UCCE on the Central Coast

SNAC students and CalFresh Healthy Living staff working on garden

Science-based solutions in agriculture, natural ecosystems, community health and youth development.

 

Welcome to the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Central Coast blog, featuring updates from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Here you'll find research-based articles, practical information from UCCE advisors and staff, and details about upcoming events, workshops, and trainings that support informed decision-making in our communities.

 

 

Gardening Oakley Family Resource Center in Santa Maria

A Lasting Legacy of Health in SLO and SB Counties

August 20, 2026
By Carrie Hildebrand, Katherine E Soule
 A Lasting Legacy of Health in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara CountiesAs the CalFresh Healthy Living (CFHL) program concludes on September 30, we are celebrating our communities’ commitment to health across SLO and SB Counties. Rather than simply ending services, the CFHL program spent our final year…
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Health-Focused Needs Assessment Underway

August 11, 2026
By Katherine E Soule
UC Cooperative Extension in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties has moved into phase two of a needs assessment examining conditions that affect community health. Phase one compiled secondary data on systemic conditions in each county. Phase two brings community-engaged qualitative interviews with…
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American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Group Picture

UC Master Gardeners in San Luis Obispo County and Cal Poly engineering students improve drainage in the Seven Sisters Demonstration Garden

August 7, 2026
By Maria Murrietta
The UC Master Gardeners collaborated with Cal Poly’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to improve the drainage at the Garden of the Seven Sisters demonstration garden in San Luis Obispo. Twenty student members contributed to this project, the majority being civil engineering…
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GEM Fruit in tree

GEM Avocado High Density Trial in Santa Paula

August 4, 2026
By Ben A Faber
Quarter 4 Report for Santa Barbara County - Subtropical Crops Advisor Ben Faber completed harvesting on a GEM avocado high density trial in Santa Paula (Ventura County). High-density planting can increase the profitability of avocado production due to decreased land and water requirements. The trial will…
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Dr. Alicia del Blanco describing new varieties of wheat, barley, oats and triticale at HAREC in Camarillo

Evaluation and Demonstration of Cover Crops

August 4, 2026
By Annemiek M Schilder
Evaluation and demonstration of cover cropsA demonstration field day was held at the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center (HAREC) in Camarillo on April 17, 2026 for farmer cooperators of a multiyear California Farm Demonstration Network project on healthy soil practices. The event was led by…
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