UCCE Central Sierra

Central Sierra: News & Updates

The Advisors, Academics, and Specialists of the UC Cooperative Extension in Central Sierra are hard at work in the field learning about what matters to the people in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Tuolumne Counties and beyond. In these articles, they share important news and updates about their work and deliver research-backed information to the region. 

 

metal lunch tray filled with a variety of food

Celebrating School Meals

August 31, 2026
By Kitty Oppliger
As students and teachers settle into the rhythm of a new school year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on a critical component of student success: school meals. While often viewed simply as breaks in the schedule, school breakfast and lunch are actually a powerful tool to improve students’ health and…
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Miscellaneous photo of farmers market. Bins of produce at Pier 39 Market in sunshine. By Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM
UCCE Central Sierra: Article

Central Sierra: Agricultural Diversification

August 19, 2026
By MacKenzie F Patton
Getting more out of your enterprise Building farm resilience is more important than ever, yet there is limited practical guidance out there on how one might make a resilient farm. The old adage of “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is great in theory but what other “baskets” are out there for…
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An auburn colored Dexter cow fitted with a VF collar. Smoke from the Gann Fire in Calaveras County cast an orange haze during the site visit, reinforcing why vegetation management remains an ongoing concern for Central Sierra landowners.
UCCE Central Sierra: Article

Central Sierra: Virtual Fencing Supports Fuel Management in Amador County

August 19, 2026
By Brian J Allen
Fuel reduction is an important part of making homes and properties in the Central Sierra region more fire resilient.          Common approaches include mastication, mowing, prescribed burning, and herbicide treatments, but these practices can require specialized equipment, expertise,…
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Image of a Livestock Guardian Dog with Sheep in a Field.
UCCE Central Sierra Livestock & Natural Resources: Article

Virtual Fence and Livestock Guardian Dogs: A New Twist on New Technology

July 31, 2026
By Daniel K Macon
If you’ve been following our work here at UCCE Central Sierra, you’ll likely know that my colleagues Scott Oneto and Brian Allen have been demonstrating a variety of virtual fencing systems in cattle grazing operations for several years now – with great success! They’ve demonstrated the technology’s…
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aerial view of people sharing a meal at a table

Nutrition for the Wisdom Years

July 31, 2026
By Kitty Oppliger
Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. The foods we eat play an important role in both how long we live and how well we live.Medical experts and researchers are now focusing on the concept of “healthspan”- the years we spend healthy, active, and able to enjoy…
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Emergency Preparedness Kit
UCCE Central Sierra: Article

Fire Preparedness Tips

July 27, 2026
By Robert Woodke
Fire Preparedness Tips Are you prepared? It is fire season here in the Central Sierra and it is important to be prepared. As seen by the Dove fire in Sonora, fires can escalate quickly and be in your back yard or porch before you know it. Considering this, here are a few reminders from University…
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UCCE Central Sierra: Article

Taking a Youth Mental Health First Aid Course Could Help Save a Life

July 20, 2026
By JoLynn C Miller
Training opportunity for 4-H volunteers and staff  As 4-H volunteers and staff, we have likely taken multiple first-aid and CPR courses over our life. Whether from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or other organizations we inherently know basic first aid might come in handy someday…
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Figure 3. Dr. Li Wang, lead development scientist at the West Biofuels R&D facility, explaining the design of its gasification system
UCCE Central Sierra: Article

Exploring Biomass Utilization Pathways with West Biofuels

July 1, 2026
By Cindy X Chen
In April 2026, under the coordination of Woody Biomass and Forest Products Advisor, Dr. Cindy Chen, a team from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) had the opportunity to tour the facilities of West Biofuels — its Hat Creek Bioenergy Plant in Burney and the Research and…
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UCCE Central Sierra: Article

Region 6 4-H: Project Leader Kick-Off Events Happening in July

July 1, 2026
By JoLynn C Miller
June 30 was the last day of the 2025-2026 program year for 4-H. There are still a few events happening in July as a culmination of last year’s program, like camp in El Dorado and fair in Tuolumne and Amador. As many of our youth are wrapping up and reminiscing on the memories they’ve made and lessons they’ve…
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