California Ag Network

Tag: Awards

  • California Grape Growers Award Scholarships

    Fresno, CA – California’s table grape growers recently awarded scholarships to eight students in grape-growing regions of the state. All recipients will be attending California universities or colleges.

    Five field worker scholarships were awarded in 2018: two $3,500 two-year scholarships to community colleges, and three $20,000 four-year field worker scholarships. Three $20,000 four-year agricultural scholarships were also awarded in 2018.

    Since 1985, the California Table Grape Commission (commission) has awarded scholarships to children of table grape field workers. More than 130 students have received scholarships to attend vocational schools, community colleges, and California universities.

    Eight years ago, the commission created a new scholarship program, one designed to encourage those who want to study and work in the agriculture industry with an emphasis in the table grape industry. To date the program has helped 24 students attend four-year California universities.

    Here are the 2018 scholarship recipients:

    $3,500 Two-year Field Worker Scholarships

    Yaritzi MariscalMs. Yaritzi Mariscal is a graduate of Shafter High School. Yaritzi plans to attend Bakersfield College and pursue a career in nursing. Yaritzi is the first in her family to attend college and is an honor roll student and winner of the principal’s award.

    Ms. Luisa Perez Rodriguez is a graduate of Robert F. Kennedy High School in Delano. Luisa plans to attend Bakersfield College and pursue a career in radiological technology. Luisa is a four-year honor roll student, a four-year member of the soccer team, two-year member of the softball team, and is active in both school and church clubs.

    $20,000 Four-year Field Worker Scholarships

    Rosalinda ValenzuelaMs. Rosalinda Valenzuela is a graduate of McFarland High School. Rosalinda will graduate with a 4.38 weighted GPA and will attend UC San Diego and pursue a career as a mechanical engineer. Rosalinda is the vice president of the leadership class, president of the engineering club, a member of the softball team, and captain of the school golf team.

    Marisleysis ValdezMs. Marisleysis Valdez is graduating from Robert F. Kennedy High School in Delano. Marisleysis plans to attend California State University Bakersfield where she will major in finance with a career goal of becoming a financial manager in the table grape industry. Marisleysis graduates with a weighted 4.30 GPA and is a four-year honor roll student who also tutors other students.

    Aime AlarconMs. Aime Alarcon is the class valedictorian, the student body president, and a member of the water polo and swim teams at Harmony Magnet Academy in Strathmore. Aime will graduate with a weighted GPA of 4.34 and plans to attend the University of Southern California with a career goal of becoming a superintendent of schools.

    $20,000 Four-year Agricultural Scholarships

    Lindsey SwallMs. Lindsey Swall is a graduate of Mission Oak High School in Tulare. Lindsay is the class valedictorian and will graduate with a 4.2 weighted GPA. Lindsay has been involved with Future Farmers of America (FFA) in leadership roles and in competitions. Lindsay will attend Fresno State and has a career goal of becoming a horticulturalist.

    Brenden WilsonMr. Brenden Wilson is a graduate of Kingsburg High school with a weighted GPA of 3.97. Brenden is a four-year member of FFA, and a member of the school basketball and track teams. Brenden will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a career goal of applying mechanical technology to reduce physical labor in the fields.

    Leslie HerreraMs. Leslie Herrera is a graduate of Wonderful College Prep Academy in Delano. Leslie will graduate with a 4.33 weighted GPA. Leslie is a member of FFA, the senior class president, captain of the soccer team, and member of the softball team. Leslie will attend UC Davis with a career goal of becoming a human resource manager for an agricultural firm.

  • 101st Annual Meeting of Members Celebrates Farm Bureau Leaders

    Tulare, Calif., (April 27, 2018) – Tulare County Farm Bureau is pleased to announce their annual celebration of members and leaders to take place during the 101st Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner to be hosted on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 6:00 pm at the Heritage Complex in Tulare.  Tickets for the event are $50 each and can be purchased by contacting the Tulare County Farm Bureau at 732-8301.

    Tulare County Farm Bureau will present the following major awards: the Agriculturalist of the Year Award, Service to Farm Bureau, Friend of Farm Bureau, Agricultural Business of the Year, and Educator of the Year; along with graduating the 33rd class of youth leaders and awarding over $21,000 in local scholarships to 24 deserving students.  Being honored this year with major awards are:

    Agriculturalist of the Year – Brian Watte

    Brian Watte will be this year’s Agriculturalist of the Year.  Farm Bureau’s highest honor recognizes leaders in our community who give tremendous support to the farming community through leadership, generosity, and service to organizations.  Brian farms west of Tulare on ground that his family has owned since 1959.  The Watte family has been strong community leaders in agriculture, and in support of the International Agri-Center, and the founding and development of events at the Center. Brian has shown tremendous devotion, leadership, and support to the International Agri-Center, and is a leader in the farm community.  He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the American Pistachio Growers Association, and is head of their Marketing Committee. Brian is also current Chairman of the Board for International Agri-Center, and a past Grounds Chairman, and was World Ag Expo Show Chairman in 2000. Brian and his wife Patti have three grown children who all live nearby and continue to be directly involved in agriculture.

    Service to Farm Bureau Awards – Kelly Mitchell and Larry Stoneburner

    Kelly Mitchell and Larry Stoneburner, two dedicated volunteers will both be honored this year with service awards.  Kelly Mitchell is the owner of Mitchell Insurance Services agency in Visalia, and provides farm and crop insurance to local farmers in the community.  Kelly has been an avid supporter of the Fundraiser Committee of the Farm Bureau, involved since 2005 as a donor, committee member, and stalwart volunteer.   Larry Stoneburner, a retired doctor, and owner of KTIP Radio has been an active Farm Bureau volunteer since 2006 when he joined the Farm Bureau.  Larry has served on almost every committee of the Tulare County Farm Bureau.  Both individuals exemplify service, dedication, and volunteer spirt and are being honored for service to the organization.

    Friend of Farm Bureau Award – Jim Vidak

    Soon to retire after a long and distinguished career in education, Tulare County Superintendent of Schools, Jim Vidak will receive the Friend of Farm Bureau award.  Jim’s leadership and support towards the Farm Bureau’s agricultural education programs is well known, and his friendship and passion towards agricultural literacy is deeply appreciated.  Mr. Vidak has offered over two decades of support, collaboration, and leadership to the Farm Bureau through shared efforts on school garden funding and support, the calendar art contest, hosting an annual Superintendents’ Breakfast with the Farm Bureau and numerous other educational activities. We are honored by Jim’s commitment and dedication to agricultural education in the County, and appreciate his support and friendship to the Farm Bureau.

    Agricultural Business of the Year Award – Valley Tech Agricultural Laboratory

    Valley Tech Agricultural Laboratory, founded in April 1997, will be named this year’s Agricultural Business of the Year, for their dedicated service to the agricultural community, and their philanthropic support of many local organizations and the Farm Bureau. Each year Tulare County Farm Bureau honors a local business that has shown extraordinary support to Farm Bureau and the greater agricultural community.  Owners Sam Modesitt, Joe O’Brien, and Jeff Sa have distinguished themselves as community friends and supporters to the agricultural industry through their professional services and as an allied business that serves agriculture in an exemplary manner. Valley Tech Agricultural Laboratory’s goal is to help growers who use their testing and consulting services have a successful crop year after year. Agriculture cannot succeed without allied support industries and businesses like Valley Tech Agricultural Laboratory, who offer their outstanding service and knowledge to help advance agricultural operations and provide them with solutions for their agronomic needs.

    Educator of the Year – Frank Tebeau

    A dedicated career educator, currently in the Industrial Technology division at College of the Sequoias, Frank Tebeau is an outstanding educator in every respect.  Frank started as an agriculture instructor in 1976 at Washington Union High School and a few years later accepted a position at Mt Whitney High School, where he had the opportunity to teach alongside his former ag teachers. In 1997, Frank moved to College of the Sequoias where he has served as an agricultural faculty member teaching animal science, welding, and mechanics courses.  He currently serves on 11 advisory committees, and has developed more than 100 courses for COS in agriculture and industrial technologies.  He believes that Career Technical Education is critical to helping young people reach their potential and be both college and career ready and has served as a mentor and coach to thousands of young people throughout Tulare County over his distinguished career in agricultural teaching.

    Youth Awards and Recognition – Numerous students will be also recognized at the banquet including 26 students graduating from the 33rd class of the nationally recognized Youth Leadership program. The outstanding Youth Leadership participant award will be awarded to a student of the class who was selected as an exemplary member of this year’s program. The outstanding participant will receive a $1,000 scholarship upon enrollment in college.

    Scholarship Recipients for 2018 – Scholarship recipients from throughout Tulare County, listed below will be recognized, 24 students are receiving $21,000 in scholarship aid.   Awards are made possible by the Tulare County Farm Bureau’s charitable trust fund, which is a 501c3 charitable trust for Educational and Scholarship programs of the Farm Bureau.  Donations for scholarships are made by contributors throughout the year, and are always appreciated.  Memorial awards have been established by certain families, and the Scott Shannon memorial award is a renewable award for up to $2,000 total.   All other awards listed below are one-time awards. New in 2018 the Ken and Cindy Williams Scholarship for $2,500 has been added to the fund, to be offered to a student pursuing agriculture engineering or other technical agriculture trade programs of study.

     

    First Name Last Name Award Name  Amount School
    Kiara Benavides TCFB Ag Career  $      1,000 Woodlake High School
    Erick Burgos Student of Farm Employee  $      1,000 University Preparatory High School
    Lauren Davis Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 El Diamante High School
    Lauren Davis Mary Rankin Memorial  $      1,000 El Diamante High School
    Sarah Dreyer Merit Award  $         500 Cal Poly, SLO
    Jared Faria TCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers award  $         500 Mission Oak High School
    Hayley Fernandes Merit Award  $         500 Mission Oak High School
    Garon Gostanian Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Redwood High School
    Garon Gostanian Ken and Cindy Williams Scholarship  $      2,500 Redwood High School
    Bailey Gruber Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Golden West High School
    Bailey Gruber TCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers award  $      1,000 Golden West High School
    Grace Guthrie Merit Award  $         500 Cal Poly, SLO
    Taelor Hire Merit Award  $         500 Exeter Union High School
    Lauren Leonardo Student of Farm Employee  $         500 Mission Oak High School
    Jaqueline Longino Student of Farm Employee  $         500 University Preparatory High School
    Pia Martinez TCFB Ag Career  $      1,000 Woodlake High School
    Tanner Nuckols COS RRS Endowment  $         500 Strathmore High School
    Aaron Oppedyk Student of Farm Employee  $         500 Mission Oak High School
    Abbigail Prins TCFB Ag Career  $      1,000 Mission Oak High School
    Charliez Racicot Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Mt. Whitney High School
    Charliez Racicot Two Year College  $         500 Mt. Whitney High School
    Edgar Sanchez Student of Farm Employee  $         500 El Diamante High School
    Cole Shannon Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Central Valley Christian
    Kelsey Story Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Golden West High School
    Taylor Stout Fred and Marilyn Collison Memorial  $      1,000 El Diamante High School
    Lindsey Swall TCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers award  $      1,000 Mission Oak High School
    Ashley Tartaglia Merit Award  $         500 Central Valley Christian
    Payton Thomas Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Redwood High School
    Payton Thomas Frank Ribeiro Memorial  $      1,000 Redwood High School

     

    For more information about this year’s honorees or to attend the dinner, contact the Farm Bureau office at 559-732-8301. Tickets at $50 each are available please call soon as seating is first come, first served.  Reservations for a full table of 8 may be requested in advance.

  • 2018 Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

    Sacramento, Calif., (April 11, 2018) – The Sand County Foundation, the California Farm Bureau Federation and Sustainable Conservation are accepting applications for the $10,000 California Leopold Conservation Award. The award publicly honors California farmers, ranchers, foresters and other private landowners who demonstrate outstanding stewardship and management of the state’s natural resources.

    “It is an honor to be a recipient of the Leopold Conservation Award and to be affiliated amongst the other alumni who share a passion for conservation and are committed to sustainable practices in agriculture,” said Jack Thomson of C. Jeff Thomson, International, the award’s 2017 recipient. “I strongly encourage those who care deeply about conservation and agriculture to apply for this award.”

    Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation Award inspires other landowners and provides a public forum where farmers and ranchers are recognized as conservation leaders. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.”

    “Landowners learn best from one another, looking across fence lines, attending field days, and sharing stories of land stewards who have managed to achieve both conservation and profitability,” said Sand County Foundation President, Kevin McAleese. “The Leopold Conservation Award has much to contribute to this kind of peer learning.”

    “Collectively, we save California or, collectively, we lose it,” said Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation, which has co-sponsored the award since its launch in California more than a decade ago. “The Leopold Conservation Award celebrates those deserving, but often overlooked, landowner heroes doing their part every day to steward our environment and the quality of life for all Californians. From clean water, to healthy air, to thriving wildlife, the ‘we’re in this together’ spirit of these individuals and their families keeps California leading in solving big conservation challenges.”

     

    “Aldo Leopold was a pioneer in the concept of the ‘land ethic,’ a concept that resonates within California’s agricultural community,” said California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson. “The daily practice of this ethic is demonstrated not only in the diversity of landscapes where our farms and ranches operate, but also in the diversity of crops that drive America’s most successful farm economy. The California Farm Bureau Federation is proud to partner with Sand County Foundation in awarding the Leopold Conservation Award to a California farm or ranch whose land ethic has developed creative and replicable ideas concerning the stewardship of the natural resources on its land while providing a sustainable economic stimulus that feeds our nation.”

    Nominations must be postmarked by July 13 and mailed to California Leopold Conservation Award c/o Sustainable Conservation, 98 Battery Street, Suite 302, San Francisco, CA 94111. The award will be presented in December in San Diego, CA.

    The California Leopold Conservation Award is possible thanks to generous contributions from many organizations, including Farm Credit West, American AgCredit, The Harvey L. & Maud S. Sorensen Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and Leopold Conservation Award Alumni.

    For application information, please visit leopoldconservationaward.org.

    ABOUT THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD

    The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. The award consists of a crystal award depicting Aldo Leopold and $10,000. Sand County Foundation presents Leopold Conservation Awards in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

    ABOUT SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION – Sand County Foundation is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to working with private landowners to advance the use of ethical and scientifically sound land management practices that benefit people and the environment. sandcountyfoundation.org

     ABOUT CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION – The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 40,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5.5 million Farm Bureau members. cfbf.com

    ABOUT SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION – Sustainable Conservation helps California thrive by uniting people to solve the toughest challenges facing the state’s land, air and water. Since 1993, it has brought together business, landowners and government to steward the resources that all Californians depend on in ways that make economic sense. Sustainable Conservation believes common ground is California’s most important resource. suscon.org

  • Mexican Dignitaries and UC 4-H Leadership Honored in the California State Senate

    Sacramento, Calif., (April 10, 2018) – Dignitaries from the Baja California department of agriculture were recognized along with representatives of the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources 4-H program by the California State Senate on April 2 for an agreement the two organizations forged last year to bring 4-H to children across the border.

    In presenting a resolution, Senator Ben Hueso, whose district includes the entire 156-mile border of California with Mexico, said the two countries share an agricultural legacy that has faced growing challenges in recent years, such as drought and climate change.

    “This requires California and Mexico to share resources by providing access to outstanding educational opportunities what will prepare leaders, scientists, educators, entrepreneurs and professionals with the knowledge and commitment to address these very important issues,” Sen. Hueso said to his colleagues in the State Senate.

    The resolution was presented on the California State Senate floor April 2.

    Sen. Hueso said education isn’t the only issue addressed by the 4-H-Mexico accord.

    “This is also a food scarcity issue, addressing food scarcity in our communities and in the world,” he said. “Both Imperial County and Baja California are very big players on the world stage for feeding people.”

    The first group of children in the Mexicali 4-H program learned where their food comes from. A second cohort will undertake a project related to science. The program is a model for establishment of similar 4-H experiences for youth in the rest of Baja California and Mexico.

    California State Senator Ben Hueso (far right) presented a resolution to Mexican dignitaries and UC ANR 4-H leadership. Pictured, left to right front row, are State Senator Jim Beall (15th District), Hortencia Medellin, Lupita Fabregas, Manuel Valladolid Seamanduras and Carlos Orozco. Back row, left to right, are Mark Bell, Claudia Diaz Carrasco and Shannon Horrillo.

    Sen. Hueso introduced the delegation from Mexico, led by Manuel Vallodolid Seamaduras, Secretary of Agriculture Development in the State of Baja California, Mexico (Secretaría de Desarrollo Agropecuario del Estado de México – SEDAGRO), and others in attendance to accept the resolution, including:

    • Hortencia Medellin Acosta, Director of Rural Entrepreneurship, Mexicali, Baja California
    • Carlos Orozco Riesgo, Member of the UC ANR 4-H Multicultural and Community Engagement Advisory Committee, former Undersecretary of SEDAGRO
    • Belem Avendaño Ruiz, Director of Inspection, health and safety SEDAGRO
    • Guillermo Gonzalez Rubio, Director, Livestock health department SEDAGRO
    • Agustin Manuel Velazquez Bustamante, Legal Advisor SEDAGRO
    • Mark Bell, Ph.D., Vice provost, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
    • Shannon Horrillo, Ph.D., 4-H Youth Development statewide director
    • Lupita Fabregas, Ph.D., 4-H Youth Development assistant director for diversity and expansion
    • Claudia Diaz Carrasco, 4-H Youth Development advisor, Riverside and San Bernardino counties

    “I hope that California, the nation’s leading agriculture producing state, will continue to foster cooperation with Mexico and train future leaders through the launch of the 4-H Club in Mexicali,” Sen. Hueso said. “Please join me in welcoming them to the California State Senate and thanking them for their work in advocacy in helping educate the future.”

  • UCCE Advisor Rachel Surls Receives 2018 Bradford Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award

    Davis, Calif., (March 22, 2018) – The Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis has announced that Rachel Surls, UC Cooperative Extension sustainable food systems advisor for Los Angeles County, is this year’s recipient of the Eric Bradford and Charlie Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award.

    Rachel Surls

    Surls has been committed to community gardens, school gardens, and urban agriculture since long before our cities took notice. For 30 years, she has worked at the UC Cooperative Extension Office in Los Angeles County, helping to bring city-grown food into the mainstream.

    The Bradford Rominger award, given yearly, honors individuals who exhibit the leadership, work ethic and integrity epitomized by the late Eric Bradford, a livestock geneticist who gave 50 years of service to UC Davis, and the late Charlie Rominger, a fifth-generation Yolo County farmer and land preservationist.

    “In her three decade career with UCCE, Rachel has developed a strong program addressing some of our most critical issues in sustainable agriculture,” says Keith Nathaniel, the Los Angeles County Cooperative Extension director. “She does so with innovative strategies, working with all aspects of the LA community. After 30 years doing this work, she continues to be active in the community she serves.”

    In Surls’ career, gardening has been a tool to build science literacy for school children, to increase self-sufficiency for communities impacted by economic downturn, and to create small businesses for urban entrepreneurs. As the interest in and support for urban agriculture has grown, she has been in the heart of Los Angeles, ready to respond to the needs of the city’s farmers and gardeners.

    Her role at Cooperative Extension started as a job to help start school gardens in LA. “I would drive to any school that wanted me and help them dig in the gardens,” Surl said. “I could find teachers who were interested in starting gardens, but I couldn’t find principals and administrators to support it.”

    Early on, some counseled Surls to find an area of expertise that was more serious than community and school gardens. Despite the criticism, “I just chugged along, doing what I knew was good and what I cared about,” Surl said.

    And over time, the value of these programs has become more apparent, and support for them has grown. Surls continued along, working to start community gardens at public housing facilities, and overseeing the Los Angeles County UC Master Gardener program.

    In 1997, she stepped into a role as the UC Cooperative Extension county director, ensuring the success of extension efforts for all of Los Angeles County for the next 14 years.

    In 2008 came the great recession, and with it an uptick in public interest in home grown food.

    “We were getting more and more calls in our office on how to be more self-sufficient,” Surls said. “The economics of the time rattled people, so they were thinking more about how to grow their own food, and how to maybe make some money by selling what they grow. And people needed the support and guidance to do that.”

    Surls and her partners are working to meet that need through workshops in California’s largest metropolitan areas and a website of resources to help new urban farmers get a leg up on farming in the city. Surls is also a member of the leadership board for the Los Angeles Food Policy Council.

    The energy around urban agriculture today is palpable. And a career path that was once not taken seriously now is.

    “That has really changed in our institution and culture,” Surl said. “We’re hiring people to do this work!”

    Persistent and focused, Surls’ work is one of the reasons that progress is happening.

    Surls will receive the award at the Celebrating Women in Agriculture event in Davis April 3. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more about the event here.

     

  • Fresno State Student Wins 2018 Collegiate Discussion Meet

    Tim Traux of Fresno State

    Fresno, Calif., (February 27, 2018) – This past weekend, American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers held their 2018 Leadership Conference in Reno, NV. Among the many activities hosted was the Collegiate Discussion Meet, held annually at the conference. Representing California in the competition was Tim Traux of Fresno State, who was able to hold off competitors in the final round from Alabama, Florida and Michigan to become the 2018 Collegiate Discussion Meet National Winner. The final round topic was “With a growing demand for US farm products abroad, how can agriculture overcome public skepticism of foreign trade to negotiate new trade agreements and open new world markets?” Tim becomes the third Fresno State student in six years to win the national meet.

    The Collegiate Discussion Meet is a competitive event that stimulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems.

  • Citrus Biological Control Task Force Wins Integrated Pest Management Award

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 26, 2018) – The California Citrus Research Board (CRB) has received an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Achievement Award for its work in establishing biological controls for the Asian citrus psyllid.

    Joint ACP Biocontrol Task Force honorees this month at the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s annual integrated pest management awards ceremony. From left, Dr. Mark Hoddle of UC Riverside, Dr. Gregory Simmons of USDA, Dr. David Morgan of CDFA, Department of Pesticide Regulation director Brian Leahy, and Jim Gorden, chair of the task force.

    The awards, bestowed annually by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), recognize organizations that use IPM to address the diverse pest management needs throughout California. IPM is a tool that allows the management of pests by using natural and preventative strategies, and thus reducing the use of chemical pesticides.

    In 2010, the CRB established a task force to help control an invasive insect pest called Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a serious threat to the citrus industry. Psyllids can infect citrus trees with a bacteria that causes huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease. There is no cure for HLB and it is fatal to trees. The CRB Joint Agency Biological Control Task Force is comprised of CDFA, the University of California-Riverside, the USDA and Cal Poly-Pomona.

    Instead of relying solely on conventional pesticides to fight the psyllid, the task force developed a program using natural predators as a means of reducing ACP populations. The task force imported, reared and studied parasitic wasps from Pakistan that kill ACPs. These wasps are a key part of the first biocontrol program that successfully targeted and reduced ACP populations in urban areas and citrus orchards, in some cases replacing pesticide applications at sensitive urban sites. The project has been successfully implemented in eight counties – San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and Santa Barbara.

    The CRB officially received recognition from DPR earlier this month at an awards ceremony in Sacramento.

  • 2017 IPM Achievement Award Winners Announced

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 14, 2018) – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), will honor four organizations for their achievements in reducing risk from pesticide use in a public ceremony on Feb. 12, 2018.

    “The variety of award winners this year demonstrates that pests—both in agricultural and urban settings—can be managed successfully using effective, low-risk methods,” said DPR Director Brian Leahy. “Integrated pest management is fundamental for managing pests thoughtfully and effectively in California.”

    Director Leahy will present the awards at 1:30 p.m. in the Sierra Hearing Room, California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) at 1001 I St. in Sacramento. The ceremony will be webcast at https://video.calepa.ca.gov.

    The IPM Achievement Awards recognize organizations that use integrated pest management (IPM) to address the diverse pest management needs throughout California. IPM is a tool that allows people to manage pests by using natural and preventative strategies, and thus reduces the use of chemical pesticides. The awards will be given in the areas of innovation, leadership, and education and outreach.

    The 2017 IPM Achievement Award Winners are:

    The Citrus Research Board Joint Agency Biological Control Task Force – In 2010, the Citrus Research Board (CRB) established a task force to help control an invasive insect pest called Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a serious threat to the $3 billion California citrus industry. ACPs, which are as small as a grain of rice, can infect backyard citrus trees (and potentially commercial orchards) with a bacteria that causes a devastating plant disease called Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease. There is no cure for HLB and it is fatal to trees. The CRB Joint Agency Biological Control Task Force was created and is comprised of the Citrus Research Board, California Department of Food & Agriculture, University of California-Riverside, the United States Department of Agriculture and Cal Poly-Pomona.

    Instead of relying solely on conventional pesticides to fight this insect, the task force developed a program using natural predators as a means of reducing ACP populations. The Task Force imported, reared and studied parasitic wasps from Pakistan that kill ACPs. These wasps are a key part of the first biocontrol program that successfully targeted and reduced ACP populations in urban areas and citrus orchards while replacing large-scale, pesticide-driven campaigns in sensitive urban sites. At this time, the project has been successfully implemented in several counties, including Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. The award categories are for innovation and leadership. Media interested in this project may directly contact Carolina Evangelo at 559.738.0246 and carolina@citrusresearch.org.

    Hines Landscaping San Francisco – Four horticultural professionals managing indoor plants in commercial buildings and outdoor gardens in San Francisco make up Hines Landscaping San Francisco. In the 1990’s, Hines Landscaping began transitioning to sustainable landscaping practices in an effort to reduce its chemical footprint. One successful tactic has been to replace synthetic fertilizers by feeding plants a compost tea. To achieve this, the company developed its own vermiculture program, where worms are fed green waste and restaurant scraps from their buildings. The resulting compost tea, applied to plants, has helped to reduce the number of insects and mites attracted to the plants. Today, Hines Landscaping manages its pest flare-ups with strategic pruning, biological controls and using the least toxic chemicals. Its outdoor gardens contain native and drought-tolerant plants chosen to reduce pests while supporting pollinators and beneficial insects. In addition, Hines Landscaping hosts several tours of its gardens and facilities annually to share their innovative pest management practices. Tour attendees include schoolchildren, college students and professional groups. Encouraged by their parent company, Hines Landscaping speaks to other building managers at workshops and forums worldwide to share its innovative pest management practices. The award category is for leadership. Media interested in this project may directly contact Shirley Vaughan at 415-398-8655 and shirley.vaughan@hines.com.

    Manteca Unified School District Operations Department – The Operations Department of Manteca Unified School District has helped to improve field conditions for student athletes while reducing the amount of chemical pesticides it uses to tackle harmful pests. These pests include gophers, insects and weeds on school landscaping areas and athletic fields. The department maintains almost 700 acres of property at 32 campuses. In 2014, the proliferation of gopher mounds was an increasing problem on the athletic fields. This led to a dangerous situation for student athletes and increasing reports of injuries suffered from gopher holes and uneven landscapes. Rather than increase the amount of pesticides applied, the Operations Department adjusted its gopher management strategy and started a large-scale gopher-trapping program. By 2016, the Operations Department had cut the number of gopher-targeted pesticide applications in half from their 2014 peak use. Their efforts resulted in the complete elimination of pesticide use for gopher management in 2017. An added bonus was that the money saved by switching to the trapping program was re-invested into repairing the district’s athletic fields! The Operations Department shares its success story with their school community and other school districts throughout the state. The award category is for leadership. Media interested in this project may directly contact John A. Lopez, Supervisor of Grounds, Fields & Landscape Services, at (209) 858-0712 and jlopez@musd.net.

    Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District – The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District protects the public from mosquitoes, rats, fire ants, and flies on private and public properties such as residential homes, golf courses, parks, rights-of-way, and schools. Between 2014 and 2015, Orange County experienced a period of increased West Nile Virus infections and detected invasive Aedes mosquitoes—a pest that can potentially transmit Zika, dengue fever or other mosquito-borne diseases. In response to this health issue, the district coordinated a campaign to improve communication and community engagement, increase risk awareness, and reduce mosquito populations rather than relying solely on synthetic pesticides to battle mosquitoes. The district implemented a new strategy to train teams that went door-to-door to inspect properties for mosquitoes and educated residents about draining standing water to reduce breeding locations for the pest. From 2015 to 2017, teams inspected more than 40,000 properties. The award category is for education and outreach. Media interested in this project may directly contact Lora Young at (714) 971-2421 x 115 and lyoung@ocvcd.org.

    For more information, see the 2017 IPM Achievement Awards.

    Visit our IPM Achievement Awards webpage.

  • California State Fair Seeks Nominees for the 2018 Agriculturalist of the Year Award

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 28, 2017) – Since 1854, the California State Fair has showcased the progress and advancement of the State’s agricultural industry. In celebration of those individuals who have substantially contributed to that success, the California State Fair is seeking nominations for the 2018 Agriculturalist of the Year.

    The Agriculturalist of the Year award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership and contributed extensively to the agricultural industry in a professional manner. Individuals nominated must have clearly represented the industry over a number of years in one or more of the following areas: finance, government, production agriculture, education, labor, research, communications, trade and public service, regardless of contributions to the California State Fair.

    The California State Fair first began presenting this award in 1980. Most recent awardees include Tom Nassif (2017), Sarbjit “Sarb” Johl (2016), Charles D. “Chuck” Ahlem (2015), Craig McNamara (2014), Edward H. Nishio (2013), A.G. Kawamura (2012), Robert “Bob” Gilbert (2011), Bill Lyons, Jr. (2010).

    The 2018 Agriculturalist of the Year nomination form can be found on the California State Fair website under Agricultural Advisory Council (http://www.castatefair.org/agricultural-advisory-council/). Nominations can be made from within the industry and the general public. Nomination forms must be emailed, faxed, postmarked or hand delivered by Friday, January 19, 2018 to:

    Jay Carlson
    Ag Program Manager
    California Exposition & State Fair
    P.O. Box 15649, Sacramento, CA 95852
    Phone: (916) 263-3109
    Fax (916) 263-7903
    Email: jcarlson@calexpo.com 

    The winner of the 2018 Agriculturalist of the Year will be presented at the Friends of the California State Fair Gala on June 21, 2018.

  • Retiring Sun Maid President Receives American Vineyard Outstanding Service Award

    At the 105th Annual Meeting of Sun-Maid, American Vineyard Publisher Dan Malcolm presented retiring Sun-Maid President Barry Kriebel with American Vineyard’s Outstanding Service Award, after 30+ years of dedicated service to Sun-Maid and the raisin industry. Watch his brief interview, and read more about Mr. Kriebel in the December Issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Sponsored By:

    Calagnet & YARA