University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources announced on Mar. 24 its ongoing outreach activities in Contra Costa County, emphasizing the impact of programs such as the Great Tomato Plant Sale starting April 11. The organization outlined various ways it engages with the community, including helpdesks, educational tables at farmers’ markets, school and community gardens, demonstration projects, webinars with the Contra Costa Library, and popular gardening classes.
The focus on outreach aims to encourage sustainable gardening practices among local residents. According to University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), “Our current highlight this season is without question the Great Tomato Plant Sale (GTPS), starting on April 11th. But to get the real impact of our outreach, we’d like to show you how far our outreach goes!”
UC ANR reported that residents who participated in their events have adopted more sustainable habits across several areas: selecting appropriate plants for their environment (64%), using city-provided green waste bins (72%), monitoring for pests and reducing pesticide use (78% monitor regularly; 65% reduce pesticides), supporting pollinators by planting suitable species (69%) and providing water sources (59%), conserving water through mulching (71%) and low-water-use plants (63%), growing edible plants at home (76%), expanding crop diversity, sharing harvests locally, and spending more time outdoors since attending Master Gardener events (66%).
The organization said these changes are not isolated incidents; many participants return for additional talks or seek further resources through UC ANR’s website or helpdesk services. “These results are a powerful reminder of what community education can achieve,” UC ANR said.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs according to the official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to its official website. It utilizes nine research and extension centers as laboratories representing California’s diverse ecosystems according to the official website.
The organization has gained recognition for linking research directly with community needs according to its official site, manages Cooperative Extension services as part of the University of California system according to its official site, conducts over 33,800 educational events annually while engaging more than 18,400 volunteers as reported by UC ANR’s website, and operates statewide in all counties promoting science-based information via workshops and partnerships as described by UC ANR’s site.
Looking ahead, UC ANR encourages continued participation from county residents: “So thank you, Contra Costa County residents, for helping our county grow greener—one plant, one garden, and one gardener at a time.”