- Author: Sonia Rios
Avocado Growers Revisit Pruning Techniques
California Avocado Growers Seminar Series 2015 is a lecture series presented by the California Avocado Society, Inc., California Avocado Commission, and University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) to help inform and further educate California Avocado growers. On June 4, 2015 in Fallbrook, CA, guest lectures from the UCCE, Farm advisors, Jim Downer and Ben Faber spoke on topics in "Avocado Tree Physiology and Pruning.”
Jim Downer, who is based in Ventura County touched base on tree pruning- understanding plant responses to an important management tool. Downer, suggested several tips, such as paying attention to branch biology, conserve healthy canopy foliage, and most of all don't thin trees just to thin, structural pruning is crucial. By keeping up with pruning from the beginning, you can make less invasive, have smaller cuts, and save money. Smaller cuts can also reduce the amount of surface area that is exposed to the elements that can cause disease.
Ben Faber, advisor based out of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties spoke on specific avocado pruning techniques and challenges growers may face. He reminded the growers, avocado trees can get extremely tall. Taller trees may be hazardous to pickers that are working on ladders, this may also slow down the picking processes, especially along the steep hillsides. The main thought on everyone's mind, how much space does a tree really need to be the most productive? During this discussion, Faber spoke of Emeritus UC Farm Adviser, Gary Bender's higher density planting trial in San Diego. Instead of the standard distance of twenty feet apart, he ran a trial where he planted trees ten feet apart. Then, instead of letting the trees grow tall, which is the standard practice, he pruned them regularly to keep the trees short and fat. The study has been a huge success yielding nearly 13,000 pounds of Hass avocados per acre. Usually farms in the southern California are yield between 6,000 to 7,000 pounds per acre.
Seminar coming up: Current Hot Topics in Avocados-Farm advisors will discuss current hot topics in the avocado industry, specific to the growing regions in each seminar location:
• San Luis Obispo - Mary Bianchi, UC County Director and Horticulture Farm Advisor for San Luis Obispo County
Aug 4, 2015 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm, San Luis Obispo, CA, UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 2156 Sierra Way
• Ventura - Ben Faber, UC Farm Advisor for Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
Aug 5, 2015 at 9:00am - 11:00am UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 669 County Square Dr.
Ventura, CA
- Fallbrook - Sonia Rios, UC Area Subtropical Horticulture Advisor for Riverside and San Diego Counties
- Aug 6, 2015 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Fallbrook Public Utility District Board Rm., 990 East Mission Rd., Fallbrook, CA
- Contributor: Sonia Rios
What Is Ag Day?
When Is Ag Day?
Ag Day is celebrated on March 18, 2015. National Ag Day falls during National Ag Week, March 15-21, 2015.
What Is Ag Day All About?
Ag Day is about recognizing - and celebrating - the contribution of agriculture in our everyday lives. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:
- Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
- Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
- Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
Why Celebrate Agriculture?
Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis. But too few people truly understand this contribution. This is particularly the case in our schools, where students may only be exposed to agriculture if they enroll in related vocational training.
By building awareness, the Agriculture Council of America is encouraging young people to consider career opportunities in agriculture.
Each American farmer feeds more than 144 people ... a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s. Quite simply, American agriculture is doing more - and doing it better. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States.
What Can I Do to Help?
Put simply, get involved! Your participation in Ag Day is critical in helping us spread this positive message about agriculture. If you are interested in planning an event, download your Planning Guide today. Of course, there are other ways you can lend your support, including sending a letter to your local newspaper, calling your Congressional representatives or simply sharing information about agriculture with youngsters in your community.
Source: Agriculture Council of America (ACA)
Linda Coco
(951) 827-5804
sciences@ucx.ucr.edu
Citrus Trees in the Garden
Course: PLS 810.5
Note: Enrollment is limited.
Instructor: Tom Shea, B.A., Laboratory Assistant, UC Riverside Citrus Variety Collection.
Date/Time: Fri., 6-9 p.m. & Sat., 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 6 & 7 (2 meetings)
Location: University Extension Center - Room TBA, RIVERSIDE
Fee: $65 / $55 multiple enrollment discount (one person in two or more gardening courses or two or more people in one gardening course) (includes parking)
Reg #: 143-CPA-A33
Other home gardening courses available at www.extension.ucr.edu. 
- Author: Chutima Ganthavorn
“We may start to see some fruits this fall and by spring there should be plenty”, said Larry Dodson about the 16 blackberries that the UC CalFresh led team just planted at the Community Settlement Association (CSA) in Eastside Riverside. Larry is a Master Gardener with UC Cooperative Extension and he is taking the lead to help with the fruit tree planting project that is funded by the mini-grant from Wood Streets Green Team. Master Gardener Fortino Morales and Claudia Diaz Carrasco, the new 4-H Youth Development Advisor were also there to help out, along with three moms from the neighborhood. Claudia is looking into starting a 4-H Club at CSA for youth in the after school program. In addition to the blackberries, the group also planted quince, pomegranate, lemon and lima (also known as sweet lime), all donated by Larry.
- Contributor: Sonia Rios
UC Riverside and the Citrus Research Board partner to provide:
UC Riverside Citrus Day for Professional Industry members
Thursday, January 29, 2015
7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
UCR Agricultural Operations, Riverside, California
For information: (951) 827-5906
Deadline for Registration is Friday, January 16, 2015
2015 UC Riverside Citrus Day Flyer FINAL
