- Author: Chris M. Webb
Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Center for Transportation Researchand Education have designed a great tool for estimating food demand at the county level throughout the U.S. The U.S. Food Market Estimator is a flexible and expansive system allowing users to view results in a variety of ways.
The following is taken from their site:
Who might use this tool?
• Farmers and other local direct-market food producers: Useful for identifying approximate market size in nearby counties in making decisions about marketing, capacity and potential expansion
• Governmental agencies (transportation, municipal and regional planning, public works): Useful in determining approximate food market size and impact of food production/processing on roads and other infrastructure.
• Food policy councils, nonprofit organizations, university researchers, economic development groups: Useful for analyzing approximate potential markets. Data can be used in assessing economic impacts related to changes in food availability, diet and marketing. Research scenarios might include selecting local purchasing targets for schools, retail, food service and other food markets at the county, state or national level.
Our previous and cost and return post or our business and marketing post may be of further help to you.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) continues its advance through Southern California. This is an extremely destructive pest. The disease it carries is capable of destroying citrus trees, orchards, and related industries.
An ACP Task Force has been formed in Ventura County. Top priority is to reduce the spread of the psyllid, which in turn will reduce the spread of disease. Your help is needed to stop this pest. You can help in the following ways:
- Do not bring citrus trees, other plants, or fruit into the state from other counties, states, or countries.
- If you have citrus on your property, please check regularly (at least monthly) for signs of infestation. Details on what to look for can be found here.
- Encourage your friends, neighbors and relatives to do the same
- A suspected ACP infestation should be reported immediately to the CDFA hotline at 800.491.1899, or your county agricultural commissioner. The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner can be reached at 805.933.2926
The Ventura County ACP-HLB task force will be conducting a workshop on February 25, 2010 designed for growers and pest-control advisors. More information about the workshop can be found here.
Our office has outreach materials available to help spread the word. Please contact us if you would like some.
Psyllid eggs and nymphs tucked into crevices and folds.
Asian Citrus Psyllid nymph
Asian Citrus Psyllid adult
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Scientists in our office are always busy! They work to solve problems and extend knowledge. Always reaching to find better solutions, research is a large part of their work. Once a research project is completed, additional work is required to get the information out.
Two publications have recently published research from Ventura County UCCE Advisors and staff.
The American Society of Horticulture Science has published “Carbon dioxide enrichment may increase yield of field-grown red raspberry under high tunnels.”
California Agriculture has published “Nurseries surveyed in Southern California adopt best practices for water quality.”
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Your support of local food producers strengthens your local food system. Strong local food systems provide fresh food for their communities; foster the connection between cities and countryside; keep local money in the community, strengthening the local economy; reduce pollution and oil dependence; reduces potential food safety problems; and much more.
Eating local foods is a great way to get good nutrition, help the planet, and support your local economy. It’s easy and tastes great, too! To find a Farmer’s Market near you try using the USDA’s Farmer’s Market locator.
More information can be found on our previous Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food post!
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The USDA has a collection of tools designed to help farmers and ranchers identify areas in their operations in which they can save energy, and in turn money. For non-food producers, the site provides a small glimpse into the complex business of farming and ranching, highlighting a few of the powerful economic impacts and potential risks of those in the business.
Information and suggestions are divided into the following categories:
- The Energy Estimator for Animal Housing tool covers energy use in lighting, ventilation, heating, air circulation, milk cooling, water heating, and milk harvesting.
- The Energy Estimator for Irrigation allows users to estimate potential energy savings associated with pumping water for irrigation. The site provides information for farm-specific crops, pumping requirements and energy prices.
- The Energy Estimator for Nitrogen tool enables calculations related to nitrogen use on your farm or ranch.
- The Energy Estimator for Tillage tool estimates diesel fuel use and costs and compares potential energy savings between conventional tillage and alternative tillage systems. The crops covered are limited to the most predominant crops in 74 Crop Management Zones (CMZ's), allowing users to get an idea of the potential savings.
