Science-based solutions for healthy and resilient communities, food systems, and environments. | | Message From the UCCE Director | | |
Volunteers are at the heart of UCCE’s education and public service mission. In Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, UCCE supports more than 980 trained and dedicated volunteers. These community members give their time, their local knowledge, and their unique skills to help others.
In 2024 alone, our volunteers gave more than 87,000 hours of service. They share science‑based information about gardening, safe food preservation, youth development, and caring for the environment. Their work reaches deeply into our communities and makes a real difference. Volunteers also help guide UC research by asking local questions and collecting local data. In our three‑county region, the value of their time and service is more than $14.4 million each year.
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, so we are dedicating this newsletter to our volunteers. This month we want to shout out all of our 4-H Volunteers and several members of the UC Master Gardeners program: Nicole Vanole, MaryBeth East, Gary Bednorz, and Kay Gilmore. Read below to learn more about their work.
Through our volunteers’ steady support, knowledge, and commitment, our programs reach more people and better meet local needs. I am truly thankful for the time and care they give, and I am proud to work alongside them to support UCCE’s mission.
Shannon Klisch
UCCE Director in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo
| | Agricultural Advice from UCCE Advisors | |
Webinar: Environmental Sustainability
April 15, 2026
Join an Environmental Sustainability Webinar hosted by the Los Angeles Food Policy Council, including panelists Florence Simpson of LAUSD, Li Schmidt of UCANR, and Ryan Jackson of LA Compost. This webinar will focus on the Good Food for All Agenda Environmental Sustainability Pillar: Protecting natural resources, reducing food waste, supporting local farms, and building climate-resilient infrastructure to create a sustainable food system for generations to come.
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Webinar: Spring Cleaning: Where Indoor Pests Could Be Hiding
April 16, 2026 | 12:00 PM
Are you thinking about spring cleaning and how to tackle that pile of junk in the corner or clean out the pantry? You might find pests because they aren’t always found where you would expect. This webinar will go over the common pantry and indoor pests, and some weird places you could encounter pests that you may not be aware of.
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Central Coast Nursery and Floriculture Meeting
April 21 ,2026
Join us for the Central Coast Nursery and Floriculture Meeting. This is an opportunity for nursery and floriculture professionals from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and establish common goals. Attendance is free and lunch will be provided.
Speaker: Jodi Switzer, Water Program Director at the Ventura County Farm Bureau
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2026 Ventura County Agriculture Resources 101 Event (In-Person)
April 30, 2026
Available both in-person and remotely. Live Spanish translation available in-person and via Zoom.
In-person space is limited! Registration is required.
Hear presentations with Q&A from organizations serving agricultural producers in Ventura County, learn more during the tabling session, and network with producers in the area. Refreshments and light food provided.
Presenters include Ventura County Resource Conservation District, Farm Bureau, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service!
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Disaster Assistant for California small farms
Impacted by extreme weather or drought? The California Underserved and Small Producer (CUSP) Program provides direct-relief grants up to $20,000 per producer for eligible losses and/or expenses. Deadlines vary by organization. To receive more information or application assistance in Ventura County, please contact the Ventura Resource Conservation District or UCCE Disaster Resiliency Advisor, Lilian Thaoxaochay at lilthaox@ucanr.edu or (805) 441-4119.
2023 and 2024 Farm Losses Due to Drought
Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the USDA Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) are now open. Both applications will need to be submitted by April 30, 2026, for enrollment. Please contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency office for instructions and forms. SDRP will require farmers who receive payment to purchase federal crop insurance or NAP coverage for the next two available crop years at 60% coverage level or higher.
April is FEMA’s Severe Weather Awareness Month
Severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere. Potentially hazardous conditions can include high winds, drops or increases in temperature, and flash flooding. The California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) has an online tool called “MyHazards” which allows you to type in an address and learn more about your local risk. What is your danger of wildfire, flooding, and/or earthquake? Are you aware of all the potential hazards closest to you?
VC Emergency maintains a dashboard of active incidents in the county. To learn more about emergency preparedness in Ventura County, visits Ready.VenturaCounty
Concept Proposals for CDFA Programs Now Open
CDFA is now accepting Block Grant Concept Proposals for their Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP).
Funding for these programs is provided by Prop 4, the Climate Bond, passed in 2024 by California Voters. The UCCE Climate Smart Agriculture team is providing application technical assistance to eligible entities. Reach out to them via: climatesmartag@ucdavis.edu.
| | UCCE Community Education Programs | | | | UC Master Gardener Program | | The UC Master Gardener program in Ventura County includes more than 189 certified volunteers. Each volunteer contributes a minimum of 35 service hours and completes at least 10 hours of continuing education annually. All of our volunteers are essential to our impact. For Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are pleased to highlight a few individuals whose service has gone above and beyond in support of Ventura County and the UC Master Gardener Program. | |
Nicole Vanole
Nicole has consistently demonstrated extraordinary commitment, both this past year and throughout her time with the program. She became a UC Master Gardener in 2013 and has contributed more than 4,200 service hours. As Co-Chair of the Speakers Bureau, Nicole dramatically expanded our educational outreach. Through her leadership, we now offer over 100 free classes annually across every Ventura County library system, reaching communities from Fillmore to Newbury Park and Oak Park to Ventura. When she began in this role, the program offered approximately 30 classes per year.
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MaryBeth East
MaryBeth began as a UC Master Gardener in 2022 and has already earned a Gold Badge for 1,000 hours of service. She has served as Executive Committee Co-Chair for three years, exceeding the usual two-year term, and founded the Finance Committee. She is also Co-Chair of the Agriculture Museum demonstration garden, serves as an event lead, mentors trainees, and is an active member of the Education Committee.
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Gary Bednorz
Gary graduated with the class of 2024 and has earned his Gold Badge for 1,000 service hours. He serves as Co-Lead for the Ventura County Fair and the CalVet demonstration garden, mentors trainees, and supports multiple demonstration gardens through construction and maintenance work. Gary also attends numerous program events and recently joined the Speakers Bureau, further extending our outreach.
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Kay Gilmore
Kay has been a UC Master Gardener since 2022 and recently earned her Gold Badge. She has served as Education Committee Co-Chair for two trainee classes and is Co-Lead of the MVC Agriculture Museum demonstration garden. Her leadership has strengthened both volunteer training and public-facing demonstration efforts.
Thank you to these outstanding volunteers and to all of our volunteers for their service and commitment to our community. These individuals extend science-based horticultural knowledge to the public, empowering residents to make informed decisions that support sustainable landscapes and healthy environments.
| | | | 4-H Youth Development Program | |
Volunteer Appreciation
The UC 4‑H Youth Development Program in Ventura County benefits from 76 adult volunteers who contributed more than 9,000 hours of their time last year. These volunteers make a lasting difference by mentoring youth, modeling leadership, and building essential life skills. Research shows that even one supportive adult can improve a young person’s mental health, school success, resilience, and overall well‑being. For many youth, a 4‑H volunteer is that trusted adult.
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Latest News
Ventura County 4-H youth recently took the stage to showcase their skills, confidence, and creativity at this year’s Presentation Day, as highlighted in Ventura Breeze. This annual event provides youth with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate public speaking, storytelling, and subject matter expertise in a supportive, community-centered environment. Experiences like Presentation Day help build communication and leadership skills, and adaptability.
| | UC Master Food Preserver Program | |
Expanding food preservation education through an online-based UC Master Food Preserver Program
Launched in fall of 2023 with funding from a CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant, the UC Master Food Preserver Program set out to increase awareness and knowledge of specialty crops grown in the state by enabling more Californians than ever to learn about food preservation and/or become certified volunteers through an Online Delivery Program. Nearly two and a half years later, the UC Master Food Preserver Program is proud to share the impact and growth of the program.
Residents of 24 counties without a local UC Master Food Preserver Program, are eligible to become a UC Master Food Preserver Volunteer with the Online Delivery Program. These 24 counties represent 56% (22 million) of the state’s population. The program has certified 57 volunteers plus 20 in training. Staff members collaborated with UC Davis, UCLA, Elkus Ranch, the Robert Cabral Agricultural Center, and the South Coast Research and Extension Center to host training labs to bring this program to life.
"The CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant funds allowed us to establish a statewide online program with a full-time coordinator who supports volunteers throughout California to deliver food preservation classes, newsletters, and social media campaigns to anyone with an internet connection." -Sue Mosbacher, UC Master Food Preserver Program Manager
In addition to the Online Delivery Program’s volunteer training, the program has delivered 49 online-based classes to the general public, covering more than 20 specialty crops like tomatoes, peaches and zucchini.
The volunteer team published 15 issues of a monthly, email-based newsletter with over 1500 subscribers and an impressive 71% open rate, and grown the statewide MFP Facebook and Instagram follower counts to over 2,000.
Building on this momentum, the UC Master Food Preserver program submitted a proposal to the CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program that would fund the program into 2029.
| | Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center | |
HAREC welcomes Agricultural Education Specialist
Kristen Mussack started as the Agricultural Education Specialist at HAREC on March 12, 2026. She has a BS degree in Crop Science and Fruit Science from CalPoly San Luis Obispo and an MA degree in Education from California Lutheran University. She worked at a high school teaching Biology and Environmental Science for 10 years. Kristen will be focusing on reestablishing an agricultural education and awareness program at HAREC and in Ventura County. Can be reached at kmussack@ucanr.edu
Please welcome Kristen to our team!
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Agritourism is trending; UC ANR helps urban farmers make it happen IRL
Before opening a farmstand or turning your ranch into a glamping getaway, Rachael Callahan recommends asking hard questions to determine whether agritourism is right for you. Such as: do you enjoy being around people? UC ANR statewide agritourism coordinator Rachael Callahan discussed preliminary questions to consider before getting started in the industry. “Start by inviting an afterschool group to come onto your farm…see if they're trampling on things and if that really freaks you out. See if you like chitchatting with folks,” said Callahan. She helps people navigate the “wild west” of this burgeoning industry. Over the last decade, she’s watched on-farm experiences, such as tractor rides and pick-your-own strawberries, surge in popularity.
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Farm Bureau of Ventura County Announces Appointment of Louise Lampara as Chief Executive Officer
Ventura, CA — The Farm Bureau of Ventura County (FBVC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Louise Lampara as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026. Lampara will succeed current CEO Maureen McGuire, who will transition to field-level projects consulting following a successful tenure leading the organization.
Lampara brings a deep and proven track record of leadership in agricultural policy, coalition building, and nonprofit management. With nearly a decade of experience advocating for Ventura County agriculture, she has earned a reputation as a strategic, solutions-oriented leader who delivers meaningful results for growers and the broader agricultural community.
Throughout her career, Lampara has led complex, multi-stakeholder efforts to advance policies that protect agricultural operations, strengthen property rights, and improve regulatory frameworks. Her work has included securing significant permitting reforms, expanding participation in the Williamson Act, and building durable coalitions across agriculture, business, labor, and government.
Lampara has also worked closely with Farm Bureau leadership for years on many of the region’s most consequential agricultural issues, including land use, regulatory policy, and industry advocacy. Her longstanding partnership with FBVC ensures a seamless leadership transition and continued momentum for the organization.
“Louise is an exceptional leader and a trusted partner,” said Maureen McGuire. “We have worked side by side on some of the most important issues facing Ventura County agriculture, and I have complete confidence in her ability to lead Farm Bureau into its next chapter.”
Since assuming leadership of FBVC, McGuire has focused on strengthening the organization’s role as a leading voice for agriculture in Ventura County, expanding stakeholder engagement, and advancing strategic initiatives that support growers and rural communities.
Following Lampara’s appointment, McGuire will transition to consulting full-time, continuing her work supporting agricultural organizations, landowners, and businesses across the region.
Lampara currently serves as Executive Director of the Ventura County Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business (VC CoLAB), where she leads policy, communications, and strategic initiatives that directly impact the region’s agricultural economy.
"I’m honored to step into this role and continue working on behalf of Ventura County agriculture,” said Lampara. “Farm Bureau plays a critical role in ensuring growers have a strong, unified voice. I look forward to building on that foundation and working alongside members and partners to support a strong and resilient agricultural community.”
The Farm Bureau of Ventura County Board of Directors approved Lampara’s appointment following a comprehensive selection process.
About Farm Bureau of Ventura County
The Farm Bureau of Ventura County is a member-driven organization dedicated to promoting and protecting agriculture through advocacy, education, and community engagement. FBVC works to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Ventura County by representing the interests of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses.
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Regenerative Avocados, Citrus and Strawberries Conference
May 4 & 11, 2026
This two-day gathering, presented in partnership with EcoFarm, brings farmers, scientists, and community partners together to explore agriculture as a living ecology — where certified organic practice, regenerative outcomes, Indigenous stewardship, and the careful tending of water meet in relationship. Together, we will address the questions that sit at the edge of the future: how to remain viable, how to steward water wisely, how to support labor, and how to sustain farms across generations. Through field days, panels, and dialogue grounded in practice, participants will explore how water, soil, labor, markets, and certification systems function together within a dynamic ecology.
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UCCE in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties improves the lives of local residents by working with growers, families, volunteers, and partners to advance science-based solutions in agriculture, natural ecosystems, community health, and youth development.
Your support helps in many ways.
Thank you.
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