- Author: Matteo M. Garbelotto
One of the greatest assets of our State is no doubt the vastness and richness of our natural environment. Unfortunately, such vastness is constantly being eroded by both natural and human-induced events. Sudden Oak Death aka SOD is one of those environmental threats belonging to the second category, having been introduced in the latter part of last century from an unknown location outside of North America. Many of our tree species are susceptible to SOD and several oak species and tanoaks can be killed in large numbers: in the worst sites 70-100% of trees are dead.
Since its introduction, the disease has been spreading slowly but steadily and now it is present in 15 contiguous counties from Humboldt to Monterey: in about 15 years of research we have found several effective control measures, but these need to be applied before oaks are infected. Oaks become at risk exclusively if the disease is within 200 yards from them!! That is the good news.
For the past 9 years citizens like you have been helping, and this help has resulted in the identification of several new outbreaks and in the eradication of some of these outbreaks. If your county is not extensively colonized by the disease, your effort will allow to exactly pinpoint its current distribution. This means knowing where extra care is warranted to avoid further spreading SOD, and knowing where business and leisure can be enjoyed without risking further disease spread. The volunteer-generated database is the most complete database for a forest disease anywhere in the world, including almost 20.000 points.
If you join a SOD BLITZ you:
- Will spend one hour learning the basic biology of the disease and how to identify it in the field, making you an expert
- Receive all the necessary collection materials and instructions on how to sample. Note that sampling has to happen 1-2 days after the training
- Spend 1-4 hours on your own in a location of your choice (your property, business, favorite forest or campground) looking for disease symptoms and collecting symptomatic leaves
- The activity is enjoyed by adults and children, btw it is a great school project
- You will become officially a citizen scientist and your published disease distribution data will help save our oaks. All at no cost to you
- Tree care specialists attending the training can bring in clients' samples
The SOD Blitz is in the spring because that is the time when SOD symptoms are easiest to spot. You can join and then sample wherever you desire in coastal California.
Register here for this free event
Date of SOD Blitz: May 30th, 10-11 am
- Graton—Graton Community Club, Main and N. Edison, Graton, CA
- Santa Rosa—Spring Lake Park Environment Discovery Center, 393 Violetti Road Park Entrance, Santa Rosa, CA
- Cloverdale—Cloverdale Historical Society, 215 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, CA
Contact: Lisa Bell
Author: Matteo M. Garbelotto
- Author: Paul Olin polin@ucsd.edu
Since 2004, University of California Cooperative Extension and California Sea Grant fisheries biologists have worked with agency partners to create and implement a monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness of the RRCSCBP by documenting whether released coho are surviving in the streams in which they are stocked and returning as adults to spawn. The program has documented the return of hundreds of adult fish that are successfully spawning in Russian River tributaries, up from three to five adults returning each year prior to the recovery programs inception. Drought conditions were likely responsible for a decline in returning adults in 2013/2014.
- Author: Paul M Vossen
Hard cider as an alcoholic beverage is not new, but over the last few years demand has skyrocketed to a $ 500 million US industry, which is growing rapidly. Most apple cider is viewed as a trendy alternative to beer; made from low-cost, fruit juice from culls, or juice concentrate from the bulk juice market. This product is and could be made almost anywhere, and it is quite price sensitive. The base product is often flavored with various other fruit juices, spices, or fresh apple juice to enhance the flavor. The big beer companies such as Boston Beer Co., Ahheuser-Busch, Miller, and others dominate this market with over 90% of the production and sales. Our largest local producer, by far, is Ace Cider with less than 0.5% of that market.
There is another, much more interesting apple cider product, however, that is being produced locally - on a very small scale. It is made from heirloom apple varieties, or from specific cider varieties grown right here in Sonoma County. It is essentially an alternative to wine. The exotic flavors of many heirloom varieties and especially the cider varieties offer the more sophisticated palate a food friendly, alternative beverage to accompany many of our gourmet foods. Apple varieties can be separated into four different categories:
- ‘Sweets' (Baldwin, McIntosh, Rome Beauty, Winter Banana)
- ‘Bittersweets' (Jersey, Dabinett, Porter's Perfection, Newtown Pippin, Red Astrachan)
- ‘Sharps' (Coleman's Seedling, York Imperial, Cox's Orange Pippin, Spitzenberg, Gravenestein, Jonathan, Winesap)
- ‘Bittersharps' (Foxwelp, Kingston Black, Pearmain, Dolgo, Red Siberian, Transcendant). Just like wine varieties, each apple variety offers its unique aromatic flavors, sweetness, tannins and acidity
Let's hope this new apple cider industry takes off and lasts, we already have seven businesses producing apple cider in Sonoma County. It would be nice to see the diversity of Sonoma County's agriculture continue to include a vibrant apple industry.
Visit Apples to learn more or contact Paul Vossen pmvossen@ucanr.edu
- Author: Linda Peterson
Interested in farming or ranching on county owned land? Here's the scoop…
On March 10, 2015, UCCE and Sonoma County Ag Preservation and Open Space District presented the final 2 phases (farming and grazing properties) of “County Lands for Food Production Report” to the County Board of Supervisors, and it was approved unanimously.
Eighteen properties, owned by various county agencies (see below) were assessed. It's worth your time to read through this document to see what lands are out there and whether they may be suitable for you!
As outlined in the Assessment of County Land for Food Production Report, Phase 2, it's recommended that, when possible, future County land acquisitions have the necessary infrastructure and other attributes compatible with agricultural uses. These include considering the following features: water, fencing, access, power, minimal parcel size for agriculture, and biotic issues.”
Each property in the report lists the county department that owns the land, so if you want more information, you must contact them directly.
County Lands for Food Production Report
Contacts are:
- Sonoma County Regional Parks: Bert Whitaker, Park Manager; Bert.Whitaker@sonoma-county.org ; 565-2041
- Sonoma County Water Agency: Mike Thompson; Michael.Thompson@scwa.ca.gov; 526-5370
- Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District: Kathleen Marsh; Kathleen.Marsh@sonoma-county.org; 565-7360
- Sonoma County General Services: Ed Buonaccorsi - Ed.Buonaccorsi@sonoma-county.org; 565-2550
- Author: Mimi Enright
Topics included in the Handbook cover a wide range such as soil, fertilizer, water management, plant propagation, plant physiology, weeds & pests, home vegetable gardening and much, much more! New to the 2nd Edition is information on invasive plants and principles of designing and maintaining landscapes for fire protection.
There will be a book signing event at the Petaluma Seed Bank on Thursday April 30th starting at 7:00PM. In addition to it being available for purchase at the Petaluma Seed Bank, it can be ordered online in paperback, along with other excellent University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources reference books.