Agricultural Advice from UCCE Advisors | | |
Attention Nursery and Cut Flower Growers!
Our horticulture program hopes to bring the local nursery, floriculture, and greenhouse industries together through regular industry meetings.
If you are interested in participating, please take a moment to complete the following survey. Your input will help us better understand your needs and priorities.
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Upcoming Webinar: Wild World of Wasps!
July 17, 2025
Wasps are a very diverse group of insects. Some species can be a nuisance, creating galls on plants and stinging people, but many others are beneficial pollinators and predators of pests, such as aphids. In this webinar, we will discuss the various different behaviors kinds of wasps and management strategies for nuisance wasps.
Image: UC IPM
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UC Ag Experts Talk: Field Crop Insect and Weed Management Updates
August 6, 2025
In this webinar, Nicholas Clark, Associate Cooperative Extension Area Agronomic Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management Advisor, will give an introduction of agronomic cropping systems and their current weed and insect pest management challenges. He will describe specific pest-crop interactions and the IPM and integrated weed management approaches effective for managing them. He will also discuss effectiveness of pesticide control measures for lygus, beef leafhopper stinkbug, false chinch bug, sugarcane aphid, and common chickweed.
Image: UC IPM
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Spring 2025 Newsletter Now Available
Topics in this issue:
• Bifenthrin application added as an option to Fuller Rose Beetle Mitigation with Voluntary Sampling to Reduce Pesticide Application
• Selective Egg Staining: a New Tool to Support Breeding of Whitefly Resistant Crops
• Sunblotch! New Tools to Spot This Sneaky Avocado Thief
• The Avocado Cone Roller Moth Is Here to Stay—Now What?
• Spring Subtropics Meetings Recap & Upcoming Meetings
o Citrus Meeting at Lindcove
o Avocado Field Day
o Microirrigation for Crop Production
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Dotted Paropsine Leaf Beetle Threatens California’s Eucalyptus
Author: Christopher J Shogren
The dotted paropsine leaf beetle (Paropsis atomaria), an invasive pest native to Australia, was first discovered in California in 2022 and is rapidly spreading throughout Southern California targeting eucalyptus trees. Both adult beetles and their larvae feed on eucalyptus leaves, causing significant defoliation that can result in tree death.
To read the full press release, click HERE.
Image: Christopher J Shogren
| | UCCE Community Education Programs | | | | UC Master Gardener Program | | |
Raised Bed Gardening
July 12, 2025 | 10 AM - 12 PM
Learn about types of raised beds, how to plant in a raised bed and important tips on soil and irrigation. See a demonstration of building a raised bed.
Image: Lucy Nysen
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Why heatwaves have become the number one 'silent killer'
As global temperatures continue to rise, heatwaves are occurring more frequently and with greater severity. Often underestimated, their effects can be devastating, especially for vulnerable groups of people. In the United States alone, over 67,000 people are hospitalized each year due to extreme heat.
This short BBC video highlights why heatwaves are now considered the leading "silent killer" and outlines proactive steps communities can take to mitigate their impact. Watch the video and learn more.
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2024 Crop & Livestock Report
The Ventura County 2024 Crop and Livestock Report is now available. Click on the image to view!
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CSUCI President Richard Yao to Step Down; Appointed President of DataPhilanthropy
Dr. Richard Yao, President of CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI), has announced that he will step down from his role effective August 1, 2025. During Yao’s tenure, CSUCI navigated turbulent times marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple wildfires, budget constraints, and enrollment challenges. However, there are signs of progress and renewed hope for the University. Read more here.
Image: CSUCI
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Scientists identify culprit behind biggest-ever U.S. honey bee die-off
U.S. beekeepers have had a disastrous winter. Between June 2024 and January 2025, a full 62% of commercial honeybee colonies in the United States died, the largest die-off on record. Scientists at the USDA have finally identified a culprit: nearly all the dead colonies tested positive for bee viruses spread by parasitic mites. Read more about the challenges faced by beekeepers here.
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Ventura County Fair
July 30 - August 10, 2025
Stop by to visit the UC Master Gardeners fair booth. This years theme is "Small Space Gardening." To purchase your tickets in advance visit the VC Fairground website.
Image: Ventura County Fairgrounds
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Learn About Ag
September 26-28, 2025
The conference is designed for PreK-12 grade educators, administrators, and volunteers to come together to learn and share how to incorporate food and fiber into all curricular areas.
Image: Learn About Ag
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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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