Nov. 21, 2001
Contact: Mark Looker (209) 575-2094 Mllooker@ainet.com
Pest
Management Meeting set for Central San Joaquin Valley almond growers
(Modesto,
CA) - - Central San Joaquin Valley almond growers are invited to attend a
Wednesday, Nov. 28 meeting designed to highlight ongoing research work into a
reduced risk system of almond production.
The
meeting at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center, 3800 Cornucopia Way,
Modesto, is co-sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE)
and the almond Pest Management Alliance (PMA.) The PMA is a cooperative project
funded by a grant from the state Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to
study a reduced risk system of almond production through use of alternative
products and practices, on-site demonstrations and grower education.
The
meeting begins with registration at 8 a.m. Sessions, which run from 8:30 a.m.
until 12 noon, include:
·
“Almond
Production Strategies to Ensure Food Safety” by Chris Heintz, Director,
Production Research and Environment, Almond Board of California.
·
“Best
Management Practices for Protecting Surface Water” by Parry Klassen, Executive
Director, Coalition for Urban/Rural Environmental Stewardship (CURES.)
·
“Growing
Almonds With Reduced Risk Pesticides: Progress report After Three Years of a
Local Trial” by Roger Duncan, UCCE farm advisor, Stanislaus County.
·
“Management
of Plant Bug, Ten-Lined June Beetle and Other Occasional Pests in Almond
Orchards” by Walt Bentley, IPM Advisor, UC Kearney Ag Center.
·
“The
Pros and Cons of Shredding Almond Prunings,” by Roger Duncan, UCCE farm
advisor, Stanislaus County.
·
“Taking
Advantage of USDA’s EQIP Program to Help Pay For Shredding and Other Practices
That Mitigate Air and Water Quality Problems” by Michael McElhiney, Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS.
Three
and one-half hours of continuing education credit for Pest Control Advisers will
be offered.
The
Stanislaus County PMA project is one of three projects funded by the grant. The
other demonstration orchards are located in Butte and Kern counties. PMA
partners
-30-