Ongoing research

The UC Rice IPM Workgroup is holding a grower meeting on February 16th to provide research updates and exhibit a new decision-support tool under development. The meeting is relevant to rice growers and other rice industry experts throughout California.

The final statewide evaluation reports for the program year 2021 (PY21) were sent out in Dec. 2021. Because the reports are cumulative, this report represents total participation in the follow-up survey for your county for PY21.

Skip the store and grow your own peanut butter, but it won't be in a jiffy. This season, we decided to grow peanuts in the Edible Plants Plot at the Community Garden Demonstration Garden. Why not? They are as pretty as any pea plant and just as easy to grow.

Determining when to return to in-person activities is being managed at the local level with direction and support from County Directors.

Who doesn't enjoy a pretty bouquet of freshly cut flowers from the garden? But have you ever tried picking a bouquet of hydrangeas? I discovered the flowers are rather finicky. Once cut, and almost before the stems touch water, they wilt.

Learn about the efforts to blend the desires of the general public for lush landscaping with the NEED to install plant materials that match the finite water resources.

COVID-19 continues to impact our program and the ability to complete standard UC Master Gardener volunteer hour requirements. Based on feedback of program coordinators, adjustments to volunteer hour requirements are available for the 2021-22 program year (July 1, 2021 June 30, 2022).

Amongst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season donors to the UC Master Gardener Program came through with strong support of our programs. Across the state we raised more than $86,000 (cumulatively during Nov. and Dec.) for county programs.

Avocado Caf is intended to be a meeting of interested avocado growers from California and elsewhere with an open discussion for ideas and inputs. Our organizing committee primarily consists of California growers but also has extension personnel and international members as well.

Dear Colleagues, USDA NRCS has announced the Building Markets and Investing in America's Climate-Smart Farmers, Ranchers & Forest Owners to Strengthen U.S. Rural and Agricultural Communities funding opportunity.