Community Nutrition and Health

Cupped hands holding blueberries

Gray wolf from the Lassen pack among a herd of cattle in July of 2022

Article

Study calculates cost to ranchers of an expanding wolf population

April 21st, 2025

By Emily C. Dooley

Tina Saitone, a University of California, Davis, professor and Cooperative Extension specialist in livestock and rangeland economics, sought to quantify the direct and indirect costs after the California Department of Fish and Wildlife launched a pilot program to compensate ranchers for wolf-related losses.

The buds shown on the walnut branches are male flowers called catkins

Article

UC scientists ask walnut trees: When do you need to be irrigated?

April 16th, 2025

By Trina Kleist

UC scientists are working with growers in Tehama, Butte, Lake, Amador, Contra Costa, Stanislaus and Yolo counties to test a new way of measuring the irrigation needs of walnut trees. Shackel and team think this new method will allow growers to use less water by not irrigating early in the season, and trees…

Ranunculus flowers at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad

Article

Summit to showcase California agritourism best practices, May 14-15

April 11th, 2025

By Michael Hsu

Agritourism stakeholders are invited to San Diego County to share current initiatives and industry developments and gain practical tools to start or expand an agritourism business.

Olives in a bin

Article

Olive growers, enthusiasts invited to UC olive webinar April 4

March 14th, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Growers and others interested in growing table olives or olives for making olive oil are invited to a California Statewide Olive Seminar on Friday, April 4. The online seminar, a series of presentations from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., is sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension and UC…

Brown chickens peck at bugs in the grass at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Article

Bird flu's impact on egg and milk markets varies

March 12th, 2025

By Ria DeBiase

Egg prices soar while dairy prices remain stable as H5N1 spreads through CaliforniaConsumers have faced reduced egg supplies and high egg prices. A recent article by University of California, Davis agricultural economists explore the reasons for reduced egg supplies and high egg prices and assess what…

Rod Stiefvater speaks at a Department of Plant Sciences seminar

Article

Gift extends UC Davis pistachio research on new scions, rootstocks

March 6th, 2025

By Emily C. Dooley

The University of California, Davis, is enhancing and expanding its Pistachio Breeding Program after a generous gift from philanthropist and pistachio farmer Rod Stiefvater, who is donating more than $335,000 over three years to develop new rootstocks that thrive under changing climate conditions.

Rows of date palms

Article

Date production workshop set for April 23 in Palm Desert

March 5th, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

The 2025 California Date Palm Workshop will be held on April 23 in Palm Desert at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Center. Anyone who is interested in growing dates is welcome to attend. "This workshop brings together researchers, growers and stakeholders to discuss recent research data on the ‘state of the…

A shepherd and dog move sheep across a field

Article

California producers: Climate change is real; we could use a little help

February 26th, 2025

By Trina Kleist

How can farmers and ranchers continue to grow our food while facing challenges of a changing climate, increasingly scarce water, land use pressures and rising costs? UC and UC ANR scientists are using surveys and interviews with people in the state's agricultural sector to learn what folks need to stay…

Cows gathering in the shade of a clump of trees

Article

Sweet molasses feed key to understanding grazing behavior in cattle

February 19th, 2025

By Emily C. Dooley

Researchers tempted grazing cattle with sweet molasses feed to discover whether cows would roam far and wide to graze or stick close to the herd, water supplies and feed stations.

A large field of green spinach under the irrigation equipment.

Article

Workshop highlights advances in desert irrigation, tech on Feb. 27

February 5th, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

The latest in irrigation research and technology will be showcased at the Advances in Irrigation Tools and Technologies Workshop in Holtville on Feb. 27.

Image of Black Oak acorns with description and harvesting guidelines

Article

The Principles of Indigenous Food Sovereignty

February 5th, 2025

By Kitty Oppliger

Indigenous Food Sovereignty: Opportunities and Importance in Extension work In 2007, the first global Forum on Food Sovereignty defined the concept as the right of peoples to healthy, culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define t...

A couple dozen black cows surrounded by hazy air hoof it through forested land.

Article

Climate, wildfire, wolves topics of Feb. 18 rangeland discussions in Davis

January 28th, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Ranchers, land managers, conservationists, policymakers and scientists will gather to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in managing the state's rangelands at the 2025 Rustici Rangeland Science Symposium on Feb. 18at UC Davis.

Carpophilus beetles in hullsplit almond

Article

Almond Day updates growers on new pest, disease in California

January 27th, 2025

By Michael Hsu

Late in 2023, California almond growers responsible for a crop valued at $3.88 billion in 2023 started to hear about a potentially devastating new pest, the carpophilus beetle (Carpophilus truncatus).

L to R: Gerry Spinelli, Chris Shogren, UCCE Environmental Horticulture Advisor, Lindsey Pedroncelli and Natalie Levy, UCCE Soil Health and Organics Material Management Advisor, pose with a batch of fresh pesto.

Article

South Coast REC studies pesto profitability for small-scale basil growers

January 10th, 2025

By Saoimanu Sope

UC ANR advisors, staff research methods in conserving highly perishable product If you visited the greenhouse at the University of California South Coast Research and Extension Center in early fall, you would have smelled a sweet aroma with notes of lemon, pepper and licorice.

Strips of cover crop grows between rows of a young orchard.

Article

Young orchard water and nutrient management workshops offered in Madera, Stockton, Parlier, Tulare

January 2nd, 2025

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Growers invited to discuss young almonds, pistachios, walnuts, olives, citrus and peach orchards starting Feb. 18 To help growers manage irrigation and nutrients for young and immature orchards, UC Cooperative Extension is offering workshops in Madera, Stockton, Parlier and Tulare.

Cows gather amid trees as wildfire smoke lingers in the air above

Article

Wildfire takes toll on mental, physical health of food producers

January 2nd, 2025

By Trina Kleist

The people who produce our food need support especially in the areas of mental and physical well-being to recover from increasingly widespread wildfire, scientists have found.

A mass of ducks and other waterfowl congregate in and around a pond.

Article

To limit bird flu spread, keep wild birds away from poultry, livestock

December 17th, 2024

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Every winter, millions of migratory birds fly south to warmer locales, passing over California Central Valley dairies and poultry farms. Many of these wild waterfowl are carrying the virus that causes avian influenza, based on the U.S.

Three people crouch to look at tomatoes in a high tunnel system

Article

Unique conditions in Modoc County drive organic agriculture adaptations

December 11th, 2024

By Lexie Wilson

Modoc County, home to 8,500 people and tucked in the remote northeastern corner of California, has been a leader in advancing organic agriculture through its significant ranching and agronomic crop production, namely of potatoes and hay.

Shital Parikh (left) and a few of the residents that help maintain the Belden Community Garden. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

Article

UC Master Gardener of San Diego County’s ‘labor of love’ improves health of older adults

December 9th, 2024

By Saoimanu Sope

The Belden Village Apartments in Clairemont Mesa East of San Diego is home to a diverse population of older adults.

Workers move cardboard boxes on the back of flatbed trucks in a lettuce field

Article

Will importing workers lead to importing crops?

December 6th, 2024

A dwindling and aging agricultural workforce, coupled with higher labor costs, have added pressure on U.S. farms over the past decade. A recent study by University of California agricultural economists Alexandra Hill and James Sayre explores these changing trends in U.S.

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Community Nutrition and Health

What we do

Teach nutrition education to youth and families.
Provide nutrition tools and information to make healthier food choices.
Train teachers and community organizations to use our nutrition curriculum.
Offer training to volunteers to prepare food safely at community events.

What sets us apart

All programs, curricula, and educational tools are evidence-based.
Education services are free of cost.

Nutrition Education

San Joaquin County offers nutrition and physical activity education through two programs.

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE

Get to know your local Farmers Market

Farmers markets are easy to find:

Use the USDA Farmers Markets Search to find one near you. Due to their flexible locations, some community farmers markets provide fresh, healthy foods when other sources aren't as easily accessed.

SNAP and WIC cards are accepted at most farmers markets.

Click here for more information on food assistance programs.

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