UCCE Multi-County Partnerships
We know you have questions about how the new Central Sierra multi-county partnership will work. Here are some common questions:
Q. Will Cooperative Extension still be local?
A. Yes. There will still be a CE office in each county with program staff serving the public. These program offices will be open part time. The El Dorado County office will serve as a central administrative hub and will be open full time.
Q. Will I still be able to get the personal help I need?
A. Yes. In fact you’ll be able to draw upon an expanded pool of expertise regardless of county boundary.
Q. Won’t my Cooperative Extension advisor be stretched over a greater area?
A. Technically, yes, but each will have a more defined area of specialization, allowing all advisors to better utilize their strengths. New advisors covering other subjects will be made available to you.
Q. Can you really do more with less?
A. Yes. In fact, more resources could be available as larger populations and acreage may attract more or greater grant funds.
Q. What kinds of resources will be made available?
A.The community will continue to have access to educational programs and expertise in nutrition, healthy living, youth development, agriculture, home gardening, animal husbandry, forestry, and natural resources.
Q. What will happen to the volunteer programs?
A. The Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, and 4-H Youth Development volunteers will continue to serve at the county level.
Q. What will happen to my local 4-H club?
A. 4-H Community Clubs will maintain their local presence.
Q. Where does the money to run Cooperative Extension come from?
A. Cooperative Extension is funded cooperatively through the University of California, and federal, state, and county government.
This will continue, but instead of keeping the funds separate at the county level, multiple counties will pool resources, capturing efficiencies in administration and putting more resources into program delivery.