Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)


The Famous Flickr Lacewing

Meet the “Flickr Lacewing.” That’s what some folks online are calling a newly discovered insect species, more formally known as “Semachrysa Jade Winterton, Guek and Brooks.” It was given this name by Dr. Shaun Winterton, a senior insect biosystematist (that’s … Continue reading

Posted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Pest and Disease Prevention Projects Get a Boost from USDA

California’s approach to pests and diseases is as complex as the problem itself, but perhaps the most important element of our efforts is prevention.  Prevention projects in California and throughout the nation have been given a much needed boost from … Continue reading

Posted in Farm Bill, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Still the People’s Agency 150 Years Later – Happy Birthday, USDA!

For producers and consumers of food, this is a sesquicentennial like no other. Two weeks ago, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Morrill Act, the single piece of legislation that laid the foundation for the modern … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Alternative Fuels, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Climate Change, Community-based Food System, Dairy, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Food Safety, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, HLB, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Pierce's Disease, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Secretary Ross – We must work together to help prevent invasive species

The USDA has announced that it’s dedicating the month of April to sharing information about the threat that invasive plant pests, diseases and harmful weeds pose to America’s fruits, vegetables, trees, and other plants—and how the public can help prevent … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Community-based Food System, Farmers' Markets, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Specialty Crops, Trade | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Research is the Key: Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium

I had the pleasure this week of welcoming a gathering of research scientists, grape growers, winemakers and officials to Sacramento for the 2011 Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium.  This event gives researchers from California universities and their colleagues from across the … Continue reading

Posted in Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Pierce's Disease, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A New Beginning – 21st Century Invasive Pest Management Symposium

On this day, about 200 people who care about farming, the environment and pest management issues are gathered at CSU Sacramento to begin a promising endeavor:a series of symposia designed to improve our shared understanding and approach to CDFA’s pest … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Environment, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) | Tagged , | 1 Comment

News Release – Oriental fruit fly quarantine set in Stockton, San Joaquin County

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-050 A quarantine is in place in Stockton and surrounding San Joaquin County, where invasive Oriental fruit flies have been detected. Multiple flies have been trapped to date on properties near the center of the quarantine zone.  Additional information, including … Continue reading

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Update – Statewide Plant Pest Prevention and Management Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

Public scoping comments for the draft EIR were accepted through Monday, June 25, 2011. CDFA thanks those who took the time to attend five scoping sessions held throughout the state. The department also received written comments from stakeholders and members … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Beneficial Bugs: USDA releasing hundreds of thousands of sterile LBAM in Long Beach

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun a five-month pilot project in Long Beach, California to determine whether sterile insect technology (SIT) can be an effective tool in agricultural officials’ ongoing effort to control the invasive light brown … Continue reading

Posted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Light Brown Apple Moth, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment