Archive Nut, Prune and Olive Programs

Californias Conservation Tillage and Cropping Systems Workgroup will once again maintain a site at the 2011 World Ag Expo coming up February 8-10 in Tulare. The workgroup booth will be at site M-52, which is about 30 yards due south of the main North Gate 6 entrance.

If youve been at all interested in or curious about conservation tillage systems for silage crop production, now is the time to begin preparations and to gear up for the 2011 season.

A few months ago I compiled some statistics on the acreage and value of tree and vine crops in California and put together a simple map of where the main production areas are located.

The industrious honey bee buzzed around a lot during the Linnaean Games at the Entomological Society of Americas recent meeting in San Diego. Not the honey bee itselfquestions about the honey bee.

If there's anything better than one ladybug, it's two ladybugs. And if there's anything better than two ladybugs, it's a cluster of ladybugs. Our bee friendly garden is devoid of bees, but about 12 ladybugs are overwintering near the house.

When does personality matter? Jonathan Pruitt, a postdoctoral fellow with the Center for Population Biology, UC Davis Department of Evolution and Ecology, will speak on From Individuals to Populations to Communities: When Does Personality Matter?

An exotic bug is found invading parts of southern California and Arizona. It is referred to as painted bug in some literature and is similar to the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionic in appearance.

When you fuse art with science--or science with art--the end results can be stunning. The UC Davis Art/Science Fusion Program and the Pence Gallery, Davis, are co-sponsoring a Consilience of Art and Science Exhibit, set Jan. 14-Feb. 27, at the Pence Gallery, 212 D St., Davis.

It's been a good-news-sad-news-bad-news kind of day.

It's good to see so much interest in native bees and native plants.