UCCE Directory

DEPARTMENT HEAD

Olie Bachie
County Director
Phone: 858-822-7673
E-mail: obachie@ucanr.edu

AGRICULTURE

Farm advisors conduct applied research and carry out educational programs to address the needs of agricultural producers in San Diego County. Their specialties reflect the diversity of San Diego agriculture. Farm advisors develop close working relationships with the clientele of the industries they serve, sharing their collective expertise in a wide range of subjects: integrated pest management and plant protection (entomology, plant pathology, and weed science); irrigation, reclaimed water, and water quality issues; waste management and agricultural recycling; and the economics, production, and marketing of local crops.

Agricultural Information
Phone: 858-822-7711
E-mail: cesandiego@ucdavis.edu

Ramiro E. Lobo
Small Farms & Agricultural Economics Advisor
Phone (858) 752-4716
e-mail: relobo@ucanr.edu

Gerardo (Gerry) Spinelli, Ph.D.
Area Production Horticulture Advisor
Phone: (530) 304-3738
e-mail: gspinelli@ucanr.edu

Oli Bachie, Ph.D.
Agronomy Advisor and County Director
Phone: 760-362-9474
e-mail: obachie@ucanr.edu

Carmen Gispert
Viticulture Advisor, based in Riverside County
Phone: 760-342-2466
e-mail: cgispert@ucanr.edu

Ali Montazar, Ph.D.
Irrigation and Water Management Advisor, based in Imperial County
Phone: 442-265-7707
e-mail: amontazar@ucanr.edu

Sonia Rios
Area Subtropical Horticulture Advisor, based in Riverside County
Phone: 951-683-6491 Ext. 224
e-mail: sirios@ucanr.edu

HOME HORTICULTURE/GARDENING

The Home Horticulture Program provides horticulture and pest management information to county residents who grow edible and ornamental plants for their personal use. The program promotes integrated pest management, landscape water conservation, recycling of green waste, and other practices that help improve the quality of our urban environment. Master Gardener volunteers are recruited and trained to provide home horticulture information to the public through office and phone consultations, educational exhibits, gardening seminars, and other outreach activities.

Master Gardener Volunteers
Gardening & Pest Information Hotline
9AM to 3PM, Mon-Fri
Phone: (858) 822-6910
E-mail: help@mastergardenerssandiego.org

Lea Taylor - Program Representative III
Phone 858-822-6932
E-mail: leataylor@ucanr.edu 

NUTRITION, FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE

The Nutrition, Family, and Consumer Science program provides San Diego consumers and families with science-based information about foods and nutrition, food safety, and family resource management. Nutrition education targeting limited income families and youth is available through the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). We offer educational updates and resource materials to professionals including dietitians, teachers, public health educators, community health workers, child care providers, and senior service case workers.

Nutrition, Family, and Consumer Science Information
Phone: (858) 822-7711
E-mail: cesandiego@ucdavis.edu

NATURAL RESOURCES

The Natural Resources program addresses a range of local issues, including watershed management, inland and coastal water quality issues, non-native species, land use planning, and invertebrate pests. Advisors promote sound management and conservation of San Diego County's marine and natural resources through research, education, and good working relationships with a broad range of people. Our clientele includes: private land owners; resource management professionals; local, State, and Federal government agencies; the agriculture industry; conservation and environmental organizations; and users of public lands and waterways.

Natural Resources Information
Phone: (858) 822-7711
E-mail: cesandiego@ucdavis.edu

Christopher McDonald
Natural Resource Advisor, based in San Bernardino County
Phone: (909) 387-2242
e-mail: cjmcdonald@ucanr.edu

Niamh Quinn
Invertebrate Pest Advisor, based in Orange County
Phone: (949) 653-1813
e-mail: nmquinn@ucanr.edu

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

The objective of the 4-H Youth Development Program is to help young people discover their potential and grow into competent, contributing, and caring citizens. Learn-by-doing activities, youth-adult partnerships, and research-based educational programs help kids enhance their leadership abilities and develop a wide range of life skills.

4-H Youth Development Information
Phone: (858) 822-7730
E-mail: cesandiego@ucdavis.edu

OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF

Lea O'Reilly
Administrative Assistant 2
Phone: 858-221-2082
e-mail: lboreilly@ucanr.edu

Erin Spaniel
Administrative Assistant 2
Phone 858-822-7919
e-mail: enspaniel@ucanr.edu

Sue Lake
Administrative Assistant 3
Phone 858-822-7854
e-mail: slake@ucanr.edu

Lori Renstrom
Administrative Officer 3
Phone:  858-822-7717
e-mail:  llrenstrom@ucanr.edu

PROGRAM SUPPORT STAFF

Jan Gonzales
Community Education Supervisor 2
Phone: (858) 822-7718
Email: jggonzales@ucanr.edu

Ben DiAnna
Digital Media Specialist 2
Phone: (858) 822-7739 
Email: bdianna@ucanr.edu

Robert Padilla
Media Communication Specialist
Phone: (858) 822-7679

Annika Nabors
Community Education Specialist 2
Email: ajnabors@ucanr.edu

Ms. Mary Maser
Community Education Specialist: Adult Expanded Food & Nutrition Program
Phone: 760-752-4721 
Email: mlmaser@ucanr.edu

Vacant
Community Education Specialist 2: 4-H Program
Phone: (858) 822-7735 
Email:

Shirley Salado
Community Education Supervisor 2: Expanded Food & Nutrition Program
Phone: 858 822-7724
Email: scsalado@ucanr.edu

Margarita Schwarz
Community Education Specialist: Adult Expanded Food & Nutrition Program
Phone: (858) 822-7734
Email: mschwarz@ucanr.edu

Stella Weaver
Community Education Specialist 2: Youth Expanded Food & Nutrition Program
Phone: (858) 822-7720
Email: sweaver@ucanr.edu

Lea Corkidi
Staff Research Associate 2
e-mail: lcorkidi@ucanr.edu