Posts Tagged: UCCE

Attention Farmers & Ranchers, Growers, Workers of the land, Shepherds, Cattle people, and Farm Advocates!

There's a new group just for you being formed in Ventura County.

Join us for an evening of farmer focused conversation. Meet your fellow farmers and connect with others who work in agriculture in our region. The goal is to offer space for farmers to convene and converse. While we might occasionally come into contact with each other at field days, events and meetings, it's also nice to have the opportunity to check-in with fellow growers.

The motivations for this occurrence builds upon inspiration from the Lighthouse Farm Network, organized by CAFF starting in the early 1990s, where farmers would meet around meals to share ideas and strategies for sustainable production.This type of farmer-focused organizing is nothing new in the [(tens of) thousands of] years of agriculture. In this country especially, farmers once were deeply involved in government and economy leadership.

*Cue* George Washington's words: 
“Agriculture is the most Healthful, most Useful and most Noble Employment of Man.”

While our biggest obstacles may be seem different from what they have been in the past, today's challenges seem to be moving much faster, are in greater numbers, and are drastically more unforgiving in their devastation. As climates of all types (social, environmental and political) are rapidly shifting, it is important to recognize the varying qualities and values our region has to offer, as well as the obstacles and risks we have to face. As keen observers to the rhythms and patterns of soil, plants, animals, weather, etc, farmers are often the first to notice small differences, and draw from real life experiences working every day in a world that is rapidly changing. In addition to creating connections, these meetings also bring fresh perspective and new confidence for what can happen, creating opportunity for knowledge and experience to be shared.

The kick-off launch party will occur on Friday, June 11, 6pm - 8pm, at McGrath Family Farm in Camarillo. There will be food and beverages, but you're welcome to bring your own! 

Please let us know you are coming and reserve your spot by registering HERE

Climate Change: What does it mean for Southern California?

Last month, the Thelma Hansen Fund hosted a three-day series to inform about climate change and the science behind it. In an effort to raise awareness of current and predicted impacts on Southern California, the impressive line up of UC...

CONTROLLING PESTS IN AVOCADOS ROUND TABLE MEETING

Controlling Pests in Avocados Round Table Meeting Sept. 28, 2017, 8:00 AM - NOON Fallbrook Public Utility District, 990 E. Mission Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028 DPR Hours Upon Approval Light refreshments & pastries will be available Please Register for this free event:

https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=21655

“Introduction to Avocado Integrated Weed Management” – Sonia Rios, UCCE Farm Advisors  Round table Discussion 1 - Old challenges/new possible solutions - pesticide resistance, new pesticides, etc.- Mary Lu Arpaia & Sonia Rios   “A Review: Redbay ambrosia beetle & Laurel Wilt Disease” – Tim Spann, California Avocado Commission  Round table Discussion 2- New challenges – Laurel Wilt Disease and other pest challenges - Mary Lu Arpaia & Sonia Rios   If you have any questions, contact Sonia Rios, UCCE  Riverside/San Diego Counties sirios@ucanr.edu

DESERT LEMON FRUIT DROP GROWER ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

In the fall of 2015 and 2916, growers in the desert regions reported excessive fruit drop. Particularly in the Coachella Valley, Imperial County, and in Yuma, Arizona. The cause of the fruit drop is unknown. Come learn more about the current situation and find out how you can help resolve this issue.

SEPT. 12, 2017 – INDIO, CA

 Noon-1pm Ciro's Resturante & Pizza, 81963 CA- 111, Indio, CA 92201 Lunch will be provided

Lemon Growers in the desert regions are highly suggested to attend

Will be in attendance: Sonia Rios, UC Farm Advisor, Peggy Mauk, UC Specialist, Tracy Kahn, UCR Specialist,  Ben Faber, UC Farm Advisor and Alan Washburn

Please RSVP for this Free Event:

http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynu

If you have any questions, please contact Sonia Rios: sirios@ucanr.edu; 951-683-6491 Ext. 224

2017 Date Field Day: A Success!

The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), UC Riverside, United States Department of Agriculture/Agriculture Research Service (USDA/ARS), and the California Date Commission hosted a Date Field Day on February 15, 2017 at the UC Riverside Coachella Valley Agricultural Research Station. It was a full house that day, with approximately 55 Growers, farm managers, and other date stakeholders. The field day included a field research plot tour, lunch, and Continuing Education hours where available for attendees.

 

Speakers included Tom Perring, UCR Professor of Entomology, who spoke about his Pink Hibiscus Mealybug biocontrol research. Pink Hibiscus mealybug is a new threat to the date industry. This insect has a host range of 200+ trees species. The first findings where on backyard tree species and has been spreading to agriculture commodities and has just recently has become an issue in dates. Perring is currently in the early stages of rearing a parasitoid that may be able to help reduce the mealybugs population.

Robert Krueger, Citrus and date researcher Riverside USDA/ARS spoke about nitrogen assessment of date palms. He discussed diagnostic sampling implications, which suggest that there are differences in concentrations of various elements that occur in different portions of the leaf, and at different aged leaves can show different results, and also different seasons may also effect results. Based on the research it is suggested that the best sampling strategy is near khalal stage from middle pinnae of intermediate aged leaves during the summer.

 

Tony Fortier, from Phoenix Agrotech spoke about tissue culture methods in date palms. Date palm tissue culture is a rapid clonal propagation (micropropagation) method, where a small piece (explant) of the desired mother plant is initiated under sterile conditions into an in vitro environment, such as a test tube or culture vessel. Under tissue culture conditions, cells of the explant undergo rapid multiplication, ultimately producing many young date palm plantlets, which are genetically identical to the desired mother palm. This method is currently being used in the industry.

Peggy Mauk, UCCE-UCR Subtropical Horticulture Specialist spoke about establishment of date palms: Tissue Culture vs Off-shoots.

Locally, field plantings are threatened by pests and diseases. Globally, field plantings are threatened by climatic changes, human expansion, and political unrest. Therefore, maintaining and securing genetic diversity for improved cultivation and pest & disease resistance is crucial. MaryLou Polek, from the USDA/ARS spoke about the Role of the USDA Germplasm Repository and the importance of the collection.

 

 Sonia Rios, UCCE Riverside/San Diego Counties Subtropical Horticulture Farm Advisor spoke about pest issues in date palm, more specifically about weevils . Date palms flourish in high summer temperatures and low humidity which creates a perfect breeding ground and living conditions for pest, especially for the Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) (RPW) and South American palm weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum) (SAPW). The RPW is considered most destructive arthropod pest of palms world-wide. SAPW causes similar damage on smaller scale. Both larvae's can cause economic damage as they feed on palm near apical growing point causing damage, which weakness the tree, and eventually causes death. The SAPW has been eradicated, however the RPW has been slowly showing up in date species in California, threatening the date industry. (Weevil Photos: Mark Hoddle)

The California date industry is worth ~$68 million (NASS, 2015). In 2015, 43,600 tons of dates where harvested. Coachella Valley produces about 95% of the dates consumed in the US. Date palms flourish in high summer temperatures and low humidity climates, which permits their production to certain growing regions. There are many threats to this economically important commodity and the University of California Cooperative Extension and other agencies are committed to assure the date industry thrives locally and globally.  The planning committee looks forward to next year's event.

 

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