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Pest Exclusion
This program provides the first line of defense for California agriculture. Inspections provide protection from the introduction of insect and disease pest that may be introduced into the state through the movement of plants and plant products as well as other items through normal channels of trade.
Pest Detection
This program provides the second line of defense against exotic pest through the early detection of new introductions before they become widely established. Traps are placed in primarily urban areas to detect such insect pest as Mediterranean and Mexican fruit flies, Gypsy Moth, Japanese Beetle, and a host of other targeted pest species.
Pest Eradication
Pest eradication programs are often conducted following the discovery of an introduced pest species. Often these projects are partially or completely under the jurisdiction of the California State Department of Food and Agriculture. However, the County Agricultural Commissioner is often involved as the liaison to local government.
Pest Management
The County Agriculture Office is charged with the responsibility of managing nuisance pest of agriculture and human health. Many of these pests are recently introduced species that have become established despite the best efforts of the Commissioners office. An example would be the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter that is under intensive control efforts in several southern counties while eradication efforts continue in counties further to the north.
Pesticide Use Enforcement
This is a complex program that covers far more than its name implies. This program was developed to provide for the proper, safe and efficient use of pesticides essential for the production of food and fiber and for the protection of the public health and safety. An important component of the program focuses on agriculture and pest control workers, ensuring safe working conditions, use of proper protective equipment and training for employees who work with or around pesticides.
Seed Certification
Inspection are performed at retail and wholesale establishments that sell seeds. Samples are drawn for germination and purity testing and labeling is inspected for compliance with state requirements. Through this program, certification services are also performed for growers and processors.
Nursery Inspection
Through this program the County Agricultural Commissioner inspect the growing, propagation and sale of nursery stock to assure cleanliness from pest, true variety and general health of plants for sale to the consumer.
Fruit, Nut and Vegetable Standardization
This program ensures compliance with California's minimum standards regarding quality and marketing of all produce commercially grown and/or marketed in the state. Direct Marketing (farmer's market) regulations and Organic law enforcement are part of a program that provides for local protection to growers, marketers and consumers.
Egg Inspection
Retailers and packers of eggs in the State are inspected to enforce State and Federal health, quality and grade standards.
Crop Reports
As required by the California Food and Agriculture Code , the County compiles and records information in the annual crop report regarding the gross production and value of the county's commodities. Various research institutions, schools, banks, agencies and businesses use this valuable information to the benefit of the local economy. Also, disasters to agriculture are surveyed and the information collected is used by other agencies offering disaster relief. This would not be possible without the information and help provided by our local farmers and ranchers. Crop Reports for current and prior years are available online.
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Agriculture