UCCE North Bay

06/04/2026

🐄🫜🐟 "...Whereas, strengthening connections between the public, local agriculture, and applied research is vital to improving agricultural literacy amongst residents, policymakers, and visitors, and to fostering informed public understanding of food production, land stewardship, the realities of farming and ranching, and agriculture’s central role in the County’s economy, heritage, and future"

Read the full story here ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/3t4aj9yh

🌾 Sonoma County is investing in the future of agriculture.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has approved a new action plan designed to strengthen local agriculture, support farmers and ranchers, protect working lands and help the industry adapt to economic and environmental challenges.

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Sonoma County’s economy, culture and identity. This roadmap focuses on long-term sustainability, workforce development, climate resilience and expanding opportunities for local producers.

By working together with agricultural leaders, community partners and producers, Sonoma County is helping ensure that farming and ranching continue to thrive for generations to come.

Learn more: https://sonomacounty.gov/board-of-supervisors-approves-action-plan-to-strengthen-sonoma-county-agriculture

Sonoma County Ag + Open Space

05/30/2026

It's the perfect time to book your tickets to Congress and plan to join us in June in Santa Rosa, CA!

Tickets are on sale now along with add-on experiences! Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/natga-congress-spring-2026-tickets-1981798775486?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/27/2026

Important Agricultural Alert for Sonoma County Residents. The Sonoma County Ag Commissioner confirmed the presence of suspected glassy-winged sharpshooter life stages on the received plant material. Glassy-winged sharpshooters pose an immediate and serious threat to Sonoma County vineyards because they transmit the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa which causes the deadly Pierce’s disease in grapevines, please contact the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures to safely dispose of vines and inspect other plants.
Residents who purchased plants at Costco stores in Sonoma County between April 21 and May 20th should please:
• For grapevines: place two garbage bags over the plants and secure them tightly.
• For citrus: follow the contact information below to schedule Agriculture Department inspection.
• Do not place plants in the trash or compost bin.
• Contact the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures at (707) 565-2371 or email [email protected] to schedule inspection of grapevines and other plant material purchased at Costco stores between April 21 and May 20 and receive guidance on how to prevent further spread and infestation of the glassy-winged sharpshooter.

Contact the Ag Commissioner's office if you purchased plant materials at Costco between April 21 and May 20, 2026.

05/22/2026

May 2026
Community Call to Action: Help Keep Our Older Neighbors Nourished & Connected

The Marin County is currently seeking a new Friday host location for Community Table: An Older Adult Lunch Program in Marin County.

Community Table programs under the Older Americans Act help support not only nutritious meals, but also social connection, accessibility, dignity, and community engagement among older adults.

Potential host locations may include:
• Community centers
• Community organizations
• Multi-purpose gathering spaces
• Other accessible community venues welcoming to older adults from the broader community

If your organization, faith community, center, or facility may be able to host, or if you know someone who can, please reach out directly to:

Camille Jolly
[email protected]

Amy Dietz
[email protected]

Thank you for helping support healthy aging, older adult nutrition, and community well-being in Marin County.

05/21/2026

COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION: HELP KEEP OUR OLDER NEIGHBORS NOURISHED & CONNECTED
Community Site Needed for Marin County Community Table

May 2026

Marin County Area Agency on Aging is currently seeking a new Friday host location for Community Table : an Older Adult Lunch Program (Congregate Meal Program) in Marin County.

Congregate meal programs under the Older Americans Act are designed not only to provide nutritious meals, but also to support social connection, accessibility, and community engagement among older adults.

Potential locations may include community centers, community organizations, multi-purpose gathering spaces, or other accessible community venues that are welcoming to older adults from the broader community.

If your organization, faith community, center, or facility may be able to host, or if you know someone who can, please reach out directly to:

Camille Jolly - [email protected]
Amy Dietz - [email protected]
Thank you for helping support older adult nutrition, dignity, and community well-being.

https://ucanr.edu/county/marin-county/education-trainings-events-community-announcements

05/08/2026

FREE event: Finding Hope and Help: Stories of Crisis and Recovery on May 14 from 6-7:30pm (food/social begins at 5pm) at the College of Marin Student Success Center in Kentfield

05/08/2026

A few spring highlights from our team 🌱

We’re sharing recent events, research, and community outreach happening across the North Bay this season.

🔗

Email from UCCE Sonoma County Explore the latest research, field insights, and events in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties.   UC Cooperative Extension of the North Bay serving Marin, Napa, & Sonoma Cou

04/17/2026

Truffle lovers, this one’s for you

Experience the world of truffles at NATGA Congress (June 14–17, Santa Rosa)! Think field tours, dog demos, and seriously good food.

Grab your tickets now!

04/03/2026

FROM EXHIBIT TO PRACTICE: RETHINKING AGE, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY WORK
-A UCCE team learning visit highlights age-inclusive and intergenerational approaches in Marin County

The UCCE team in Marin County recently participated in a staff engagement and learning visit to the “What About Age” exhibit at the Marin County Civic Center Art Gallery- an initiative brought forward through the Team Engagement Committee and David Lewis, Watershed Management Advisor.

The visit was designed as a professional learning opportunity, using the exhibit to explore ageism, intergenerational understanding, and implications for program design, communication, and service delivery. The experience included guided viewing across exhibit spaces and a facilitated group reflection.

The session was supported by cross-program collaboration, with Steven Worker, 4-H Youth Development Advisor, helping guide the exhibit flow and facilitate discussion, and Zaw Wai Htoo, Community Nutrition and Health Advisor with a focus on older adult health and nutrition, healthy aging, and whole health, contributing structured guiding questions and co-facilitating the reflection to connect exhibit insights to Extension program practice.
County leadership participation further underscored the relevance of the approach. Feedback from Lauren Cartwright, UCCE Area Director, highlighted the value of this model and its potential for adaptation across other counties in San Francisco North Bay.

As noted by Marin County Government, the exhibit challenges stereotypes about aging and promotes intergenerational dialogue through art, bringing youth and older adult artists together in collaborative work. The exhibit, originally developed and curated by Stacey Gordon and adapted locally through collaboration with organizations including Youth in Arts and community partners, highlights how intergenerational engagement can help challenge stereotypes and reframe perspectives on aging.

In Marin County, where nearly 30% of residents are age 60 and older, and the proportion is projected to grow to 38% of the population by 2030, these reflections are directly relevant to the design and delivery of community-based programs in partnership with county and community stakeholders.

The visit also provided an opportunity to document and share team engagement and learning, with support from Tracey Van Hooser of the Master Gardener Program in capturing moments from the experience.

Overall, the experience illustrates how integrating reflection, evidence, and community context can strengthen age-inclusive and intergenerational approaches within Extension work.