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UC Cooperative Extension director outlines programs, volunteer reach and county partnership
Summary
Dr. Ariel Rivers, new area director for UC Cooperative Extension Central Sierra, briefed the El Dorado County Board on volunteer-led programs (4‑H, Master Gardeners, Master Food Preservers), research lines and a multicounty partnership that serves four counties; she requested continued county support and invited collaborations and volunteer participation.
Dr. Ariel Rivers, the new area director for the University of California Cooperative Extension Central Sierra, told the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on June 16 that the extension office serves as “a bridge between local issues and the research expertise of the University of California.” She described a multicounty partnership headquartered in Placerville that teams UC research advisers with local volunteers and county funding to deliver outreach on youth development, food preservation, home gardening and forestry and fuels management.
Rivers said the three county-funded programs — 4‑H youth development, the UC Master Gardener program and the UC Master Food Preserver program — remain the office’s most active local efforts. In the 2024–25 program year the office reported 673 enrolled 4‑H youth and 73 volunteers who contributed more than 8,600 hours; the Master Food Preserver program recorded more than 3,000 educational interactions and 25 volunteers; the Master Gardener program reported about 6,800 education interactions and nearly 150 volunteers.
The presentation emphasized how extension connects research to local problems. Rivers named academic advisers and specialists working on youth leadership and nutrition, small‑farm and pest management, livestock and forest fuels, and emerging topics such as virtual fencing and biochar for drought resilience. “We are your bridge between local issues and the research expertise of the University of California,” she said, and invited supervisors to visit the 311 Fair Lane office, recruit volunteers and consider research collaborations.
Supervisors thanked Rivers for the briefing and asked for the center’s annual report and budget breakdown. Director Rivers said county contributions provide roughly $330,000 to staff three locally funded positions and support volunteer training and office space; additional program funds come from state and federal grants. She said the office partners with neighboring counties in a Central Sierra multicounty partnership and that the MCP advisory council meets twice a year.
Members of the public who spoke during the item praised the extension’s programs, including 4‑H and nutrition education, and urged the board to continue support for volunteers and outreach in rural parts of the county. The board did not take formal action on the presentation; staff will share the extension’s annual report with supervisors as requested.
