Alameda County Cooperative Extension

Who We Are:

University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Alameda County is the local outreach and engagement arm of the University of California, translating UC research into practical, science-based solutions for real-world challenges. As part of the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), we belong to a statewide network of researchers, academic advisors, educators, and staff dedicated to advancing agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, public health, and community well-being. Our team works at the intersection of research and community practice, partnering closely with residents, public agencies, nonprofits, schools, and industry. Because our educators live and work in the communities they serve, our programs are informed by local conditions: from urban neighborhoods and underserved communities to working landscapes and wildland-urban interfaces. This place-based approach allows us to respond effectively to evolving challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, housing pressure, and ecosystem stress, while ensuring programs are inclusive, equitable, and grounded in community priorities.

What We Do:

We deliver practical, research-based programs that address complex local challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, wildfire resilience, biodiversity loss, and community health. Our core functions include:

• Supporting agriculture and local food systems, including small and urban farmers

• Promoting environmental stewardship, water conservation, and wildfire resilience

• Improving nutrition and health outcomes through community education

• Developing youth leaders who contribute to healthy, engaged communities

• Strengthening local resilience and economic vitality through applied research and partnerships

By leveraging UC expertise, more than 600 trained volunteers, and collaborations with over 150 public and private partners, we provide high-quality, cost-effective services that benefit all Alameda County residents.

County Partnership:

The word Cooperative in our name refers to the fact that our funding is derived from multiple resources in cooperation with one another. We receive funding from county, state, and federal resources. Alameda County's Community Development Agency provides various levels of support of office space, utilities, administration and transportation to program locations. The University of California provides academic and program staff. We also rely on grants, donations and program cost-recovery to deliver our programs and conduct our research projects.

Announcements and News:

Featured Research and Local Impact:

• UC ANR is hiring an Integrated Pest Management Advisor specializing in commensal rodents and urban wildlife, i.e. the Bay Area "Rat Czar."
• UCCE Alameda's Calfresh Health Living, UCCE team is promoting healthy eating and activity habits among older adults in the East Bay.
• Got bedbugs crashing in your guest room? Dr. Andrew Sutherland is interviewed in July's California Department of Pesticide Regulation Bulletin.
• Master Gardeners of Alameda County's very own, Allyson Greenlon, was interviewed by Alexis Madrigal on KQED's Forum on gardening and climate change in the East Bay.
• Calfresh Healthy Living, UCCE of Alameda County is making an impact on childhood nutrition and health with its playground stenciling program in cooperation with the Oakland Unified School District.
• Learn more about how UCCE Alameda is teaming up with UCSF for Food Farmacy.
• UCCE advisor Yana Valachovic was quoted in a Berkeleyside article about debates around "Zone Zero" requirements in Berkeley.

Career Opportunities:

• Browse job openings covering Alameda County on ANR's Jobs page.

Download Our Impact Report:

• Download our 2025 Impact Highlights Flyer for UCCE Alameda (PDF, 1.5 MB) 

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Dr. Mary Blackburn with students in the HBC Emerging Scholars mentorship program in conjunction with the UC Berkeley Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management

 

Educational garden at Oakland Unified School District's The Center where UC Master Gardener program of Alameda County partners on various initiatives.