- Author: Karen Giovannini
Paul Vossen started the UCCE taste panel in 1998 receiving recognition from the International Olive Council in 2001 as the first IOC taste panel outside the Mediterranean Region. Since that time, the taste panel has been used extensively to evaluate the flavor characteristics of oils for irrigation, pest control, and cultivar typology research.
Established in 1915, the AOCS Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP) is the worlds most extensive and respected collaborative proficiency program for oil and fat related commodities, oilseeds, oilseed meals and edible fats. Over 500 chemists in 40 nations participate.
By participating in LPP, the UCCE Sonoma Olive Oil Taste Panel is guaranteeing peak performance. They used AOCS methods for analysis of the samples and then compare their results with a large cross-section of other laboratories utilizing the same methods and samples. Regular analysis helps maintain quality control and accuracy.
Participants in AOCS tasting panels program subscribe to receive samples of specified product, olive oil in this case, then analyze them using designated methods. The top analysts receive first-place. Honorable Mention is awarded when warranted.
Paul Vossen is the Farm Advisor forSonoma & Marin Counties specializing in Specialty Crops and Olives, visit his Olives page to learn more or visit Specialty Crops and view a video.
/span>- Author: Karen Giovannini
North Bay iHub announces the first annual North Bay Innovation Week highlighting innovation in the North Bay the week of Sept 15 – 19 2014. A Relationship & Information Conference for Entrepreneurs – dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through a free, crowd-sourced, decentralized conference in the North Bay Tri counties, in which entrepreneurs connect and exchange ideas that inspire the entrepreneurial & innovative spirit, featuring a format that is hands-on and all about high-energy, sharing ideas, connecting with new people and stoking the fires of new possibilities.
Goals of the week-long conference will be to showcase the breadth and depth of North Bay organizations that stimulate innovation & entrepreneurship. Also to raise awareness of North Bay iHub as the umbrella organization that fosters collaboration between partners who offer education, mentoring, services and funds to entrepreneurs.
Wednesday's topic is Food System Innovation: Economic Development Marketing and is presented by Go Local, UC Cooperative Extension, CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers) and Sonoma County Department of Health Services. There are two FREE events on September 17 with the same speakers at both events:
- South/Morning session: The Hatchery, 5701 Old Redwood Hwy, Penngrove – 10-11:15am
Register for the FREE morning session - North/Evening session: The Shed, 25 North Street, Healdsburg – 5:30-6:15pm
Register for the FREE evening session
Speakers:
- Kenny Belov, TwoXSea (sustainable seafood company)
- Evan Wiig, Farmer's Guild (farmers thinking inside the row)
- Heather Granahan, CAFF (innovative opportunity seeking entrepreneurs)
- Terry Garrett, GO LOCAL (Made Local Magazine publisher)
For more information, contact Go Local Sonoma County info@golocal.coop or 707-888-6105.
- Author: Alec C. Gerry
The UC Riverside Veterinary Entomology Extension Laboratory has developed an on-line database of pesticides registered in the State of California for use against arthropod pests of animals.
Animal producers may also be interested in other offerings of the Insect Pests of Animals website. Visitors can find pest management information for some ectoparasite pests of poultry, cattle, and other animals. We are adding information on additional pests every few months so be sure to check back to see what has changed. We also maintain a Blog that producers and extension personnel may be interested to follow. Information shared through the Blog includes recent findings related to pest management in animal facilities or of general relevance to animal producers, extension personnel, and researchers.
Finally, animal producers may be interested in taking a look at the many web links provided in our “other resources” section. In particular, there are links for producers to submit animal management questions to the national eXtension program through their “Ask and Expert” program. Experts from universities, extension offices, private industry, and other relevant organizations are registered with this national eXtension program to answer submitted questions or to provide question writers with guidance to address their questions.
If you have comments about or suggestions for our Insect Pests of Animals website, please send these to me at:
Alec C. Gerry, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist (Veterinary Entomology)
Department of Entomology
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521
alec.gerry@ucr.edu
(951) 827-7054
- Author: Karen Giovannini
A few months ago, I was contacted by Slow Foods Russian River. They wanted to learn what permits would be required to set up their apple press at Luther Burbank's Experiment Farm in Sebastopl and make the press available to the public. I checked with local and state health regulators and let them know what they needed to get going on this wonderful project.
All you need to bring are apples and plastic containers. (No glass please, to avoid breakage.) A Slow Food volunteer familiar with operation of the press will be on site and there will be facilities for you to wash and cut your apples to prepare them for the press. You can reserve a time to use the press or just stop by.
View a video of the press in operation.
Don't know what to do with all those apples on your tree? Bring them to the apple press and you could even freeze the juice!
The apple press will operate throughout apple season, from late August through October. Consider an outing to the countryside with the family, perhaps to an apple grower who offers U-pick, then make your own special blend of juice with the varieties of your choice. If you need apples, contact information on all the apple farmers of Sonoma County can be found on the Slow Food web site.
Did I mention, use of the Community Apple Press is FREE! Cheers!
- Author: Karen Giovannini
Fair time is also a great time to see 4-Hers in action! Visit the Livestock area and watch the kids show chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, swine, dairy and beef cattle. Showing livestock at the fair requires months of preparation for the market animals (sold at the auction) and years of work for the breeding projects (ongoing dairy and livestock projects).
Check the Livestock schedule and stop by to see the kids show while you are at the fair (look for Junior, Jr or Market on the schedule). The Large Animal Round Robin class on Sunday, August 3 starting at 1pm is where you can see the best showmen/women take their turn at showing all of the different large species: goats, sheep, swine, beef cattle, dairy cattle and horses. The winner is crowned top showman/woman of the fair.
The Junior Livestock Auctions:
- Lambs – 7/26, 9am
- Goats – 7/26, 1pm
- Rabbits – 7/26, 1:30pm
- Hogs – 8/1, 9am
- Poultry – 8/1, 1pm
- Beef – 8/2, 6pm