Ventura County Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Oleg Daugovish says prevention of pests is very important. If and when pests become a problem in an organic field, there are few tools to reduce pest populations.

The UC Small Farm Program has a free downloadable publication, Insect Pest Management for Organic Crops to help growers plan and prepare for success. Topics include:

• Monitoring for pests and beneficials
• Mechanical control
• Biological control
• Chemical control

Information for further reading, equipment and supply sources as well as links to government agencies and associations can be found at the end of the publication.