Ag-Field Supervisor Courses in Spanish

Spanish-language Ag Field Supervisor Courses Available at Ventura College

Applications are now being accepted for Ventura College's Agriculture Supervisor Development Program. The 12-week program consists of Spanish-language Level I and Level II courses designed to help potential front-line supervisors develop the skills to effectively lead, communicate and manage field workers while ensuring regulatory standards are met.

The Level I course is for those new to the program; the Level II course is for those who have completed the first course. The courses are designed for Spanish speakers who are learning English. All lessons will be delivered in Spanish and will include weekly English practice. Students are expected to attend all sessions, as well as the graduation celebration where students will receive a certificate of completion.

Applications to the program are now being accepted for the November 1 – February 12 session. Classes meet each Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m (Level I) or 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Level II). Courses will be held at Ventura College, Day Road Center, 71 Day Road, Ventura, CA, 93003

learning avocados

Citrus Production Manual Now Available

California citrus growers have a new resource available in the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) catalog!

The "Citrus Production Manual" covers the step-by-step process for preparing citrus for production and includes information on diseases and other issues that can affect citrus.   

According to the ANR catalog website the manual will assist growers "From deciding scion variety and rootstock, to establishing an orchard, to managing production, to postharvest handling, you'll find it all here in a readable format. Colorful photos and clear diagrams and illustrations guide you through important concepts."

The manual costs $75 and you can order this publication click on the following link.

http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3539

Or you can save 25% by bundling the "Citrus Production Manual" with the 3rd edition of "IPM for Citrus" for a cost of only $10 more ($85 for both!).   Order the bundle by clicking on the following link.

http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3539PROMO

SAVE 10% when you order this manual using the promo code "PREVEN56."  This code extends the discount to you and provides a portion of the sale to UC Cooperative Extension Ventura which goes toward maintaining our local programs here.

Ventura Museum to Include Agricultural Tours

The Museum of Ventura's Agriculture Museum is offering agricultural field trips for school groups.  These tours allow student to learn more about agriculture and gardening as students visit interactive stations within the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula.

In addition to enjoying the permanent exhibits, the museum also offers special temporary exhibits showcasing a variety of agriculture related themes.

Guided grade level specific trips are available for kindergarten through 8th grade and guided general interest museum visits for all grades.  Prices vary depending on the type of tour chosen.

For more information about this agricultural learning opportunity contact the the Agriculture Museum's Education Coordinator at athille@venturamuseum.org or by phone at 805-585-3100 X103.

To learn more about this program on the internet visit the Agriculture Museum's website.

To register for a tour fill out this registration form.

Soil Education

Soils perform vital functions, and are the basis of the ecosystem. Healthy and productive soil is vital for our survival. It is an amazing resource and fascinating to learn about.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a great collection of informative and inspirational soil topics. All NRCS resources are free. They include:

• Soil facts – definitions, career information, soil basics, glossary, and regulations for moving soils
• Painting with soil – Jan Lang’s images of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
• 10 key messages to understanding soils
• Find out about your state’s soil
• Links for students and teachers – available for grades K-6, 7-12, and college level
• Videos and webinars
• Dig It! The Secrets of Soil
• NRCS photo gallery – natural resource and conservation related photos from across the United States
• And more

Rural Roads Webinar Series

Rural roads are vital to rural communities, nature recreation users, and for fire and other disaster emergency response and evacuation. These roads are often located in forested and rangeland settings and may be owned and/or managed by governmental or private parties.

The UC Forest Research and Outreach website offers many wonderful resources, including the Rural Roads Webinar Series. From their website:

“Rural roads in California are associated with several environmental impacts. They have been identified as a major source of sediment production in watersheds supporting beneficial uses. They can provide the means by which exotic plants and animals and pathogens are spread into wild lands. Roads fragment the landscape and adversely affect wildlife habitat.  Vehicles traveling on rural roads are responsible for thousands of road-killed wildlife every year.”

The webinar series will provide viewers with:

• a broad overview of the environmental issues associated with rural roads in California.
• a description of the fundamental principles of rural road construction, re-construction and operations.
• a description of practices used to minimize the environmental impacts of road construction, operations and maintenance.
• review methods used for road assessment and inventory to identify problems and maintenance or re-construction or restoration needs.

Check the sitefor upcoming webinars. Previous versions have been archived on the website.

Read more