UCCE Central Sierra

Central Sierra: Helping People Help Themselves  

The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is your bridge between local issues and the research expertise of the University of California. UCCE Central Sierra serves Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, and Tuolumne counties, and includes popular programs like 4-H, Master Gardeners, Post-Fire Resilience, and Farm Advisors.

Program Areas 

4-H Youth Development Program

This youth development program helps young people discover and develop their potential. It provides an exciting variety of educational and enrichment experiences.

Agriculture

Working with local commercial farmers and grape growers solving problems and exploring new techniques to improve the productivity of our local ranches and vineyards.

Forestry

The Central Sierra forestry program seeks to provide the latest research-based information from the University of California to residents, non-profits, and staff of local, state, and federal agencies.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. 

Livestock

Working with local commercial and small farmers solving problems and exploring new techniques to improve the productivity of our local ranches and explore opportunities for increasing efficiency with our livestock.

Living with Fire

The University of California offers publications, websites, events and workshops on living with fire in the central Sierra. We have expertise wildfire preparedness regarding defensible space, fire resistant home construction, and see the past workshop webpage for presentations and publications.

Natural Resources

Our Natural Resource Program provides forestry, wildlife, oak management, rangeland, watershed management and other natural resource-related information to a wide variety of county residents and visitors. The goal is to promote sound management and conservation of the region's natural resources, through research, educational activities, and good working relationships with a broad range of people. Are you interested in matchmaking grazing animals with grass and rangelands to reduce wildfire fuel & feed livestock? Visit Match.Graze, the California Grazing Exchange. 

Community Nutrition and Health

The nutrition education program is part of the University of California Cooperative Extension operating in El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. Our mission is to make healthy eating and active living more accessible in the Central Sierra, because good health should be within reach for everyone in our communities.

UC Environmental Stewards

The UC California Naturalist and UC Climate Stewards programs use education and service to inspire and empower individuals to create more sustainable and resilient communities and ecosystems.

UC Master Food Preservers

Trained by the University of California, Master Food Preserver volunteers work in the community as local food preservation specialists answering food preservation/safety questions. They have a hotline and teach many food preservation classes throughout the year.

UC Master Gardeners

Trained volunteers provide research based advice and support for local gardeners, schools and non-profit organizations on gardening and home horticulture. They have a demonstration garden and help desk open and available to the community.