UCCE takes part in 2012 EcoFarm Conference

A daylong bus tour offered as part of the annual EcoFarm Conference at Asilomar Feb. 1-4 was led by representatives from Organic Ag Advisors, Community Alliance with Family Farmers and UC Cooperative Extension, according to a post by Caitlin Keller on the Daily Dish, a Los Angeles Times food blog.

Monterey County UCCE farm advisor Richard Smith led a tour of innovative farms along the Central Coast.

Asian citrus psyllid at Coachella Valley's doorstep
Guy McCarthy, Parl Desert Patch

Asian citrus psyllid has been found in eight residential locations in the San Gorgonio Pass, according to a CDFA official. The pest was detected in Cabazon, Banning and Beaumont.

"So far these are the eastern-most detections in Riverside County, so we would like to treat this area to knock down the population, and prevent it from spreading to the Coachella Valley," said Debby Tanouye, CDFA state branch chief of pest detection/emergency projects.

Milking industry for all it has
Rick Longley, Willows Journal

UC Cooperative Extension and the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program hosted North Valley Dairy Day in Orland Feb. 6. The morning session focused on financial matters and the afternoon focused on feeding practices, pasture management and bovine illnesses.

"They do a nice job," dairy producer Jason Osburn said. "I try to attend whenever they have one."

Learning about new practices in the industry and getting up to speed on what is happening in areas outside Orland also interest him, Osburn said.

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