As California farmers prepare for the New Year, there are some labor-related changes to laws and regulations that ag employers need to be aware of. Watch this brief interview with Adam Borchard from the California Fresh Fruit Association as he explains, based on his recent presentation at the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo. Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their …
What the Coming Farm Bill Could Mean for Specialty Crop Agriculture
As specialty crops become a bigger topic of conversation in the development of a new US Farm Bill, California growers could potentially receive more national support than ever before. Watch this brief interview with Sara Arsenault, new Vice President of the Almond Alliance of California as she explains — based on her presentation at the recent Tree & Vine Expo. …
Recent IPM Challenges for Western Desert Vegetable Growers
University of Arizona Extension Specialist John Palumbo was honored recently by the California Association of Pest Control Advisors with their Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture award. Visiting from Arizona, watch this brief video as he shares some of the challenges desert vegetable growers were up against this season.
UCCE Virtual Workshop Series on Nitrogen Management in Organic Production
Growers of organic vegetables and strawberries across California are invited to attend an online training to learn how to manage nitrogen fertilization. UC Cooperative Extension is offering the three-part Nitrogen Planning and Management in Organic Production of Annual Crops Workshop on Nov. 29, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12. Growers, certified crop advisers, pest control advisers and other agricultural professionals who are interested in learning …
Darkling Beetle Overwintering Locations and Movement into California Tomato Fields
Darkling beetles girdle seedlings at or below soil line by chewing which can cause significant damage and plant death when beetles are in high numbers. Darkling beetles are not usually a problem once plants are big enough to withstand the chewing damage. They move in from field edges, including weedy areas or adjacent crops like grains or alfalfa. Conventional control …
New Grant Aims to Reduce Plastic Taken From Fields to Landfills
Washington State University is leading a new project that aims to advance soil-biodegradable mulches and develop innovative methods for recycling the plastic. The projects is funded by a $8 million, four-year Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Growers of crops like strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, tomatoes, and melons depend on plastic mulch to …
Microgreens Offer Chance to Grow Vegetables for Customized Health Needs
Broccoli is well known for its particular flavor, healthy properties, and ability to help ward off certain types of cancer, but there’s more to this veggie than the florets found in salad bars, stir fries, and your favorite broccoli cheese soup. As proof that good things can come in small packages, baby broccoli — one type of “microgreen” — packs …
New Nanoparticle-Based Sensors to Measure Residual Herbicides in Food
Two newly developed, low-cost tests that use nanoparticles to detect chemicals can accurately measure tiny amounts of two potentially harmful herbicides in fruits, vegetables and their products. Reporting in the journal Food Chemistry, a Washington State University research team used two testing methods to measure the levels of two herbicides, namely atrazine and acetochlor, in samples of apples, strawberries, cabbage, corn and …
USDA’s Cost of Pollination Survey Going Out to California Growers
On Nov. 1, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail the 2022 Cost of Pollination Survey to over 2,700 CA crop producers. The survey will be sent to nearly 16,000 producers nationwide. “Honey bees are important pollinators of crops ranging from almonds to zucchinis,” said Gary R. Keough, director of the NASS Pacific Regional Office. “To help accurately depict …
Western Growers Selects Future Volunteer Leaders Class VII
Western Growers is welcoming the seventh class of Future Volunteer Leaders, a group who will be embedded in specialized networking and agricultural leadership development events with the organization for the next two years. Class VII includes: Celeste Alonzo, Junior Enterprises Jose Covarrubias, Wholesum Farms Krystal Del Bosque, Del Bosque Farms Briana Giampaoli, Live Oak Farms Shay Myers, Owyhee Produce Garrett …
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