The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) San Diego County team gathered for its annual holiday party at a local agricultural site in Ramona. The event provided staff with the chance to learn about sustainable farming, agritourism, and challenges related to land use.
A central part of the celebration was a team-building activity where eight groups of three decorated gingerbread houses. Each house reflected UCCE programs, individual interests, and connections to agriculture and natural resource management.
Chandra Richards, UCCE San Diego director, commented on the competition: “This friendly competition sparked creativity and collaboration, with some teams even incorporating unique pests, native plants, and compost bins into their candy creations. The event strengthened team culture across the San Diego office, reinforcing UCCE’s principles of community and partnership.”
Suzanne Lake, administrative officer, described the contest as “a big success!”
Lake also distributed links to a PowerPoint presentation that displayed all eight gingerbread houses with their detailed candy landscapes. In addition, she shared a five-minute video featuring teams explaining how their creations represent UC ANR research and outreach efforts.
The first prize went to “The Mid Century Modern Estate,” built by Michael Jaquez, Marisela Chavez, and Chandra Richards. Their design included features such as a succulent and cactus garden, an ice skating rink, and a composting toilet to highlight climate resiliency and agritourism.
