Message from the UCCE Director | | |
Welcome to our final newsletter of 2025
This year brought significant changes for UCCE: we relocated offices (with another move coming soon); welcomed new advisors in Food Systems, 4-H, and Disaster Resiliency; and worked alongside you to recover from the 2024 Mountain Fire. Through it all, we stayed focused on our mission of improving lives. Check out our latest County Spotlight here.
Looking ahead, 2026 promises exciting opportunities: a new class of Master Gardeners, a growing Floriculture group in Ventura and Santa Barbara, and expanded programs for youth leadership development. We can’t wait to connect with you in the new year!
-Shannon Klisch, UCCE Director in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties
| | |
Winter Holiday and Curtailment
Our office will be closed for the Winter Holiday and Curtailment Wednesday, December 24th to Thursday, January 1st. We will reopen and resume normal business hours on Monday, January 5th.
| | Agricultural Advice from UCCE Advisors | |
The Plant/Pest Environment in Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties
Author: Ben Faber
I ‘ve often heard it said that it’s the soil that makes these two counties so appropriate for agriculture. Well, there are some pretty terrible soils here, as well as wonderful ones. The USDA has a classification for soils that describes all soils in the world. It’s based mainly on the rock it is formed from (the parent material), how long the soil has been sitting in place and exposed to weathering.
Photo Credit: UC ANR IPM: Citrus Pest Management Guidelines
| |
The very hungry caterpillar in my garden: Disclisioprocta stellata
Author: Hamutahl Cohen
The bougainvillea in my front yard looks really sad right now. The leaves exhibit scalloped, hole-y edges, something has definitely been munching on them. I suspect they are the appetizer, main course, and dessert for a very hungry bougainvillea looper, Disclisioprocta stellata.
Read The Garden Professors Blog Post Here
| | |
Central Coast Nursery &
Floriculture Meeting
January 14, 2026
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Speaker: Santa Barbara County Ag Commissioner,
Jose Chang
Location: Carpinteria, CA
**Address provided at registration**
| | |
This is an opportunity for nursery and floriculture professionals from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and establish common goals. Lunch will be provided.
This meeting is hosted by:
Emma Volk, Production Horticulture Advisor @ University of California Cooperative Extension
Stephanie Stark, Santa Barbara Deputy Agricultural Commissioner
Contact Emma, evolk@ucanr.edu or (805) 212 0495, with any questions
| | |
UC SAREP Small Grants open for applications!
The UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program is currently accepting proposals for our 2026-27 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Small Grants Program. The program funds research, education and outreach, and planning projects that support the development of sustainable farming and food systems.
We are interested in projects that build the capacity of farming and food systems businesses and organizations to become reflective, adaptive learning organizations that can respond effectively to ecological, economic, and social change and disruption.
For information and to apply, please visit:
UC SAREP Small Grants Program 2026-2027 | Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program
PROPOSALS DUE: Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, 5:00pm PST
| | UCCE Community Education Programs | | | | UC Master Gardener Program | | |
Ventura County
Monthly Checklist
by Melissa Thompson
December & January
The garden is a wonderful place to escape the overwhelm of the season.
While the holidays swirl around us, the quiet rhythm of tending soil, checking on winter vegetables, or simply stepping outside for a breath of cool air can be grounding and restorative.
We are incredibly fortunate in Southern California to enjoy the outdoors year-round, and December and January are no exception. This is a beautiful time of year to garden—mild days, soft winter light, and the satisfaction of nurturing plants that thrive in the cooler months.
So step outside when you can. Let the garden offer its calm, its beauty, and gentle reminder to slow down. Enjoy this gift of winter gardening!
| |
UC Master Food Preserver Program
| |
Monthly Tip: Safe & Festive Holiday Preservation Recipes
Looking for preserved food gift ideas or long-keeping seasonal treats? UC ANR’s Master Food Preserver Program has a small collection of research-based holiday recipes — including options like Apple Pie Filling, flavorful homemade mustards, and other seasonal preserves perfect for gifting or adding to holiday boards. Each recipe follows tested UC guidelines to help you prepare safe, high-quality homemade gifts.
Browse the holiday preservation recipes here: Holiday Recipes | UC Master Food Preserver Program
| | |
Ventura County 4-H Launches New Teens-as-Teachers Program
Ventura County 4-H is piloting a new youth leadership program, Character in Action: Teen Leaders Teaching Calm & Kind Skills.
Through this initiative, 4-H youth ages 12–14 receive training in social-emotional learning, mindfulness, and foundational teaching strategies before co-leading lessons for K–3 students in local afterschool programs.
The program strengthens youth leadership, public speaking, and community service while supporting elementary students in developing empathy, self-regulation, and positive communication.
This work aligns with the 4-H Thriving Model, the Beyond Ready Framework, and Ventura County’s goals for youth well-being and expanded afterschool enrichment.
Contact Melissa Guillen (mpguillen@ucanr.edu) for more information.
| | |
Cottage Foods Operations Education Specialist:
This is a statewide program that can be based in San Luis Obispo, Camarillo, or Ventura
For more details and to apply, Click here
Agricultural Education Specialist:
Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Camarillo- For More details and to apply, Click here
| | |
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.
| | | | |
