🌱 New Agriculture Kids Program + Concerns Over Desalination Proposal

Up and at 'em, Yuma! Let's get you all caught up to start this Wednesday, April 20 off on an informed note. Here's what's going on around Yuma today.

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First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 89 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories today in Yuma:

1. An agriculture program called Southwest Ag (SWAG) is planting a little seed in young minds by teaching them how food gets on their plates. Tracey Waters from the University of Arizona Yuma County Cooperative Extension is visiting 22 schools in Crane Elementary School District, Yuma School District One, and Somerton School District. Students from kindergarten through the fifth grade have been busy sorting and categorizing fruits, vegetables, and other crops. Even though agriculture is such a prominent industry in Yuma County, many local kids don't know the process behind getting food on their plates. (KYMA)
2. As the drought and dwindling water supplies top the list of environmental challenges in the southwest, scientists remain at odds over Governor Doug Ducey's plan to help solve Arizona's water issues. The governor aims to desalinate water from the Sea of Cortez to bring clean water to the state. The proposed $1 billion project intends to draw treated water to Morelos Dam near Yuma. However, the project faces several challenges that some scientists state remain difficult to solve. (AZPM)
3. Looking for a new career right here in Yuma? Plenty of local employers are now hiring for positions across multiple job functions, including customer service, merchandising, insurance, and more. Check out the latest job listing in this Patch employment roundup. (Yuma Patch)

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Today in Yuma:

• Jazz Nights At Julieanna's Steak and Seafood (6:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Yuma Regional Medical Center has announced that for the first time since Jun. 2, 2021, YRMC has ZERO COVID-19 hospitalizations. (Facebook)
• The Yuma County Sheriff's Office is hiring! Find all open positions here. Mark your calendar and look for the Yuma County Sheriff's Office at the job fair! (Facebook)
• Joe Henry Optimist Center is receiving upgrades and a new playground! To learn more about this project, check the link to watch a video they recently released. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.