Agricultural Resilience Incentive Grants Workshop
Mar
28
9:00 AM09:00

Agricultural Resilience Incentive Grants Workshop

This workshop provided an overview about the Agricultural Resilience Incentive (ARI) Grant Program. Growers and ranchers in Santa Clara County can now apply for ARI grant program funding. Receive up to $30,000 in grant funding for compost and mulch application, and 25 other practices that improve soil health. Click the link below for resources from this workshop.

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Comanaging California Produce Fields for Food Safety, Pest Control, and Bird Conservation
Feb
20
12:00 PM12:00

Comanaging California Produce Fields for Food Safety, Pest Control, and Bird Conservation

This presentation discussed strategies for conserving biodiversity within California agricultural systems. On California produce farms, birds play multiple roles, not only consuming crops and spreading foodborne diseases, but also consuming crop pests. The speaker also outlined his lab’s work striving to find ways to manage California birds and take advantage of the benefits they can provide farmers, while minimizing harms to food production. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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Furrow Cover Cropping to Reduce Runoff, Soil Erosion and Weeds
Jan
23
9:00 AM09:00

Furrow Cover Cropping to Reduce Runoff, Soil Erosion and Weeds

Some high-value crops like strawberries are grown on beds that are covered in plastic mulch to reduce weeds and disease issues and increase yields. But the plastic mulch can create lots of problems with runoff and soil erosion during rainy winter periods. One solution to help solve this environmental problem is to grow cover crops in furrows between beds. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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2024 Organic Agriculture Seminar Series
Jan
23
to Mar 19

2024 Organic Agriculture Seminar Series

Please join us for a weekly lunch time seminar series. Each week we will be joined by a guest speaker who will give a 30 minute presentation. The seminar will then be opened up for questions and conversations from the listeners.

Seminar registration: The seminars will be offered via Zoom. The Zoom link will be the same for all the seminars in the series. Please register for the seminar and the Zoom link will be emailed to you. Click the link below for resources from this workshop.

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Organic Management of Nematodes
Feb
7
9:00 AM09:00

Organic Management of Nematodes

This talk describes past research findings on the use of biofumigant crops for nematode management and explores opportunities to use biofumigant cover crops or residues of winter cole crops for soilborne disease, soil health, and nutrient management in vegetable crops. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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Tools and Approaches for Assessing and Improving Irrigation Efficiency in Drip Irrigated Row Crops
Jan
31
9:00 AM09:00

Tools and Approaches for Assessing and Improving Irrigation Efficiency in Drip Irrigated Row Crops

To achieve a high efficiency, irrigation systems must be well designed, maintained, and operated correctly so that water is applied uniformly to a crop. Also, scheduling of irrigation events need to match the water demand of the crop. This talk describes tools and approaches that can help increase water use efficiency, including the use of soil moisture sensors, flowmeters, and weather-based approaches to scheduling. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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Nitrogen Mineralization from Organic Fertilizers and Composts
Jan
24
9:00 AM09:00

Nitrogen Mineralization from Organic Fertilizers and Composts

Nitrogen management in organic systems involves biological processes, which makes it more complex than in conventional systems. In his presentation, Dr. Muramoto went over some basics of organic nitrogen management and how plant-available nitrogen is released from varying organic fertilizers and composts through a biological process called mineralization. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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2022 Tree Crops Workshop
Nov
17
5:00 AM05:00

2022 Tree Crops Workshop

This workshop provided CE credits for renewing pesticide permits/licenses.

This workshop covered production information for the following tree crops: apples, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, prunes, and walnuts. The topics covered included nutrient management, irrigation management, cover crops, managing trees during dormancy, insect pest management, disease management, and weed management. Click the link below for resources from this workshop.

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Managing Mycorrhizal Fungi on Your Farm
Mar
8
9:00 AM09:00

Managing Mycorrhizal Fungi on Your Farm

In this workshop, UC researchers shared research information and experiences about when and to what extent the benefits of Mycorrhizal fungi are seen in California vegetable systems. Topics discussed also include multiple ways different management practices could support (or not!) mycorrhizal fungi, from inoculation to soil health practices like cover cropping and reduced tillage. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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Classic Bio-Control for the Spotted Wing Drosophila and What to Expect
Mar
1
9:00 AM09:00

Classic Bio-Control for the Spotted Wing Drosophila and What to Expect

This presentation describes the steps taken to discover, import, screen and develop petitions to release a novel bio-control agent into the United States to help suppress the spotted wing drosophila - an invasive pest of soft-skinned fruit. Dr. Daane also describes the potential levels of parasitism expected as well as the administrative process to get material approved by the USDA APHIS for field release. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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Organic Soil Fertility Management Strategies
Feb
8
10:00 AM10:00

Organic Soil Fertility Management Strategies

This webinar covered organic soil fertility management strategies for small-scale organic vegetable farmers. Topics included management of major and minor plant nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and crop fertility inputs. The talk also covered fertility management based on soil test results and accounting for nitrogen in irrigation water. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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Organic Weed Seedbank Management & Physical Weed Control Strategies for Small-Scale Vegetable Growers
Feb
1
9:00 AM09:00

Organic Weed Seedbank Management & Physical Weed Control Strategies for Small-Scale Vegetable Growers

This webinar focused on weed management strategies for small-scale and organic vegetable farmers. Topics included seedbank management, such as using tarps and flame weeding, as well as physical weed control options. Hand tools, cultivation tool stacking, and optimization of tools were also discussed. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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Irrigation Water Management During Drought
Jan
25
9:00 AM09:00

Irrigation Water Management During Drought

During drought conditions when water supplies are limited, understanding the water needs of the crops you would like to grow, your available irrigation supply, and best practices for efficient irrigation water application are critical. This seminar focused on how to manage irrigation practices during a drought. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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Organic Seedling Production
Jan
18
9:00 AM09:00

Organic Seedling Production

This seminar covered greenhouse seedling production with a focus on system efficiencies. Drawing on decades of experience with organic seedling production, Christof addressed automated watering, seeding methods and expediting germination, soil quality and fertility, container choices and more. Click the link below for resources from this seminar.

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2021 Asian Growers Continuing Education Meeting
Dec
10
10:00 AM10:00

2021 Asian Growers Continuing Education Meeting

This workshop provided CE credits for renewing pesticide permits/licenses.

This workshop included presentations on the following topics: integrated pest management (IPM) of insects and diseases of vegetable crops; what to expect during a headquarters inspection; and Pesticide Handler training. Click the link below for resources from this workshop.

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2021 Growers Continuing Education Meeting
Dec
6
6:00 AM06:00

2021 Growers Continuing Education Meeting

This workshop provided CE credits for renewing pesticide permits/licenses.

This workshop included presentations on the following topics: integrated pest management (IPM) of weeds, insect pests, and diseases of vegetable crops; what to expect during a headquarters inspection; and Pesticide Handler training. Click the link below for resources from this workshop.

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2021 Orchard Management Webinar Series - Pest Management
Jun
10
6:00 AM06:00

2021 Orchard Management Webinar Series - Pest Management

Day 2 of the 2021 Orchard Management Webinar Series, focusing on Integrated Pest Management.

This workshop included presentations on integrated pest management in orchard crops. The topics were as follows: an update about Plum Bud Gall mites; walnut blight management; Spotted Wing Drosophilla management; pests, diseases, and beneficials of apricots; and management of Phytophthora diseases in stone fruits. Click the link below for resources from this workshop.

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