Almond Pest Management Alliance

Advisory Team Meeting

March 14, 2000 10 a.m.

Olive room, DANR Building, UC Davis

Minutes

Attending:

Bob Elliott, Calif. Dept. of Pesticide Regulation

Nicole Darby, Field Scout, Butte County project

Frank Zalom, Director, Statewide IPM Project

Roger Duncan, Farm Advisor, Stanislaus County

Lonnie Hendricks, Farm Advisor, Merced County

Molly Espley, Community Alliance with Family Farmers

Chris Heintz, Research Director, Almond Board of California

Mark Looker, Almond PMA Project Administrator

Introduction of Advisory Team Members

Advisory Team members introduced themselves. Molly Espley is the representative from CAFF replacing Marcia Gibbs.

Review of Minutes of Nov. 10, 1999 Meeting

The minutes of the Nov. 10, 1999 Advisory team meeting were reviewed. They were accepted as submitted.

Review of Pest Management Evaluation update submitted March 9, 2000

Nicole Darby discussed the work she had completed on updating the Pest Management Evaluation, which was submitted to DPR on March 9, 2000, as a prelude to applying for a third year of funding.

The graphs and charts analyzing pesticide use trends were especially helpful. The team members felt there should be more of this type of analysis in future reports. There was discussion about the possibility of incorporating weather data as well to allow for analysis of the impact of wet weather on dormant spray use. Nicole said she would like into the possibility of obtaining that data.

Discussion of Year Three work plan due April 14, 2000

Team members discussed possible changes in the work plan for Year Three.

• Stanislaus Project- - Roger reported the cooperator was not willing to set up a no-spray section on a 5-acre section.

Economic analysis was well received on first year report and will continue to be a component of future reports

Ant damage will be studied at one of Lonnie's satellite orchards but it will be a different location from this year's Livingston orchard.

• Butte County - - Will try to get a check this year. Last year was a low worm year.

Economic analysis was also well received at dormant spray field day and will be a component of future reports issued on the project.

• Kern Project - - No one as available from this project to report on planned changes. However, Nicole would check with Mario Viveros and get his input on possible changes as she writes the Year Three work plan.

Bob Elliott noted that it would be important to have the three project's reports be standardized in the future. The first year's report showed some gaps in how information is being reported, especially in the area of economic analysis. He suggested a common checklist be developed for use by all three project managers to ensure standardization. Communication and outreach will continue to be critical features of the Year Three plan.

Upcoming Spring Field Days

• • Kern County - May 9
  • Stanislaus County - May 19
  • Butte County - May 24

Discussion was held about the components of the upcoming field days sponsored by PMA. Each project's farm advisor will complete the agenda and the flyer. The flyers will be shared with CAFF and Mark who will see that it is mailed out to their respective mailing lists. CAFF will staff the sign-in tables at Chico and Modesto field days and arrange for refreshments.

PMA workshop in Sacramento March 28, 2000

The Almond Board has agreed to co-host with DPR a workshop in Sacramento that will highlight successful alliances. The session will allow PMA partners to set up tabletop displays and share their stories with others. Workshop speakers will include Chris Heintz on the value of alliances and Mark Looker on the importance of communication.

Next Meeting Date

The next Advisory Team meeting was set for June 14, 2000 at the Almond Board of California conference room, Modesto.