onions and radishesAvoid planting with potatoes, tomatoes and eggplantsMany varieties have tendrils that help the plant climb and hold fruit off groundSquash can be grown in…
Types of BeansSnap beans – Beans and pods eatenFilet or French Green Bean – more slenderShelled beans – Only the bean is eatenDry Beans – Beans typically dried prior to rehydrating and eaten (pinto)Bean Growth ClassificationPole – Requiring support, Longer production periodBush – Not requiring support,…
SoilPepper plants grow best in warm well drained soil. Ideal soil Ph is 6.0 to 6.8 range. A soil enriched with plenty of compost and organic material will require less fertilizer. Fertilizers of a 1-2-2 ratio are often used for growing peppers.ConditionsPeppers love the warm temperatures. They need 6-8 hrs…
Tomato SoilpH 6.2-6.8 (Tahoe/Truckee native soil) is best. Prep area by mixing in 10-10-10 fertilizer and organic matter to improve moisture-holding capacity. Plants are thirsty and hungry.Planting TomatoesTomatoes can be grown on native soils, raised beds or containers. Container growing is most successful…
Drinking Water Week 2026From Source to System: A Regional Check on Reliability, Risk, and Responsibility.Drinking Water Week, observed May 3 to 9 for this year (2026), is often treated as a public awareness moment. For agencies, engineers, regulators, and policymakers, it should function as a…
Nitrogen Fixation in PeasAtmospheric nitrogen (N2) is not in a usable form for most plants. For legumes like beans and peas a symbiotic relationship exists with a type of nitrogen fixing bacteria (Rhizobia spp.). The bacteria “infects” the root system obtaining essential nutrition, while providing the plant…
