2014 - County of Santa Barbara

Winter 2014
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
Inside this issue:
Ag Bios Protect Against
Exotic Pests
2-3
Carpinteria Greenhouse and
Nursery Tours
3
Our Oaks are Thirsty
4
Signs of Avocado Root Rot
5
Could you be Carrying TreeKilling Bugs in your Car?
6
GSOB Outreach in SB County
7
Apiary Registration
7
History of Weights and
Measures
8
Farm to Fork Through
Gleaning
9
Online Legal Guide Helps Farm9
ers Sell Directly to Consumers
2013 Climate Change
Consortium
10
PlantRight
11
CSC Grower Education
Program
11
Enology & Viticulture Studies
at Allan Hancock College
12
Spring 2014 AgriBusiness /
Viticulture Classes at AHC
13
Julie Newman Retires
14
Announcements
15
Staff Highlights
15
Click on our logo at the
bottom of each page to bring
you back to the table of
contents.
CONTACT US:
[email protected]
Santa Barbara: (805) 681-5600
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BEGINS GATHERING
DATA FOR 2013 CROP REPORT
Submitted by Cathy Fisher, Agricultural Commissioner
Whether small or large, including your agricultural
operation in our Annual Crop Report is important to gain a
complete measure of agriculture in Santa Barbara County.
As required by the California Food and
Agriculture Code, the Agricultural Commissioner’s
office compiles and records information in the
annual crop report regarding the gross production
and value of the County’s commodities. Various
research institutions, schools, banks, agencies and
businesses use this valuable information to the
benefit of the local economy. Also, natural disasters
to agriculture are surveyed and the information
collected is used by other agencies offering disaster
relief. This would not be possible without the crop
report data collected each year.
The success of Santa Barbara County’s
agriculture is in the diversity of the crops grown
here. The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office annual
report documents the acreage, yield and gross dollar
value of agricultural commodities produced in Santa
Barbara County. The information you provide is kept
confidential and will not be disclosed to any other government or private
entity. It must be emphasized that the report shows gross values.
Production, transportation and marketing costs must be subtracted to
determine net returns to growers.
The Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner’s office is preparing
to gather statistics for the 2013 Annual crop report. To properly and fully
account for all types and sizes of operations, we ask that you provide us
with your 2013 statistics either on our website at http://
www.countyofsb.org/agcomm/agcomm.aspx?id=11562, or in person.
Page 2
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
BIOLOGISTS PROTECT AGRICULTURE AND THE
ENVIRONMENT FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC PESTS
Submitted by Katie Caterino, Agricultural Biologist
The California Department of Food and Agriculture established the County High Risk Pest
Exclusion Program (CHRPEP) in December 1998 to augment funding for counties to perform
inspections of incoming plant shipments at destination points within California. The CHRPEP is a vital
component in the State’s overall pest prevention efforts and is a crucial part of the California
Department of Food and Agriculture’s mission to protect agriculture and the environment from the
threat of newly introduced exotic pests.
Each morning, Santa Barbara County Agricultural Biologists report to
FedEx and UPS sorting facilities to inspect shipments containing plant
material such as nursery stock, cut flowers, and fruits and vegetables.
Biologists inspect these shipments for the presence of plant diseases and
insect pests, and also determine if the shipments meet California entry
requirements through certification, treatment or other allowed means. If a
Biologist discovers a pest is present in a shipment of plant material, a
sample is collected and sent to our Entomologist or Plant Pathologist as
Deputy Agricultural
Commissioner, Mary Ann Rajala, well as the California Department of Food and Agriculture laboratory for
uses a hand lens to inspect plant identification and a corresponding pest rating. Until the identification and
material from Hawaii.
pest rating are determined, the shipment is placed on hold at the facility.
Pests are rated as A, Q, B, or C. A-rated pests are considered to be of known economic
importance and are subject to State enforced action. Q-rated pests are suspected to be of economic
importance, but their status is uncertain because of incomplete identification or inadequate
information. These pests are treated as A-rated pests. Shipments containing A or Q rated pests are
prohibited entry and are most often destroyed as returning the shipment to the shipper may allow for
the escape of the pest during transit. B-rated pests are considered to be of lesser economic importance,
but are subject to holding action at the discretion of the Agricultural Commissioner. These shipments
are usually either destroyed or returned to the shipper depending on the type of plant material being
shipped and the level of pest infestation. C-rated pests are considered common in California and not to
be of economic importance. There is no state enforced action for C-rated pests, so these shipments are
generally released to the receiver as long as the pest infestation level is low.
So far this year, Santa Barbara County Agricultural Biologists have
inspected approximately 12,019 shipments of plant material at FedEx and UPS.
Inspectors have found four A-rated pests, eight Q-rated pests and 13 C-rated
pests. The A-rated pests include Thrips palmi (Melon Thrips), Pseudaulacaspis
cockerelli (False Oleander Scale), Pinnaspis strachani (Lesser Snow Scale) and
Pinnaspis buxi (Ti Scale), all in shipments from Hawaii. Thrips palmi is a vector
of
plant viruses, which cause damage to a wide range of ornamental and
Thrips palmi (Photo : Stan
vegetable crops.
Diffie, University of Georgia,
Bugwood.org).
continued on next page...
Page 3
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
BIOLOGISTS PROTECT AGRICULTURE AND THE
ENVIRONMENT FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC PESTS
...continued from previous page
False oleander scale has become an economic pest of many of the major ornamental plants. Its feeding
causes chlorotic spots that are visible on the upper leaf surface. These spots are usually several times
larger than the scale. Heavy infestations cause the entire leaf to turn yellow and
drop prematurely. Pinnaspis species are armored scales that feed on plant juices
and cause loss of vigor, deformation of infested plant parts, yellowish spots on
leaves, loss of leaves, and even death of the plant. These are considered to be
primarily pests of ornamental plants, but are also found on avocado and
cherimoya, which are grown in Santa Barbara County. Some of the Q-rated pests
Pinnaspis strachani
include Ochetellus glaber (Black House Ant), Brachymyrmex sp. (Rover Ants),
(Photo: Brian Cabrera).
Pheidole sp. (Big-Headed Ants), and Pseudaulacaspis brimblecombei (Armored
Scale), all in shipments originating from Hawaii. Ants are generally determined to be Q-rated pests as
many ant species are aggressive and will displace native ant species. Pseudaulacaspis brimblecombeiI,
another armored scale, is a common pest of protea and macadamia.
The County High Risk Pest Exclusion Program is an important first line of defense against the
introduction of exotic pest species, especially from Florida and Hawaii. Pests from these two states are
often capable of damaging ornamental plants and fruit and vegetable crops produced in Santa Barbara
County. As plant pests are most often spread through the movement of plant material, these inspections
are vital to protecting our surrounding environment and agriculture from potentially destructive exotic
pest species.
CARPINTERIA GREENHOUSE AND NURSERY TOURS
Submitted by Anna Kalins, California Cut Flower Commission
Come visit the beautiful blooms of Carpinteria! Ever wonder what beauty lies behind the
glass in a greenhouse? Now’s your chance during the 6th Annual Carpinteria Greenhouse
& Nursery Tour on March 29th, 2014 from 11am to 4pm! There will be a colorful array of
flowers to see ranging from orchids and roses to gerberas and more while touring the
flower farms. Enjoy these guided tours with the growers themselves as you learn about
growing CA GROWN flowers for commercial purposes. Information will include several
Carpinteria grown
areas such as propagation, fertilizing, pest control, harvesting, packing, etc. We
rose (Photo:
CCFC).
recommend you wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing as many of these tours
will involve walking through greenhouses or growing areas and vary in temperatures.
This event is FREE and open to the public thanks to our sponsors and hosted by the Santa Barbara
County Flower and Nursery Growers’ Association.
The participating nurseries and 2014 map is coming soon! There is no specific start point for the
tour and no reservations are necessary. Just pick to start at any of the participating farms and go! We
also will have several locations with food available and a few special presentations – Rain or Shine!
For more information, visit: www.carpinteriafarmtours.com.
Page 4
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
OUR OAKS ARE THIRSTY
Submitted by Heather Scheck, Plant Pathologist
Our native deciduous and evergreen oaks of Santa Barbara County are going into a possible third
year of drought, having not received the average rainfall of 14-18 inches since the 2010/2011 water
year. Water is absolutely fundamental to tree health. Drought stress can lead to decline or even death
of valuable trees. Stressed trees are highly susceptible to pests and diseases, some of which are fatal. Even normally drought-tolerant native plants like oaks are stressed now and will benefit from occasional, deep irrigation.
The best treatment for drought-stressed native oaks is winter irrigation. From now until April is
the normal rainy season and the best time to irrigate valuable trees. Young oak trees may need irrigation once or twice monthly all year to become well established. Mature oak trees thrive with no summer irrigation, assuming they receive average rainfall gradually from November to April.
How much irrigation do oaks need? If we have another year with only half the normal rainfall,
oak trees will need the equivalent of seven to eight inches of rain. Irrigation should be done slowly such
that water moves to a depth of several feet. Depending on the size of the tree, it may need hundreds or
even thousands of gallons of water to make up the deficit. This water needs to be applied gradually
over several months to have the maximum benefit.
Since irrigation systems are variable and different soil types hold different amounts of water,
there is no one standard recommendation. The general rule that one inch of water will penetrate 12
inches of soil is only a guide and should be checked in your situation to see how a given amount of water is moving through the soil. Probing with a soil auger or digging with a shovel is suggested to verify
that water has penetrated to the expected depth. Hand-held moisture meters are not as accurate as
checking the soil for moisture. Always avoid super-saturating as it can lead to run-off or worse, it can
drown the roots.
Oaks grow deep tap roots when young but as they mature, the roots that take up water grow
mostly in the three feet just below the soil’s surface, and extending beyond the drip line of their crowns.
Always try to keep the trunk and bole dry as water applied here can worsen the risks of attack by pathogens such as Armillaria and Phytophthora . Never apply inorganic fertilizer to a drought stressed tree
as dry soils are already high in salts, and adding extra salts in the form of fertilizers can damage the
Left: Drought stressed oaks —
leaves light green to brown,
reduced canopy.
Right: Oaks receiving adequate
irrigation — leaves green,
canopy full.
(Photos: Heather Scheck)
Page 5
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
SIGNS OF AVOCADO ROOT ROT
Submitted by Ben Faber, University of California Soils/Water/Subtropical Crops Farm Advisor
Several years of drought and the use of salt-loaded water have increased stress on avocado trees
making them more susceptible to root rot. Recently, I have been out to several groves that have root rot,
however, the growers did not recognize the signs. Therefore, I thought it would be appropriate to
review the symptoms of avocado root rot.
Foliar symptoms include small, yellow, tip-burned leaves, a thin canopy, die-back in the canopy, causing
stag-horning (dead stems), little or no new leaf growth, hardened look to the leaves, few or no leaves on
the ground under the tree, profuse flowering and small fruit, and sunburned fruit from reduced canopy.
If you see these symptoms, check the roots of the affected trees. Dig around in the wetted area of the
root zone and check for roots. If you do not find roots in the top three inches of soil and the roots are
black, your tree is most likely infected with root rot.
Tip-burned leaves (Photo: UC
Statewide IPM Program).
Black roots (Photo: UC Statewide IPM
Program).
Reduced canopy (Photo: UC
Statewide IPM Program).
These are all field diagnostics for avocado root rot, however, you can also sample roots and send them
in for lab analysis for verification. Keep in mind that during the winter the root rot organisms are not
active and you can actually get a false negative reading. This means the lab will not detect the root rot
when it is actually present and then you will not realize your trees have the disease.
Once you determine that you have avocado root rot in your grove, work to figure out why you have it. It
usually boils down to the amount and timing of water, but there are many other factors, such as water
quality, fruit load, topworking and other stresses that can bring on the disease.
For more information on Avocado Root Rot, check out the UC IPM website:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r8100111.html.
Page 6
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
COULD YOU BE CARRYING TREE-KILLING BUGS IN YOUR CAR?
Submitted by Brian Cabrera, Entomologist
On a camping trip a long time
ago, my older brother put a log on the
campfire and as we watched it catch
fire, a small bug popped out and began
running frantically trying to escape the
flames. My brother grabbed a small
shovel to get the insect to climb on to it.
After spending considerable effort he
finally managed to rescue it and just as
our group was about to celebrate, my
brother dumped the bug on the ground
and stepped on it. The point of this
story, besides the fact my brother was
cruel, is that although firewood may
seem lifeless, it can contain a host of live
organisms.
In the past few years, the
movement of firewood has been
implicated in the spread of several
dangerous insects that have been
responsible for killing thousands of
trees in the U.S.
Here in California,
infested firewood
is suspected as the
source for isolated
outbreaks of the
Goldspotted Oak
goldspotted
oak
Borer (Photo: Mike
borer
in
Idyllwild
Lewis, CISR).
in the San Jacinto
Mountains of Riverside County and the
polyphagous shot hole borer in El Cajon,
east of San Diego. The goldspotted oak
borer (GSOB) is a beetle native to
southeastern Arizona that has killed
more than 80,000 oak trees in San Diego
County. GSOB was very likely
introduced to California from Arizona
through infested firewood. The
polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) is a
tiny beetle that has been found in the
last two years infesting numerous trees
in southern California. This beetle also
carries an unidentified Fusarium fungus
that infects many of the tree species that
are attacked. Some of the tree species
that are highly susceptible to PSHB
include avocado, sycamore, oak, box
elder, and red willow. There is great
concern that both GSOB and PSHB, as
well as several other tree-killing pests
found in other parts of the U.S., will
spread to other parts of California
through the transport of infested
firewood. Tons of oak firewood had
already been removed from areas
heavily infested by GSOB before this
beetle was recognized as the cause of
massive oak mortality.
Inspectors at the 16 California
Department of Food and Agriculture
(CDFA) border inspection stations often
find private and commercial vehicles
bringing firewood into our state. In one
U.S. Forest Service study, researchers
found that over 18 million pounds of
firewood in more than 7,300 individual
loads and coming from 47 states, Mexico
and Canada were reported by state
inspectors between October 2010 and
September 2011. Furthermore,
inspectors found 317 potential forest
pests, including 296 beetles. More than
25% of the vehicles with pests had
California license plates meaning that
residents were traveling out of the state
and bringing pests back with them. In
another study, the U.S. Forest Service
surveyed the border inspection stations
and analyzed data related to firewood
from CDFA Pest Detection Reports
between 1990 and 2010. They found
that 282 potential forest pests were
detected, of which 189 were found
between 2006 and 2010. In a Colorado
State University study, researchers
surveyed stores and vendors in 18
states that were selling firewood. These
retailers ranged from “big box” and
department stores to gas stations and
grocery stores. The results were very
enlightening: About half the firewood
being sold came from out-of-state
sources and half showed evidence of
insect infestation. The researchers also
bought firewood from some of these
vendors and stored it in cages. Live
insects, including bark beetles and wood
borers, emerged from almost half of this
wood and some emerged as long as 558
days after the wood was purchased.
The Ag Commissioner’s Office
has received several samples of bark
beetles and wood borers that have
emerged from firewood kept indoors.
Fortunately, I was able to identify those
insects as common and native beetle
species. There is no doubt that firewood
is an effective means by which
destructive pests of trees can be spread
quickly to other areas. GSOB and PSHB
could very easily be brought into Santa
Barbara County in infested firewood
and begin attacking and killing many of
our beloved landscape and native trees.
Other serious pests such as the Asian
longhorned beetle, Emerald Ash borer
and the Redbay ambrosia beetle which
are currently killing trees in the
Midwest, Northeast, and Southeastern
U.S. could wind up in our area in a
matter of days through even a small
load of infested firewood (emerald ash
borer has been intercepted at a border
station). The message is loud and clear:
DO NOT MOVE FIREWOOD OVER LONG
DISTANCES! If you do use firewood, get
it from local sources (within 50 miles).
“Buy It Where You Burn It” campaigns
are already in place to reinforce this
message at the National and State level
through websites, outreach, and
advertising at vendors and campsites.
Much more of this needs to be done,
especially at the local level.
Finally, if you do see an insect
popping out of a piece of firewood,
maybe it’s not such a bad idea to smash
it – or at least capture it and bring it in
to our office for identification.
For more information on
important tree pests and firewood,
please visit these websites:
Asian longhorned beetle: http://
asianlonghornedbeetle.com/
Emerald Ash Borer: http://
www.emeraldashborer.info; http://
stopthebeetle.info/
Redbay ambrosia beetle: http://
cisr.ucr.edu/
redbay_ambrosia_beetle_laurel_wilt.htm
l; http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/
trees/beetles/
redbay_ambrosia_beetle.htm
Goldspotted oak borer: http://
www.gsob.org
Polyphagous shot hole borer: http://
ucanr.edu/sites/socaloakpests/
Polyphagous_Shot_Hole_Borer/
Don’t Move Firewood: http://
www.dontmovefirewood.org/
California Firewood Task Force:
http://firewood.ca.gov/
Page 7
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
GOLDSPOTTED OAK BORER OUTREACH IN SANTA BARBARA
COUNTY
Submitted by Brian Cabrera, Entomologist
On November 1, the Santa Barbara County Agriculture and Weights and Measures office hosted a
workshop on the Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB). The training was presented by the University of
California GSOB program. Important information presented included oak tree species and tree types
that are at risk, why GSOB is such a devastating pest in California, the risk from transport of infested
firewood, integrated pest management measures, and what we in the Santa Barbara and Central Coast
area should start thinking about if GSOB should show up here. More than 60 persons were in attendance
including professional arborists and pest control advisors, pest control professionals, park employees
from Santa Barbara County and the cities of Carpinteria, Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara,
representatives from Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioner’s
offices, California Department of Food & Agriculture, California State Parks, Los Padres National Forest/
U.S. Forest Service, Montecito and Santa Barbara City Fire Departments, the Santa Ynez Band of
Chumash Indians, U.C. Santa Barbara, Goleta Valley Beautiful, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and the
Santa Barbara Entomologists Club.
On November 14, I gave a short presentation on GSOB at the Los Padres National Forest
Headquarters in Goleta. We hope to continue with more outreach activities to increase awareness of
GSOB, other pests and the dangers of infested firewood.
APIARY REGISTRATION
Submitted by Bree Belyea, Agricultural Biologist
California's Food and Agriculture Code requires every person in possession of an apiary to
register all apiary locations and the number of colonies on January 1 each year, or within 30 days of
coming into possession of an apiary. Registration must be filed with the Agricultural Commissioner's
Office in the county where the apiary is located.
Apiary registration allows you to request advance notification of
certain pesticide applications near your apiaries. Certain agricultural
pesticide applicators are required to provide apiary owners with 48 hour
advance notice when ALL three of the following criteria are met:
1. The pesticide label contains the words, “toxic to bees”.
2. The pesticide will be applied to blossoming plants.
3. The application will occur within one mile of the registered
(Photo from www.chescobees.org)
apiary.
These notification requirements do not apply to structural pest control businesses, landscapers or
surrounding homeowners.
Please keep in mind that failure to remove hives from the location after notification shall not
prevent the application of pesticides to blossoming plants as long as the application is consistent with
the pesticide's labeling and the regulations. When the pesticide applicator has complied with the
notification requirements, the applicator shall not be liable for injury to bees that enter the area treated
during or after the application.
The registration form is available online at:
http://www.countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/agcomm/forms/Apiary%20Registration%20Form(1).PDF
Please return completed forms to 263 Camino del Remedio, Santa Barbara, CA 93110 or fax to
805-681-5603.
Page 8
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
HISTORY OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Submitted by Matt Maiten, Deputy Sealer
Economic transactions have been occurring
since man has had items to trade. Agreements in quantity were made before products and monies changed
hands. Ancient governments needed standards for use
in levying taxes and establishing duties and tariffs. The
buying and selling of things is called commerce. Societies cannot develop and grow without its citizens conducting business. No business can be conducted unless
each person is sure the other person is being fair and
honest. Fair and honest trade needs accurate weights
and measures.
The oldest reference made about weights &
measures was written around 1400 B.C.: “You shall not
falsify measures of length, weight, or capacity. You shall
have an honest balance, an honest weight, an honest dry
measure, and an honest liquid measure.” The earliest
known uniform system of weights & measures was created among the ancient peoples of Egypt, Mesopotamia,
and the Indus Valley. The Indus Valley Civilization had
the greatest accuracy in measuring length and mass of
their time. Their measurements were extremely precise; the smallest division ever recorded of 1.704 mm
(1/16 in.) was discovered on an ivory scale found in
Lothal.
Most of the world uses the "system international" that we call the metric system. The United States uses the "customary system" and is the only major industrialized country that does not require the metric system.
When the colonists came to North America, they
brought with them the weights and measures they were
used to. This meant there were many different systems
of weights and measures. After the American Revolution, the United States had measurements from England, Holland, France, and Spain. This caused a lot of
confusion.
To add to the confusion, a measurement unit in
one colony may not mean the same thing in another colony. This meant that a bushel of oats for your horse in
the colony of Connecticut weighed 28 pounds, but in the
colony of New Jersey it weighed 32 pounds.
Eventually the states developed uniform
weights and measures laws and standards. The standards are kept at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology near the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.
When California became a state in 1850, one of
the first laws was to establish weights and measures
standards. That shows how important weights and
measures are.
In 1913, the State Legislature created the Office
of State Superintendent of Weights and Measures to
oversee the development of specifications and tolerances for weighing and measuring devices, the accuracy of
such devices used in commerce, inspection of railroad
track scales, and weights and measures used in State
hospitals and prisons.
Net container legislation enacted in 1913 safeguarded the public against deception such as using false
bottom and solid glass bottom bottles. It provided for
the labeling of net quantity of foodstuffs or medicine
when offered for sale in containers.
In 1921, the State Department of Agriculture
was reorganized and the Office of State Superintendent
of Weights and Measures became a part of the Department of Agriculture as the Division of Weights and
Measures.
Between 1939 and 1948, the Division was reorganized as a Bureau and placed first under the Division
of Economics, then the Division of Marketing, and later
the Division of Compliance.
In 1972 the Bureau of Weights and Measures
was again reorganized as a division and renamed the
Division of Measurement Standards.
The Division works closely with county sealers
of weights and measures who, under the supervision
and direction of the Secretary of Food and Agriculture,
carry out the vast majority of weights and measures
enforcement activities at the local level. Ensuring fair
competition for industry and accurate value comparison for consumers are the primary functions of the
county/state programs.
Page 9
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
FARM TO FORK THROUGH GLEANING
Submitted by Elizabeth Farnum, Santa Ynez Valley Fruit and Veggie Rescue
Santa Ynez Valley Fruit and Veggie Rescue (SYVFVR) has
almost completed its third year of gleaning produce from
farms in the Santa Ynez Valley. To date, the all volunteer
organization has gleaned or “rescued” over 225,000 lbs of
produce mainly from valley farms, but also from farmers
markets and backyards. We deliver to non profits located around the county including People Helping
People, Buellton and Solvang Senior Centers, Solvang School, the Salvation Army in Santa Maria and
Santa Barbara, the Food Bank, and homeless shelters.
Our partnership with the farmers is the key to our operation and part of our mission is to educate
folks about the importance of buying local. Our gleaners sign liability forms before gleaning and receive
specific instructions depending on the crop and the farm. Sometimes we are in the fields; sometimes we
work in sheds gleaning vegetables from crates. Sometimes we pick up
already packed boxes.
The produce we deliver to Solvang Elementary School has provided
both a big cost saving for the school and better nutrition for the kids.
Bethany Markee, the director of Food Services, recently won the Golden
Carrot, a national award for her delicious lunches made with local produce.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, at least 25% of food
grown on American farms is wasted. This food contains valuable nutrition,
and farmers who donate are eligible for a tax deduction. Our goal is to help Veggie Rescue gleans produce
build gleaning operations in other parts of north county. We have been
from Classic Organic in Buellton
working with volunteers in Lompoc and hope to meet with farmers from
(Photo: Elizabeth Farnum).
that area soon.
SYVFVR can be reached at 350-7786 or by email at [email protected].
NEW ONLINE LEGAL GUIDE HELPS FARMERS SELL DIRECTLY
TO CONSUMERS
From USDA e-News California Edition, December 2013
The Drake University Agricultural Law Center has developed an online version of “The
Legal Guide for Direct Farm Marketing” available at http://directmarketersforum.org.
This website provides farmers the information they need to deliver produce, dairy,
meat, and value added foods directly to consumers. The website updates the original
print publication that has helped thousands of farmers navigate the challenges of
selling locally grown foods to consumers through farmers markets, CSAs and farm
stands, as well as to institutional buyers such as restaurants and food retailers. The
update and website were made possible with funding from the USDA Risk Management
Agency.
Page 10
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
2013 CLIMATE CHANGE CONSORTIUM FOR SPECIALTY CROPS:
IMPACTS AND STRATEGIES FOR RESILIENCE
From California Department of Food and Agriculture
California is the nation’s leading agricultural state in gross cash receipts; $43.5 billion in
2011. A large portion of the crops grown in the
state are “specialty crops.” Specialty crops are
defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried
fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops including
floriculture. In 2011, global exports of California’s specialty crops reached nearly $10.9 billion.
Each year, Santa Maria’s Bonipak grows, harvests, cools, processes and ships
California is the United States’ sole producer of
more than 15 million cartons of fresh vegetables to retailers, wholesalers and
several crops such as Clingstone peaches, olives, food service customers all over the world (from: Vegetablegrowersnews.com).
pistachios, walnuts, almonds and artichokes
(CDFA 2013a). The state’s unique environmental zones and Mediterranean climate allow for a diversity of crops to be produced throughout the year for local, national, and global distribution.
Impacts to agriculture from changes in weather will be felt differently in different parts of California. Long-term patterns of weather are referred to as the “climate” and changes in weather patterns
over time are defined as “climate change.” Future climate trends have been predicted for California.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) convened the Climate Change Consortium in 2012, a diverse group of individuals (growers, researchers, educational institutions, the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association, and representatives from industry) involved in California specialty crop agriculture, to identify specific climate change adaptation strategies
for growers. Changes to the climate as a result of anthropogenic activities are well recognized and
acknowledged by the scientific community. Therefore the Consortium assumed, as charged by CDFA,
that climate change is now occurring and will continue to occur in the future. The realities of climate
change were not debated, nor were mitigation measures identified although, some adaptation
measures could also be also consider mitigation measures.
The Consortium was asked to evaluate climate change impacts and to propose potential strategies for adaptation so that California agriculture and CDFA can prepare for impacts. The Consortium
discussed and documented challenges faced by growers due to climate change along with possible
adaptive strategies. The Consortium addressed climate change impacts to temperature, water resources, pests and pollination. Growers will face new challenges from changed environmental averages, trends, variability and extremes. These challenges and adaptive strategies are summarized within
the “2013 Climate Change Consortium for Specialty Crops: Impacts and Strategies for Resilience”.
While specialty crops are the focus of this report, the Consortium’s work on climate change impacts can
be applied widely to California agriculture. The report is available on CDFA’s website at
www.cdfa.ca.gov or the Santa Barbara County Department of Agriculture’s website:
www.agcommissioner.com.
Page 11
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
RETAILERS GET RECOGNITION AND FREE TRAINING FROM
PLANTRIGHT
Submitted by PlantRight Team, Sustainable Conservation
With the launch of its free Retail Nursery Partnership program, PlantRight becomes
the go-to resource for California nursery retailers interested in building expertise
on ornamental invasive plant issues and opportunities.
Nurseries that join this free program agree not to sell plants listed as invasive by
PlantRight, and to educate their customers and staff about the problems they cause.
In exchange, PlantRight offers (1) educational resources on ornamental invasive
plants, (2) recommendations for noninvasive alternative plants, from experts like Randy Baldwin of San
Marcos Growers, (3) a new way to showcase their environmental responsibility to customers, and (4)
recognition via PlantRight’s networks.
To learn more, visit: http://www.plantright.org/retail-nursery-partnership.
If you would like to see more PlantRight partners in your area, get involved as an official PlantRight Ambassador. Start by completing their brief Continuing Education program (PlantRight.org/continuingeducation), which was designed with landscapers, horticulturalists, and avid gardeners in mind. Upon
completion, you will gain access to resources to help empower your favorite stores to become part of
the solution. To introduce PlantRight to your local garden center and answer any questions, email [email protected]. Thank you!
CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY COMMISSION 2013-2014
GROWER EDUCATION TRAINING PROGRAM
Submitted by California Strawberry Commission
The CSC Grower Education Team is pleased to announce our 2013-2014 training program.
Our goal is to create learning opportunities to help growers meet regulatory requirements
while improving performance. To this end, the program continues to focus on food safety
and supervisor development. Later this year, we will debut new water management workshops.
As always, there is no charge for strawberry growers or their employees. Read on about new courses and
key points to consider when enrolling your employees. We look forward to seeing everyone during the next training season!
CSC Food Safety Certificate Program
Our goal is for at least one person from each ranch to attain the Food Safety Certificate, earned by attending and passing exams for all five classes. In 2012-13, 165 people earned this certificate, and we hope there will
be many more this season. Many people need only one more class to earn their certificate. Please make sure they
get that class this year! Please review who in your company has passed which classes by visiting our website
http://education.calstrawberry.com/. Once a class is passed, there is no need to repeat it.
This year, several new classes have been added, including Food Safety Innovation, Supervision for Diversity, I-9 Compliance and California Agriculture Safety Certificate Program.
To see the entire 2013-2014 CSC Training Calendar, or to register for classes, please follow this
link http://education.calstrawberry.com/docs/default-source/class-announcements/2013-2014-trainingcalendar.pdf?sfvrsn=2.
If you have any questions, please contact your local CSC Grower Education Specialist, or [email protected].
Page 12
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
ENOLOGY & VITICULTURE STUDIES AT ALLAN HANCOCK
COLLEGE
From Allan Hancock College
The agribusiness - enology/viticulture program at Allan Hancock
College provides a comprehensive foundation in enology
(winemaking) and viticul-ture (grape growing). Our program is designed to prepare students for upper division course work leading
to a baccalaureate degree in enology or viticulture. With an A.A. degree in viticulture/enology our students will be prepared for entry level and advanced positions in the wine industry including wine production, quality assurance and control, cellar supervision, vineyard management, research, and production.
The AHC enology & viticulture program covers all aspects of the wine industry “from root to bottle.” Students learn to properly care for plants, graft different varietals, manage the growing process and
harvest the grapes. Once the fruit is harvested, students have access to state of the art equipment that
allows them to properly process and ferment the wine, place it in barrels and, ultimately, bottle for distribution.
The current program is the result of community participation in real and substantial ways. AHC
has an on-campus four acre vineyard. The ability to give students hands-on experience with marketing
and sales is a key educational component of the program. In addition, construction of a new winery facility on campus is expected to be completed late February 2014.
To advance the program’s development, we are seeking the ability to market and sell wine on a
limited basis. This requires that the program obtain a Tax and Trade Bureau Bond in accordance with
state law. We are further working on the creation of an independent non-profit corporation for the express purpose of holding the bond. AHC has retained an attorney to do the preliminary work for the
bond as well as to secure an alcoholic beverage license from the State, file for Federal Identification
Number, file for California Seller’s Permit, and obtain Liability Insurance.
We are extremely excited about the progress we have made and the endless possibilities of our
student’s career paths. Please see the below links:

http://www.hancockcollege.edu/academic_departments/life_physical-science/agribusiness/
documents/CTE_Agbus_EnologyBrochure.pdf

http://www.hancockcollege.edu/academic_departments/life_physical-science/agribusiness/
documents/CTE_Agbus_WineSalesBrochure.pdf

http://www.hancockcollege.edu/academic_departments/life_physical-science/agribusiness/
documents/40356%20-%20Agribusiness%20Pairing%20Wine%20Food%20proof%201.pdf
For More Information: Terri Lee Coleman at 805.922.6966 ext. 3929
Check out the following page for Spring 2014 AgriBusiness / Viticulture and Enology Classes.
Page 13
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
Page 14
Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
JULIE NEWMAN, UC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ADVISOR,
RETIRES AFTER 28 YEARS
Submitted by Pam Kan-Rice, UCANR
Julie Newman, University of California
Cooperative Extension advisor in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, retired
in July after 28 years of providing research and educational programs in
environmental horticulture.
Newman completed her B.S. in botany at the
University of Washington and then earned her M.S. in
horticulture from Washington State University. After
graduation, she taught ornamental horticulture classes at
California State University, Chico and volunteered on
UC Cooperative Extension projects in Glenn, Alameda
and San Mateo counties. In 1985, Newman began her
career as a UCCE advisor.
Early on, a focus of Newman’s research and extension program focused on integrated pest management,
or IPM, for ornamental crops. She collaborated with other UC researchers to evaluate sampling strategies, monitoring methods, biological control and reduced-risk pesticides.
Later, Newman turned her attention to water
quality issues and brought in over $4 million in grant
funding. She worked with other UC Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists to develop water quality
projects that assisted more than 200 growers, representing more than 21,000 farm acres draining into Ventura
County watersheds. These research and extension activities resulted in substantial improvements in water use,
irrigation efficiency, infiltration rates and reduced runoff
from nurseries, farms and orchards.
Newman expanded her understanding of water
quality issues through a sabbatical study in Australia and
New Zealand, which led her to work with researchers in
other states on national water quality programs. She was
the technical editor and an author of UC ANR’s
“Greenhouse and Nursery Management Practices to Protect Water Quality,” which has been consulted by growers and researchers all over the world.
Newman was a leader in efforts to establish the
UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance (UCNFA). This
program, associated with the UC ANR Floriculture and
Nursery Workgroup, delivers workshops, hands-on
demonstrations, field days and tours that benefit flower
and nursery growers statewide. Many of the programs
are presented in both English and Spanish. Newman has
served as chair of the educational committee and coeditor of the newsletter.
Over her career, Newman won numerous accolades. This included the Western Extension Directors'
Award of Excellence for team farm water quality project
in 2008, California Association of Farm Advisors and
Specialists Distinguished Service Award in 1994, Outstanding and Creative Academic Teamwork Award from
ANR four times, and the prestigious Alex Laurie Award
in 2007 for most outstanding team floriculture research
paper. She also received two awards from the interior
landscape industry for her pioneering work in the development of statewide educa-tional programs for interior
landscapers and for establishing the California Interior
Plantscape Association (now known as the Plantscape
Industry Alliance). Most recently, she received the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers 2013
Research Award for her work benefitting the nursery
industry. The award was presented at the California
Nursery Conference in Etiwanda on Oct. 9.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my career
has been the opportunity to work as a team with other
UC CE advisors and campus researchers to solve real
industry problems and develop cutting-edge technologies,” Newman stated.
Barbara Allen-Diaz, UC vice president for Agriculture and Natural Resources, has granted Newman
emeritus status. “I hope to continue to have positive impacts through my work as a Cooperative Extension advisor emeritus,” Newman said. She is currently working on
the “Container Nursery Production and Business Management” manual as technical editor and an author. UC
ANR plans to publish the manual next spring.
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Winter 2014 Edition
Santa Barbara County Agriculture
and Weights & Measures
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Main Offices
Santa Barbara
263 Camino del Remedio
Santa Barbara, CA 93110-1335
Phone: (805) 681-5600
FAX: (805) 681-5603
Hours: M-F 8:00AM to 4:30PM
District Offices
Carpinteria
941 Walnut Avenue
Carpinteria, CA 93103
Phone: (805) 681-5600
FAX: (805) 681-5603
Hours: By Appointment Only
Santa Maria
624 W. Foster Rd., Suite E
Santa Maria, CA 93455-3623
Phone: (805) 934-6200
FAX: (805) 934-6202
Hours: M-F 8:00AM to 4:30PM
Solvang
1745 Mission Drive
Solvang, CA 93463
Phone: (805) 686-5064
FAX: (805) 686-5065
Hours: Tuesdays 1:00 to 2:00 PM
and By Appointment
Lompoc
401 E. Cypress Avenue
Lompoc, CA 93436-6806
Phone: (805) 737-7733
FAX: (805) 737-7735
Hours: By Appointment Only
Office Closures
January 20, 2014
February 17, 2014
Permits, Operator ID Numbers and PAC Exams
The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is
issuing restricted material permits and operator identification
numbers. Group private applicator exams are scheduled in Santa
Barbara, Carpinteria, Solvang, and Santa Maria. Call your local
office for an appointment to renew your permit, operator
identification number or PAC.
Annual Central Coast Caneberry Meeting, January 28, 2014
Topics include updates on production, economics, pruning,
irrigation, and pest management of caneberries. To register visit:
https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=11582.
UC IPM Workshop for Retail Nurseries and Garden Centers,
January 21, 2014
Topics include identifying landscape pests and disorders, less
toxic pesticides, and features of the UC IPM Web site to help you
solve customers' pest problems. See the workshop website at
http://ucanr.edu/sites/retail2014/ for additional details, the
agenda, and registration information.
www.agcommissioner.com
http://www.facebook.com/agcommissioner
STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
Ruth Jensen has joined the Agriculture and
Weights and Measures Department as a
Project Aid. Ruth is assisting Agricultural
Commissioner, Cathy Fisher, with several
special projects due to her extensive political
and legislative background.
Ruth became passionately involved in agriculture
policy during the grain embargo of the 1970’s. Since then, she
became involved in the political and policy making side of
agriculture and has also worked as an independent
agricultural consultant for over 20 years.
This year, Ruth celebrates 30 years as a member of
California Women for Agriculture and American AgriWomen. She is currently serving as CWA Trade Director and
is the AAW National Food Safety Director for American AgriWomen. Her CWA friends dubbed her “Ladybug” because she
was and still is a friend of agriculture. To Ruth, those same
friends were her Ladybugs and she penned a poem to honor
them and those “Ladybugs” that come into her life. It has
become a tradition to share this poem with “Ladybugs” that
you encounter. Here it is:
The Lady Bug by Ruth Jensen
Gentle and caring of her environment
Constantly working the crowd
Able to leap tall flowers
in a single bound
She devours the unfriendly pests
The Lady dons her protective dress
Maintains her classy composure
For the world knows the Lady Bug
As the most resourceful creature
She endures
Roderick Ross is retiring from the Santa
Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner
and Weights & Measures Department after
33 years of service. Rod is a native of Santa
Maria and started his career with the
department in 1981 as a Weights &
Measures Inspector I. Rod’s passion was for
heavy capacity scales and he loved driving the big truck. Rod
has earned a high level of respect and credibility from our
state partners and local industry members. Please join us in
thanking Rod for his many years of dedicated service.