Avocado Irrigation Workshop
Join UCCE advisors Ben Faber and Ali Montazar for this comprehensive workshop on July 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the United Water Conservation District in Oxnard. Topics will include drought and heats effects on avocado, strategies in managing salinity, and tools and information for effective irrigation management. Use this link for more information and to register: Avocado Irrigation Workshop.
Rodale Institue California Organic Center Annual Field Day
This event takes place on Tuesday, July 11 for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is ideal for farmers, researchers, students, educators, and anyone interested in learning about the science behind organic agriculture. For a $25 fee, participants will tour fields, see equipment demonstrations, learn about healthy soils and specialty crop projects, and enjoy an organic lunch with vegetarian and omnivore options. Registration is required: California Organic Center Field Day
Prescribed Fire, Cultural Burning get Liability Support to Reduce Wildlife Risks in California
California is providing $20 million in new protections for prescribed fire and cultural burning practitioners. The bill, Prescribed Fire Liability Claims Fund Pilot, will cover losses from the rare occurrence of prescribed or cultural burns escaping control. Read more about the Pilot Prescribed Fire Claims Fund here: Prescribed Burn Fund.
Possible Tide of False Chinch Bugs Ahead
UCCE Ventura Advisor Ben Faber passes along a note from UCCE Kern County Entomology Advisor David Haviland that the hills are drying up and the toxin-injecting False Chinch Bugs could be descending meaning trouble for orchards and row crops. Get the scoop of these insects by reading Ben’s blog: False Chinch Bugs Coming? – Topics in Subtropics.
Planting Day in Camarillo Creates New Home for Pollinators
Come ready to work and help create a vital monarch and pollinator habitat in Arneill Park in Camarillo. On Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. volunteers will be planting California native pollinator resources and connecting irrigation. It’s going to be a fun, productive day in the sun. Use this link to for more information and to sign up: Planting Day 2023.
Pollination Investigation – The Essential Role of Pollinators in the Natural World
Nearly 90% of flowering plants rely on about 200,000 species of animal pollinators for fertilization. Explore the essential role that pollinators play in the natural world in the Smithsonian poster exhibition Pollination Investigation on display now at the Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula. For more information visit: Museum of Ventura County.
USDA’s Chief Scientist to be Keynote Speaker at International Annual Meeting
Hosted by the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America, plan to attend the 2023 International Annual Meeting to inspire change in agronomy, crop, and soil sciences to impact scientific advancement. The meeting takes place from October 29 – November 1 in St. Louis, Missouri and offers limited virtual attendance. Dr. Jacobs-Young from the USDA will be the keynote speaker. For more information and to register go to: ACS International Annual Meeting.
UC Davis Team Wins Top Prize in Farm Robotics Challenge 2023
Team Amiggie from UC Davis designed a robot to assist human pickers and streamline harvest operations. The robot monitors risky postures, carries harvested crops, and streamlines the unloading process for increased efficiency. UC Davis continues to be the home of innovative agricultural research. To read about all competitors, go to: UC ANR News.
