Summer in the North Bay brings a different rhythm to our work. Fields are active, gardens are growing, youth programs are in full swing, and communities are responding to challenges that require timely information, collaboration, and practical solutions. Across Marin, Napa, and Sonoma, our teams continue to work alongside growers, residents, volunteers, and local partners to connect University of California research and expertise with the needs of our communities.
A recent example is the coordinated response to the detection of glassy-winged sharpshooter life stages associated with incoming nursery shipments. UCCE Academic Advisors have provided technical expertise, research-based resources, and hands-on identification training to help agricultural professionals and community members understand the issue and respond appropriately. In June, a GWSS workshop co-hosted by Napa County Viticulture Advisor, Dr. Monica L. Cooper and the Napa County Ag Commissioner reached 80 participants, while North Coast IPM Advisor Cindy Kron is offering hands-on identification workshops in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. That expertise is also being extended through our local volunteer networks: more than 30 Marin County Master Gardener Help Desk volunteers received GWSS identification and customer-response training, while Sonoma County Master Gardeners have helped share resources with more than 6,000 subscribers.
Extension in Action: Connecting Expertise and Community
This same model of bringing people together around complex local challenges was also on display in Sonoma County in June, when UCCE Food Systems staff partnered with County departments and local leadership to convene more than 100 stakeholders around food access. The convening explored anticipated impacts of H.R. 1, changing community needs, and strategies to strengthen Sonoma County’s food access system. Building on the County’s 2024 food distribution assessment, conducted in partnership with UC Cooperative Extension, the discussion gathered stakeholder input to help inform future County planning and recommendations, with County staff anticipated to return to the Board in the fall.
These examples represent just a small part of the work happening across our region, but they reflect something central to the role of Cooperative Extension: we are present in the communities we serve. We bring research and technical expertise to local challenges, build the capacity of trusted community partners and volunteers, and help create spaces where people can learn, connect, and work toward solutions together. With a UCCE presence in each of our three counties, our local teams are able to respond to statewide and regional issues while remaining grounded in the unique needs, relationships, and opportunities of the North Bay.
We hope you will take a moment to explore the stories, programs, and resources highlighted in this issue and join us in the field this season.
— Lauren Cartwright, Area Director