South Coast Stewards Application 2026

Thank you for your interest in the University of California ANR South Coast REC Stewards Program.

Applicants will be chosen based on their interest in volunteering on Mondays and Friday generally 8:30am - 11:30am and occasional weekends.

As South Coast REC begins to establish its new small farm and nursery to help support public education and vocational training programs, Steward volunteers will have vital roles in helping to establish new no-till vegetable plots, new groves and orchards, and help with propagating and transplanting plants in the greenhouse. Most of our activities are hands on, and could include periods of lifting, stooping, etc. There are also occasions throughout the year where Stewards are recruited to help with the wide range of public education programs we deliver to youth and adults all over Southern California creating awareness recognizing the contribution of agriculture in our everyday lives.

This application is for the 2026 year, which will begin the Spring of 2026. We encourage you to make a thoughtful and complete application that fully represents you. Once all applications are received we will contact all interested applicants for an interview.

All applications must be submitted on, or before February 14, 2026 to be considered as a South Coast Steward. If you have any problems/questions regarding the application, please email tjmajcherek@ucanr.edu for assistance.

Following the review process, applicants will receive an email notification by February 28th, 2026.

Requirements to become a South Coast Steward:

At least 18 years old
A resident of Orange County
Willingness to perform fieldwork as necessary.
Willingness to learn and share UC based research information to youth and adults.
Complete Live Scan fingerprinting and agree to a background check before beginning the program at volunteer's expense.
If driving on behalf of the program, have a valid driver's license and proof of current auto insurance.
Complete and sign an Adult Volunteer Code of Conduct/Responsibilities and Rights Form.
Complete and sign a Waiver of Liability Form.
Abide by all policies of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Commit to a minimum of two-years of volunteer service.
Perform (50) hours of volunteer service and (6) hours of continuing education annually.
Record volunteer hours online as instructed.

✻ = Required

Contact Information

* = required

First Name ✻

Nickname - if applicable

Middle Intial

Last Name ✻

Address ✻

City ✻

Zip Code ✻

County ✻

Best Daytime Phone Number ✻

This is my: ✻

Home Number Cell Number Work Number

Email ✻

Confirm Email ✻

It is the policy of the University of California (UC) and the UC Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities (Complete nondiscrimination policy statement can be found at http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/215244.pdf) Inquiries regarding ANR’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to UCANR, Affirmative Action Compliance & Title IX Officer, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618, (530) 750- 1343.

The following information is requested to comply with Federal reporting requirements for Cooperative Extension programs. Furnishing the information is voluntary; there is no penalty for not providing it.

Are you of Hispanic ethnicity?

Hisapnic: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

Yes No

Race (Check all that apply):

American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander White or Caucasian Prefer Not To State

Gender

In compliance with the California Information Practices Act of 1977, the following information is provided: The information on this form is being requested by the University of California ANR South Coast Research and Extension Center for use in the South Coast Stewardship. The individual completing this form may make inquiries concerning use of the information collected and may ask to review the form as well as other non-confidential personal information maintained on record by contacting the local UC ANR REC Director, REC Superintendent or REC Community Educator Specialist.

Information on this form is being requested under the authority of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 covering Cooperative Extension activities and Article Ix, Section 9 of the State of California Constitution covering the University of California. Ethnic information is requested to maintain compliance with Title VI of the civil Rights Act of 1964 and sex information is requested to maintain compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Statistical information on this form is being collected to satisfy the U.S. Department of Agriculture Extension Service reporting requirements for Affirmative Action and the Federal Affirmative Action Program Report. Statistical information includes sex, ethnic information and residence location. Submission of the above noted information is voluntary and if the information is not submitted by the source, the county master gardener staff may use his or her judgment to complete the information and satisfy Federal reporting requirements. Other personal information on this form is being collected to provide the UC ANR South Coast REC staff with information to assist in program planning. This information consists of name, address, phone and email in addition to your skill set assessment.

South Coast Steward Program Application Questions

Why do you want to be a South Coast Steward? ✻

What are your expectations of being a South Coast Steward? ✻

During which hours are you available to volunteer: ✻

Weekday Mornings Weekday Afternoons Weekday Evenings Weekend Mornings Weekend Afternoons

What clubs or volunteer organizations do you currently belong to, or have in the past? How long did you volunteer at each, what was your role/what did you do within the organization? ✻

What skills, interest or passion do you have that would set you apart from others that would beneficial to our program? ✻

In addition to English, do you speak, read, or write other languages proficiently? ✻

Yes No

If yes, which language(s)?

If selected to this volunteer program: ✻

I will commit to this program for a minimum of two years, volunteering (50) hours and completing a minimum of (6) hours of continuing education annually. I am a student and unable to commit to two years, but will volunteer as needed.

I am interested in assisting in the following: ✻

Outreach and Education Tree and Row Crop Field Work Extension Activity Assistance Administrative Assistance

How did you learn about becoming a South Coast Steward? ✻

Facebook South Coast REC website Instagram Twitter Email Friend/Other

As a South Coast Steward, there could be times when you will be required to advise the public on the use of pesticides as part of an Integrated Pest Management program as recommended by the University of California. If your personal views on the use of pesticides differ from these recommendations, would you be able to set your personal philosophy aside and advise the public based on the research information provided by UC? ✻

Yes No

Because the University of California receives Federal funding, we are required to demonstrate compliance with Federal affirmative action regulations. Contact and Self-Assessment (CASA) numbers are documented to provide that our outreach occurs without discrimination. Would you be willing to collect ethnic data to comply with Federal regulations when volunteering at public events? ✻

Yes No

If I am selected, I agree to complete a Live Scan fingerprinting, at my own expense, and understand that I will be the subject of a California Department of Justice background check as required by the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. ✻

Yes No

If I am selected, I agree to purchase required uniform as necessary. ✻

Yes No

I agree to the requirements listed above to become a South Coast Steward. ✻

Yes No

Following the review process, accepted applicants will be notified by April 1, 2025. Please do not contact us prior to that time for a status update as we will not have information available until all applications are reviewed.

Please be sure to click the "Submit Application" button below to save your answers and submit your application