UC Cooperative Extension - Kern County
Kern County is located in the southern Central Valley of the state of California. Established in 1866, it extends east beyond the southern slope of the eastern Sierra Nevada range into the Mojave Desert, and includes parts of the Indian Wells Valley, and the Antelope Valley. From the Sierras the county extends across the floor of the San Joaquin Valley to the eastern edge of the Temblor Range, part of the Coastal Ranges. To the south the county extends over the ridge of the Tehachapi Mountains. According to the 2009 census, its population was 807,407. The county seat is Bakersfield (since 1874) with the original county seat being the former mining town of Havilah in the mountains between Bakersfield and Tehachapi.
The county has a large agricultural base and is a significant producer of oil, natural gas, hydro-electric power, wind turbine power, and geothermal power. As of 2009[update], Kern remains California's top oil-producing county, with 81% of the state's 52,144 active oil wells.[2] The county accounts for one-tenth of overall U.S. oil production, and three of the five largest U.S. oil fields are in Kern County. Kern is also noted for its mineral wealth, including gold, borate, and kernite. The largest open pit mine in California, which mines borax, is at Boron in Kern County.[3]
Cooperative Extension is the informal off-campus educational arm of the University of California. It is a part of the Land-Grant College System, that since 1914, has provided the citizens of California and Kern County with the following programs to improve their quality of living.
4-H Youth Development
Citrus, Subtropical Horticulture, Pistachios
Cotton, Small Grains, Corn & Silage
Dairy
Deciduous Tree Fruits and Nuts
Entomology and Pest Management
Environmental Horticulture / Environmental Science
Irrigation Management & Agronomy
Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences
Livestock and Natural Resources
Vegetable Crops Pest Management
Donation Pledge
All donations will be used exclusively for the delivery of Cooperative Extension programs in Kern County, including 4-H Youth Development, Food and Nutrition Education, and agricultural research.
Drought Information
The University of California has been extensively involved in research and implementation of water conservation/management strategies throughout the state. A lot is known about when and how to most effectively use limited water supplies. The links below contain a brief introduction. Additional information is available at the UC ANR drought website, which is located at: http://ciwr.ucanr.edu/California_Drought_Expertise/
Tips for Saving Water in Landscape Irrigation
Saving Water in Landscape Irrigation
Contact Information
Kern County
Cooperative Extension Kern County
1031 South Mount Vernon Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93307
Phone: (661) 868-6200
Fax: (661) 868-6208
Director:
Dr. Brian Marsh