The San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, University of California Cooperative Extension Records span the years 1914-2000 (bulk) and consist largely of material from the San Luis Obispo offices. The first series, Annual and Historical Reports (1923-1975), contains statistical and narrative reports recorded on standardized forms, allowing for uniform reporting. The annual reports are written by farm advisors, specialists, and home demonstration agents and document their extension activities for the year. Narrative reports provide textual information on extension activities. Farm advisors and home demonstration agents describe the successes and challenges of their work, educational topics covered in trainings and demonstrations, and the variety of meetings held for farmers and their families. The reports provide a comprehensive indication of UCCE’s influence in rural communities. Additional topics outlined in both the statistical and narrative annual reports involve dairy, grain, and poultry projects, 4-H club work, food and nutritional programs, home improvement projects such as septic tanks and utilities, and the results of crop and livestock production.

Many of the historical reports convey seeding and fertilization recommendations to ranches and farms in the region. Other records in this subseries offer information about seeding practices and soil conservation. There are also handwritten notes, correspondence, and reports of work, including a report about low-income projects. This report documents community programing and youth involvement in 4-H, as well as partnerships with Cuesta College. There are also references to bilingual programing and the difficulties of reaching various demographic groups, including senior citizens. Staff reports, written in narrative format, are also included in this subseries. They cover a range of topics such as family nutrition and food, water, dairy waste and disease, new home improvement technologies, 4-H activities like the selling of Christmas trees, county fairs and the 4-H Leadership Conference in Davis, CA.

Material regarding centennial history reflect the history and chronology of Agricultural Extension work in California. A document by B.H. Crocheron looks at the origins of itinerant teachings and how the program has developed since its inception. Another record highlights the history of agricultural education in San Luis Obispo County and synopsizes work conducted with various crops, including research trials and yields, and disease control. A dedication to Parker Talbot, who served as the San Luis Obispo County Director until 1949, is also found in this subseries.

The second series, Topical Files (1953-1982), is further divided into subseries which are range and pasture, citrus and other sub-tropicals, water, weather and climate, soil, ornamental and lawns, vegetable crops, weeds, wildlife. Types of materials include, but are not limited to, trial results and reports, as well as documents about best practices in seeding, pasture and rangeland improvement, and fire hazard reduction. Information about lesser-grown crops in the United States such as pomegranates, mangoes, and kiwis are provided, as are materials regarding avocado and citrus production in the region and related production costs, economic trends, and disease prevention. Material about water includes irrigation system documents, economic analyses of water, and cost estimates of water systems. There is also material related to droughts and climatology.

Detailed reports about the production of several herbs including coriander, marjoram, thyme, and fennel, and more are included. Vegetables that are documented in the topical file include, but are not limited to, beans, carrots, artichokes, broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, corn, potatoes, lettuce, and asparagus.

Please refer to the container list for a complete record of materials found in this series.

The third series, Publications (1915-1985) consists of publications produced by University of California Cooperative Extension in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. This series shares a box with the subseries Berries.

The fourth series, Photographs (1951-1968, 2002-2013, undated), primarily consists of undated black and white negatives and photographic prints. The image content varies, though some major themes can be identified. Many of the photographs showcase machinery and equipment used for harvesting. Other photographs demonstrate fire prevention and the creation of fire breaks. There are also several images that depict small specimens such as caterpillars and beetles. Color photographs in this series illustrate 4-H celebrations and events.

The fifth series, 4-H Program, primarily consists of photographic materials documenting the activities of the 4-H clubs in Santa Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, dating between 1958-1994 (bulk). The materials in this series were received as part of a separate accession from the rest of the collection.