California Ag Network

Tag: Los Angeles County

  • APHIS Expands Sweet Orange Scab Quarantine

    Effective Aug. 19, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), expanded the area quarantined for sweet orange scab (SOS) in the Burbank, Los Angeles and Long Beach areas of Los Angeles County and the Anaheim and Garden Grove areas of Orange County. SOS is a disease caused by the fungus Elsinöe australis. APHIS is expanding the quarantined area by 110 square miles in Los Angeles County and 67 square miles in Orange County. APHIS is taking this action because of SOS detections in plant tissue samples collected from residential properties in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. There are 2.5 acres of commercial citrus impacted by the Anaheim and Garden Grove area expansion

    APHIS is applying safeguarding measures outlined in Federal Order DA-2024-34 pertaining to the interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined areas in California. This measure parallels the intrastate quarantine that CDFA established on June 18, 2026. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of SOS to non-infested areas of the United States

    The APHIS Sweet Orange Scab webpage has information on this disease, Federal Orders, APHIS approved packinghouse procedures, and a description of current Federal SOS quarantined areas.

    For additional information growers may contact:

    Abby R. Stilwell
    Agriculturalist
    919-323-6296
    abby.r.stilwell@usda.gov

    — Story contributed by USDA APHIS

  • Sweet Orange Scab Quarantine Boundary Expands

    Effective June 18, the CDFA is expanding the sweet orange scab (SOS) quarantine in the Burbank, Los Angeles and Long Beach areas of Los Angeles County and the Anaheim and Garden Grove areas of Orange County (grids 438, 439, 455, 456, 457, 470, and 471). A map of the new boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/sos/regulation.html.

    Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3443. Pursuant to 3 CCR § 3443, any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.

    Process to Appeal the Expanded Boundary

    The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than ten (10) working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated quarantine boundary under appeal shall remain in effect.

    Mail Appeals to: CDFA – Citrus Division 1220 N Street Sacramento, Calif. 95814

    Electronic Notification of Boundary Changes

    California Code of Regulation allows interested parties to be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals. If interested in receiving notifications, please sign up for regulatory updates through the email notification at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new

    For questions regarding the regulations or map, email Raymond Niem (Raymond.Niem@CDFA.ca.gov) or call (916) 274-6300. — Story contributed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture

  • CDFA Expands Sweet Orange Scab Quarantine in Southern California

    Effective June, the CDFA is expanding the sweet orange scab (SOS) quarantine boundary in the Artesia area of Los Angeles County and Buena Park area of Orange County (grids 470 and 471). A map of the new boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/sos/regulation.html.

    Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3443. Pursuant to 3 CCR § 3443, any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.

    Process to Appeal the Expanded Boundary

    The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than 10 working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated quarantine boundary under appeal shall remain in effect.

    Mail Appeals to: CDFA – Citrus Division 1220 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814

    Electronic Notification of Boundary Changes

    California Code of Regulation allows interested parties to be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals. If interested in receiving notifications, please sign up for regulatory updates through the email notification at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new

    For questions regarding the regulations or map, email Raymond Niem (Raymond.Niem@cdfa.ca.gov) or call 916.274.6300. — Story contributed by the California Department of Food and Ag

  • CDFA Expands Orange Scab Quarantine Boundary in La Puente

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced it is expanding its sweet orange scab (SOS) quarantine in the La Puente area of Los Angeles County (grids 456 and 457). The quarantine is effective as of April 8.

    SOS is believed to be caused by Elsinöe australis, a fungal pathogen. The disease results in the formation of pustules and lesions on the skin of the citrus.

    Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations section 3443. Interested parties and local entities may request to lift the quarantine area designations by submitting a written appeal supported by convincing evidence. Appeals must be filed within 10 working days of the notification. Quarantines will remain in effect during the appeal’s pending. Appeals can be mailed to: CDFA – Citrus Division 1220 N. St. Sacramento, CA 95814.

    Growers can sign up for regulatory updates at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new. For questions regarding the regulations or map, reach out to Raymond Niem at Raymond.niem@cdfa.gov or call 916-274-6300

  • CDFA Announces Grant Funding Available For Healthy Soils Program

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 9, 2018) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the Healthy Soils Program (HSP). The program provides funding for incentivizing and demonstrating soil health practices that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gases, and improve soil health.

    The HSP has two components: the HSP Incentives Program and the HSP Demonstration Projects.

    The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of soil health practices that sequester soil carbon and reduce GHG emissions. California farmers and ranchers, as well as Federal and California recognized Native American Indian Tribes, are eligible to apply.

    The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers’ and ranchers’ implementation of HSP soil health practices. By using demonstration projects, awardees can help support widespread adoption of soil health management practices throughout the state.  Not-for-profit entities, University Cooperative Extension, federal and university experiment stations, Resource Conservation Districts, Federal and California-recognized Native American Indian Tribes, and farmers and ranchers in collaboration with any of the aforementioned entities are eligible to apply.

    A total of up to $1.6 million will be awarded for the projects, with no more than $500,000 allocated specifically for HSP Demonstration projects.

    This grant process may prioritize funding to agricultural lands in counties where a state of emergency was declared in 2017 due to wildfires under executive orders signed by Governor Edmond G. Brown, Jr. These counties include: Butte, Lake, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Ventura and Yuba.

    Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically by April 13, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Awards will be made based on a first-come-first-served basis and will be subject to administrative and technical reviews prior to being funded.

    For detailed information on eligibility and program requirements, prospective applicants should visit the CDFA Healthy Soils Program website at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/.

    CDFA will hold two workshops and two webinars to provide information on program requirements and the application process (see below). CDFA staff will provide guidance on the application process, provide examples, and answer any questions. There is no cost to attend the workshops. Individuals planning to attend should email grants@cdfa.ca.gov with his or her contact information, the number of seats required, and the workshop location.

    Orange County – Tuesday, March 13, 2018
    1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – HSP Incentives Program
    2.30 pm – 4:00 pm – HSP Demonstration Projects
    OC Fair and Event Center – Board Room
    88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

    Yuba City – Friday, March 16, 2018
    9:00 am – 10:30 am – HSP Incentives Program
    10:30 am – 12:00 pm – HSP Demonstration Projects
    University of California Cooperative Extension Sutter/Yuba
    142 Garden Highway
    Yuba City, CA 95991

    Webinar – Monday, March 19, 2018
    9:00 am – 10:30 am – HSP Incentives Program
    10:30 am – 12:00 pm – HSP Demonstration Projects

    Webinar – Wednesday, March 21, 2018
    9:00 am – 10:30 am – HSP Incentives Program
    10:30 am – 12:00 pm – HSP Demonstration Projects

    To register for the webinars, please visit the program webpage at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/.

    Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Grants Office at grants@cdfa.ca.gov with general program questions. For information regarding free-of-charge technical assistance provided by non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), and California academic institutions, applicants should refer to www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils.

    NOTE – The HSP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.  The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution.  California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more.  At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California.  For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at:  www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.