UC ANR is still working for Californians

DAVIS, Calif. — UC Agriculture and Natural Resources is available to assist Californians across the state during the new coronavirus crisis. We are working differently, but we are still working to help residents improve their lives and businesses with resources on growing food in a garden, preserving food, entertaining kids with educational activities and many other useful topics at ucanr.edu.

We are finding opportunities to make life easier for communities. For example, in Sonoma County, UC Cooperative Extension developed an online Food Distribution Directory with CropMobster. “By changing our relationship to food waste, we can use excess, high quality food to feed people in need,” said Stephanie Larson, UC Cooperative Extension director for Sonoma County. For more information visit https://maps.cropmobster.com/food-distribution-directory/ and https://ucanr.edu/sites/SCRFC.

UC ANR Climate Smart Agriculture Community Education Specialists are assisting growers in applying for cost-share funds from CDFA's Climate Smart Agriculture programs, helping with filing paperwork with CDFA and implementing the cost-shared Climate Smart Agriculture practices. All of our technical assistance providers are currently working remotely and available via email, telephone, Zoom and other virtual communications technologies.

The University of California is vigilantly monitoring and responding to new information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has been declared a global health emergency. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources employees are working remotely during their normal business hours and performing essential duties such as feeding animals, protective measures that align with COVID-19 guidance from public health officials and the UC Office of the President. This status will be in effect through April 7, 2020, and may be extended.

We are also mindful of official guidance concerning social distancing; all in-person events will be cancelled, postponed or conducted by Zoom through April 7 or until the guidance is modified. This includes all volunteer-led youth or adult programming, meetings or gatherings. Visit https://ucanr.edu/sites/PSU/ or contact your local UC Cooperative Extension office for information on event status.

Again, we are working and available. UC ANR is maintaining critical research projects and delivering programs online. We are exploring innovative ways to connect with the public using technology and working with our partners. UC ANR employees can be reached as normal through email or Zoom video conferencing.

Useful information is available at the following links.

• 4-H Youth Development Program
• Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
• UC Master Food Preserver Program
• UC Master Gardener Program

Find your local UC Cooperative Extension office contact information here.

Additional information from our programs may be found at:

• Agricultural Issues Center
• California Institute for Water Resources
• California Naturalist Program
• CalFresh Healthy Living, UC
• Informatics and GIS Program
• Nutrition Policy Institute
• Research and Extension Center System
• Research and Information Centers
• Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM)
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP)

We also encourage members of the public to subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow our social media platforms:

• UC ANR (English)
• UC ANR (Spanish)
• Master Gardener Program
• Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM)

We look forward to seeing you online for the present time. What else can we do to help you? Send your suggestions to Linda Forbes, director of UC ANR Strategic Communications, at lforbes@ucanr.edu.

— UC Agriculture and Natural Resources