- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
- Editor: Karen Giovannini
Three of the twelve awards announced for the upcoming International IPM Symposium will be given to UC Integrated Pest Management Program members including Lucia Varela and Rhonda Smith from UCCE Sonoma.
The European Grapevine Moth Team was selected for an IPM Team Award for achieving the eradication of European grapevine moth only six years after its discovery in 2009. Team members helped growers in infested counties to monitor the pest and apply control measures on a timely basis. The team's research and extension efforts helped growers avoid losses to the pest every year until it was finally eradicated in 2016.
The European Grapevine Moth Team includes Lucia Varela, UC IPM advisor for the North Coast; Monica Cooper, UC Cooperative Extension viticulture advisor in Napa County; Walter Bentley, UC IPM entomologist emeritus; Larry Bettiga, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Monterey County; Kent Daane, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in UC Berkeley Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management; Rhonda Smith, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Sonoma County; Robert Van Steenwyk, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in UC Berkeley ESPM; Joyce Strand, UC IPM academic coordinator emeritus; and Zalom.
The winners will receive their awards and recognition at the 9th International IPM Symposium March 19-22, 2018, in Baltimore, Md.
#WeAreUCANR!
- Author: Karen Giovannini
2014 Annual Report letter from Stephanie Larson, County Director and Livestock & Range Management Advisor:
As we move into the next 100 years of Cooperative Extension, we continue to value the public/ private partnerships that have been the foundation of our organization, raising the bar by supporting the County of Sonoma Initiatives on local agriculture and healthy communities. UCCE advisors are critical partners with local farmers and ranchers, providing scientific-based information on techniques that can be used to increase production and thus increase economic stability, while addressing environmental concerns.
This past year, UCCE conducted research and provided educational programs to help commercial row crop farmers and livestock producers in Sonoma County deal with drought and climate change. Our frost tower research in vineyards evaluated methods for making the most of local water resources through increased irrigation efficiency. Water conservation programs are also focused on the urban gardener, partnering with the Sonoma County Water Agency to educate the public on how to use less water; and with the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District to develop an evaluation tool for documenting ecosystem services that have been maintained or increased through implementing conservation easements and proper rangeland management.
We partnered with other county departments to increase access to healthy, local, sustainable food. One outcome was the County Land for Food Production (CLFP) project; which allowed UCCE to work on creating an incubator farm on county land. These efforts are aimed at increasing access to land for food production, and the number of farmers and ranchers growing local food, respectively. The goals align with the Sonoma County Healthy and Sustainable Food Action Plan. Our Agricultural Ombudsman played a critical role in assisting individuals who want to create or expand their farming and ranching enterprises, and is currently working with PRMD to address local poultry processing.
Learn about these programs and more in our 2014 Annual Report.
Read all about it in the April 2014 Viticulture Newsletter.
- Author: Julia Van Soelen Kim
Hear how UC Cooperative Extension serves the North Bay on two podcasts by host and Sonoma Valley farmer, Andrea Davis-Cetina on the Sustainable Growing show which aired on KSVY 91.3.
On March 7, the episode features Linda Peterson, discussing the Agropreneur Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. UCCE Sonoma is finishing up its three year USDA grant with this year's training. Listen to the March 7 Podcast.
- Author: Karen Giovannini
Maybe you know about the 4-H and Master Gardener programs, but we also have Livestock & Range Management, Viticulture, Integrated Pest Management, Specialty Crop and Marine Science advisors.
In addition, we have the Agropreneurship Beginning Farmers & Ranchers Program, the Sudden Oak Death Program, the Endangered Coho Recovery Program and an Agriculture Ombudsman.
Read all about the great work we are doing in our 2012 Annual Report.