UCCE Central Sierra Logo

UCCE Central Sierra

Central Sierra: Helping People Help Themselves

The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is your bridge between local issues and the research expertise of the University of California.

The UC Cooperative Extension Central Sierra serves Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and El Dorado counties.

Program Areas

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4-H Program

This youth development program helps young people discover and develop their potential. It provides an exciting variety of educational and enrichment experiences.

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Living with Wildfire

The University of California offers publications, websites, events and workshops on living with fire in the central Sierra. We have expertise wildfire preparedness regarding defensible space, fire resistant home construction, and see the past workshop webpage for presentations and publications.

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Agriculture

Working with local commercial farmers and grape growers solving problems and exploring new techniques to improve the productivity of our local ranches and vineyards.

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UC Master Food Preservers

Trained by the University of California, Master Food Preserver volunteers work in the community as local food preservation specialists answering food preservation/safety questions. They have a hotline and teach many food preservation classes throughout the year.

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UC CalFresh Nutrition Program

The nutrition education program is part of the University of California Cooperative Extension operating in El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. Our mission is to make healthy eating and active living more accessible in the Central Sierra - because good health should be within reach for everyone in our communities.

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UC Master Gardeners

Trained volunteers provide research based advice and support for local gardeners, schools and non-profit organizations on gardening and home horticulture. They have a demonstration garden and help desk open and available to the community.

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Forestry

The Central Sierra forestry program seeks to provide the latest research-based information from the University of California to residents, non-profits, and staff of local, state, and federal agencies.

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Natural Resources

Our Natural Resource Program provides forestry, wildlife, oak management, rangeland, watershed management and other natural resource-related information to a wide variety of county residents and visitors. The goal is to promote sound management and conservation of the region's natural resources, through research, educational activities, and good working relationships with a broad range of people.

Are you interested in matchmaking grazing animals with grass and rangelands to reduce wildfire fuel & feed livestock? Visit Match.Graze, the California Grazing Exchange. 

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Livestock

Working with local commercial and small farmers solving problems and exploring new techniques to improve the productivity of our local ranches and explore opportunities for increasing efficiency with our livestock.

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UC California Naturalist Program

The UC California Naturalist Program is designed to introduce Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engage the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities.

Contribute for a Better Future

Upcoming Events

Event Date
Mar 27 2025

New Adult Volunteer Orientation (Virtual)

All adults who apply to be an adult volunteer in the 4-H YD Program must complete either an in-person or virtual New Adult Volunteer Orientation. Please check the New Adult Volunteer Orientation R.S…
View Event

Office Locations

UCCE Amador County

Amador County GSA Building
12200-B Airport Rd.
Jackson, CA 95642
United States

UCCE Calaveras County

423 E. St. Charles St.
San Andreas, CA 95349
United States

UCCE El Dorado County

Bethell-Delfino Agriculture Building
311 Fair Ln.
Placerville, CA 95667
United States

UCCE South Lake Tahoe Basin

No walk in office hours
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
United States

UCCE Tuolumne County

52 N. Washington St.
Sonora, CA 95370
United States

Personnel

Brian J Allen

Assistant Specialist
ASST SPECIALIST

Carletta Amatisto-Smith

Carletta Amatisto-Smith
Community Education Specialist II
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Stacy L Arhontes

Stacy L. Arhontes
Assistant II
BLANK AST 2

Bambi Baechler

Bambi Baechler
UC CalFresh Nutrition Educator
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Elissa Bunn

Elissa Bunn
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Kathleen Carter

Kathleen Carter
UC CalFresh Nutrition Educator
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Cindy X Chen

Cindy X. Chen
Woody Biomass and Forest Products Advisor
ASST COOP EXT ADVISOR

Noah A Cooke

Noah Alexander Cooke
CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE Central Sierra Community Education Supervisor 2
CMTY EDUC SUPV 2

Grace N Dean

Grace Nguyen-Sovan Dean
Forest Stewardship Communications Specialist
COMM SPEC 3

Carol Dunsdon

Staff Volunteer

Bonnie Fraser

Bonnie Fraser
Administrative Assistant II
Affiliated Organization

William Frost

William E. Frost
CE Advisor, Emeritus
NON-SENATE ACAD EMERITUS(WOS)

Sandra Gainza

Affiliated Organization

Mariana Garcia

Mariana Garcia
UC CalFresh Program Coordinator
CMTY EDUC SPEC 3

Gillian Garrett

Gillian Garrett
BLANK AST 2

Alejandra Giron

Martha (Alejandra) Giron
UC CalFresh Nutrition Educator CES II
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Alissa Hardie

Alissa Hardie
Community Education Specialist II
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Lindsey J Harwood

Lindsey J. Harwood
Administrative Officer II
ADMIN OFCR 2 CX

Kimberly C Ingram

Kimberly C. Ingram
Forest Stewardship Education Coordinator
ACADEMIC COORD II-FY

Angela Johnson

Angela Johnson
Assistant II
BLANK AST 2

Susan D Kocher

Susan D. Kocher
Forestry/ Natural Resources Advisor
COOP EXT ADVISOR

Robert Kreznarich

Staff Volunteer

Cristina N Luquin

Cristina Luquin
CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE Nutrition Educator
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Daniel K Macon

Daniel K. Macon
Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor
ASSOC COOP EXT ADVISOR

Lynnelle Madsen

Lynnelle Madsen
4-H Program Representative
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Mary Manning

Mary Manning
Community Education Specialist 2
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Robin E Martin

Robin Elizabeth Martin
Admin Asst II
BLANK AST 2

Cailin McLaughlin

Cailin McLaughlin
Garden Coordinator, CFHL, UCCE Central Sierra
CMTY EDUC SPEC 3

Justin Mickle

Justin Mickle
Community Education Specialist 2
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

JoLynn C Miller

JoLynn C. Miller
Central Sierra Director & 4-H Youth Development Advisor
ASSOC COOP EXT ADVISOR

Haley O'Mara

Haley O'Mara
Community Education Specialist 2
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Farrah Olson

Farrah Olson
Community Education Specialist 2
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Scott R Oneto

Scott R. Oneto
Farm Advisor
COOP EXT ADVISOR

Kitty Oppliger

Kitty Oppliger
ASST COOP EXT ADVISOR

Mackenzie F Patton

Mackenzie Faith Patton
Integrated Pest Management Advisor
ASST COOP EXT ADVISOR

Debbie L Powell

Debbie L. Powell
Master Gardener Program Coordinator
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Hardeep Singh

Hardeep Singh
Local Food Systems Advisor
ASST COOP EXT ADVISOR

Juanesha Spence

Juanesha Spence
Community Education Specialist 2
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Lisa Uribe

Lisa Uribe
Community Education Specialist 2
CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Daylin Wade

SRA 2 NEX

Mission Statement

The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Central Sierra will be the bridge between local issues in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and El Dorado counties and the research expertise of the University of California.