Message from UCCE Director
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UCCE strives to bring you the latest research in agriculture, natural resources, community health and youth development and to be a trusted source for applicable and relevant information that makes a difference in your lives. In this issue we welcome a new 4-H Youth Development Advisor, a critical position that has been vacant for far too long. We also welcome a new Community Educator with the Climate Smart Agriculture program.
In addition, as our local communities have experienced some of California’s largest fires this year, our Disaster Resiliency Advisor provides information about preparing your home and property for the next fire and new Zone Zero regulations coming to a community near you. Don’t forget to check out all of the great events led by our many volunteers. Happy October!
-Shannon Klisch, UCCE Director in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties
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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.
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Disaster Resilience
New Blog Alert!
Lilian Thaoxaochay, Disaster Resiliency Advisor has officially launched “The Disaster Blog” – an online space for community members impacted by natural disasters to learn more about available support. This effort will complement UCCE’s existing clearinghouse of resources on our county websites. The Disaster Blog will include real-time announcements of response and recovery information as well as report back on research projects related to disaster resiliency, climate challenges, and policy changes.
Have a disaster resiliency story you’d like share? Contact Lilian at lilthaox@ucanr.edu or 805-441-4119 to be featured. Subscribe to the blog by clicking here.
photo credit: Flagging Fescue Trail with Smoke: UCANR's archive
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New Zone Zero Requirements
Author:Lilian Thaoxaochay
It is expected that the new 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Code will become effective January 1, 2026, with implications for new and existing builds in very high and high Fire Hazard Severity Zones. California’s maps were recently updated earlier this year. Visit CalFire’s website to find your most recent classification.
The City of SLO hosted a public study session on October 7th for residents to learn more about the defensible space ordinance. Additional information and future updates on the topic will be posted online.
To learn more about defensible space and “Zone Zero” – the first five feet of space immediately around your home or its attached structures – visit the UCANR Fire Network for resources on potential vulnerabilities and recommendations for improvement.
photo credit: Zone Zero Image: UCANR Fire Network
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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.
Photo :Production Horticulture Advisor Emma Volk
Read Article Here ....
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UCCE Welcomes new 4-H Youth Development Advisor, Melissa Guillen
Melissa Guillen brings extensive experience in community-based research, youth development, and organizational leadership. As the 4-H Youth Development Advisor for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, 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.
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
| | UCCE Community Education Programs | | |
Rebuilding a School Garden through the Resiliency of Community
Through consistent dedication and collaborations between school staff members and CalFresh Healthy Living, UC Cooperative Extension (CFHL, UCCE), Liberty Elementary School in Santa Maria was able to reestablish their school garden that had lain dormant since the COVID-19 school closures. Established in 2018, Liberty Elementary School’s garden was so productive at its peak that the cafeteria manager, Pam Stokes, used garden produce for special dishes and several tastings.
Read More Here ....
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Reducing Food Waste by Partnering with UC Master Food Preservers
Debbie George, University of California Master Food Preserver (UC MFP) volunteer, and Abbi Marrs, CalFresh Healthy Living, UC Cooperative Extension (CFHL, UCCE) Regional Garden Coordinator, have created a unique collaboration to enhance garden education and decrease wasted garden produce at Hapgood Elementary School. The UC MFP Program is facilitated by UC Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education Program (UC SAREP), and is administered by local UCCE county offices. UC MFP volunteers take extensive classes related to food safety and food preservation and use this
knowledge to offer education to the public. While UC MFPs do not usually work at school sites, George and Marrs connected in 2022 after George visited Hapgood Elementary School’s robust school garden.
Read More Here .....
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UC Master Gardeners of Santa Barbara County
Ready to improve your gardening skills? Join us for hands on workshops throughout the year, covering topics from mastering tomato growing to creating water-wise landscapes. We have an event for you.
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UC Master Gardeners of San Luis Obispo
Did you know that we have demonstration gardens?
Most Workshops and Events are held in one of our 3 demonstration gardens located throughout the county. They are maintained by UC Master Gardener volunteers to show practical, research-based methods for successful home gardening. They are open to the public during designated days and hours, which vary by site.
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UC Master Food Preservers of San Luis Obispo & Santa Barbara Counties
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Have you ever wanted to be a Master Food Preserver Volunteer?
The UC Master Food Preserver Program trains volunteers to share research-based home food safety and preservation practices with the public. This course is how you become a certified Master Food Preserver in San Luis Obispo & Santa Barbara Counties. It is an application-based program with tuition, weekly online classes, in-person labs hosted by our local SLO/SB program, and a volunteer service commitment.
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Welcome Bailey Smith-Helman
UCCE welcomes Bailey Smith-Helman, a Community Education Specialist (CES) with the Climate Smart Agriculture Program to San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Bailey provides technical assistance, outreach, and education to farmers and ranchers to increase the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices. She and the Climate Smart Agriculture team work very closely with CDFA’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability to provide technical assistance for the Healthy Soils (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement (SWEEP) incentive programs. In Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, she will work to support growers with grant application assistance, project planning and implementation, and monitoring and verification.
Bailey can be reached at bsmithhelman@ucanr.edu or 831-239-9465.
| | UCCE San Luis Obispo has been honored with a SLO County Family-Friendly Workplaces Award again! This award highlights our commitment to creating a supportive environment where employees can successfully navigate their work and family responsibilities. Thank you, Katherine Soule, for leading our application and award process. | | Know Someone Who Would Like to Receive this Newsletter Monthly? | | If you would know anyone who would like to receive our UCCE San Luis Obispo and UCCE Santa Barbara Monthly Newsletter please share the link below. | | UCCE in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura 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. | | | | |
