November 2023

Fruit Fly From Down Under

Author:Hamutahl Cohen

CDFA has recorded a second detection of Bactrocera tryoni Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) in Ventura County. This tiny but troublesome pest was found in a residential neighborhood of Thousand Oaks. CDFA considers this a major threat as it is a pest to numerous crops grown in Ventura, including citrus, avocado, peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries. More about the Quarantine

Image: Hamutahl Cohen

New Class of Master Gardeners boasts 44 Trainees

We have a full class of trainees joining the Class of 2024! We’re very excited to welcome a diverse and enthusiastic group of new volunteers from throughout Ventura County. If you are interested in hearing about the next MGP training (Class of 2026) and our wide range of free horticulture-related classes, sign up for our mailing list by clicking here

Image: Master Gardeners of Ventura County

Join Us for #Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday is a global day to #GiveBack. On the Tuesday following

Thanksgiving, November 28th we invite you to support the Hansen REC and UCCE Ventura office and Programs and help us continue our work throughout Ventura County.

Let's make this Giving Tuesday a day of growing forward together.

Vegetation Study of Santa Clara (Utom) River Watershed

Author: Julie Clark

The Santa Clara (Utom) River is the last remaining wild and free flowing river located in Southern California. The headwaters of its 83-mile reach are located throughout the upper basin in Acton in Los Angeles County and moving westward through the Angeles and Los Padres National Forests. Its terminus is the Pacific Ocean between Oxnard and Ventura. Read more here

Image: CA Water Quality Control Board

Bad Beetle Field Training for Land and Resource Managers

Author: Julie Clark



Staff with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Integrated Pest Management, Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, and Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures instructed 30 people at this October 27 event in Malibu. The attendees were land and resource managers whose responsibility area includes the Santa Monica Mountains.

Focal species were invasive shot hole borers and gold-spotted oak borer. Instruction included beetle identification, biology, detection, and management. Students learned how and were encouraged to report possible infestations through the iNaturalist online Ventura and Los Angeles Counties Bad Beetle Watch project.

Practical Training in Nitrogen Planning & Management in Organic Production of Annual Crops

In this 3-part series, participants will learn how to estimate nitrogen release from diverse organic sources and translate that knowledge to nitrogen fertilization plans and regulatory reporting requirements. To learn more and register, click here.

Climate Corner

Author: Jill Sarick

Weather and fire risk

Overall warmer and drier than normal conditions are expected through December. These conditions, combined with high fuel load, may increase wildfire risk in Southern California according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Renewable energy from manure

Researchers estimate that methane produced from manure of two or three cows can meet the average California home’s daily energy demands. Read more about how UC ANR is researching anaerobic digestion technology.

Green living tip of the month

As temperatures drop as we move into winter, check out Home weatherization and Energy conservation resources from the County of Ventura.

Photo: Parrick Conner Klopf

UCNFA Roundtable: Nitrogen Reporting Regulations For Nurseries and Floriculture

This is an opportunity for Regional Water Quality Control Board representatives, third party groups and coalitions representatives, UC academics and nursery growers to discuss goals and challenges of the “East San Joaquin order” regulations for nurseries and floriculture.

There is no cost, but registration is required.

Agri-Tech Fair and Ventura County Farm Day a great success

Recently, UCCE Ventura participated in two big outreach events. We had an informational booth at the Agri-Tech Fair, organized by the Farm Bureau of Ventura County. The all-day event took place on October 24, 2023 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Oxnard. There was a trade show as well as a full program with speakers on a variety of topics from use of digital and spray technology to how to navigate the new water regulations.

Attendance on Ventura County Farm Day, organized by SEEAG, on November 4, 2023 exceeded expectations with an estimated 7600 visitors to 13 locations! Due to the recent move of the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center, we did not host visitors on our farm this year. Instead, we set up booths at the SEEAG Farm Day Hub on Petty Ranch in Saticoy, providing information on beneficial insects, the Master Gardener program and Home Gardening Helpline. We also provided popular activities for children, such as coloring, stone painting, and beeswax candle making. About 570 people visited the Farm Day Hub.

Photo: Annemiek Schilder

Wildfire in the Spotlight

by Maripaula Valdes-Berriz

Ventura County hosted the first California Wildfire Conference between October 24-26 with the aim to connect practitioners and share experiences on a topic that deeply impacts all Californians. It was organized by the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative (a program of VC Resource Conservation District), Coastal Quest, California Climate Investments, and CALFIRE. The first two days included discussion panels with participants representing a very large community ranging from scientist, fire departments, non-profits, engineering businesses, as well as indigenous cultural fire practitioners from California and Australia. There was something for everyone at this conference. Topics included community-based mitigation efforts, insurance problems and solutions, state and federal financial support for projects to increase resilience, research on the effects of wildfire on our coastal ecosystems, and how technology is being used to predict and detect wildfires. Importantly, there were strong critiques about the lack of inclusion of indigenous practioners who have been using cultural burning to manage vegetation and the resources they utilize from it in a controlled and sustainable way for millennia. Continue Reading...

Photo: Maripaula Valdes-Berriz

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