Ventura County University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is here to extend science-based research to people in our community. We do this in a variety of ways, one of which is newsletters.

Landscape Notes is written for people working in the commercial landscape industry. The last issue is all about establishing landscape trees. It is full of fabulous, practical information that will help establish healthy trees.

Clover Lines is a newsletter published for 4-H members and leaders in Ventura County. It contains events, activities, and opportunities for youth aged 5-19.

Topics in Subtropics is a combined effort by University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors from many counties in the state. It emphasizes citrus and avocado, but also discusses the minor subtropicals. The last issue covered:

• Avocado Research in Ventura County
• Laurel Wilt Disease Conference and Tour in Florida and Georgia
• Managing Insecticide Resistance will be Key to the Future of Effective Citrus Pest Management
• Smart Sprayers Make Sense

Farm Water Quality News delivers the latest news on integrating environmental quality with crop production practices. The last issue covered:

• Regulatory Update
• Industry Update
• Technical Tips
• Research Update

UC Cooperative Extension Report is our department newsletter. This newsletter includes upcoming events, highlight summaries of research and outreach activities, interesting facts and more.

Santa Clara River Watershed Times covers topics vital to anyone who lives, works, and recreates in the Santa Clara River watershed, the largest river system in Southern California. An amazing amount of information is extended in this newsletter covering a wide range of issues, opportunities, regulations, and accomplishments in an easy to read format with great photos. Links for more information are scattered throughout.

Our newsletters can be found by clicking this link. Once there, you can read current and back issues. You can also sign up for email notification to let you know when a new issue has been posted.

Ventura County UCCE Staff Research Associate Maren Mochizuki shares information from a recent conference.

The future of U.S. agriculture depends largely on the ability of new generations to have access to land and training to establish successful farms and ranches.   Roughly 70% of U.S. farmland will change hands in the next 20 years and both absentee and investor ownership of farmland are increasing: 88% of farmland owners are not farm operators.  The FarmLasts Project, sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture National Research Initiative, held this conference on June 10 and 11 in Denver, Colorado to address barriers to land ownership and transfer of ownership, tenancy, land use and stewardship, and new farmer training.

There were many things to love about this conference.  The variety of presenters and attendees was most impressive and really embodied the scope of the issues addressed.  I spoke with professors and extension advisors, folks whom I am used to meeting at conferences, but I also talked to lawyers, social venture capitalists, representatives of community development financial institutions (non-profit financing arms of regional banks), legislators, and self-described “policy wonks.” Surely presentations on farmland acquisition and affordability from a land trust director in Vermont, a rural sociologist at Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, California FarmLink, and a young farmer in southeastern Massachusetts demonstrate both the national impact and universality of farmland loss as well as the partial solutions that have been implemented on a state and regional level.

One of the program highlights was a plenary panel of young farmers.  Their stories -- how they became farmers, how they acquired land to farm – were as diverse as their operations.  Whether 3-5 acres of vegetables in the Northeast to 400 Angus cows in the Midwest, whether first generation or sixth generation farmer, whether on a 3 year land lease or successfully conducting an intergenerational transfer of ownership via estate and business planning, these farmers were each both inspirational and informative.

The most interesting session I attended was on minority land access.  Marsha Goetting, an extension agent with Montana State Univ., has produced fact sheets, news articles, workshops, and a website (montana.edu/indianland) to educate landowners on recent changes in Native American land laws and minimize fractionalization of tribal lands.  The North Carolina-based Land Loss Prevention Project (landloss.org), directed by Savi Horne, has a unique mission that includes legal assistance and litigation support, public policy advocacy, and promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship to mitigate the increasing financial distress for limited-resource farmers and landowners, particularly the alarming trend of farms owned by African-Americans.  For example, as recently as the 10 year period between 1993 and 2003, the decline in African-American land ownership and farm families was over three times the decline of that for White-owned farms and White farmers.

Other conference bonuses: local and regional suppliers provided produce and meat for our meals, baked goods, and microbrews.  Inspiring quotations on the significance of farmland and farming interspersed throughout the conference materials.  Please visit the FarmLasts Project (farmlasts.org) to read more about their research findings, policy goals, and recommendations.

The tiny Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) has the potential to wipe out the California citrus industry. It is a carrier of the deadly bacterial plant disease, Huanglongbing (HLB), which is also known as citrus greening disease. This disease is fatal to citrus trees.

The insect feeds on citrus leaves and stems. Unfortunately, ACP has already been found at several sites in California. It threatens not only the commercial citrus industry, but also the ability of California residents to grow citrus at their homes.

It can take years for the symptoms of HLB to appear. Inspection and elimination of ACP is our first line of defense. Signs of disease include: asymmetrical yellowing and splotching of leaves; new growth is misshapen and twisted; produces bitter, inedible, misshapen fruit.

To help stop the spread of this insect and disease: inspect trees monthly and whenever watering, spraying, pruning or tending to trees; plant only certified disease-free citrus trees from a reputable nursery; do not bring any plant material into California from other states or countries.

At the end of this post you will find a presentation from the Citrus Research Board, provides additional information and photos. Topics covered include: other plants that can be attacked by the psyllid; maps showing locations of pest and disease; ways that the pest moves around; what happens when ACP is detected; how an infestation affects commercial citrus orchards.

If you find the Asian citrus psyliid, call the CDFA hotline at 800.491.1899 right away.

To learn more about the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB disease, or to download printed materials in English, Spanish and Chinese, please visit www.californiacitrusthreat.com.

One of the most common walk-in questions we receive in the UCCE office is weed identification. Did you know that our website has a fantastic page for weed and invasive plant id? It can be found here.

Part of what makes this such a great resource is the variety of ways to search. You can search by plant names in alphabetical order – both by scientific name and common name. In addition you can flip through photos and find the name of the plant. The flip through section is separated into broad leaf varieties and grasses, sedges, and alliums varieties.

Regardless of how you find them, the photos show several shots of each plant. As often as possible, pictures at different life stages are provided.

After identifying your weed, further information is available with a click of the mouse!