- Author: Chris M. Webb
The Ventura County Fire Department’s, Ready Set Go! Wildfire preparedness for farmers, ranchers and growers is an interesting and informative resource designed to help the agricultural community prepare for wildfire.
Agricultural production areas are often located right next to, or very close by highly flammable natural vegetation areas. In addition, many supplies and materials typically found in agriculture are particularly susceptible to flames or wind-driven embers.
The Ready Set Go! publication can help our food producers protect their property, homes and livelihood from the threat of fire.
Topics include:
- Defensible space and embers
- Orchards and groves
- Farmers, ranchers and growers
- Rangeland and livestock operations
- Livestock and row crops
- Wildfire resources for farmers, ranchers and growers
- Checklist
- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC Farm Advisor Oleg Daugovish will hold an Irrigation field day Thursday, April 19 from 9:00 am to 11:15 am.
Scheduled topics include:
- Update on conditional waiver and requirements for irrigated lands in Ventura County
- Evaluation of three differing irrigation regimes in California strawberry
- Salts and soil analyses in strawberry beds under different irrigation regimes
- Soil test results interpretation and corrective management
- View experiment plots onsite
VCALIG educational credits have been requested from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
There is no cost to attend. If you have questions, require translation into Spanish, or to register please contact Oleg Daugovish at 805.645.1454 or odaguovish@ucdavis.edu. More information can be found on the agenda.
In the event of rain, the meeting will be held at the UCCE Conference Room located at 669 County Square Drive in Ventura.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
On April 20, 2012 California State University, Channel Islands will host a symposium titled, ‘Agriculture in the Golden State: Challenges in Feeding California in the 21st Century.’
Strong and sustainable agricultural production is important to all of us, and to our future. UCCE Ventura County researchers Oleg Daugovish and Ben Faber will speak at the symposium.
From the event organizers:
"California is the nation’s top agricultural producer generating over $30 billion annually. However, the ability of growers to feed California and beyond is continually being challenged by the introductions of new insect pests, drug resistant pathogens, and environmental concerns at the urban-agricultural interface. CI sits within one of the top ten agriculturally important counties in California, which produces much of the States’ strawberries, raspberries, citrus, and avocados. Given our location, it is important that everyone learn about the issues affecting agriculture locally and statewide."
To learn more about this year's symposium, or to register please visit this page of the CSU Channel Islands website.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Rain harvesting is becoming quite popular. Rain barrels are one way to harvest rain. These barrels allow residents to store water that would otherwise become urban runoff. This simple process can provide positive benefits to water quality improvement efforts.
The USDA has a practical and easy to follow publication on rain barrels.
This resource includes:
- Rain barrels help your garden – and local streams
- Selecting a rain barrel
- Equipment and installation tips
- Maintaining your barrel
- Links for further information
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) will hold their 78th annual conference and trade show April 29 to May 2 in Asilomar, California. The theme for this year’s conference is “Solution Based Arboriculture Come with questions – leave with answers”.
Certainly many questions will be answered throughout the conference. Preconference offerings, presentations, and labs and field sessions cover a wide assortment of topics. UCCE Ventura County’s Jim Downer will be presenting “Why Do Trees Die” and offering a preconference bench building workshop, that also serves as a fundraiser to The Britton Fund.
To learn more about the conference, or to register, please visit the Western Chapter ISA website.