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Thanksgiving Closure
Our office will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th. We will reopen and resume normal business hours on Monday, December 2nd, 2024.
| | Agricultural Advice from UCCE Advisors | |
New online tool helps growers choose cover crops
Author: Michael Hsu
For the first time, farmers in California and the West have access to a decision-support tool that recommends cover-crop species based on growers' unique situations and goals.
| | | UCCE Welcomes Melissa Guillen, 4-H Youth Development Advisor | | |
Melissa Guillen brings extensive experience in community-based research, youth development, and organizational leadership. As the 4-H Youth Development Advisor, she will focus on advancing Positive Youth Development (PYD) and expanding college and career readiness pathways for young people across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. In this role, Melissa combines applied research with hands-on programming to strengthen youth leadership, workforce preparation, and civic engagement.
Prior to her current appointment, Melissa served as Academic Coordinator for CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE, where she oversaw nutrition education and policy, systems, and environmental change strategies across three counties.
She currently serves as Board Chair for Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, was a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County and has also been a foster parent and international exchange student host, opening her home and heart to young people from diverse backgrounds.
Melissa holds a Master of Science in Nutrition from Meredith College and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from North Carolina State University. She is passionate about building collaborative, cross-sector partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for youth to thrive in school, work, and life.
Melissa can be reached at mpguillen@ucanr.edu.
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New study says that pollinators need more than a token corner of habitat
Author: Hamutahl Cohen
We generally agree how important bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are, not only for our crops but for the health of ecosystems as a whole. Yet, despite decades of awareness, pollinator numbers continue to decline worldwide. In a new study, Dr. Gabriella Bishop used a meta-data approach to examine why pollinators are struggling. The study concluded that current conservation targets for habitat area are simply not large enough.
Read The Garden Professors Blog Post Here
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A Curious Herbal
by Elizabeth Blackwell
Connecting Art, Science, Medicine, and History - are PLANTS!
Elizabeth Blackwell, a self-taught illustrator and botanist, created a gorgeous 18th century encyclopedia of medicinal plants. A stunning collection of her botanical art sketches, identifying medicinal uses for the plants, is available in the public domain.
Click here to access her encyclopedia.
This is an interesting article about Elizabeth Blackwell.
Thanks to Ben Faber, PhD, UCCE Advisor, for sharing these links with us.
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California nursery industry grapples with plastics, water, nutrients
Author: Caroline D Champlin
Nursery owners and landscapers are anticipating a slew of new laws to roll their way over the next few years. These rules are poised to alter business as usual in all sectors of the horticultural industry, from cut flower operations to native plant nurseries.
The new rules encompass a variety of environmental topics, including single-use plastic pots, water use and nutrient management. Meanwhile, looming over the nursery industry is the warming climate, forcing business owners to adopt strategies that protect their plants – and profits – from record-breaking heat waves.
Scientists from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources brought these hot topics, and many others, to business owners’ attention at the 2025 California Nursery Conference. For the first time in years, the conference and accompanying farm tours were held in Ventura County.
| | UCCE Community Education Programs | | | | UC Master Gardener Program | |
Firewise Living: From Structure to Landscape Webinar
October 26
7:00PM
This practical workshop equips homeowners with essential skills to reduce wildfire risks. Participants will learn strategies for creating defensible space around structures, including vegetation management, landscaping techniques, and home modification approaches. The class covers fire-resistant landscaping principles, structural hardening methods, and emergency preparedness to protect homes in wildfire-prone regions. Presented by UC Master Gardener, Dani Brusius in partnership with Calleguas MWD.
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Drip Irrigation / Calleguas MWD
October 11, 9:00am to 11:00pm, Calleguas MWD, Thousand Oaks
Native Plant Palooza and Eco Fest - Community Event
October 11, 9:00am to 2:00pm, Conejo Creek Park, Thousand Oaks
Garden to Table Series - Edible Landscapes
October 11, 10:00am to 11:30am, Ventura City Residents Only
What Can We Do to Protect, Improve and Nurture our Soils?
October 14, 6:00pm to 7:00pm, Thousand Oaks Library
Drip Irrigation Workshop
October 18, 9:00am to 11:00am, Westlake Village
Introduction to Hydroponics: Growing More in Less Space
October 21, 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Hill Road Library, Ventura
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All About Roses
October 22, 6:00pm to 7:00pm, Newbury Park Library
All About Roses
October 23, 6:00pm to 7:00pm, Santa Paula Library
Create a Pumpkin Succulent Centerpiece! $20 materials fee
October 25, 10:00am to 11:30am, Oxnard Historic Farm Park
Raised Bed Gardening
October 25, 3:00pm to 4:30pm, Camarillo Library
Winter Vegetable Gardening
November 1, 9:00am to 11:00am, ARC of Ojai
Growing Winter Vegetables
November 1, 10:00am to 11:00am, Simi Valley
Vegetable Container Gardening
November 8, 11:00am to 12:00pm, Ventura
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Ojai Day 2025
October 18, 2025
The event includes vendors, entertainment, food and activities for the whole family with an emphasis on celebrating the local community.
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Giving Tuesday
December 3, 2024
Join us for Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back! On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, we invite you to make a donation to support the future of agriculture through UC ANR Programs. Your contribution can make a significant impact!
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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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