- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert jewarnert@ucanr.edu
Rains from early December in California, which some are describing as falling in "biblical" proportions, will bring welcome relief from the historic drought, reported the Olive Oil Times.
"The storm will partially replenish water supplies, but there is still a long way to go," commented Dan Flynn of the UC Davis Olive Center.
"Part of that stress influenced the crop load, which was lower than normal, and it also advanced the ripening of fruit," Vossen said. "This autumn harvest was at least two to three weeks early and was finished by Thanksgiving."
The story said the California drought cut U.S. olive oil production by 25 percent.
“The rainfall we are receiving right now is welcome for refilling the soil profiles, so that the olive trees can start off next spring with good growth,” Vossen said. “It is also a relief to see enough rain to start to see a replenishment of our reservoirs, so that irrigation water will once again be plentiful for next summer's needs. Even though we may get some temporary flooding, all in all, this rainfall is a welcome thing.”
- Editor: Karen Giovannini
- Author: Paul Vossen pmvossen@ucanr.edu
UCCE Sonoma Specialty Crops Advisor, Paul Vossen, recently published Monitoring & Control of Olive Fruit Fly (OLF) for Oil Production in California in CAPCA Adviser, December edition.
This article culminates more than five years of research and observation on the control of Olive Fruit Fly (OLF) and outlines the techniques for growers to follow to achieve adequate control and to produce high quality (defect free) olive oil in the face of this new pest.
The biology of the insect is covered so that producers can better understand what conditions favor it. Unfortunately, OLF has the ability to multiply very rapidly, devastating the crop, and rendering it un-harvestable. Reported research shows how monitoring adult fly numbers with traps can be deceiving and that looking at the actual damage to fruit (insect stings) is a much more accurate measure of potential damage at harvest. Next, the article evaluates the effectiveness of the main control measures with mass trapping and different spray materials. It also discusses the level and type of fruit damage (threshold) that begins to affect oil flavor, basically indicating the advantages of early harvest.
- Author: Karen Giovannini
From all of us to all of you! We wish you and yours a
wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
- Author: Olivia, Green Valley 4-H Reporter
Every year the Green Valley 4-H Club does several community service projects. During the holiday months, community service projects involve bell ringing for the Salvation Army, Giving Tree Gift Giving and providing food to a needy family.
At their November meeting, all members brought canned and dried goods to put together a giant food basket for a needy family in Sonoma County. The week of Thanksgiving they went on shopping trip to buy fresh items to include; such as a turkey, milk, butter and bread. Then they delivered all of the items to the family.
Club members also received Giving Tree hearts at the meeting. The Sonoma County Community Foundation organizes this activity and every year club members each take a heart to fulfill the wishes on the heart. Each heart represents a person and it lists their age and their wishes. Wrapped gifts are brought to the December meeting so that they can be distributed before Christmas.
The Green Valley 4-H will also be bell ringing at the Wal-Mart in Windsor on the weekends throughout the holiday season. Stop by and say hello.
- Author: Karen Giovannini
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 14, 2015
Project Learning Tree (PLT) and the UC ANR (through the Cooperative Extension System and Hopland Research & Extension Center) have teamed up to provide a local training opportunity for educators at the Hopland Research & Extension Center, Rod Shippey Hall on Friday, December 12 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Register online.
Project Learning Tree provides educators with peer-reviewed, award-winning environmental education curriculum resources that can be integrated into lesson plans for all grades and subject areas.
Sandy Derby of the UC Cooperative Extension office in Davis, is Project Learning Tree's State Coordinator. She will be facilitating the workshop.
Participants will learn how Environmental Education is changing in California…and how they can be a part of that exciting change! They will engage in a full array of inquiry-based activities that exemplify inquiry-based learning and critical thinking, define STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education, and Support constructivist NGSS (the Next Generation Science Standards).
Participants will receive a free EEI (Education and the Environment Initiative) unit and choose one of the most popular PLT modular guides “Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood”, “Places We Live”, or “Focus on Forests”.
Cost per person is $65 to cover light brunch and lunch, facilities use, and activity materials. Register online.
Please say you will join us for this exciting opportunity in our area to learn about what PLT and the UC can do for you and your students!