USDA has released proposed quarantine boundary changes in response to the 08/28/2010 Melon Fruit Fly finds.

The state Scientific Review Panel on Toxic Air Contaminants has been "gutted" following disputes with the chemical industry and a conservative group that targets environmental laws.

Santa Barbara County has launched an eradication project to rid the Santa Ynez River of Arundo donax, a large fast-growing reed also known as giant reed, elephant grass or giant cane.

On 8/28/2010 two additional Melon Fruit Flies were trapped approximately 1.5 miles south of the original finds. The quarantine boundary will extend farther south and the quarantine time frame has just started over. We are generating new maps, and as new information becomes available I will keep you updated.

Just a reminder about the quarantine treatments as there has been some confusion about the rates and timing for treatments prior to harvest. Any of the Malathion 8 formulations, as per CDFA Pesticide Rate Chart within the Quarantine Zone, is listed at 1.5 ounces per acre. Work with the "Project Area" (661-861-4131) for applications and compliance agreements.

Outside the Quarantine Zone, the label rate of 1.5 ounces per acre has been approved as well, but in order for your treatment to comply with the treatment schedule it must be witnessed by my county office. Please call 661-868-6300 if you are going to spray your crop outside the Quarantine Zone. The minimum period of treatment is 30 days, but can be extended beyond that determined by the average, local seasonal temperatures, with treatments occurring at 6-10 day intervals. Project regulatory officers will monitor all treatments.

PLEASE review the Harvest to Bait Treatment Schedule. After October 22nd the harvest interval changes from 30 days to 111 days. If you have any questions please call 661-868-6300.

CDFA has issued the Melon Fruit Fly Official State Quarantine with Host List and detailed map of the area affected.

Watch a CDFA video on Exotic Fruit Fly Treatment using the organic product Spinosad. (Scroll to the page bottom for video.)

Additional documents related to the Kern County MFF finds have been released: CDFA Eradication Proclamation, Addendum to the Proclamation, Work Plan, Eradication Boundary Map and Pest Profile.

The Department has created a web page specific to the recent Melon Fruit Fly find in Kern County with details on an Informational Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 18th at the David Head Center in Lamont, CA.

On August 10th, 5 Melon Fruit Flies (MFF) were detected in a single trap south of Meridian in Kern County (South Eastern Portion of the County). CDFA Entomologist Dr. Hoffman has confirmed them to be wild. Two male and three female MFF (Bactrocera cucurbitae, rated "A"). On August 11th, one more additional MFF was trapped in close proximity to the first trap. This has triggered eradication and quarantine protocols. Attached is the Quarantine Request, CDFA Action Plan, Host List and Kern County Melon Fruit Fly News Release.

Two environmental groups have sued US-EPA in an effort to ban chlorpyrifos.

CDFA has issued a Federal Domestic Quarantine for ACP.

Napa County officials have asked urban residents to remove and destroy grapes from their non-commercial vines in an effort to control EGVM.

Canada has released import requirements for California table grapes in light of EGVM presence in the state.

The Center for Biological Diversity has announced plans to file a lawsuit involving nearly 400 pesticides and 900 endangered species that could significantly impact California agriculture.

Read a peer-reviewed article from California Agriculture magazine that explores the ongoing conflict along the ag-urban interface in California.

Imported bees have so far masked the effects of Colony Collapse Disorder, but the bee crisis may soon affect the U.S. food supply.

Canada has agreed to take shipments of California Table Grapes this season as long as the fruit is free from EGVM.

Duponchelia fovealis, a fresh vegetable pest, has been found for the first time in the US in San Diego County.

The Kern County 2009 Crop Report is now available.

Updated EGVM boundary maps for the seven infested California counties are now available. EGVM has not been detected in Kern County.

The EPA seeks input on NMFS' Draft Measure to Protect Endangered Pacific Salmon from 12 Pesticides.

Read an editorial written by a northern California rancher on the emerging Siskiyou County/CDFG disagreement over water rights.

CDFA has approved a new Citrus Nursery Stock Pest Cleanliness Program.

Read a recent Wall Street Journal article on backyard beekeepers.

CA DPR has lengthened the comment period for Methyl Iodide registration until June 29, 2010.

Merced County has detected EGVM for the first time. Updated boundary maps for Fresno, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties have been released.

Read the latest news on Kern County's ACP and EGVM trapping programs.

The CDFA Citrus Pest and Disease Committee will hold a meeting on May 12, 2010 in Bakersfield.

Read Fresno County and Mendocino County press releases on first-time EGVM finds within their borders. Fresno County will hold a series of informational meetings for local growers during the month of May.

Fumigation operators and shippers who plan to ship grapes to Australia and New Zealand this season must attend one of three mandatory USDA workshops. One of these will take place on Thursday May 27, 2010 in Bakersfield.

The UC Cooperative Extension announces Asian Citrus Psyllid training on Thursday April 22, 2010 at the Kern County Cooperative Extension office.

Read the latest news on Kern County's Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) trapping programs.

Visit the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Asian Citrus Psyllid and European Grapevine Moth websites for infestation maps and current quarantine information for these agricultural pests.

Seedless mandarin growers now have a one month period to register their acreage with the County Agricultural Commissioner commencing on February 24, 2010 and concluding on March 24, 2010 pursuant to the Seedless Mandarin and Honeybee Coexistence regulation.

The February 2010 issue of CACASA E-News includes information on apiary colony strength inspector training and details on implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill.

CDPR announces a web-based tool for calculating VOC emissions from agricultural applications of nonfumigant pesticides.

Read a Fresno Bee article on Judge Oliver W. Wanger's decision to place on hold a management plan to protect salmon which will deliver an additional 40,000 to 50,000 acre-feet of water to California growers over the next two weeks.

Napa County and the UC Cooperative Extension now offer a periodic European Grapevine Moth newsletter with updates on trapping and treatment programs.

The 2010 Spray Safe event will be held on February 5, 2010 at the Kern County Fairgrounds.

Director Ruben Arroyo advises citizens to use caution when selling scrap gold. Included are tips to help ensure a fair transaction.

CDPR issues a request for comments on the Draft Complaint Response Protocol. Public comments are due March 4, 2010.

CDFA seeks members for the new Specialty Crop Grant Program Technical Review Committee authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill.

The January 2010 issue of CACASA E-News includes an update on PCIT and federal funding for LBAM.

CDPR releases the 2008 Pesticide Use Report Summary which shows a decline in pesticide use for the third consecutive year.

USDA implements a new crop disaster assistance program in accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill. The Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments program (SURE) is available through the Farm Services Agency.

Kern County 2010 General Permit Conditions ban all applications of Restricted Materials within ¼ mile of a school in session or during school sponsored activities when children are present. Effective 01-01-10.

UC-Riverside sets January 25, 2010 as the deadline for the second copper spray to oranges in the Korea program.

USDA expands the California ACP quarantine boundary and adds a portion of Arizona.

Save the Date: The 2010 SPRAY SAFE event will be held February 5, 2010 at the Kern County Fairgrounds from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (lunch included).

The December 2009 issue of CACASA e-news includes State and Federal legislative reports and an update on the new GIS-based permitting system now under development.

The 2010 permitting season will begin December 14, 2009. The Department will also begin registering beekeepers and licensing PCAs, PCOs, maintenance gardeners, and structural PCOs for 2010 on the same date.

US-EPA revokes carbofuran tolerances finding that dietary exposures to carbofuran from all sources combined are not safe.

CDFA updates State interior quarantine boundaries for Asian Citrus Psyllid, Light Brown Apple Moth, and Mediterranean Fruit Fly.

The FDA, in collaboration with USDA FSIS, announces a public meeting on tracing systems for food. Register for the December 9-10, 2009 teleconference.

CDFA establishes an interior quarantine for ACP host material with boundary maps included.

Kern County schedules public comment meetings on the proposed changes to school buffer zones and restrictions for the 2010 General Permit Conditions.

Kern County now provides a Microsoft Excel template for completing Federal Phytosanitary Certificates for use by local shippers.

USDA lifts the restriction on citrus movement from Florida saying finished fruit does not pose a significant risk of spreading citrus canker.

Napa County detects the European Grapevine Moth, an invasive grape pest, for the first time in the United States.

USEPA proposes new pesticide labeling to control spray drift and protect human health.

The State Board of Food and Agriculture calls a special water meeting on October 14, 2009 to address the California drought.

View the Kern County memo describing charges and exemptions to the USDA Administrative Fee as it pertains to voided phytos.

Federal EPA places additional limitations on organophosphates in an effort to protect west coast salmon and steelhead. The EPA issued this letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service describing implementation.

For the latest news on Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and Huanglongbing (HLB) refer to the CDFA ACP site which includes a weekly CA Infestation Map.

USDA, APHIS, PPQ announces the collection of an Administrative Fee for exporters who obtain federal phytosanitary certificates from state or county cooperators.

The 2008 Kern County Crop Report is now available. All Kern County Crop Reports dating back to 1930 are available for download.