- Author: Saoimanu Sope
‘Ag Order' for San Diego County expected to be enforced by end of 2023
Generally known for its steady warmth and picturesque beaches, San Diego County is also home to nearly 5,000 small farms and is an economic hotspot for nurseries and floriculture. But the great diversity of ornamental crops that dominate the growing region and complexity of regulations make compliance challenging for growers, some of whom grow over 400 crop varieties.
“The regulatory environment for the growers is still complicated and overwhelming because, along with the Regional Water Board, growers are regulated by the County of San Diego,” said Gerardo “Gerry” Spinelli, University of California Cooperative Extension production horticulture advisor for San Diego County.
To help growers with compliance, Spinelli is prioritizing education and expanding growers' knowledge. By partnering with organizations such as the Farm Bureau of San Diego County and the San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group, Spinelli works to reach more than 1,200 growers, supporting them as they navigate regulatory agencies.
Formally referred to as the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the Regional Water Board aims to develop and enforce water quality objectives and implement plans to protect the beneficial uses of California's waters.
A unique place to grow in California
About 10 years ago, the Regional Water Board created the Agricultural Order (Ag Order), a set of rules outlining how growers manage water discharge from agricultural operations.
The new Ag Order for San Diego County, expected to be enforced by the end of 2023, will focus on nitrogen management and groundwater quality. However, new considerations are needed to address the variety of crops grown by a single farmer, a common practice in San Diego.
Calculating nitrogen input and output for more than 400 crop varieties is not feasible for small farmers, a challenge exacerbated by the meticulous attention needed for San Diego's high-end specialty crops like ornamentals, native plants and specialty fruit.
Furthermore, many San Diego growers have limited expertise and experience because they are entering agriculture as a second or third career. Many have become “accidental growers” in that they purchased land with a preexisting avocado or cherimoya grove, for example.
To help address these challenges, the grower community is emphasizing the need for more educational opportunities that are accessible and relatable.
Equipping growers through education
Enrico Ferro, president of the San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group – a third-party entity that manages water sample testing on behalf of growers – has relied on Spinelli's teaching to “bridge the gap” for growers, including himself.
“Gerry has been great because he has expertise in nurseries, but the educational content he creates is relevant to all growers,” said Ferro, who is an avocado and citrus grower in San Diego's North County.
Spinelli, who specializes in containerized production in nurseries and floriculture, has been instrumental in providing technical assistance to growers since he joined Cooperative Extension in 2020.
“I started teaching over Zoom since I became an advisor during the pandemic, and I try to cover different topics for each training,” Spinelli said, adding that he teaches in English and Spanish, making his content more accessible to the grower community in San Diego.
For in-person educational opportunities, Spinelli created the “Last Wednesday” monthly meetings hosted at the Farm Bureau of San Diego County, which brings together growers and other agricultural experts to learn from one another.
“We try to get our information out in creative ways and Gerry is instrumental in that. He's our primary source of really wonderful information delivered in an engaging way,” said Tasha Ardalan, program coordinator for the SDRILG. “He's proactive and is always willing to try new things, too.”
Planning for San Diego's agricultural future
Currently, the Ag Order is modeled around regulations for the Central Valley. As conversations and planning for San Diego County continue, Spinelli is supporting the Regional Water Board with information on nurseries and greenhouses in hopes that the final Ag Order will better serve San Diego growers.
“I'm trying to help others understand how nursery and greenhouse production systems function, and how and why they are different from an almond orchard or tomato field in Fresno,” explained Spinelli.
Michael Mellano, CEO of Mellano & Company, a fresh cut flower grower and distributor in Oceanside, feels the impact of the Ag Order and its failure to account for variability. Growing over 100 varieties of flowers, Mellano said that for several plants there is little scientific research on how much nitrate to apply.
“Farmers want to do a good job. We make mistakes and we try to fix them as quickly as we can, and we try to educate others on what works,” said Mellano, who is also a member of the SDRILG.
Growers like Mellano and Ferro agree that the farming community in San Diego needs to be given the latitude to solve problems within their means, an ability that requires an understanding of San Diego's uniqueness.
“San Diego is significantly different, and we need an Ag Order that is reflective of our differences,” said Valerie Mellano, SDRILG consultant and former UCCE environmental issues farm advisor. “In developing the new Ag Order, there's a huge opportunity for education and research, something that we know Gerry can easily do and continue to support us in.”
Thus far, Spinelli's educational content has reached two-thirds of SDRILG's 1,200 members. In addition to the live training sessions, growers can watch videos that cover topics such as evapotranspiration, irrigation distribution uniformity, water quality indicators and more on Spinelli's YouTube channel.
Since the Ag Order requires all growers to complete two hours of water-quality education, the SDRILG has agreed to apply one hour of credit to growers who attend a one-on-one session with Spinelli.
As San Diego's growers continue to leverage educational opportunities – whether it's alongside Spinelli, SDRILG or learning from one another – Spinelli emphasized that their success also relies on an ag order that adheres to a distinctive landscape, multitude of specialty crops and growers with varying expertise.
/h3>- Author: Sonia Rios
University of California Cooperative Extension & USDA Farm Service Agency
Presents
Emergency Avocado & Citrus Post-Wildfire Informational Meeting
We understand this is a difficult time for all of our friends, family and neighbors affected by the devastating Lilac fire. In hopes of providing some assistance and relieving some anxiety, we assembled an informational meeting to provide resources to help growers deal during this overwhelming time.
Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM
Location: 990 E. Mission Rd, Fallbrook CA 92028, Fallbrook Public Utility Building
There is no cost to attend this event
Please register at: https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=22511
Agenda
1:00- 1:10 - Introduction: Sonia Rios, Subtropical Horticulture Farm Advisor, UCCE Riverside/San Diego
1:10- 1:30- Fire Update and Safety: CAL FIRE
1:30- 2:00- Post Fire Tree Care- Gary Bender, Emeritus, Subtropical Horticulture Farm Advisor, UCCE San Diego
2:00- 2:20 Post Fire Tree Economics- Eta Takele, Agriculture Economics Advisor, UCCE Riverside
Break
2:30-3:30-Desiree Garza, USDA Farm Service Agency
3:30: 3:55- Preventative Fire Safety for Orchard Systems-Sonia Rios, Subtropical Horticulture Farm Advisor UCCE Riverside/San Diego Co.
3:55 Conclude Meeting
Will also be in attendance: Eric Klein, Dept. of Environmental Health, Debra Lorenzen, Community Recovery Team, and other resource agency's will be in attendance.
Light drinks and refreshments will be served
If you have any questions, please feel free to call: Sonia Rios, 951-683-6491 ext. 224
- Author: Sonia Rios
Laurel wilt is a deadly disease of redbay (Persea borbonia) and other tree species in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). The disease is caused by a fungus (Raffaelea lauricola) that is introduced into host trees by a nonnative insect, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus). https://youtu.be/2x7vgFWLHkY
Adult male (A) and female (B) of the redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus (dorsal view above, lateral view below). (C) Cross-section of trunk from swampbay, Persea palustris, showing galleries formed by X. glabratus. (D) Sawdust sticks at beetle entrance holes, indicative of active infestation by ambrosia beetles. (Photo Credit: Kendra et. al.)
The California Avocado Society, Inc., California Avocado Commission, and University of California Cooperative Extension would like to introduce our guest from the University of Florida.
Speakers: Jonathan Crane and Team: Tropical Fruit Crop Specialist at University of Florida.
Dates/Times/Locations:
Tuesday, August 1, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Wednesday, August 2, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.,
UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 669 County Square Dr. Ventura, CA 9300
Thursday, August 3, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fallbrook Public Utility District Board Rm., 990 East Mission Rd. Fallbrook, CA 92028
Any questions regarding the seminar in Fallbrook, please contact Farm Adviser Sonia Rios: sirios@ucanr.edu
- Author: Sonia Rios
Dr. Gary Bender, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Farm Advisor Emeritus, is the lead instructor for a six-week course entitled “Avocado Production for New Growers.” Co-instructor, Sonia Rios, current subtropical Farm Advisor, Riverside/San Diego Counties will also be teaching in the course. The course is designed for new avocado growers, as well as those interested in learning more about avocado production best practices and meeting fellow growers.
The six-week course consists of six, two-hour sessions and will be held in Fallbrook, CA this year. The fee for the course is $105 and includes two avocado books, an IPM book and a post-harvest handbook. Final dates and the location will be announced soon. The always fills up, so please register A.S.A.P.
Topics include:
- Introduction to Agriculture in San Diego County, History of Avocado Production in California
- Botany, Flowering, Varieties, Harvest Dates, Rootstocks
- Irrigation Systems, Irrigation Scheduling, Salinity Management
- Fertilization, Organic Production
- Weed, Insect and Mite Control, Disease Control
- Ag Waiver Water School Training (Dr. Loretta Bates)
- Canopy Management, Tree Spacing, Frost Management
- Field trip to High Density Trial grove and a commercial grove
For more information, contact Erin Thompson at 858.822.7919 or enthompson@ucanr.edu.
- Author: Sonia Rios
California Avocado Growers Free Seminars Series 2017
Presented by: California Avocado Society, Inc., California Avocado Commission, and University of California Cooperative Extension
Scheduled Dates and Topics
FEBRUARY SEMINAR TOPIC
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT AND AUTOMATION
Speakers:
Dates/Times/Locations:
Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.,
UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 669 County Square Dr. Ventura, CA 93003
Thursday, February 9, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Fallbrook Public Utility District Board Rm., 990 East Mission Rd. Fallbrook, CA 92028
APRIL SEMINAR TOPIC
ROOTSTOCKS
Speakers:
Patricia Monosalva: Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology and Director of the UCR Avocado Breeding Program at UC Riverside.
Dates/Times/Locations:
Tuesday, April 11, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Wednesday, April 12, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 669 County Square Dr. Ventura, CA 93003 Thursday, April 13, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
Fallbrook Public Utility District Board Rm., 990 East Mission Rd. Fallbrook, CA 92028
JUNE SEMINAR TOPIC
FIELD TRIPS TO SEE LOCAL ISSUES
Speakers:
TBA
Dates/Times/Locations:
Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., TBA
Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., TBA
Thursday, June 15, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., TBA
AUGUST SEMINAR TOPIC-FLORIDA'S ISSUES WITH LAUREL WILT
Speakers: Jonathan Crane and Team: Tropical Fruit Crop Specialist at University of Florida.
Dates/Times/Locations:
Tuesday, August 1, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Wednesday, August 2, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.,
UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 669 County Square Dr. Ventura, CA 9300
Thursday, August 3, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,Fallbrook Public Utility District Board Rm., 990 East Mission Rd. Fallbrook, CA 92028
Questions? Please contact your local Farm Advisor:
Sonia Rios, Riverside/San Diego, 951-683-6491 ext. 224
Ben Faber, Ventura Area, (805) 645-1462
bafaber@ucanr.edu
Mary Bianchi, SLO Area (805) 781-5949
mlbianchi@ucanr.edu