News & Information Outreach

The CDFA is holding a public hearing on whether or not the CA Dry Bean Research and Marketing Program should continue. This is a normal hearing which occurs every five years. Additionally, the CA Dry Bean Advisory Board is requesting testimony about amendments to the CA Dry Bean and Marketing Program…

The VINE Connect Field Day offers a unique opportunity for farmers, industry professionals, and technology providersto come together and experience the latest innovations in agricultural technology. This event showcases five startupsthat are working to address key challenges in California agriculture, such…

Blog article by Karen Metz, UC Master Gardener-SolanoMy parents were both born in Texas. I grew up in many different places because my father was in the military.  As both sets of grandparents lived in Texas, there were many visits back.  Once, my dad was even stationed in Texas at Corpus Christi…

 In English El Instituto de Agricultura Orgánica de UC visita el área para escuchar sobre las innovaciones y necesidades de los productores localesAdemás de la dedicación y esfuerzo de generaciones de agricultores y ganaderos del condado de Modoc, el éxito que tienen en su producción orgánica se lo…

This interview is part of our Women’s History Month series- check back this week for more stories from female forest landowners to inspire your forest stewardship journey! Julianna Olate has stewarded forestland in Del Norte County since 2008, managing her own 80-acre parcel and her neighbor's 160-acre…

Blog article by Cindy Yee, UC Master Gardener-SolanoI have been searching for a “perfect” giant horse conch in SW Florida for a while now. The horse conch is Florida's state shell and can reach 24 inches long.  I think it's right up there in desirability with the coveted junonia, although many might…

Blog article by Karen Metz, UC Master Gardener-SolanoMany, many years ago, I purchased a small rosemary Christmas Tree.  It was adorable and lived on my porch, getting decorated every year.  Gradually, it outgrew its pot and then the porch.  We moved it to the sideyard and planted it in a half…

Blog by Brenda Altman, UC Master Gardener-SolanoSpring showers bring spring flowers, puddles, cloudy days, and mosquitoes.  Rainwater collects everywhere.   You can find it in hollows of trees, old tires, buckets, and pans left outside.  Many of these places are ideal places for…

 In addition to attending our monthly library classes in Stanislaus County, you can also visit us at our booth.April EventsPollinator Festival, Saturday, April 5, 2025 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join the Pollinator Parade (dress up your family AND your family dog), participate in kids activities, and a…

Like clothing, plants cycle in and out of fashion.  It's interesting when a plant that was once commonly found in a plant nursery disappears to make room for the latest trend and then reappears decades later.  Sea lavender (Limonium perezii) is such a plant. First, to clarify what sea lavender…

Blog article by Heather Hamilton, UC Master Gardener-SolanoThese are both common names for the amazing Hellebore. It has 22 species of evergreen herbaceous perennials all in the Ranunculaceae family.  Originating from Europe and Asia, as well as Turkey and Syria. The genus was established by Carl…

Blog article by Alex Russell, UC Master Gardener-Solano Last summer, I completely ran out of space to plant at home. I wasn't excited to expand. All my garden boxes and beds built up with edging had been a lot of work I didn't want to repeat. Then I thought that maybe I didn't need very much at all if…

Blog article by Loralei Dewe, UC Master Gardener-SolanoMore on my project of growing 3 citrus trees in 1 pot. To refresh the subject, here are some of the important points I found:1) Plant trees of the same species. In other words, citrus with other citrus, stone fruit with other stone fruit, etc. …

Blog article by Paula Pashby, UC Master Gardener-SolanoMy sister recently traveled to Pakistan on business and sent me photos of the places she visited. She spent time in many cities and met many people on this trip, but one of the highlights was enjoying the local cuisine. The Pakistani dishes are well…

The University of California invites comments on proposed revisions to Section 360 of the Academic Personnel Manual: Section 360, Appointment and Promotion / Librarian Series (APM - 360).

Join UC IPM for a free webinar on the invasive Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB) and other important oak tree pests on April 10, 2025 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB) is an invasive ambrosia beetle that infests several species of white oaks in California: valley oak, blue oak,…

Summary: This limited study indicated that a slight deposition of metals (Copper and Manganese) may have occurred in one agricultural field, but the increases measured in the surface samples were likely insignificant relative to normal background levels for these soil types. Other sites showed no increase in…

 This summer (2025), our program will begin recruiting community members to apply to become UC Master Gardener volunteers in Stanislaus County. If you aren't familiar with our program, you may be wondering how does someone become a UC Master Gardener, what do they do, and why? Follow our Get to Know…

By Erik Porse, Josh Viers, Aaron Shew, and Siddarth Kishore  The post summarizes findings from two studies presented in a panel session during workshops at UC Merced in October 2024, co-sponsored by the California Institute for Water Resources and Secure Water Future at UC Merced. In California’s…