http://ucanr.org/blogs/venturacountyucce/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed Serving agriculture and residents since 1914 en-us UC ANR http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/ Wed, 16 May 2012 10:29:26 PST Wed, 16 May 2012 10:29:26 PST UC ANR The first Small Farm News of 2012 is ready for viewing! As always this newsletter is full of relevant and practical information to assist small-scale farmers and ranchers. Topics in this issue are: Workshops to prepare growers for food safety Building statewide support for California agritourism Selling wholesale at a farmers market Tips for growing, selling organic CSA operators offer tips How to identify ‘snake-oil’ products Pedro Ilic Award honors Paul Vossen The...
]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 10:29:26 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7505&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7505 Each school day millions of children eat at school. Meals can be brought from home, or prepared by staff on-site. All meals have the potential to cause a foodborne illness. The National Coalition for Food-Safe Schools (NCFSS) is a collection of organizations working together to improve food safety in U.S. schools. From their website: “The National Coalition for Food-Safe Schools (NCFSS) is an alliance of representatives from a variety of renowned national organizations, professional...
]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 11:07:07 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7495&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7495 The spring edition of California Agriculture has a varied collection of articles. You can read about solutions for nitrate in drinking water, protecting California forests form catastrophic fire, agricultural advances, and the history and legacy of the Morrill Act. Articles include: No-tillage and high-residue practices reduce soil water evaporation Research and adoption of biotechnology strategies could improve California fruit and nut crops Regulatory status of transgrafted plants is...
]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 12:02:46 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7481&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7481 Cal/OSHA’s 2012 Heat Illness Prevention Campaign provides multiple approaches to protect outdoor workers from heat illness. The campaign is a combination of education, outreach and enforcement efforts. Education resources for employees are available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Punjabi and Mixteco. These free resources include DVD that features workers from agriculture, construction and landscaping occupations. Employers can also find resources to help minimize heat illness. In addition...
]]> Wed, 09 May 2012 09:05:47 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7459&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7459 We have many highly salt sensitive crops in Ventura County: strawberry, avocados, blueberries. Rainwater, the purest kind, is excellent for leaching salts, but, in years with low rainfall, salt accumulation and resulting toxicity is a big concern. Plant reaction to salts varies among varieties, stages of growths and environmental conditions and, perhaps most importantly, with the type of salts that they are exposed to. We typically determine salinity of water and soil by measuring Electrical...
]]> Tue, 08 May 2012 09:26:53 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7446&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7446 Agriculture is more than food production. The term is used to describe the human cultivation of food, fiber and other products. Many people think of food farming and raising of livestock as the extent of agriculture, but there is much more to this powerful industry. For approximately 10,000 years agriculture has shaped civilization. And in fact some say that agriculture has made civilization possible. Agricultural progress allowed groups of people the first alternative to a hunter-gatherer...
]]> Mon, 07 May 2012 12:16:35 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7435&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7435 Caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, fire blight is a common and frequently destructive disease of pome fruit trees and related plants. Symptoms commonly appear in spring. The first sign is usually a watery, light tan ooze that leaks from cankers. After being exposed to the air, the ooze darkens and leaves streaking on branches or trunks. Other signs of infection are petal fall, flower stem wilt, and the blackening and shriveling of flowers, shoots, and/or young fruit. As the disease...
]]> Fri, 04 May 2012 10:04:30 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7423&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7423 UC’s Nursery and Floriculture Alliance has many trainings scheduled, including several in Southern California. You can find program details on their website.  Also on the site, you will find archived presentations available for viewing and links to resources to help growers conserve irrigation water and manage water quality issues. The nursery and floriculture industry is big business in Ventura County. Even after experiencing a decline in sales during the recession, the most recent crop...
]]> Wed, 02 May 2012 13:53:03 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7402&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7402 Today Supervisor John Zaragoza will present resolutions proclaiming May 2012 as both “Watershed Awareness” and “Water Awareness” Month. There are many events being held around the county this month to celebrate. Santa Clara River events can be found in this Ventura County Star article. Ventura River events can be found at the Ventura River Watershed Council website. If you are aware of any other events, please contact our office and we will be happy to include yours in a future post. Further...
]]> Tue, 01 May 2012 09:15:12 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7386&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7386 There are several types of fleas found in California. Some are more common than others. Cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis, are the fleas most commonly found on domestic cats and dogs. Female cat fleas can lay about 20 to 50 eggs per day. The eggs are laid on the pet and easily fall off and land on bedding, carpets and other surfaces. The eggs hatch in approximately 2 to 5 days. Once hatched the larvae feed and develop for about 8 to 15 days before building cocoons in which they pupate and...
]]> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:43:28 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7375&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7375 The Ventura County Chapter of California Women in Agriculture (CWA) is currently seeking candidates to apply for the 2012 CWA scholarships. The Ventura County Chapter of CWA “strives to promote agriculture awareness and education within our communities.” From their site: We will award a total of $3,500 in scholarships this year. The top scholarship will be $1,000 and the remainder will be $500 each. Requirements for scholarship applicants must include one of the following: Student and/or...
]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:25:31 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7369&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7369 UC Cooperative Extension’s Rose Hayden-Smith is a practicing U.S. Historian. In the current issue of California Agriculture, Rose explains the Morrell Act, and subsequent changes, in an entertaining and inspiring way. Signed into law during the Civil War, the Morrill Act and related legislation helped to transform our country.  While the transformation was nationwide, the benefit to California’s future was incredible. And it still is. Many of the programs and research made possible from a...
]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:09:03 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7361&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7361 Produced by UC’s Statewide IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Program, Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News is designed to educate retail center operators and their customers on how to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment. The current issue features: Managing powdery mildew on ornamentals Asian citrus psyllid update Mushrooms and other nuisance fungi in lawns Preliminary report on Iron HEDTA: A natural selective herbicide National Pesticide...
]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:53:09 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7350&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7350 Along with gardening, raising poultry at home is increasing in popularity. If you are interested in raising poultry for eggs or meat production, please first check to make sure having chickens at home is legal in your area. If the practice is allowed in your location, UC ANR’s Selecting Chickens for Home Use publication is a great place to start. Topics include: Stock for egg production Stock for meat production Stock for exhibition Buying your chickens Hatching your own...
]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:01:36 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7331&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7331 The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides many resources for public use. In addition to educational resources, the NRCS has some financial assistance programs available to help eligible landowners and agricultural producers plan and implement conservation practices. These programs address natural resource concerns and include: saving energy; improving soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources. Specific programs...
]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:23:14 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7317&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7317 UC IPM (Integrated Pest Management) has a collection of resources to help educate the public and water treatment professionals about mosquitoes. Some species of mosquitoes found in California have the potential to transmit microorganisms that can cause disease to people, pets, and livestock. While mosquitoes are best managed on an area-wide basis by public agencies organized specifically for this purpose, the combined actions of individuals can greatly improve larger mosquito control efforts. ...
]]> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:22:59 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7305&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7305 Part of the USDA’s Healthy Garden Workshop Series, Container Gardening and Window Boxes provides practical information to help people successfully grow plants in containers. Readers will learn to: Choose the right container Use the right soil Grow the right plant for the right season How to water and fertilize container plants Choose plants that grow well in pots Protect plants And more
]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:30:28 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7295&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7295 The Ventura County Fire Department’s, Ready Set Go! Wildfire preparedness for farmers, ranchers and growers is an interesting and informative resource designed to help the agricultural community prepare for wildfire. Agricultural production areas are often located right next to, or very close by highly flammable natural vegetation areas. In addition, many supplies and materials typically found in agriculture are particularly susceptible to flames or wind-driven embers. The Ready Set Go!...
]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:26:11 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7289&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7289 After the recent HLB detection in Los Angeles County, many people have been contacting our office. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you about the Ventura County ACP-HLB Task Force. The Task Force, founded January 2010, “is dedicated to the early detection and swift eradication of this invasive pest, and to preventing the disease it transmits from devastating Ventura County citrus.” To allow for quick exchange of information and open communication, the Task Force is on...
]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:13:26 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7276&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7276 UCCE Ventura County is celebrating Garden Month by expanding gardening outreach and education. Gardening is great exercise and can be a lot of fun. Ornamental plants and trees add beauty to our communities. Food gardens can also be a source of beauty while providing fresh and highly nutritious food. Whatever type of gardening you enjoy, we are here to help. The homepage of our website currently features resources for the home gardener. UC Master Gardeners have many garden classes...
]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:38:40 PST http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7267&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cmwebb@ucdavis.edu(Chris M. Webb) http://ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7267