Community Nutrition and Health of San Diego

Leah Larsen of Bidwell Canyon Farm displays a container with a harvest of tomatoes and peppers from her hoophouse

Food Blog: Article

In remote Modoc County, women form ‘backbone’ of agriculture

August 20, 2026

By Michael Hsu

Women play a major role in the ag sector of Modoc County, tucked in the far northeastern corner of California. They own or co-own many farms, ranches and food businesses.

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A man carries a box of leafy greens from the field

Food Blog: Article

Free business skills training offered to farmers, ranchers and food vendors

August 19, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Business Launchpad accepting applications for the free nine-week training until Sept. 1

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Person flies a drone over citrus grove at Lindcove REC

Discover how drones can enhance farming on Sept. 9 in Fresno County

August 13, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

The public is invited to see how drones are transforming farming through precision applications, mapping, spraying and innovative field practices at UC Kearney REC.

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Many clusters and grapes on a vine in an unpruned, mothballed vineyard

Can vineyard ‘mothballing’ help growers weather wine market collapse?

July 31, 2026

By Michael Hsu

A UCCE viticulture advisor is studying vineyard “mothballing,” which entails maintaining vines with minimal inputs, while aiming to return to production in the future.

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AI-powered precision application aims individual micro-shots at weeds or crops during nighttime

Food Blog: Article

Lettuce, leafy greens focus of ag tech demonstrations on Salinas Valley farm Aug. 6

July 30, 2026

By Hanif R Houston

Growers, pest control advisers, researchers, commodity group representatives and other ag professionals are invited to a UC ANR Connect Field Day on Aug. 6 (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), at Sabor Farms.

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UC SFN Community Education Specialist performs outreach at a farm in Fresno County

Food Blog: Article

Report: Groundwater challenges for California’s small-scale farmers expose regulation risks

July 29, 2026

By Summer J Cortez

Researchers at the UC Small Farms Network and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers document the challenges facing small-scale farms with groundwater regulations.

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Small child wearing pink outfit holding glass with two hands drinking milk

UC offers toddlers free milk to study health impacts of whole milk versus low-fat milk

July 27, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Nutrition Policy Institute researchers are studying how the type of milk two-year-olds drink affects their health, growth and development.

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Food Blog: Article

Registration open for Central Coast Organic Agriculture Conference Sept. 15-16

July 20, 2026

By Caroline D Champlin

UC ANR is hosting a free conference to strengthen organic agriculture across California's Central Coast.

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On left is a tall mound of almond hulls at the end of a conveyer running from an almond processing plant. On right are three machines, side by side, with trays full of nuts

Could bioeconomy unlock new value from existing resources?

July 16, 2026

By Ria DeBiase

ARE Update explores whether California's emerging bioeconomy could create new value from the state's biological resources while strengthening rural economies.

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Two bowls of chips, one orange tinged and one plain yellow

Food Blog: Article

That avocado oil chip you’re eating may not be made with pure avocado oil

July 15, 2026

By Amy Quinton

UC researchers tested processed foods marketed as containing avocado oil and found 48 of the 54 avocado oil-labeled products were adulterated with cheaper oils.

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Gray wolf walks through a clearing in the woods, as seen on a trail camera

Food Blog: Article

California wolves feed heavily on cattle, study finds

July 8, 2026

By Amy Quinton

Two new studies of gray wolves in California suggest that wolves eat cattle more than anything else and the presence of the predators causes significant stress among livestock.

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Warm colors of the horizon sky above green fields of winter grain crops

Winter grain crops help farmers get the most out of the least water

July 6, 2026

By Trina Kleist

UC research shows farmland could remain viable if farmers plant winter grain crops. When managed properly, small grains can grow during the cool season, using little irrigation.

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David kneeling in green field putting a protective wire screen around something

Food Blog: Article

Lile retires from UC ANR after 30 years of serving Lassen County ranchers

July 6, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

David Lile, UC Cooperative Extension natural resources and livestock advisor, retired on July 1, 2026, after 30 years of serving Lassen County residents.

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Central Coast UC Cooperative Extension advisor Larsen retires, known for his word ‘as good as gold’

June 29, 2026

By Caroline D Champlin

Watershed and natural resource advisor Royce Larsen retires this summer after his 30-year career helping ranchers care for rangelands.

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From left, 5. Matthew Fidelibus, Mark Battany, Larry Bettiga crouch to examine old vine Zinfandel vine in the Cucamonga Valley

Bettiga, leading light in viticulture, retires after 41 years as UC Cooperative Extension advisor

June 29, 2026

By Michael Hsu

Larry Bettiga, UCCE viticulture advisor for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties, is set to retire July 1. He shaped the wine industry across California and beyond.

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Sarah Weil looks at a leaf as she inspects trees on her Twin Tree Farms

‘Farm to corrections’ program benefits California growers, incarcerated people

June 26, 2026

By Michael Hsu

Since 2023, Harvest of the Month has expanded to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to all 30 adult facilities under California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

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Autonomous robots treat grapevines with UV-C light at night to control powdery mildew

Farmers invited to see latest vineyard ag tech in Mendocino County on June 30

June 22, 2026

By Hanif R Houston

Eight companies will put their high-tech vineyard management tools to the test at Hopland Research and Extension Center during a UC ANR Innovate field day.

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Seven people stand among dozens of wine barrels arranged concentric circles.

California, Chile and Argentina scientists to discuss weather variability, farm issues June 23-26

June 15, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

UC ANR scientists will meet with Chile and Argentina agriculture leaders on June 23-26 in Río Negro province of Argentina to discuss crop production systems and practices

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A flesh-eating fly has returned to the U.S. What now?

June 5, 2026

By Jules Bernstein

New World screwworm poses an existential threat to cattle farming and dairy production. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture officially declared the parasite eradicated from the country in 1966, several notable outbreaks have occurred since then. One of those is happening now.

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A person crouches on the left side of the field taking photos of the yellow wild mustard cover crop

See IPM weed management strategies in row crops June 11 in Sutter County

June 4, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

The UC Organic Agriculture Institute and UCCE Sutter-Yuba will host a free field day on IPM weed management strategies in row crops on June 11 in Meridian.

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Community Nutrition and Health

EFNEP team photo with current staff: Shirley Salado, Nellie Casillas, and Stella Weaver

California EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) aims to improve nutrition, health, and well-being for limited-resource families by teaching skills in four core areas: Diet Quality & Physical Activity, Food Resource Management, Food Safety, and Food Security, empowering participants to make healthier choices, stretch food dollars, handle food safely, and access nutritious food for better quality of life.

Our Team:

EFNEP Supervisor, Shirley Salado and Community Education Specialists, Stella Weaver, and Nellie Casillas

What we do:
Teach nutrition education | Offer food safety information

What sets us apart?
All programs, curriculum, and educational tools are research-based.

EFNEP Highlights and Impacts

Click here to view and download

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