- (Focus Area) Agriculture
- Author: Ben A Faber
It is unfortunate that we allow the passing of individuals without recognizing their contributions. B. O. Bergh was an important part of the avocado industry and his passing should surely be noted. Below is his obituary:
Berthold Bergh Obituary
Berthold (Bob) Orphie Bergh January 30, 1925 - July 14, 2021 The family of Dr. Bob Bergh is deeply saddened to have to tell of the death of their husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and brother-in-law. This brilliant, witty, exuberant, uproarious and completely lovable man was born the fourth of seven children, to Mina (Grambo) Bergh and Ingvald Bergh, in Domremy, Saskatchewan, Canada, on January 30, 1925. He was premature, and his mom (a nurse) kept him warm in that cold Saskatchewan weather, she told us, by putting him in a cosily lined shoe box, and setting it on the open oven door! When he was six years old, his family moved to a homestead at Chelan, SK, where they definitely lived the pioneer life. Because Chelan School offered education up to grade 11 only, he returned to Domremy and lived with his Uncle Palmer and Aunt Alice while he took grade 12. A lovely red-head was also living and working in this home, so this is where Gwen and Bob met. Following grade 12 he returned to Chelan, enlisted in the military, and in 1944 went overseas to England. His military superiors recognized him as no ordinary man, and decided they needed him as a clerk. So he spent the war years answering correspondence, keeping records, ordering supplies, working with the archives, dealing with soldiers' uniforms and furloughs. He was singled out for special honor during his Army career when Stroma Sinclair, daughter of the Duke of Portland, asked for a "nice young Canadian boy" to spend his furloughs with her in the ancestral home, Dunbeath Castle in Scotland. This was a wonderful gift to Bob, and they remained friends and in touch until her death. Suddenly the war ended and Bobby and hundreds of thousands of young Canadians returned home. He and Gwen were married in Saron Lutheran Church, Hagen, SK. on September 17, 1948. After earning his Bachelor of Agriculture degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, he and Gwen moved first to Columbus, Ohio, where he received his Masters Degree in Horticulture. Then it was off to Berkeley, CA, where he earned his PhD in Genetics. With no job prospects in Canada at that time for a Doctorate in Genetics, he and Gwen made the decision to stay in the USA, where he was offered a professorship at the University of California at Riverside. Here he had an illustrious career---he won the Distinguished Teacher Award several times, both for his teaching skills as well as for the rapport he had with his students. Word of this phenomenal man spread among the student body, and the high enrollment in his Genetics class often necessitated arranging for larger classrooms. Gwen has told us that long after he retired he continued to receive calls from ex-students around the world, often asking for advice on personal and spiritual matters. Bobby was a great man of faith. His research area was avocados, and for many years he had a world-wide reputation as the leading authority on the avocado. He was frequently seconded to other avocado-growing nations, including Israel, New Zealand, and Kenya. Gwen often accompanied him on these travels, and they made many friends around the globe. Bob developed a new, improved variety of avocado, named after his wife, Gwen. An offspring of the "Gwen" is marketed as the "GEM" avocado. Bob and Gwen adopted two children: Linda in 1959, and Robert in 1960. These two were loved passionately and forever! Over the years Bob and Gwen have made many trips back to Saskatchewan to see their families. And over the years they have hosted so many of us, (both Bob's family and Gwen's), to delightful California winter holidays. Bob and Gwen loved their adopted country and their many friends in the USA. Bob's extraordinary compassion, generosity and larger-than-life-presence made the world a better place. Bob was predeceased by his parents, four siblings, and numerous other relatives and friends. He is survived by his wife Gwen; his daughter, Linda Sanborn, granddaughter, Heather and grandson BJ; son Robert Bergh, grandson Justin and granddaughter Katie; two sisters, Ione Peters and Shirley Kasdorf; 7 sisters-in-law, and 7 brothers-in-law. A memorial service will be held in Hope Lutheran Church (2882 Arlington Ave., Riverside, CA) on August 19 at 1 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Hope Lutheran Church. Or plant a tree in his memory--he would like that! The Nautilus Society 16316 Hawthorne Blvd Lawndale, CA 90260 310-370-8080
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Press-Enterprise on Aug. 1, 2021. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pressenterprise/name/berthold-bergh-obituary?id=14216300
Bob Bergh had a vision for a better ‘Hass' and worked assiduously towards this goal. The fruits of his labor are still coming mature. Aside from the 'GEM', he was also fundamental in developing the ‘Lamb Hass' and ‘Luna' varieties and helping to build the world-wide avocado industry. He was a grand man.
![Bob bergh Bob bergh](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108181.jpg)
- Author: Ben A Faber
Unlock the Secrets to HealthyAvocados:
Learn about Avocado Sunblotch Viroid
September13,2024
9am-12:30pm
The Farm Bureau,Escondido
420SBroadway,Escondido,CA92025
Registration link:
https://forms.gle/12LxUUdkPb8DmNdm8
Fatemeh Khodadadi fatemehk@ucr.edu(845) 901-3046
Presentations:
- FatemehKhodadadi: Understanding ASBVd: from discovery to diagnostic hurdles
- ElizeJooste:An overview of ASBVd in SouthAfrica:transmission challenges and how to mitigate the spread
- PeggyMauk:Protecting California's avocado genetic resources through sunblotch viroid detection
- MehdiKamali:Rapid and sensitive detection of Avocado Sunblotch Viroid Disease (ASBVd) using our digital methodology
![sunblotch sunblotch](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108172.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The bees.
When longtime beekeeper and retired teacher Ettamarie Peterson displayed a bee observation hive at the Vacaville Museum Guild's Children's Party, the youngsters, ages 3 to 9, got a taste of what it's like inside a bee colony--along with a taste of honey.
The youngsters singled out the queen bee, worker bees (females) and drones (males). They asked such questions as "Where's the queen?" and "Can they get out and hurt me?" and "How many bees are in there?"
Ettamarie, known as the "Queen Bee of Sonoma County," described the queen and pointed out "Look, she's laying eggs--she can lay 1000 eggs a day."
And she assured them that yes, the bees would be staying inside.
"I like to tell the public how they have a pipe through my barn wall so when they are not visiting events and schools they can fly if they are over three weeks old and then explain how in the spring and summer they live only three or so more weeks and make just a tiny bit of honey," she related. "Another question I usually get asked is if there are more than one queen and then I explain how there can be a daughter queen if the old one is about to die and show the photo of the queen cell with the royal jelly."
As for the number of bees, "Maybe 2000 but I told a guy on Saturday to count their legs and divide by 6!"
Ettamarie taught school for 37 years, has kept bees for 30 years, and has volunteered as the leader of a 4-H beekeeping project for the Liberty 4-H Club, Petaluma, for the past 25 years. Already this year she has caught 19 swarms and given them to the 4-H'ers.
Ettamarie said she "started beekeeping before I retired in 1998 from 37 years of teaching. “My teaching career was mostly in special education, following a few years teaching second and first grade. I became one of the first resource teachers in California back in 1980 after getting my master's degree in special education."
Ettamarie is also a longtime friend and supporter of UC Davis. She delivered a tribute to the late Eric Mussen (1946-2022), a 38-year California Cooperative Extension apiculturist and member of the Department of Entomology and Nematology faculty.
Active in the beekeeping industry, Ettamarie has served as president and treasurer of Sonoma County Beekeepers' Association (SCBA) and currently edits the SCBA newsletter, The Monthly Extractor. She and her husband, Ray (a non-beekeeper), enjoy life on the Peterson Ranch. "We've been married for 65 years and have 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren! What a wonderful life I have!”
While she chatted with the children and the adults, Dr. George Stock, a retired Vacaville-Fairfield physician costumed in a California Master Beekeeper Program bee suit, handed out honey sticks, gifts from the Z Food Specialty/The Hive, Woodland.
Peterson also shared scientific information (some the work of UC Davis emeritus professor Norm Gary), and a cut-out bee from the Sonoma Farm Bureau. Youngsters delighted in posing for pictures as a bee. They also switched to a butterfly (a cut-out banner of the California dogface butterfly loaned by the Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis).
Pamela King and Diana McLaughlin co-chaired the children's party, themed "Fun on the Farm." The activities? The children petted the Vaca Valley Grange animals, blew bubbles, planted seeds, played a ring toss game, created chalk drawings, decorated paper crowns, and engaged with Mother Goose and the Vacaville Public Library staff. Meanwhile, the Rainbow Girls painted faces and the School of Rock presented a live perormance. A special treat: The Vacaville Police Department, Solano County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol provided them with replica law enforcement badges and other gifts. The CHP fitted the kids with free bicycle helmets.
All in all, it was a buzzworthy event.
![Ettmarie Peterson, known as Ettmarie Peterson, known as](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108293.jpg)
![Honey Bee (Dr.George Stock, a retired physician) peeks around to see what's happening by the bee observation hive. Beekeeper Ettmarie Peterson (right) is chatting with Hunter Banks, 3, and his grandmother, Margaret Banks. Hunter is wearing his Honey Bee (Dr.George Stock, a retired physician) peeks around to see what's happening by the bee observation hive. Beekeeper Ettmarie Peterson (right) is chatting with Hunter Banks, 3, and his grandmother, Margaret Banks. Hunter is wearing his](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108294.jpg)
![Beekeeper Ettmarie Peterson (right) discusses bees with Damian Strzelczyk, 3, and his mother, Marta Strzelczyk. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Beekeeper Ettmarie Peterson (right) discusses bees with Damian Strzelczyk, 3, and his mother, Marta Strzelczyk. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108295.jpg)
![Emeline Swank and her grandmother Maryann Henn (far left), a member of Museum Guild, learn about bees from beekeeper Ettamarie Peterson. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Emeline Swank and her grandmother Maryann Henn (far left), a member of Museum Guild, learn about bees from beekeeper Ettamarie Peterson. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108296.jpg)
- Author: Elizabeth J Fichtner
Mireya Molina, a rising senior at El Diamonte High School, joined UCCE Tulare County as a 2024 summer research intern serving the nut, olive, and prune research and extension program. Mireya has a strong science background and is an active member of her high school horticulture and FFA programs. She has served as a volunteer at fundraisers for the local SPCA and at Happy Trails Riding Academy as well as at a youth science fair hosted by the Visalia Unified School District. Mireya has taken advantage of the AP and agricultural education coursework at El Diamonte High School and expresses an interest in pursuing a BS in animal science at Chico State University in fall 2025. During the summer of 2024, Mireya served as a volunteer intern in the research and extension program of Elizabeth Fichtner, UC ANR Farm Advisor, working on enumerating insects for a pest management study on walnuts. Mireya's work contributes to the understanding of the best timing for application of insect growth regulators (IGR) for management of walnut scale, specifically determining the value of dormant applications versus delayed dormant application of Centaur®, an IGR produced by Nichino America. Her work will help walnut growers gain the maximum value out of each application of the insecticide, thus reducing overall insecticide inputs for management of the pest.
![Mireya Molina, El Diamonte High School Student, serves as summer intern Mireya Molina, El Diamonte High School Student, serves as summer intern](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108260.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Yes!
That was the scene at the Vacaville Museum Guild's Annual Children's Party, held Thursday morning, Aug. 8 in the museum courtyard on Buck Avenue.
The event, open to children ages 3 and 9, drew a capacity crowd. One of the highlights was The Honey Bee, with a smile as wide as the Sacramento River.
Inside the smiling bee costume was Dr. George Stock (retired physician), who practiced in the Fairfield/Vacaville area for more more than 30 years. A native Californian, he was born and raised in San Diego.
He lives in Vacaville with his life partner, Debbie, for 40-plus years, and "two dogs that changed our lives." He describes himself as a "Sierra hiker, itinerant gardener and wine aficionado."
And now, a honey bee. "Dr. George" handed out honey sticks donated by "Queen Bee" Amelia Harris of the Z Food Specialty/The Hive, Woodland, retired director of the UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center. He stood near a bee observation hive displayed by beekeeper Ettamarie Peterson of Petaluma, known fondly as "The Queen Bee of Sonoma County." A retired teacher, she is a past president of the Sonoma County Beekeepers' Association and is a longtime beekeeping leader with the Liberty 4-H Club.
"That was fun," Dr. George said. "I think the Mickey Mouse/Disney routine worked well. Don't say much, dance and wave your hands, pat ‘em on the head, hold still for photo ops. Thank you for this opportunity." Vacaville residents Pamela King and Diana McLaughlin co-chaired the event, themed "Fun on the Farm."
The California Master Beekeeper Program, directed by associate professor of Cooperative Extension Elina Niño, based in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, loaned the costume to the Vacaville Museum Guild for the day. The Bee has appeared at special events, including the annual California Honey Festival in Woodland.
And now at the Vacaville Museum Guild's Children's Party, where there was a doctor in the house, the courtyard and in the bee costume.
![Hear that buzz? The Honey Bee (Dr. George Stock) enters the courtyard. With him are Vacaville Museum Guild members Georganne Gebers (right) of Vacaville, and Sharon Walters of Dixon. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Hear that buzz? The Honey Bee (Dr. George Stock) enters the courtyard. With him are Vacaville Museum Guild members Georganne Gebers (right) of Vacaville, and Sharon Walters of Dixon. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108253.jpg)
![Children expressed excitement as they circled The Honey Bee. In the back is a cutout banner of a California dogface butterfly, the state insect, from the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Children expressed excitement as they circled The Honey Bee. In the back is a cutout banner of a California dogface butterfly, the state insect, from the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108254.jpg)
![Little Eloise Vieira loved The Honey Bee. In back is Vacaville Museum Guild member is bee assistant Sharon Walters. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Little Eloise Vieira loved The Honey Bee. In back is Vacaville Museum Guild member is bee assistant Sharon Walters. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108255.jpg)
![The Solano County Sheriff's Department, Vacaville Police Department and California Highway Patrol all participated in the Museum Guild's Children's Party. The Honey Bee took time out to pose with several of the officers. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) The Solano County Sheriff's Department, Vacaville Police Department and California Highway Patrol all participated in the Museum Guild's Children's Party. The Honey Bee took time out to pose with several of the officers. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108256.jpg)
![The Honey Bee poses with The Honey Bee poses with](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108257.jpg)
![The Honey Bee gets acquainted with Stanley, a 20-year-old donkey brought to the party by Tina Currie of the Vaca Valley Grange. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) The Honey Bee gets acquainted with Stanley, a 20-year-old donkey brought to the party by Tina Currie of the Vaca Valley Grange. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108259.jpg)