Beginning in 1913, University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) farm advisors have been located in every county of the state and have helped to shape agricultural practices through their work with local farmers, and the development of their communities through programs such as 4-H. In the fall of 2016, under a memorandum of understanding with the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the UC Merced Library began to assess, inventory, process, and provide access to historical materials held in county Cooperative Extension offices. Records in the county offices document agricultural trials, animal husbandry, water management, fire management, the development of integrated pest management, rural food and nutrition programs, and youth development programs, among other subjects. The records reflect the partnership between the university and federal, state, and local entities.

For example, the Ventura County collection span the years of 1916-2000. Records include reports and information on storm districts, irrigation and water management, farm management including information on farm labor and migrant workers, integrated pest management including information on pesticides and fertilizers, floriculture including information on gardens and landscaping, nutrition including information on food preservation, and youth developing including information on 4-H projects Agua Pura, Green Net Project, Youth Experiences in Science, and From Snails to Alpha Males. A large portion of the records are related to agriculture in Ventura County

Read about the UCCE in other counties through the years.

Check it out: https://calisphere.org/institution/238/collections/

image: Work on fire management was being done in Ventura long ago.  Fire is still being studied by UC and the Ventura office. Area on the left was burned and that on the right was not burned, February 24, 1931.