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.

 

 

September 2026: Crop & Livestock Report time

September 2, 2026
By Shannon Klisch
It’s coming up on Crop & Livestock Report time! The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner released their 2025 report at the June 23rd Board of Supervisors meeting. The report shows that the value of Santa Barbara County Agriculture continues to grow, with over $2.2 billion in total value,…
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Building Youth Leadership Opportunities into our Everyday Work

September 2, 2026
By Melissa Guillen
When we think about youth leadership in 4-H, we may picture youth officers, ambassadors, or teen teachers. These are valuable roles, but they are not the only opportunities for 4-H members to develop leadership skills.Sometimes youth engagement can be built into the work we are already doing.Recently, our 4…
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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
 As 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 ensuring our impact remains institutionalized.The results are…
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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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