Almond Pest Management Alliance

Advisory Team Meeting

Feb. 17, 1999 10 a.m. UC Davis

Minutes

Attending:

Wes Asai, Pomology Consultant

Bob Elliott, Calif. Dept. of Pesticide Regulation

Joe Connell, Farm Advisor, Butte County

Carolyn Pickel, UC Area IPM Advisor- Sacramento Valley

Frank Zalom, Director, Statewide IPM Project

Roger Duncan, Farm Advisor, Stanislaus County

Phil Tocco, UC Cooperative Extension, Stanislaus County

Marcia Gibbs, Community Alliance for Family FarmersGene Beach, Almond Hullers and Processor Assn.

Chris Heintz, Research Director, Almond Board of California

Mark Looker, Almond PMA Project Administrator

Introduction of Advisory Team members

Team members introduced themselves. Bob Elliott is the new contract manager for the Almond PMA project at DPR, replacing Larry Wilhoit.Phil Tocco was introduced by Frank Zalom. Phil is conducting research into water quality issues on the San Joaquin river under CalFed grant funding. He is based out of the Modesto Cooperative Extension office and will be looking at urban as well as agricultural sources for runoff of diazinon and chlorpyrifos. It was noted that James Brazzle is no longer a UC farm advisor and has left for a private industry position. Mario Viveiros will continue handling the Kern County PMA project

Review of minutes of Oct. 15 meeting

The minutes of the Oct. 15, 1998 meeting of the Advisory Team were sent to all team members. No corrections or additions have been noted, so the minutes will stand as submitted.

Review of dormant spray field days

There was considerable discussion of the dormant spray field days held in November and December in Butte, Kern and Stanislaus counties. The summary of field day evaluations for the Modesto and Chico events were reviewed. While the overall evaluation was positive from participants, it was noted that there need to be more "take-away" items at future field days to further outreach efforts. Marcia and Mark will discuss development of PMA "Fact Sheets" for distribution at future field days.An article on the Chico field day appeared in the California Farm Bureau newspaper "Ag Alert." While some expressed concerns about the headline "UC to Almond Growers: Reduce Dormant Runoff or Face Stiffer Restrictions," it was noted that the overall content focused on positive steps being taken to educate growers about dormant spray concerns and alternative methods. Mark noted that an article by Zalom and Mike Oliver on dormant spray treatment options had received placement in Nut Grower Magazine, Almond Facts and Pacific Nut Producer. Mark assisted in the placement of the article and noted that was just one example of the benefits of the collaborative nature of the PMA. The group agreed the article was an excellent summary of the dormant spray issue and should get wider exposure. Mark said PMA funds could be used to send the article in a newsletter format to all of the state’s almond growers. He will work with Frank and get photos to go with the article. Publication should be set for November 1999 before the next dormant season.Roger Duncan said the Stanislaus field day showed a real need for basic knowledge on dormant sprays. He said there were many new faces at the field day and there seemed to be more interaction between growers and PCAs on spraying decisions.

Define role of PMA partners

Carolyn Pickel asked for a discussion of the roles of the partners in putting on the field days. It was noted the first field days had a few bumps in the road as the partners worked together for the first time. It was suggested that Marcia put together a checklist for each field day and the local farm advisors could indicate which tasks they would undertake and which the PMA should fulfill.

Farmer-to-farmer extension

At the first field days, there were no grower panels at which growers could offer testimonials about various practices. Should there be such panels at future field days? There was a lively and spirited debate on this issue. Some farm advisors expressed concern about how such testimonials might be interpreted by those attending the field days. While the PMA is a partnership of the University of California and industry organizations, there was concern expressed that some views expressed at such grower panels might be interpreted as UC views and there may not be the existing UC research behind such views. While there was no definitive conclusion reached by the group, the group agreed to discuss the possibility of grower panels and grower testimonials at future field days.

Upcoming PMA field days

Tentative dates were set for the next set of field days, which will focus on such issues as monitoring, mite sampling and degree days.

Central Project- - May 27 at a Merced orchard.

North Project- - June 10th at cooperator Ben Bertagna’s orchard, Chico.

South Project- - Mario will be contacted as to a possible date.

The field days will begin in the morning to avoid possible high temperatures and conclude by noon. PMA will provide refreshments in the morning. Local farm advisors will put together the agendas with the help of PMA as requested. Local advisors will try to mail notices three weeks ahead of field day. PMA will mail to Almond Board and BIOS mailing lists. Mark will handle press releases to local press.

Next meeting

The next meeting date is set for Wednesday, June 16,1999 10 a.m. at the DANR building at UC Davis