In the News

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Ojai Valley NEWS Published: Tuesday, 17 September 2019 11:43
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A ranch property at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Fordyce Road on Ojai’s East End was sprayed with insecticide and fertilizer Sept. 16 to comply with the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s program for management of the Asian citrus psyllid.
Evidence of the fatal citrus infection Huanglong bing (HLB) was detected last month in an Ojai East End commercial grove. HLB is spread by a small flying insect, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP).  Evidence of the fatal citrus infection Huanglong bing (HLB) was detected last month in an Ojai East End commercial grove. HLB is spread by a small flying insect, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). 
An ACP-HLB Task Force was created several years ago to address the threat to Ventura County citrus in anticipation of the infection spreading here.
From July 29 to Aug. 1, dogs specially trained to sniff out evidence of HLB scouted 20 ranches in three major citrus-growing areas of Ventura County. The dog team inspected about 3,500 citrus trees and alerted on 211 of them, indicating the presence of early HLB infection in all three areas — the Ojai Valley, Santa Clara River Valley and Las Posas Valley. For residents with fewer than 25 citrus trees on their property, the California Department of Food and Agriculture conducts free pesticide applications if the trees are located within 400 meters of a commercial citrus grove. Those treatments are voluntary at the moment.
According to Agricultural Inspector and Biologist Associate John Mikesell with the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, Delegate and Phosguard were applied Sept. 16 to an East End ranch to comply with the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s program for management of the Asian citrus psyllid.
Delegate is an insecticide that was sprayed at a rate of 6 ounces per acre. It can cause moderate eye irritation; and a medical professional should be consulted if this reaction occurs, Mikesell said in an email.
Phosguard is a phosphorous-based fertilizer that was sprayed at a rate of half a gallon per acre. 
August 30, 2019  Dogs on The Trail of HLB Author: Ben Faber  of UC Extension, Ventura
News from the Ventura County ACP/HLB Task Force—Dogs used in early detection to identify HLB in Ojai Valley
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-the-Ventura-County-ACP-HLB-Task-Force.html?soid=1102643162980&aid=3L71dky5nhk
Link to the detailed report from Canine Visit July 29-August 1, 2019
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zfua6100tqslkpv/HLB%20scouting%20report%20July-August%202019.pdf?dl=0
3.20.2019. California state and county officials falling short in evaluating use of agricultural pesticides
https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/article/california-state-and-county-officials-falling-short-in-evaluating-use-of-agricultural-pesticides/
Ventura County agricultural workers slam pesticide oversight process in light of new report
March 21, 2019, Ventura County Star Ventura County agricultural workers slam pesticide oversight process in light of new report
With a new report alleging lack of pesticide oversight in California, agricultural workers and advocates gathered outside the Ventura County Government Center on Thursday to call attention to the issue.
Pesticide regulation has long been a point of contention in Ventura County, and those at Thursday morning’s gathering wanted raise awareness of the UCLA research and urge the county agricultural commissioner’s office to evaluate safer alternatives to pesticides.
The research, released Wednesday by the university, alleged a systemic lack of oversight by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and county agricultural commissioners when it comes to pesticide application permits.
State law requires county agricultural commissioners to ensure that those using pesticides first consider using alternatives. The alternative may include measures that don’t include pesticides at all or another pesticide that may be less harmful to people and the environment.
Speakers at the Thursday event in Ventura, many of whom have actively promoted the dangers of widespread pesticide usage for years in the county, were frustrated that it took a comprehensive study from a major university for their concerns to receive attention from local and state officials.
Event organizer Adam Vega, a community organizer with Californians for Pesticide Reform, said the time for studying and deliberation about pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos, is over.
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The UCLA report “California state and county officials falling short in evaluating use of agricultural pesticides” is here