Composting can be one of the most fulfilling processes to experience in the home garden. When everything goes smoothly in a compost pile, the transition from raw organic materials to black gold motivates home gardeners to continue to recycle and reap the rewards of nature’s decomposition cycle. Of course,…
Are “small flies” causing big problems for your customers? Flies are common nuisance pests indoors, and some species may pose health hazards by contaminating food and transmitting foodborne illness bacteria. We may commonly use the catch-all term “small flies” to describe pest species that are smaller than…
What comes to mind when you think of creepy creatures and pests? Perhaps it’s bats and spiders but if you want to learn about some truly creepy creatures, keep reading! Many people are familiar with insect predators, like lady beetles (ladybugs), that eat other insects. But not many know about the other…
What does it mean when unusual mushrooms pop up in your lawn? Are they a cause for concern or just a temporary visitor? A few mushrooms sprouting in your lawn are not usually a problem. Their presence usually means a lot of organic matter is present in the soil under the lawn. But it's important to know what…
While kikuyugrass is a popular lawn grass in hotter areas, it's classified as a Federal Noxious Weed because of its rapid growth and aggressive spread through its creeping stolons. It can cause thick mats, creating a tripping hazard in athletic fields and golf courses, and can infest ornamental plantings. If…
Crickets are well known for their chirping, which reminds us of calm meadow nights. These crickets are known as field crickets and are generally found in natural habitats and certain landscapes. They dig tunnels in soil and are not commonly known to be urban pests. However, not all crickets are made the same…
In September 2026, Paso Robles became the hub for California’s agritourism leaders, experts and practitioners. Hosted by the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) and facilitated by Rachael Callahan, Statewide Agritourism Coordinator, the 2026 Agritourism Summit…
The “Transition to Organic" series, on Nov. 5, 12 and 19, will cover the organic certification process, organic livestock economics and tips from experienced producers.
A growing number of invasive pests are threatening our oak, sycamore, maple, and ash trees, even edible favorites like avocado are at risk. When trees are under attack, the first signs of trouble are easy to miss which can be detrimental to a tree’s health. It is important to monitor your trees regularly for…
By Baljot Chahal, UC Irvine PhD Student and Center for Planetary Health Summer Immersion Program FellowDuring conversations with members of the UC ANR Urban Agriculture Program Team for my Center for Planetary Health Summer Immersion Program fellowship, I asked two simple questions: If someone knew nothing…
Fall is officially here! Even though the weather is still warm in many places in California, leaves are beginning to drop and things are starting to slow down in our gardens. It’s time to prepare for garden and landscape pest problems that could come with the changing season. Did you know that UC…
Following the August 20th webinar, Rose Cultural Practices, Abiotic Disorders and Disease, our presenter, John Karlik, answered questions from participants. Below are some additional questions John didn’t have time to answer during the live session. Keep in mind that some of the questions below were related…
In California, flies are often a nuisance during summer and fall. Several species of flies commonly enter homes, and while most are merely nuisance pests, others can transmit diseases. These nuisance flies vary in their habitat preference and breeding cycle. In this article, we discuss a few common flies you…
Backyard chickens are increasingly being raised as pets, for egg production, and for youth development and science projects. While raising chickens can be an interesting and economically beneficial activity, chickens and other fowl may also have pest problems. Chickens are natural hosts to a variety of…
Ranchers, meat processors, butchers and agricultural industry partners are invited to Siskiyou County on Oct. 15-16 for the first meat summit to be held on the West Coast.
Following the June 18th webinar When Composting Goes Rotten, our presenter, Kevin Marini, answered live questions from participants. Below are some of the questions asked about composting and some tips on what to avoid. Keep in mind that some of the questions were related to content shared during the live…
Just a few more weeks of summer remain! As the weather begins to shift, you may need to adjust your landscaping practices to prevent and monitor for fall pests. The UC IPM Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist is a monthly guide to help you avoid common pests of landscape plants. Here are some general tips…
California’s Farm to School Investment helps farmers expand production and access new markets while strengthening the state’s food economy California’s investment in locally sourced school meals is delivering substantial economic returns. A new report reveals that every $1 granted to…
It means different things to different people (See our working definition here). From backyard chicken-raising and beekeeping, to small-scale commercial farming on the edge of cities, urban agriculture is increasingly popular and is often in the news.
Image shows a garden in an urban city environment with a train passing over an overpass.
Benefits of urban agriculture
Urban agriculture can positively impact communities in many ways. It can improve access to healthy food, promote community development, and create jobs. A number of cities in California, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have recently updated municipal policies to facilitate urban agriculture, due to strong community interest. If you’d like to learn more about some documented impacts of urban agriculture, see Research.
Challenges of urban agriculture
Despite the benefits associated with urban agriculture, there are many challenges. Urban farmers routinely face issues related to zoning, soil, water access, and profitability, as a few examples. At the community level, noise and nuisance issues can come into play. This site is intended to share the research on both benefits and challenges, and best practices on how to address those as a farmer or local decision maker.
Who we are
UC ANR is part of the nation’s land grant university system, with more than a century of experience providing research-based knowledge to California farmers. This site offers resources that we’ve identified as most useful for urban farmers and local decision makers and stakeholders. Additionally, we are identifying gaps where resources need to be developed. Our team includes more than 15 experts, ranging from UC farm advisors, to agricultural economists, to urban planners and policy makers.
