Smart Solutions for Global Warming - The Groasis Waterboxx, Using Nature’s Way to Water Trees

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND WEIGHTS & MEASURES NEWSLETTER

Asian Citrus Psyllid Update: Good News and Bad News

by Brian Cabrera, Entomologist and Heather Scheck, Plant Pathologist

The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) is a citrus pest native to Asia now present in parts of Southern California. Feeding by the psyllid (pronounced sill-id) damages new leaves but, more importantly, infected psyllids can transmit the dead-ly citrus disease Huonglong-bing (HLB). This disease could ruin Californias citrus industry if it should become established.

Since two ACP were found in Ventura County last De-cember, one in Santa Paula and one in La Conchita, an additional single ACP was found in April in the Camaril-lo area. The three finds were separated by a large geograph-ical area, suggesting they were hitchhikers, and not from locally established popula-tions. Due to the ACP finds, a two year CA Dept. of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) quar-antine remains in effect. The

quarantine area extends north-west from La Conchita into coastal Santa Barbara County up to Highway 154. This quarantine restricts the move-ment of nursery stock and fruit to prevent the spread of ACP into new areas. It is be-lieved that ACP and HLB were rapidly spread through-out Florida via infested nurse-ry stock, citrus and ornamen-tals in the citrus family.

Both the CDFA and Citrus Research Board are conduct-ing aggressive ACP monitor-ing programs using sticky traps and inspection of citrus nursery stock. Several govern-ment agencies, including both Ventura and Santa Barbara County Ag Commissioner Offices, are conducting in-spections and outreach to fruit vendors at local swap meets, certified farmers mar-kets, and roadside produce stands. Thousands of ACP

and citrus plants are being tested for the HLB bacterium in the hopes we can catch it early before it becomes estab-lished.

Finally, we urge residents not to bring in any citrus fruit, plants or plant parts from out-side the county and to report any suspicious insects and/or plant damage on citrus to their local Agricultural Com-missioners Office.

For more details on ACP and HLB and what you can do, please visit these web sites:

http://www.californiacitrusthreat.org/

http://www.hungrypests.com

Spring Edition 2011

Santa Barbara County

Agricultural Weights &

Gaviota Coast Thistle Project

2

Leaf Scorch Disease 3

Field Fumigant Update 4

A Menacing Moth and an Evil Weevil

4

Weights & Measures 5

Career Day 6

The Waterboxx 6

Fed Ex Inspections 7

Tractor Program 8

Livestock & Land 9

On Site Recycling 10

SBC Conservation Plan-

ning Sign up

10

News & Announcements 11

Inside this issue:

Contact us:

[email protected]

barbara.ca.us

(805) 681-5600 (SB)

(805) 934-6200 (SM)

http://www.californiacitrusthreat.org/http://www.californiacitrusthreat.org/http://www.californiacitrusthreat.org/http://www.aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/asianCitrusPsyllid.shtml

Gaviota Coast Artichoke Thistle Project Submitted by: David Chang, Weed Management Area Program Specialist

Artichoke thistle, (Asteraceae: Cyna-ra cardunculus), is a B rated regulat-ed noxious weed that occasionally occurs on coastal rangeland of Santa Barbara County and California. It is a bushy, extremely spiny, herba-ceous perennial plant, that grows up to six feet tall and five feet wide. Artichoke thistle spreads from seed produced by showy, pur-ple to white flowers, in the spring and summer. The plants can create dense patches, up to 22,000 plants per acre, that reduce forage produc-tion, limit movement of livestock and inhibit recreational access.

Native to the Mediterranean re-gion, artichoke thistle is the wild

form of the edible globe artichoke, (Cynara scolymus). When grown from divisions of the perennial crown, globe artichoke will reliably produce the spineless, edible flowerhead found in your local market, but grown from seed it can revert to a wild form, producing the inch-long spines normally found on Cynara cardunculus. Artichoke thistle can be traced to its introduction for orna-mental and culinary us-es. Naturalized artichoke thistle has been recorded from pastures in San Diego County since 1897.

The County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's Office is working on the eradication of a

specific patch of artichoke thistle on the Gaviota Coast, five miles west of Refugio Road. The original in-festation was over six net acres in size. After three years of consecu-tive treatment, the infestation has been reduced to approximately less than two net acres. The results of this years (2011) fourth treatment has yet to be evaluated. The pic-tures accompanying this article show the infestation prior to treat-ment and its appearance after two consecutive years of treat-ment. Click here for more infor-mation about the Agricultural Com-missioners Gaviota Coast Arti-choke Thistle Project.

Figure 1. Infestation's appearance prior to treatment.

Picture was taken in March of 2005.

Figure 2. Infestation's appearance after two consecu-

tive years of treatment. Picture was taken in March

Page 2 Spr ing Edi t ion Santa Barbara County Agr icu ltura l Weights & Measures

http://www.countyofsb.org/agcomm/wma.aspx?id=31500http://www.countyofsb.org/agcomm/wma.aspx?id=31500

Leaf Scorch Diseases in Southern Santa Barbara County

Submitted by: Heather Scheck, Plant Pathologist

Leaf scorch diseases caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa are on the increase in Santa Barbara. Two that are causing major damage are Olean-der Leaf Scorch and Olive Leaf Scorch. Xylella is probably most fa-mous for causing Pierces Disease of grape http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r302101211.html but this pathogen also infects hundreds of native plants, fruit trees and orna-mentals.

Xylella gums up in the water con-ducting tissue of plants causing symp-toms of water stress. Its spread from plant-to-plant by flying leafhoppers, usually by the glassy-winged sharp-shooter (GWSS). Fortunately GWSS is not established north of the Santa Ynez Range where most commercial

olive groves are planted. Strains of Xylella from grape do not infect ole-ander or olive; they each have their own unique strains of the pathogen.

Often the first symptom of Xylella infection is browning of the leaf tips. Leaves turn yellow and wilt as the pathogen cuts off their water supply. Gradually branches die back until the whole plant is lost.

There are no pesticides that cure Xylella diseases. Controlling GWSS and removing infected plants has been effective at slowing the speed of epidemics. Infected oleanders and olives usually die within 5 years.

Since the arrival of GWSS in the late 1980s there has been a big in-crease in the number of leaf scorch

diseases and their severity in South-ern California. Commonly grown trees recently diagnosed with Xylella diseases include: liquidambar, lilac, ginkgo, heavenly bamboo, sweet gum, crepe myrtle, magnolia, jacaran-da and purple leaf plum. Symptoms are similar for all these and could be confused with water problems or root disease so a lab test is required to confirm the diagnosis. We are always interested in recording new hosts and contributing samples for University research efforts. Good samples would be branches at least 12 in long showing leaf scorch symp-toms and can be dropped off at any of our offices.

Oleander Leaf Scorch Olive Leaf Scorch


http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r302101211.htmlhttp://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r302101211.html

Submitted by: Brian Cabrera, Entomologist

Besides the Asian Citrus Psyllid, be on the lookout for two other destruc-tive, exotic pests: the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM), Lobesia botrana, and the Red Palm Weevil (RPW) Rhyncophorus ferrugineus.

EGVM (Egg-vum) is a grape pest native to southern Italy. It was found in several vineyards in Napa County in October 2009 and has been discovered in several more counties. EGVM is particularly damaging be-cause the caterpillars feed on grape flowers and fruit making the grapes vulnerable to bunch rot. Eggs and early stage larvae can be hard to see so considerable damage can occur before infestations are detected. For-tunately, EGVM can be easily con-trolled with conventional treatments. The California Dept. of Food & Agri-culture (CDFA) has established quar-antines in infested counties. In non-

infested counties, thousands of moni-toring traps have been deployed, in-cluding here in Santa Barbara County. University of California IPM advisor Lucia Varela believes EGVM is being spread via infested fruit and contami-nated machinery.

RPW was discovered in a Canary Island date palm in Laguna Beach last August. This was the first find of this species in the U.S. Native to South-east Asia, RPW is one of the most destructive palm pests in the world. It attacks many different palm tree species, including date and fan palms. Feeding by the legless grubs turns the inner core of the host palm into a soupy, foul-smelling mush. Eventual-ly, the tree crown will fall off. CDFA has been closely monitoring the situa-tion and so far, only a few trees in one neighborhood have been con-firmed positive for RPW attack.

Nonetheless, we nervously await word of any new finds this spring.

Detailed information on EGVM and RPW is available at these websites:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/euroGrapeMoth.shtml

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/egvm/index.html

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/rpw/index.html

To report any suspect finds, please contact CDFA: Pest Hotline 1-800-491-1899 or Report-A-Pest website www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/reportapest; or your local Ag Commissioners office.

New fumigant labels are now out. These were approved by US EPA and California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The changes are broad and numerous and we are working together with growers and pest con-trol businesses to sort through them.

In February, members of the Santa Maria staff met with representatives of each pest control business and talked about label and County condi-tion changes. We opened a dialogue to discuss our mutual concerns and suggest approaches for adopting these changes.

In the middle of March, I present-ed more information about these label changes at the 5th Annual Pesticide & Safety Conference sponsored by Crop Production Services.

And, last week, staff biologists met

with our last group of growers to join us for our fumigation outreach ses-sions. In these sessions, biologists met for about an hour with growers in small, informal groups to talk about how label changes will affect them. Growers had a chance to see each other again, ask questions and learn more about their responsibilities dur-ing fumigations.

The biggest changes with the new labels include a site-specific fumiga-tion management plan, new levels of supervision, more detailed respirator use, replacement of restricted entry period (REI) with entry restricted period (ERP), and documentation of good agricultural practices (GAP).

A monthly township cap on me-thyl bromide use went into effect in December. Along with that change, a new regulation decreases respirator

work hours and weve incorporated this information into our worksite plan posted on our website:

http://countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/agcomm/forms/MethylBromideWorksitePlanPack-et.pdf).

We spent a great deal of time cre-ating our new metam conditions and have posted those conditions online. We will post our streamlined chemi-gation and shank conditions online as soon as we can incorporate infor-mation on methyl iodide.

Overall, we are looking forward to having an incident-free fumigation season. To do this, well need to watch closely for inversion conditions and work with each other to keep homeowners, school staff and sur-rounding growers informed.

Field Fumigant Update

Submitted by: Susan Bryant, Pesticide Use Enforcement Deputy


A Menacing Moth and an Evil Weevil

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/euroGrapeMoth.shtmlhttp://www.aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/euroGrapeMoth.shtmlhttp://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/egvm/index.htmlhttp://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/egvm/index.htmlhttp://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/rpw/index.htmlhttp://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/rpw/index.htmlhttp://www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/reportapesthttp://countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/agcomm/forms/MethylBromideWorksitePlanPacket.pdfhttp://countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/agcomm/forms/MethylBromideWorksitePlanPacket.pdfhttp://countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/agcomm/forms/MethylBromideWorksitePlanPacket.pdfhttp://countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/agcomm/forms/MethylBromideWorksitePlanPacket.pdf

Weights & Measures in-spectors work in many dif-ferent programs designed to protect consumers. One of the most direct methods for ensuring consumer protec-tion is the Price Verification Inspection. The price verifi-cation inspection is per-formed at retail stores and is a method of checking the accuracy of the stores auto-matic scanning system or manual price entry system to make sure that a customer is being charged the lowest listed price for an item they purchase.

Most of our local stores use some type of an elec-tronic scanner for their cash registering system. These systems are also known as point of sale or POS sys-tems. The electronic scan-ner is hooked up to a com-puter, monitor, cash drawer and receipt printer. The scanner reads the bar code from the product label of each item. A signal is sent from the scanner to the at-tached computer that search-es a database for the price associated with that specific barcode. Once the price is located, the computer enters the associated price into the register.

Price look ups (PLU) or stock keeping unit (SKU) numbers may also be used at check out and work similarly to a bar code for the com-puters to reference. PLUs and SKUs are unique identi-fying numbers for each of the stores products. The produce department in most

grocery stores uses PLUs to identify the individual types of fruit or vegetable for check out.

The electronic scanner systems are designed to speed up the check out pro-cess, reduce the number of errors while checking out, and help stores maintain accurate inventory records. However, electronic POS systems are not without er-rors. Most shoppers have found a price discrepancy on their receipt at one time or another. These price dis-crepancies are the reason Weights and Measures con-ducts price verification in-spections.

The procedure for the inspection is fairly straight forward. Either a County or State Inspector enters into a store or business. To elimi-nate all possibility of bias during the inspection, the inspector does not identify themselves to any member of the business staff. The inspector walks the isles ran-domly selecting a predeter-mined number of items from displays and shelves throughout the store. The number of items selected is based on store size so that larger stores will have a larg-er number of items selected than a smaller store. Com-modities selected can include sales items, display items, bulk items, and produce. The inspector discreetly writes down the posted price for each item selected. The price could be indicated by the shelf tag, an ad sign, or a

price tag attached to the item itself. California law states that the consumer shall be charged the lowest price found for that item.

Once the inspector has collected the predetermined number of items, they take the items to register as if it was a regular purchase. Af-ter the items are rung up, the inspector then identifies themselves as weights and measures official and the transaction is voided. The inspector compares the reg-ister receipt prices to the prices the inspector wrote down from the display, shelf, or ad. Any price discrepan-cies are verified, and the entire transaction is docu-mented on a Sales Price Re-port form.

Any discrepancies found will either be overcharges or undercharges. Undercharges are documented but are not considered violations. Each overcharge is a violation of the Business and Professions Code and a Notice of Viola-tion is issued to the store. The magnitude of over-charges and any history of repeat violations are consid-ered for assessing additional penalties such as fines or legal prosecution.

Another feature of the Price Verification Inspection is to verify that the store has a display monitor that allows the customer to watch the transaction. California law requires that any store that uses a POS system must have a display which

is positioned so that it can be easily seen by the con-sumer. Additionally, the entire overall transaction must be visible at least once on the screen before the customer is required to pay for the goods or services. The customer displays can be a full sized monitor, a smaller screen, or even a small display on the credit card reader as long as the letters and numbers are easi-ly visible to the customer.

Santa Barbara County Inspectors check as many businesses as other duties allow. Consumers can help by knowing their rights, checking their receipts, and registering complaints about any pricing discrepancies or customer displays that are not visible. For best results, complaints should be filed as soon as possible after any pricing error that has oc-curred. These complaints must include the name and location of the store, a de-scription of the mispriced item, and as much infor-mation that the customer may have about the sign, display, or advertisement that listed the price.

Please call the Santa Bar-bara County Weights and Measures Division of the Agricultural Commissioners Office at 681- 5600 (SB) or 934-6200 (SM) if you have any questions or concerns regarding the accuracy of price determination in Santa Barbara County.

Protecting Consumers:

The Price Verification Inspection

Submitted by: Chris Tyler, Weights and Measures Inspector


Ag Commissioners Staff at Career Day

Submitted by: Brian Cabrera, Entomologist

On February 16, I participated in San Marcos High Schools Career Day. I was one of several profession-als who talked about what we do and, perhaps more importantly, how we achieved our goal of becoming scien-tists. I started my presentation by informing the students of the impacts of agriculture and horticulture on their daily lives and their importance to Santa Barbaras economy. To make that point I told them that all of the food they eat and most of the clothes they wear are agricultural products and the flowers they gave or received on Valentines Day came from floral nurseries. In addition, I

showed them a satellite photo of the area around San Marcos High point-ing out several agricultural fields, or-chards, and nurseries.

I explained some of the work our office does and my specific duties, especially the identification of insects, mites, snails and other creatures. I showed them photos of some inter-esting insects and told them about serious economic pests such as the Asian Citrus Psyllid. I enjoyed telling them how I used to play with bugs in my backyard when I was a kid and how, back in the last century, my high school biology teacher, Mr. Gar-

lough, had us make an insect collec-tion. That was the start of a long and winding path that led to my current position as an entomologist here in Santa Barbara.

In other sessions, Weed Program specialist David Chang and Weights & Measures Inspector Chris Tyler talked about their work. Our sincere thanks go to San Marcos High for being gracious hosts and giving us the opportunity to talk to the students about agriculture, entomology, weeds, and weights & measures.

The WaterboxxUsing Natures Way to Water Trees Submitted by: Bill Tietje and Royce Larsen, UC Cooperative Extension

Santa Barbara County residents often want to plant a tree or two in the far corners of their property, but find it challenging, given our climate with irreg-ular winter rains and no summer rainfall, to keep the newly-planted trees green and growing. A devise that has come onto the market recently is dubbed the Groasis Waterboxx. According to the website (Groasis.com) the Waterboxx has proven effective at self-watering new plantings, even in a truly desert cli-mate. Recently, we started a trial to test the Waterboxx by planting some oak seed-lings and elderberry plants in a remote area. The Waterboxx is a round plastic box that fits around the tree trunk. The inward-slanting corrugated top cools during the night and channels con-densed dew and heavy fog that collects on the top to the base of the tree. The

Waterboxx also provides some protec-tion for the newly planted tree and re-duces the evaporation of water from the soil around the base of the tree, im-portant additional benefits for new plantings. Once the tree is established, the Waterboxx can be removed and re-used for another plant. Placing a collar around a tree that collects moisture and at the same time provides some protec-tion can be a big incentive and a boost to getting that tree started that you should have planted 20 years ago. As you can see, the Waterboxx can be a big help as an alternative to carrying water to distant areas or setting up a drip system. For more information about the Waterboxx, contact the UC Cooperative Extension Office in San Luis Obispo or go to the Groasis Water-boxx website: Groasis.com. On the website you will notice that the inventor

of the Waterboxx is providing users the opportunity to provide information on the growth and survival of their plant-ings. You may want to check it out.

The Groasis Waterboxx (from Groasis.com; "AquaPro"). The Waterboxx is approxi-mately 20 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep.


http://www.groasis.com/

Bella Jean searching boxes Bella Jean alerting on a flower box Bella Jean getting assistance.

The employees at FedEx Express in Goleta were greeted by a surprise visitor on March 14th. Bella, a CDFA de-tection dog, joined the FedEx employees and staff from the Ag Commissioners Office for their daily sorting of pack-ages. Bella weaved her way though the boxes on the conveyer belt looking for packages that contained hidden plants or plant products and alerted on four boxes that contained cut flowers by pawing those boxes.

Bella and her handler, Cecilie Siegel, are one of 13 dog/handler teams working for CDFA in 9 different counties through out California. Bella is one of two dog/handler teams located in Contra Costa County.

Parcel delivery facilities, such as FedEx, UPS, On Trac, and the US Postal Service can unknowingly be a point of entry for unwanted pests and weeds into California. Santa Barbara County agricultural biologists perform daily in-spections at Santa Barbara and Santa Maria parcel delivery facilities and visually inspect packages for pests or weeds. California State law requires packages which contain plant materials or plant products be labeled as such on the out-side of the package. Unfortunately, unmarked agricultural packages can slip through undetected.

CDFA uses dog teams to enhance the inspection process and increase the likelihood that unmarked packages will be found. A dogs nose is 40 times more sensitive then a humans nose and this sensitivity makes the dogs much better suited to find trace odors from plants that might be hidden in packages.

Between July 2009 and June 2010 CDFA Dog teams located 2,270 unmarked packages containing agricultural products. 53 of these unmarked packages contained actionable A-rated or Q-rated pests. Additionally, 1,560 of the unmarked packages were rejected for violations of either State or Federal quarantines.

Due to the success of the detection dogs in locating unmarked agricultural packages and the importance of agricul-ture in Santa Barbara County, our Ag Department is currently exploring the possibility of incorporating a Detection Dog team into our exclusion program to augment inspections. Funding for the detection dog program is provided by a grant from the 2008 Farm Bill.

To see video and photos of the detection dogs in action or for more information on the program please visit:

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/dogteams/index.html

CDFA Scent Detection Dog Visits Santa Barbara

Submitted by: Chris Tyler, Weights & Measures


http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/dogteams/index.html

Spr ing Edi t ion Santa Barbara County Agr icu ltura l Weights & Measures

Carpinteria High School FFA Tractor Restoration Project

Submitted by: Bradley Miles

The Carpinteria High School FFA tractor pro-gram started in 2004 when students worked on getting a tractor running. My son, Wesley, asked me to come and help with the wiring on the tractor. How could I say no? The following year the students, including my son, decided to work on a 1946 McCormack Deering or-chard tractor. This one could not move as they thought the transmission was frozen. Also the engine would not turn over. Since the tractor had a lot of local history, there was a desire to make it work. Half the or-chard skirts were missing as well. The Ag teacher, Mr. John Avila, asked me to just come when I could to help them. I soon realized it needed a lot of work. My

visits turned out to be daily as I became hooked on see-ing the students make it run. Each day one of the stu-dents would haul my tool box out of my truck and we would work on it outside rain or shine for the most of the year. I will not forget the look on the students faces when the tractor was cranked over by hand and it started. Every student was proud that they could take a piece of junk and make it run. In the end we went to the Cheveron National Tractor Restoration compe-tition in Louisville, Ken-tuckey as one of the ten finalists. Our success reaf-firmed that if a student gains confidence in himself that it will cascade into oth-er endeavors.

Twice a year we run our tractors in the Carpinteria Christmas and Fourth of July parades. The Carpinteria locals love see-ing us driving our little con-voy through town. Each year we refurbish more trac-tors. Carpinterians put up the money to build our trac-tor barn. Tractors keep be-ing donated which we refur-bish and sell. The program is self-sustaining now through our teams being commissioned by individu-als who want their tractors worked over. We make them mechanicaly sound as well as paint them. All of this renders experience to the students. On more than one occasion I have had a parent tell me that the trac-tor program was what made their child get to school on

time. Sometimes the stu-dents want to work after school and on holidays which I comply with and show up.

The amazing part is the program is run by two of us as volunteers. We keep the program in the black. When a team completes a tractor the owner of the tractor pays for the parts as well a tax deductable donation to the program which part of it is shared with the students. Only a select handful or so of students do the program each year. This year we have two young ladies in our pro-gram. Everyone is working to get tractors ready for the Tulare Antique Tractor show. And yes, we will be working during Spring break.


4-H was one of the first youth development organizations in Amer-ica. The program started over 100 years ago. It is now the largest youth development organization in the United States.

The program was originally con-ceived as a result of university re-searchers finding a need to share new information and ideas with the rural agricultural communities in the late 1800s. University researchers found the adults of the rural farming community were not readily accept-ing the new agricultural discoveries and techniques being developed. It was decided that rural youth pro-grams would be an innovative way to share the new developments and technology with the communitys youth who could then share the in-formation with the rest of the com-munity.

Several community clubs focused on agriculture popped up around the Country in the early 1900s. A.B.

Graham started a youth program in Ohio in 1902. The club was called The Tomato Club, and is consid-ered to be the beginning of the 4-H program in the United States. T.A. Dickerson also started agricultural clubs in Minnesota in 1902.

The Smith-Lever Act in 1914 cre-ated the Cooperative Extension Sys-tem at the United States Department of Agriculture. The Cooperative Extension included work with many youth clubs involved with agriculture and is the point when 4-H was na-tionalized. The term 4-H first appeared in a federal document in 1918. By 1924, the name 4-H was adopted. The clover emblem was also adopted in 1924 and the Hs stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health. The use of the name and emblem are still protected by patent and Congressional law today.

The 4-H program in Santa Barba-ra County was started in 1925. The first club in the County began in Go-

leta. Since that time, 4-H has grown throughout the County. There are now fifteen clubs serving 665 youths. There is a 4-H club in nearly every community in the County, from Santa Maria to Goleta, throughout the Santa Ynez Valley, and Lompoc to Cuyama. Many of the clubs have continued support and participation from the original families spanning three generations.

The original focus of 4-H as a tool to educate youth through practi-cal, hands-on learning has re-mained constant throughout history. 4-H has grown into a program that serves not only rural youth, but ur-ban and suburban youth from com-munities in every state in the nation, as well as youth in over 80 countries throughout the world. Some of the worlds most important issues, from food safety and security, global cli-mate change and sustainable energy are part of the 4-H program of the 21st century.

Submitted by: Lottie Martin, Ag Biologist

Days Gone By.

4th District Supervisor Joni Gray Anna Scheck at S.B. County Fair

COMING SOON!!!

The wet weather of winter keeps livestock owners up to their knees in mud and sludge. This has led many locals to ask, What can we do on our property to control the seemingly uncontrollable? In response to this the Cachu-ma Resource Conservation District (RCD) is creating a half-day training focused on the healthy management of horses, livestock and land. The Livestock and Land Program has been successfully assisting Monterey Bay Area Counties to improve conditions related to animal health, land aesthetics, chore efficiency, safety, reducing flies and increasing property values, while protecting our valuable watershed resources. The Cachuma RCD is excited to bring this program to Santa Barbara County!

The program focus on land stewardship Best Management Practices (BMPs), including pasture and paddock man-agement, weed management, aerated manure composting, mud issues, site planning, and how

these issues effect livestock health. The half-day training will be held this autumn in Santa Barbara County at a ranch already outfitted with a Best Management Practice (BMP) addressing these topics. Workshops will include a site tour. Presentations from local experts and information exchange from equestrian and livestock facility own-ers. Assistance with site plans will be available and encouraged during and after the workshop, at your request.

Keep an eye out for this fun and educational event! The program will be advertised through the Ag Commissioner newsletter, county feed and tack stores, as well as with the help of various horse and livestock groups. Also, check out LivestockandLand.org for more information on the program. Or you can call Kate Dickson at 805-928-9269 ext.107 or email at [email protected]. We hope to have a great turnout, help our local land and facility owners while positively impacting the environment and animals!

AREA ORGANIZATION JOINS FORCES TO BRING EQUES-

TRIAN, LIVESTOCK and FACILITY OWNERS A WORK-

SHOP FOCUSED ON RESPONSIBLE MANURE AND MUD

MANAGEMENT.



Free, On-The-Spot Recycling of Plastic Pesticide Containers Submitted By: Susan Bryant, Pesticide Use Enforcement Deputy

Location: North of Donovan off Blosser

Date: July 11, 2011

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Who: Interstate Ag Plastics

Interstate Ag Plastics travels throughout California and Arizona to collect and recycle properly rinsed plastic containers

and is supported by the Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC). This website link provides more information and a

photo gallery : http://www.interstateagplastics.com/

Plastic containers from 1/2 pint to the 55 gallon drums are acceptable as long as they are TRIPLE RINSED as required

by law. NO caps, NO label booklets, NO foil seal from spout are allowed.

This service is NO COST with a site provided by DB Specialty Farms.

Please call the Ag Commissioners office at (805) 934-6200 for more information or to make an appointment.

For form and map click the following link : http://countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/agcomm/bulletins/Recycle.pdf (this

link will expire July 12, 2011)

Santa Barbara Countys Conservation Planning Sign-Up Underway

Submitted by: Nikki Smith

Santa Barbara Countys Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing their first Conservation Planning Initiative Sign Up. It is a voluntary conservation initiative that encourages stewardship planning and im-provements on agricultural land. The confidential free conservation planning service provides a professional analysis of a landowners natural resources and works with owners/managers to craft alternatives based on their goals and budget. The alternatives can include engineering, agronomic, soils and biological solutions to address problems such as erosion, water quality, stream habitat improvement, forage quality, irrigation and nutrient management, and more. Plans can also be developed to further enhance already healthy land or to augment properties with habitat beneficial to wildlife.

The deadline to request assistance through the Conservation Planning Initiative is July 1, 2011. Applicants who enroll and complete a plan through this initiative will receive a high screened application if they choose to apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) later on in the year. EQIP provides incentive payments for qualified applicants to implement practices within their conservation plans. It is a competitive application process; having a completed conservation plan on file, will greatly improve chances of funding through the program.

To enroll in Santa Barbara Countys Conservation Planning Initiative please contact Nikki Smith, Soil Conserva-tionist at (805) 928-9269 x 108 or [email protected]. You can also visit our office in person at: 920 E. Stowell Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454.

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

http://www.interstateagplastics.com/http://countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/agcomm/bulletins/Recycle.pdfmailto:[email protected]

Santa Barbara Office

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

Santa Maria Office 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

County of Santa Barbara

www.agcommissioner.com

Staff Highlights!

In May, our office was chosen to represent the

county with an employee of the month. We have

so many great employees in our department we

couldn't narrow it down to just one! Our em-

ployees of the month for the month of May 2011

are, Tom Donlon, Mary Ann Rajala and Debbie

Trupe. Congratulations!!

News & Announcements

WE ARE NOW ON FACEBOOK!!!

Please like our page on Facebook to keep updated on the

latest news and Ag events going on in our community!

http://www.facebook.com/agcommissioner

RODENTICIDE USE FOR PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE

You may have questions about recent label changes made by US EPA for rodenti-cide baits. As of June 4, many rodenticide labels containing diphacinone or chloro-phacine will no longer be allowed for home use and will be federally restricted.

Production agricultural users, including those of you with cattle, pasture or range land, will have to double check the new labels to make sure they continue to allow use in your setting. Because these labels will now be federally restricted, some of you who previously did not need to be certified may now need to be certified to pur-chase and/or use the rodenticide.

We can help you with any of these steps: studying for the exam, taking the exam, completing monthly pesticide use reports, and getting more information on the application of the products.

Studying and taking the exam

Our office is authorized by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to proc-tor an interim rodenticide exam which will certify individuals as a Private Applicator (PAC). You will need to schedule an appointment at any one of our offices and pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%.

Options for application

You have the option of becoming certified as mentioned above or hiring a pest control business to apply the bait.

Product option

You may not be aware that CDFA, through a Special Local Needs registration (SLN), provides county agricultural commissioners with labeling that allows them to formulate and sell 0.005% and 0.01% chlorophacinone and diphacinone rodenti-cides. Kings County formulates and sells these oat-groat products. Specific bait pur-chase information can be found at the VPCRACs website (Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee) http://www.vpcrac.org/about/handbook.php. This site also has some good information on studying for the private applicator exam.

Lompoc Office

401 E. Cypress Avenue

Lompoc, CA 93436-6806

Phone: (805) 737-7733

FAX: (805) 737-7735

Hours: By Appointment Only

North County Phytosanitary Certificates

Help Us Help You!

In an effort to expedite the inspection process for commodities requiring Phytosani-tary Certificates, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Ensure orders are placed before noon if expecting an inspection that day.

Make sure to contact Cooler personnel to ensure product is set up in time for in-spection.

All product that is listed on the Phyto must be staged and ready for inspection by 1:00p.m the day you request the Phyto.

Product should be staged in an area for the inspector to see the entire order.

Shipment needs to be identified by order number or phyto number.

This is a busy time for all of us and our inspectors have many products for inspec-tion at numerous coolers everyday. If the product is not set up and ready for inspec-tion the inspector may have to leave without issuing the Phyto.

Please help us help you by having all product staged and ready for inspection.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioners Office

http://www.facebook.com/agcommissionerhttp://www.vpcrac.org/about/handbook.php

Smart Solutions for Global Warming - The Groasis Waterboxx, Using Nature’s Way to Water Trees

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