Cooperative Extension San Joaquin County

Our Mission

True to the mission of the land grant universities, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources connects the power of UC research in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition and youth development with local communities to improve the lives of all Californians.

For over 100 years, we have been committed to:

• Connecting Californians to their University
• Leading the way to science-based solutions
• Providing information that is trustworthy and not biased
• Sharing research that is practical to use
• Addressing local concerns as part of the community
• Inviting the participation of concerned stakeholders
• Facilitating problem-solving and outreach to address the state's toughest challenges

Through science and service, UC Cooperative Extension in San Joaquin County is addressing the needs of our community in plant and animal agriculture, natural resource management and the Delta, community nutrition and health, youth development, gardening and horticulture, and food preservation. In partnership with our community, we aim to deliver information that will help our community thrive. 

About San Joaquin County 

San Joaquin County covers 1,426 square miles (3,694 km) and has a population of approximately 800,000 (2023, US Census Bureau). The county is located at the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley and is named for one of its major waterways, the San Joaquin River. When California became a State of the Union on February 18, 1850, San Joaquin County was one of 27 counties created. Captain Charles M. Weber was instrumental in developing the City of Stockton as the County Seat and as a Port of Entry. Today, ships still deliver cargo to the Port of Stockton by the channel Captain Weber dug in the 1800s. In addition to the San Joaquin River, the Calaveras and the Mokelumne rivers also flow through San Joaquin County and are three of the five rivers that make up the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Region. The Delta spans 738,000 acres and is the hub of California’s water system.
 

Agriculture is a leading industry in San Joaquin County, worth over $3 billion annually. The county ranks seventh among California counties in terms of agricultural production, and leading commodities include milk, almonds, grapes, and cherries. For a complete list of crops produced in San Joaquin County, see the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office crop reports. Agriculture supports nearly 35,000 jobs and approximately 10 percent of the county’s economy. (See the Economic Impact of Agriculture in San Joaquin County for more information.) Agritourism is supported by the Lodi wine appellation and the efforts of the Lodi-Woodbridge Wine Grape Commission, the Lodi Convention and Visitors Bureau, Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau, among other groups.