UCCE Contra Costa

UC Cooperative Extension: 100 Years and Counting!

We're turning 100!!  We invite you to watch our Celebration Video.

May 2014 will mark the 100^th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, the legislation that created Cooperative Extension, a nationwide system of community-based education, established as part of each state’s land grant university.

Cooperative Extension was started to help farmers, homemakers, and youth use the latest university research to improve their lives.  At first geared towards strengthening rural areas, Cooperative Extension became integral to urban and suburban communities as well.  A century later, Cooperative Extension continues to provide a vital link between public universities and communities.

Our colleagues in the communications office at Office of the President produced this video "birthday card" celebrating Cooperative Extension in California.  Enjoy our history.

Welcome!

The University of California Cooperative Extension Contra Costa County delivers high quality education and research  programs that contribute to:
• Safe, healthy and accessible food
• Clean water and a healthy environment
• Improved nutrition habits and well-nourished residents
• Healthy youth who contribute to healthy communities
• An improved local economy

Our programs benefit ALL cities and ALL citizens throughout the County. We pride ourselves on delivering the most cost-effective programs in the most efficient manner by drawing upon experts from throughout the UC system, utilizing over 600 trained volunteers, and working cooperatively with over 150 diverse public and private agencies/organizations. And we do this at a minimal cost to the public.

Eating Healthy from Seed to Table

During the 2011-2012 school year, 14 teachers from Marina Vista and Foothill Elementary enhanced their life sciences and nutrition lessons by growing produce at school and visiting a local organic garden. The “Eating Healthy from Seed to Table” nutrition education program was made possible through the UC-CalFresh Nutrition Education Program, a DOW CAP grant that funded the planter boxes, and the Contra Costa Farm Bureau who funds transportation to the garden.

During the project, 331 students explored how a seed grows into a plant, discovered the six edible plant parts, and learned about the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. They tasted fresh produce at school and on their tour of the garden with UCCE Master Gardeners. Snow peas, carrots, and kohlrabi were just a few of the vegetables available for tasting.

“Students comment on how they too have started planting at home. Some have brought in drawings of plants with parts labeled. Some now pull out weeds from the yard and show me the roots. Students in the cafeteria proudly show me their food choices.  Students were amazed to see how they were able to plant & harvest.” ~Foothill Elementary 1^st grade teacher

We look forward to working with these teachers again next school year.