California Ag Network

Tag: CDFA

  • Invasive Plant Pest & Disease Awareness Month

    CDFA is joining the USDA in declaring April 2023 Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month .

    This national outreach month is dedicated to highlighting the impact of invasive plant pests and diseases on plants nationwide. The focus is on raising public awareness about the threat and how residents can help.

    Each year, invasive insects and plant diseases cause an estimated $40 billion in damages to plants in the US.

    Nonnative plant pests can hitchhike in untreated firewood, attach themselves to cars, boats, and other outdoor surfaces—or take a ride in the mail. They can travel to new areas on agricultural material such as soil, seeds, homegrown produce, and plants.

    Invasive pests have few or no natural predators in their new environments, so their populations quickly outpace native species and spread. These non-native plant pests and diseases disrupt our ecosystems and reduce biological diversity.

    Climate change can magnify the impact of invasive species by increasing the level of plant pest infestations and disease infection, allowing pests to produce more generations each year, and increasing their suitable habitat.

    To protect domestic plant health:

    • Learn about possible quarantines in your area, as well as the signs of invasive pest infestation on plants.
    • it’s important to clean your car and outdoor gear before traveling with them to new places, because invasive species can travel with you.
    • If you find signs of new invasive plant pests and diseases in your area, report them to your local Extension office,  CDFA’s Pest Hotline, or your USDA State Plant Health Director’s office.
    • Don’t move untreated firewood—even if it looks pest-free on the outside. To avoid unintentionally spreading tree-killing beetles that hide in firewood, buy or source wood locally, or use certified, heat-treated firewood.
    • Source your plants and seeds responsibly. When ordering online, ensure the plant is coming from a domestic source or follow import regulations. If you don’t know where an agricultural product is coming from, don’t buy it online. U.S. regulations apply to the importer of record—meaning the person purchasing and importing the product from overseas—not the online merchant. Learn how to safely and legally order plants and seeds online.
    • Don’t mail homegrown plants, fruits and vegetables to avoid inadvertently mailing a plant pest with them.
    • To comply with U.S. laws and avoid introducing new invasive species into the U.S., declare all agricultural items, including seeds, soil, and handicrafts to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for inspection when returning from overseas travel.

    Link to CDFA’s Report a Pest Page
    Link to the USDA’s Hungry Pests Page

  • California Storm Response and Recovery Update

    As California weathers the twelfth atmospheric river since late December, the state’s all-of-government emergency response (including CDFA) continues to deploy personnel and resources to protect communities and support recovery efforts across the state.

    “We’re continuing to mobilize an all-hands-on-deck response to protect Californians during this latest round of devastating storms,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “With communities from San Diego to Siskiyou County reeling from recent storms, the state is working closely with federal and local partners to provide immediate relief and support the ongoing recovery.”

    Since the start of severe winter storms in late February, Governor Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in 43 counties. At Governor Newsom’s request, President Biden issued a Presidential Emergency Declaration authorizing federal assistance to support storm response and recovery efforts.

    The Administration is working to maximize federal aid to storm-impacted communities as state and county officials conduct preliminary damage assessments and tally totals for financial losses to determine if California meets the criteria for a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government. Earlier this year, California secured a Major Disaster Declaration in response to severe storms that began in late December.

    All-In State Response
    California’s emergency response to the widespread storm impacts has involved nearly every part of the state government. Assistance on the ground includes:

    Caltrans and CHP

    • More than 4,000 crew members mobilized by Caltrans statewide, working 24/7 in shifts to keep roads open and quickly respond to emergencies.
    • Caltrans has accelerated repairs on storm-damaged roads in nearly 200 locations statewide and prepositioned equipment at critical locations to prepare for flooding, slides and heavy snow.
    • CHP has stepped up patrols statewide and is augmenting local government law enforcement to assist with road closures and evacuations.

    CAL FIRE

    • 33 crews active statewide (including personnel from CAL FIRE, California National Guard, California Conservation Corps, and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.)
    • Five Damage Inspection Teams statewide.
    • Two Incident Management Teams deployed to assist Inyo, Mono and Tulare counties.
    • Two engines, one helicopter and one mobile communications center.
    • CAL FIRE storm response video and photos can be found here.

    California National Guard

    • 125 Cal Guard soldiers and 48 High-Water Vehicles deployed across seven counties to support flood and rescue operations.
    • One Blackhawk and one Pave Hawk helicopter deployed and on standby for search and rescue operations across Northern California.
    • One Chinook helicopter deployed in standby support of heavy lift operations related to the Pajaro River levee breach.
    • 58 Guardsmen from Task Force Rattlesnake deployed in Tulare, Mono and Placer counties assisting with debris and snow removal.

    Cal OES and Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)

    • Cal OES has pre-positioned Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Resources in communities vulnerable to flooding, including:
      • 8 Swiftwater Rescue Teams
      • 10 local government fire strike teams
    • EMSA has pre-positioned ambulance strike teams as well as a California Medical Assistance Team (CAL-MAT) to aid in evacuations and support medical needs in communities impacted by flooding.

    Department of Water Resources (DWR)

    • 40 deployments of Flood Fight Specialists to rapidly respond to levee breaches and localized flooding.
    • 470,000 sandbags and 488,000 square feet of plastic sheeting distributed to local government partners. That’s enough plastic to cover eight and a half football fields.

    Department of General Services (DGS)

    • DGS is providing 24-hour support procuring goods and services to assist in the response to storms and flooding, including: 95,000 sandbags; heavy machinery; security guard services; accessible and functional needs showers; fuel; firewood, janitorial services; road materials; and additional shelter support services.
    • DGS has procured more than 70 pallets of water, various food items, diapers, and 2,400 cans of baby formula for Monterey County.

    California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

    CDSS is working with local officials to help coordinate food, water, and other supplies such as cots and blankets to ensure that people impacted by the storms have what they need.

    California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)

    • Field staff in Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Stanislaus counties working with dairies to help evaluate animal evacuation needs. CDFA’s CARES program – which coordinates and protects animal safety – stands ready to coordinate resources as needed.
    • 11 fairgrounds overseen by CDFA are open for shelter or staging needs.

    Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA)

    LWDA is coordinating with local partners and nonprofits to identify unmet needs and provide resources to residents in Monterey and Merced counties, including distributing information on disaster assistance for immigrants, facilitating interpreter services for outreach to Indigenous communities, and ongoing efforts to drive resources through community organizations that are mobilizing to provide assistance.

    • In Monterey, LWDA is working with California Rural Legal Assistance, Center for Farmworker Families, Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño, and Raíces y Cariño to identify support needed for those impacted in the town of Pajaro.
    • In Merced, LWDA is working with Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño and the UC Merced Community and Labor Center to identify support needed for those impacted in the town of Planada.
    • Distributing information and resources on storm recovery, unemployment insurance, food distribution and more through the COVID-19 Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP) and Statewide Agriculture and Farmworker Education (SAFE) program.

    Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and State Water Board

    • DTSC personnel are on the ground in Monterey County to clean up household hazardous waste resulting from recent flooding.
    • DTSC and State Water Board staff are coordinating with local officials in Monterey County and other flood-impacted areas to provide expertise related to wastewater spills and water system impacts.

    Staying Safe During the Storms

    All Californians have an important role in keeping themselves and their communities safe during ongoing severe weather.

      • Visit CalAlerts.org to sign up for local wireless emergency alerts.
      • Pack a go-bag with important items for each member of your household, including pets, in case you’re evacuated.
      • In the instance that it’s safer to shelter in place, add items to a stay box to prepare for at least 3 days without electricity.
      • Please stay off roads and out of mountain areas to allow for first responders to clear roads and get communities back open.
      • If told to evacuate, do so immediately

  • California Unveils Plan to Eliminate High-Risk Pesticides by 2050

    Today, the state joined leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds to unveil a roadmap of ambitious goals and actions to accelerate California’s systemwide transition to sustainable pest management and eliminate prioritized high-risk pesticides by 2050 to better protect the health of our communities and environment, while supporting agriculture, food systems and community well-being.

    The Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for California – released by the Department of Pesticide Regulation, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture – charts a course for the state’s transition to sustainable pest management in agricultural and urban settings.

    The roadmap was developed over nearly two years by a diverse, cross-sector group of stakeholders representing conventional and organic agriculture, urban environments, community and environmental groups, tribes, researchers, and government.

    “For decades, California has used pesticides to protect our crops, our cities, our homes, and our businesses from pests,” said Yana Garcia, California’s Secretary for Environmental Protection. “Exposure to harmful pesticides carries risks – to our health and to our environment – and these risks are disproportionately borne by communities already overburdened by pollution. If we truly want to build a healthy and safe California for all, we must phase out and replace the highest-risk pesticides, and the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap is a bold, new plan to get us there.”

    Sustainable pest management is a holistic, systemwide approach that builds on the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by incorporating essential elements of human health and social equity, environmental protection, and economic vitality. IPM uses the least toxic, effective method to solve pest problems. While IPM has been practiced to varying degrees for decades, it hasn’t been adopted at scale, across the board, in agriculture or in urban or wildland settings, which is why the holistic, systemwide approach recommended through the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap is a necessary evolution.

    “The Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap recognizes how the management of pest pressures is strongly interconnected with resilient farm and ecosystems, and the health of farmworker and communities. said CDFA Secretary, Karen Ross. “We have a lot of work ahead to implement the approaches outlined in the roadmap. However, the implementation of these recommendations will ensure an abundant and healthful food supply, protect our natural resources, and create healthy, resilient communities.”

    The Sustainable Pest Management Work Group was formed in response to both a recommendation from the state’s Chlorpyrifos Alternatives Work Group, and the Governor’s, CalEPA’s and DPR’s recognition of the need to accelerate a holistic, systemwide approach to safer, more sustainable pest management. The Work Group was comprised of 25 members representing diverse interests to address sustainable pest management in agricultural settings, and an additional eight members formed an urban subgroup to address urban pest pressures specifically.

    “Successfully transitioning to sustainable pest management requires collective action,” said DPR Director, Julie Henderson. “The critical actions outlined in the roadmap include prioritizing prevention, coordinating state-level leadership, investing in building knowledge about sustainable pest management, improving the state’s registration and evaluation process to bring more sustainable alternatives to market and enhancing monitoring and statewide data collection to better inform actions.”

    DPR opened a public comment period on the prioritization and implementation of next steps outlined in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap. The comment period opened today and will close at 5 p.m. on March 13, 2023. Comments can be sent to alternatives@cdpr.ca.gov or by mail to 1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, CA 95812. Comments received will be considered as part of the state-level coordination on implementing the recommendations in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap.

    DPR and partner agencies will additionally host a series of webinars to discuss the recommendations and actions outlined in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for both agricultural and urban landscapes. The webinars are planned for February 2023 and more information will be available on DPR’s website.

    ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION

    The California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s mission is to protect human health and the environment by fostering safer and sustainable pest management practices and operating a robust regulatory system to monitor and manage the sale and use of pesticides across the state. DPR’s work includes registering all pesticides sold or used in California, conducting scientific evaluation of pesticides to assess and mitigate potential harm to human health or the environment, monitoring for pesticides in the air and water, and enforcing pesticide regulations in coordination with 55 County Agriculture Commissioners and their 400 field inspectors. DPR also conducts outreach to ensure pesticide workers, farmworkers and local communities have access to safety information. DPR invests in innovative research to encourage the development and adoption of integrated pest management tools and practices. More information about DPR can be found at www.cdpr.ca.gov.

  • Preparing for the Next Round of Funding for CDFA Methane Management Programs

    CDFA recently announced awards for the 2022 Alternative Manure Management Program, as well as the Dairy Digester Research & Development Program, These programs are very competitive, and Paul Sousa from Western United Dairies encourages interested dairy producers to start preparing now to apply for the next round of funding.  Watch this brief interview with Paul as he explains and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.

  • New Commercial HLB Detection Response Guide

    To ensure California citrus growers are well prepared in the event of a potential commercial grove detection of Huanglongbing (HLB), the deadly citrus plant disease that can be spread by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) has developed a response guide for growers to utilize and educate themselves on the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) action plan.

    The Response Guide for a Confirmed HLB Positive Detection in a Commercial Grove details the steps taken by CDFA and actions required of the property or grove owner, as outlined in CDFA’s Action Plan.

    The actions in the response guide represent the most effective tools known to the citrus industry at this time and are meant to protect California’s citrus groves and support CDFA’s current required regulatory response. While, as of today, there have been no positive detections of HLB in a commercial citrus grove, the CPDPP recognizes the importance of proper preparation.

    In addition to the requirements outlined in the guide, growers are encouraged to use as many methods as feasible for their operation in order to limit the spread of the ACP and HLB.

    To read or download the response guide, please click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to order physical copies of this response guide, please visit our Resources page. — By the California Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

  • UCCE Virtual Workshop Series on Nitrogen Management in Organic Production

    Growers of organic vegetables and strawberries across California are invited to attend an online training to learn how to manage nitrogen fertilization. UC Cooperative Extension is offering the three-part Nitrogen Planning and Management in Organic Production of Annual Crops Workshop on Nov. 29, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.

    Growers, certified crop advisers, pest control advisers and other agricultural professionals who are interested in learning about nitrogen management in organically farmed crops are encouraged to enroll.

    The workshop is also available in Spanish.

    Tuesday, Nov. 29, 1-3 p.m. – Part 1: Understanding nitrogen: the nutrient, the role of microbes and the relevance of soil organic matter. Daniel Geisseler, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in nutrient management at UC Davis; Radomir Schmidt, program manager for the Working Lands Innovation Center at the UC Davis Institute of the Environment; and Margaret Lloyd, UCCE small farms advisor will give an overview of the sources, transformations and fates of nitrogen in soil. They also will discuss the role and dynamics of microbes in nitrogen management, and how nitrogen fixation impacts management decisions.

    Monday, Dec. 5, 1-3 p.m. – Part 2: Estimating nitrogen release from organic amendments and contributions from cover crops. Patricia Lazicki, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Lloyd will discuss estimating nitrogen release from compost, organic fertilizers, cover crops and crop residue and irrigation water.

    Monday Dec. 12, 1-3 p.m. – Part 3: Putting it all together: Completing a nitrogen budget, synchronizing nitrogen release with nitrogen demand, and using soil tests. Joji Muramoto, UC Cooperative Extension organic production specialist; Richard Smith, UC Cooperative Extension vegetable crops advisor; and Lloyd will address nuances of organic soil fertility management in vegetables. Discussions will include crop nitrogen demand and strategies to supply demand, as well as using and interpreting soil testing. Specific references will be made to strategies for complying with forthcoming regulations. The session will conclude with a discussion on new frontiers in organic nitrogen management.

    Registration for the virtual event is $25 and includes all three classes. A single registration can be shared by members of the same farm. Space is limited to 75 participants. To register, visit https://ucanr.edu/organiccrops22.

    Participants may earn six hours of CDFA-INMTP continuing education credits (formerly CURES CE Credits) or six hours of CCA credits.

    For more information, contact Margaret Lloyd at (530) 564-8642 or mglloyd@ucanr.edu.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings the power of UC to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

  • Sonoma Growers Put Vineyard Employees on Path Toward Leadership

    CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (center) welcomes the Sonoma County Winegrape Growers Foundation Leadership Academy to CDFA headquarters in Sacramento.

    The first cohort of the Sonoma County Winegrape Growers Foundation Leadership Academy for Vineyard Employees has graduated! I spoke to this group at their first get-together several months ago, and their final installment for this innovative program was a visit to CDFA headquarters in Sacramento, so we were honored to be the “bookends” for them. I thoroughly enjoyed a chance to sit down with them and hear each one of their stories and what the program meant to them.

    This first class of graduates is comprised of 15 local vineyard employees, each nominated by their employer. The goal of this first-of-its-kind program is to create future community and business leaders. The Academy class attended eight half-day sessions and two field trips, all focused on advancing skills and empowering vineyard employees to seek leadership roles within their organization or in the community. The program goes beyond farming to advance communication skills, financial literacy, and business knowledge.

    It was so inspiring and touching to listen to these employees’ experiences in the program, and about how much they love agriculture and working in the vineyards. A common thread was how important it is to be treated with respect by their employers. They all have more than ten years working in the vineyards of Sonoma County, many of them with the same employer. A number of them started in harvesting and progressed to more responsibility with specialties like irrigation and operating tractors, and some are now supervisors.

    They also shared stories and spoke about their children as the reason they work so hard, and that is something I hear so often as I speak with California’s agricultural workers. One class member expressed such gratitude for being invited to CDFA, and it really made me remember and appreciate just how fortunate we are to be considered “leaders” and to do that work for California’s agriculture industry. It really is something special and I am excited to support these new leaders!

    For the growers out there who nominated these dedicated employees, you’ve done something meaningful by participating in this program and empowering your very best to become even better. And for the graduates, I hope you embrace your newfound leadership skills. Your farms, your industry and your state will be better for it!

    The Leadership Academy will be held annually and will soon be taking nominations for the 2023 Class. — By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross

  • Citrus Research Board Secures Immense Support from Citrus Growers

    California citrus growers voted to continue their support of the Citrus Research Board (CRB) by a broad margin in a state-mandated referendum.

    The just-concluded referendum, which must be held every five years, was conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). A majority of eligible citrus producers cast their vote and their support was nearly unanimous – 97.80 percent, representing 99.51 percent of the state’s citrus volume, voted in favor of continuing the CRB.

    CDFA Marketing Branch Chief Joe Monson said, “Since the referendum results exceed the criteria required for continuation stated above, the Department has authorized the Program to continue operating for another five-year period, through September 30, 2027.”

    Over the past five years, the CRB has worked continuously to advance findings within our four research priorities: vectored diseases, pest management, production and post-harvest technology, and new varieties. Much of the research has focused on the deadly disease huanglongbing (HLB) and advancements have been made to keep the infections from spreading in California. The disease has devastated other citrus growing regions, including Florida, but the diligence of California’s growers has kept HLB from entering any of the state’s commercial groves.

    “We are pleased to once again receive the support of the industry,” said CRB President Marcy L. Martin, “and we look forward to continually improving upon the scientific pillars that allow the California citrus industry to thrive.”

    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.

  • Compost Field Meeting, July 28

    UC Cooperative Extension and UC Davis will host a Healthy Soils Program field meeting on compost on Thursday, July 28th from 10:00am to 11:30am. The meeting will take place off of S. Landi Road, on Roberts Island in the Delta. Presentation topics include how to acquire compost, different types of compost, how compost can improve soil health and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and how to apply for cost-share funding. The meeting location is where we are trialing different rates of green waste compost application for potential soil health and alfalfa yield benefits. Preliminary results will be described. Attendance is free, and registration is not required. Continuing education credits will be offered (CCA and N management applications pending). The agenda is pasted below, and a downloadable version is attached. The UC Cooperative Extension programming appreciates your interest, and looks forward to connecting with you later this month!

    Agenda

    10:00am           Welcome and introductions
                            Michelle Leinfelder-Miles, UCCE
    10:05am           What is compost? What kinds of composts are there? How do I order it?
                            Suellen Witham, Westside Spreading
    10:20am           The CDFA Healthy Soils Program – What practices are eligible?
                            Hope Zabronsky, UC ANR/CDFA Climate Smart Agriculture Partnership
    10:35am           Compost for soil improvement and greenhouse gas mitigation
                            Rad Schmidt, UC Davis
    10:50am           Comparing soil health outcomes of forage crop rotation strategies during transition to organic
                            Oren Hoffman, UC Davis
    11:05am           Soil amendment trials in alfalfa – observations and preliminary results
                            Michelle Leinfelder-Miles and Rachael Long, UCCE
    11:20am           Discussion, viewing of field plots, evaluation
    Attached Files

    2022-7-28 Meeting Agenda FINAL 

  • Citrus Growers Encouraged to Increase Vigilance Following Recent ACP Detections in Central Valley

    Following recent Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) detections in the Central Valley over the last few weeks, growers, packers, haulers and all citrus industry members are encouraged to be extra vigilant in their ACP mitigation steps and adherence to regulatory practices.

    Recently, multiple ACP were detected on traps at a packinghouse in the Woodlake area of Tulare County. Upon confirmation, visual delimitation surveys began the following day. Live adults or nymphs were found and collected at two more adjacent properties, including an abandoned parcel with citrus host plants. CDFA is working closely with the packinghouse to ensure regulatory compliance. Treatment of host plants on residential properties within 400 meters of the detection will be conducted by CDFA once all necessary notifications, emergency proclamations and public meetings have been held. Commercial citrus operations within 800 meters of the detections will be asked to conduct treatments as well.

    Additionally, one ACP was recently detected on a trap at a juice plant in Visalia, and upon completion of the visual delimitation survey of the find site and adjacent properties, there were no additional finds.

    In Kern County, three ACP trap detections have been identified in the last week. One in the city, and two in rural residential locations in Southwest Bakersfield. These are the first ACP detections found in Kern County since November 2021. CDFA teams have already begun delimitation surveys and treatments will be conducted on residential properties with host plants within a 50-meter area around the detections once proper notifications, emergency proclamations and public meetings have been held. There are no commercial operations for several miles around the Kern County detections.

    These detections are a resounding reminder to continue to follow ACP mitigation best practices and regulatory requirements to efficiently suppress ACP populations and prevent the spread of Huanglongbing to the Central Valley.

     

    If you suspect ACP or Huanglongbing in your orchard, please notify the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. For questions, contact Kern County Grower Liaison Judy Zaninovich at jsleslie@msn.com, Northern Tulare County Grower Liaison Teri Blaser at tblasersci@ocsnet.net or Southern Tulare County Grower Liaison Jessica Leslie at jess.leslie@hotmail.com.