Community Nutrition and Health

Vegetables

Rows of rice growing in a field

Food Blog: Article

UCCE hosts rice production workshop March 18-19

February 24, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Rice growers and other agricultural professionals across the Sacramento Valley are invited to attend the 2026 Rice Production Workshop, a two-day educational program focused on the principles and practices of rice production in California.The workshop will take place March 18–19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30…

Ground-level view of a grape harvest scene with scissors and bags of harvested grapes

Food Blog: Article

Can a simple spray protect grapes from wildfire smoke?

February 23, 2026

By Emily C. Dooley

Smoke from wildfires can alter grapes and affect the taste and sensory experience of wine. Researchers are applying a calcium spray to grapes to see if the treatment can protect the fruit from smoke exposure.

A chicken struts on green grass inside a fence. Inside the fence is a include a covered coop and a solid tarp structure with chickens under it.

Food Blog: Article

Backyard poultry at risk for bird flu as virus lingers in environment

February 17, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Bird flu outbreaks often occur three to 10 days after spikes of waterfowl abundance within 2.5 miles of affected farms, says Maurice Pitesky, UCCE poultry specialist.

Hand places a pistachio onto a microscope next to a plastic baggie full of pistachios

Food Blog: Article

Breakthroughs found for preventing hull split in pistachios

January 26, 2026

By Trina Kleist

UC Davis scientists are seeking solutions to hull split for California’s $2-billion-a-year pistachio industry. New research reveals how the hull is built and how cell walls in certain layers break down.

Face and shoulders of a black-faced wolf

Food Blog: Article

Livestock losses and wolf deterrence efforts cost Californians millions

January 23, 2026

By Ria DeBiase

Wolf attacks kill and terrorize cows and raise rancher costs for monitoring, fence repair, non-lethal deterrents and livestock death investigations, study finds.

A group of people pose for a photo in several rows during a farm tour

Food Blog: Article

Cooperative Extension area director to emphasize water, land, labor issues in SoCal

January 22, 2026

By Michael Hsu

Chandra Richards, who started as UCCE area director for San Diego and Imperial counties in November 2025, provides support in the agriculture, natural resources, community health and youth development spaces.

A woman with a spoon in her hand leans over a basket set over a cookstove on what looks like an area of brown grass

Food Blog: Article

Event celebrates California’s native plant foods and their web of relationships

January 16, 2026

By Trina Kleist

California Native Plant Foods Celebration and Symposium to be held at UC Davis on Feb. 10 For California’s Native people, plants are part of their extended family. For thousands of years, they have tended and gathered plants that provide food and other resources in a web of relationships that embrace…

Small, leafy almond trees with cover crop growing between the rows

UC offers young orchard workshops in Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced

January 15, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

UC Cooperative Extension is offering workshops in Bakersfield, Fresno and Merced to help growers manage irrigation and nutrients for young orchards as they mature.

A black and white cow grazes in a green pasture

Food Blog: Article

Webinar on Jan. 15: How can risk models keep dairy cows healthy?

January 9, 2026

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

The Southwest Regional Food Business Center will host a webinar on how risk modeling can inform preparedness and strengthen the resilience of our food systems.

A dining table with stuffing, sweet potatoes, gravy, a roast turkey, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, green bean casserole, and 5 glasses of wine.

Food Blog: Article

Don’t land on naughty list of holiday food wasters

December 22, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

To reduce food waste at home, Yu Meng recommends starting with meal planning and making a shopping list so you buy only what you need.

Man walks alongside herd of cattle amid a grove of trees

Food Blog: Article

Beef cattle and dairy producers wary as flesh-eating parasite comes closer to U.S.

December 22, 2025

By Michael Hsu

UCCE experts urge producers to monitor their animals for signs of the New World screwworm, which has been moving north from Central America.

Man in polo and shorts and hat at left speaks with a group of students under shade trees during a farm tour

Food Blog: Article

New webinar series by CAFF and UC aids farmers transitioning to organic

December 9, 2025

By Michael Hsu

The “Transition to Organic Webinar Series,” held on Wednesdays Jan. 14-March 18, covers the certification process, market dynamics, soil health, and pest and weed management.

Two blooming peach trees in a green lawn with evergreen trees in background

Food Blog: Article

New edition of UC ANR’s ‘The Home Orchard’ offers advice on growing tree fruit, nuts

December 3, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

The new “The Home Orchard” covers more crops and site selection, variety choice, pruning, grafting, irrigation and integrated pest management.

While holding a clipboard in her right hand, Margaret Lloyd grabs a handful of soil with her left hand from a tilled field.

UCCE offers webinar on managing nitrogen in organic annual crops Dec. 9

November 24, 2025

By Phillip T Fujiyoshi

University of California Cooperative Extension will hold a webinar on managing nitrogen in organic annual crops Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A whole dark purple-skinned sweetpotato flanked by pieces of purple sweetpotato flesh cut into curls

Purple sweet potatoes create buzz

November 24, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

When West Coast consumers buy sweet potatoes at a store, chances are good that they will be choosing varieties that were selected by Scott Stoddard, UCCE farm advisor.

Bushy green plants in neat, boxy-looking test plots, coming in at an angle

Food Blog: Article

UC Dry Bean Field Day gives updates on new-variety research

November 17, 2025

By Trina Kleist

Researchers across California are developing new varieties of dry beans for larger seed size, higher yield, tolerance to drought and heat, and resistance to disease and pests.

Photo illustration of a spray drone hovering over a orchard

Food Blog: Article

Public invited for up-close look at future of citrus ag tech

November 12, 2025

By Hanif R Houston, Michael Hsu

Six ag tech companies will demonstrate their technologies at a VINE Connect Field Day on Dec. 5 at UC ANR's Lindcove Research and Extension Center. This cohort focuses on citrus.

A group of people look at crops growing in field

Farmers strive for sustainability, inclusiveness at California Earthworkers Summit

October 27, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

The inaugural California Earthworkers Summit brought together farmers and other food producers in Santa Cruz to discuss approaches to climate, environment, agriculture and food system resilience on Sept. 11–12.

Gabe Youtsey speaks at a podium while Karen Aceves and Karen Ross look on at AgTech Alliance press conference

California AgTech Alliance launches to help farmers stay competitive

October 23, 2025

By Hanif R Houston

The Alliance will coordinate nine regional innovation hubs that will deploy cutting-edge technology, train the next generation of workers and attract private investment.

Leonel Jimenez (center) smiles with the potato variety trial team

New Cooperative Extension area director amplifies ‘wealth of knowledge’

October 20, 2025

By Michael Hsu

In February, Leonel Jimenez started as the UCCE area director for Kings, Kern and Tulare counties. Born and raised in Reedley, Jimenez said he's come "full circle."

Community Nutrition and Health

EFNEP Staff Group Photo

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

Vision for San Diego:
Safe, healthy, financially secure families.

What we do:
Teach nutrition education | Sponsor San Diego Saves | Promote financial education | Inform financial caregivers | Offer food safety information

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

EFNEP Highlights and Impacts

EFNEP 2024 Impact Report

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EFNEP Job Board

EFNEP Program Supervisor for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, Job ID 78489

Location: Highland Date Posted: May 22, 2025
Closing Date: January 1st, 2026

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