Agricultural Advice from UCCE Advisors | |
2025 Vegetable Production Meeting
Last month UCCE Ventura Advisor, Oleg Daugovish hosted the 2025 Vegetable Production Meeting. If you missed it, you can catch up by viewing the recordings online.
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Myth or Fact? Debunking Pest Myths
April 17, 2025 | 12 PM
We’ve all heard that opossums eat their weight in ticks, bed bugs are microscopic, and some processed foods contain an allowable number of insect parts. This webinar will cover which “facts” are true and which ones are just popular myths.
Image: UC IPM
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UC Ag Experts Talk: Integrated Soil Health Management: A Framework to Develop Non-fumigant-based Soilborne Disease Management Systems
April 30, 2025 | 3 PM
Dr. Joji Muramoto, Cooperative Extension Specialist, UC Santa Cruz will discuss the history of soil-borne disease management in California strawberries and contrast it with a history of arthropod pest management to illustrate challenges associated with soil-borne disease management and the future directions of soil health research and soil-borne disease management.
Image: UC ANR
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New Issue Available: Topics in Subtropics Winter 2025
TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE
- Date Production Overview
- Guidelines for Managing Grape Powdery Mildew
- Dry Root Rot of Citrus: a Persistent Threat Caused by Fusarium solani in California
- Pest Scouting Reports Needed for Research Study
- Avocado Leaves Evolved to Handle Wetness
- Avocado Guide from Down Under
- Newly Published UCANR Olive Production
- Manual for Oil Now Available!
- Introducing Mathew Fatino
| | UCCE Community Education Programs | | | | UC Master Gardener Program | |
Firewise Living: From Structure to Landscape
April 29, 2025 | 6 PM - 7 PM
This practical workshop equips homeowners with essential skills to reduce wildfire risks. Participants will learn strategies for creating defensible space around structures, including vegetation management, landscaping techniques, and home modification approaches. The course covers fire-resistant landscaping principles, structural hardening methods, and emergency preparedness to protect homes in wildfire-prone regions.
Image: Jack Clark
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Creating a Pollinator Garden
May 3, 2025 | 11 AM - 12 PM
Get your buzz, flutter and chirp on by creating a pollinator garden to attract birds, bees and butterflies. Let the Master Gardeners advise you what, when and how to plant the perfect environment.
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Stop electricity vampires!
Electricity vampires are electronic devices that use electricity when plugged in but not actively in use, e.g., those with clocks, lit screens or in standby mode. Over time, they waste energy and run up your electricity bill. A handy solution is a grounded outlet adapter with a switch. Plug your device into the adapter and simply switch it off when you're done. They are also handy for lights that have a difficult-to-reach or no switch.
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Bring your own "doggie bag" containers
Do you often eat out at restaurants and take home leftover food? Next time, bring your own reusable food container(s) instead of asking the restaurant waitstaff for disposable containers. In addition to reducing food and packaging waste, you won't have to wait to catch the waitstaff's attention and you have more control over the material the food is stored in. So plan ahead and keep a set of clean food containers in your car at all times.
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Reconsider your use of aluminum foil
The adage "Reduce, reuse and recycle" also applies to aluminum foil, which is extracted from bauxite ore. Bauxite is considered a non-renewable resource because it takes millions of years to form through geological processes. Most bauxite is imported from (sub)tropical regions of the world, such as Australia, China, Brazil, Guinea, Surinam and Indonesia. Bauxite mining, especially open-pit mining, contributes to land degradation, air and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. When possible, use suitable alternatives, such as beeswax wraps, reusable lids or parchment paper.
Images: Annemiek Schilder, Australian Aluminum Council
| | | | 4-H Youth Development Program | |
Santa Rosa Valley Club 4-H Member Selected as Scholarship Semifinalist
We are thrilled to announce that Ashley Porter has been selected as a semifinalist for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
Out of 467 semifinalists nationwide, Ashley’s commitment to academics, leadership, and service has earned her a place in this highly competitive program. 4-H Club Leader Joan Drummond highlighted the importance of 4-H to her success as a leader and a scholarship finalist, writing, "For those of us that have known Ashley for the long haul, we know how quiet she used to be, but this all changed when she found her spark of public speaking through our great 4-H program. This has now inspired her to be a 4-H leader at the local, state, and national levels by serving many people." This scholarship will help community college students like Ashley transfer to top four-year institutions while easing the burden of student debt. Ashley wants other young people in Ventura County to be aware of this great scholarship opportunity.
Congratulations, Ashley, on this amazing achievement!
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Ventura County Wildflower & Weed Show
April 12, 2025
The fourth annual Ventura County Weed & Wildflower Show will be held at the Museum of Ventura County - Agriculture Museum from 11 am - 3 pm, 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula. Included in the event will be live displays of local weeds and wildflowers, a California native plant sale, speakers, conservation groups, children's activities, and a garden tour. This is a free event.
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Agricultural Pass Program Training
April 14, 2025
The Ventura County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, and Department of Agriculture Weights & Measures will be offering two in-person training classes.
The class will be offered in English and Spanish and will satisfy the U.S. Fire Administration’s “Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior S-190” training which is required to obtain a Pre-Incident Ag Pass.
To register for the class please contact their Santa Paula office at 805-933-2926 or erm@ventura.org. For more information on the passes and the program click the button below
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Zoom talk: Oaks in Peril, Kim Corella
April 16, 2025
CAL FIRE Forest Pathologist and Entomologist Kim Corella will talk about existing and potential threats to oaks in Ventura County. Diseases, insects, management, and prevention will be discussed. To register for the Zoom talk visit the Conejo Open Space Foundation website.
Image: Conejo Space Foundation
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Bird-Friendly Garden Tour
April 27, 2025 | 9AM - 3PM
Conejo Valley Audubon Society will present it's Bird Friendly Garden Tour. This is a self-guided tour. Sites will highlight flowering plants that attract birds, pollinators, and serve as habitat essential for wildlife health. This is a free event. REGISTRATION REQUIRED by April 18. RSVP to cvasbfgt@gmail.com
Image: Conejo Valley Audubon Society
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RMAC Statewide Kickoff Meeting for Prescribed Grazing Guidace: Opportunity for Input
April 28, 2025 | 2 PM - 4PM
Plan to attend and give your region’s inputs to support the increased pace and scale of prescribed grazing through the development of this guidance. This work may inform grant funded tools to mitigate fire risks and achieve ecological resources goals. Register by April 21. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email.
Image: Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
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The University of California Cooperative Extension in Ventura County conducts research and education activities in agriculture, natural resources, and positive youth development. We strive to promote a healthy food system, healthy environment, and healthy communities.
Your support helps in many ways.
Thank you.
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