The Agricultural Commissioner is dedicated to worker health and safety, the protection of environmental resources, and the promotion of the agricultural sector of Monterey County.

Draft EIR Available for Review - USDA APHIS-WS IWDM Program & Agreement Renewal

The public review period for this document begins on August 17, 2017, and ends on October 3, 2017.  This review period is established for the purpose of receiving written comments on the accuracy and adequacy of the Draft EIR together with other information relative to the environmental effects of the project.  You may click on sections of the document shown below.

• DEIR Notice of Availability
• Monterey USDA DEIR (August 2017)
• DEIR Appendix A - NOP-IS & Comments
• DEIR Appendix B - Background
• DEIR Appendix C - Biological Resources

Inaugural Organic Grower Summit Registration Now Open!

Cannabis Grower Outreach Session Information

Information from the August 24, 2017, session is available by clicking on Cannabis.

A Business of Details - Exporting a California Specialty Crop

Companies that are new to exporting and companies that have previously considered and abandoned an exporting plan can use A Business of Details to get up to speed on terminology, processes, common pitfalls and strategies for success. This training video follows a shipment of Romaine Lettuce from a packing facility in Salinas, CA to its destination in Taiwan.

Asian Citrus Psyllid Detected in Monterey County

UPDATE (06/2017)

Monterey County had its first detection of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) on June 7, 2016, in a residential area of Northeast Salinas.  This resulted in voluntary treatment of hosts within 400 meters of the find, and the establishment of a five-mile quarantine area.  Any find triggers a delimitation trapping survey, treatments within 400 meters of the find, and possibly an expansion of the quarantine area.

A second find of a single psyllid was confirmed in November 2016 from a trap in the Toro Park area.  This resulted in the expansion of the quarantine area and a new delimitation survey.  The quarantine expansion area has few hosts and no commercial citrus or nurseries.

A third find of a single psyllid was confirmed in June 2017 from a trap in Spreckels.  This again resulted in an expansion of the quarantine area.

 Asian citrus psyllid is a threat to California's citrus industry.  It transmits a disease called Citrus Greening or Huanglongbing (HLB) that is fatal to citrus trees.  HLB causes asymmetrical yellowing and splotching of leaves.  Affected trees produce bitter, inedible, misshapen fruit and eventually die.  The ACP is a small insect about the size of an aphid.  It feeds on citrus stems and leaves, especially tender new growth.

HLB disease has been found in Southern California.  It can be spread through the movement of citrus trees, fruit or infected budwood.  Homeowners should plant only certified disease-free citrus from a reputable nursery and not move plant material around.  Inspect your citrus often and report any suspicious insects or symptoms to the Agricultural Commissioner or call the CDFA hotline at (800) 491-1899.

A map of the ACP quarantine area is available here: Map

For more information see: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PDEP/target_pest_disease_profiles/ACP_PestProfile.html. 

For Your Information

OTHER NEWS

• USDA Secretary Vilsack explains the value of rural America and our ag communities.
  

• Memorandum on Pesticides, Schools. The Agricultural Commissioner releases a memorandum on issues related to pesticide use near schools.
  

• El Nino Preparedness.  Ready or not, here comes the weather!  Check out this link to the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County’s Hillslope Farming Runoff Management Practices Guide for some help with getting ready.  For more information or to contact the RCD, visit www.rcdmonterey.org.  

Accelerated erosion is a violation of Monterey County Code.
Keep your valuable soil and be a good neighbor – Be Prepared!

Issues Identified with CEHTP's April 2014 Report

Analysis of state report that raises ongoing concerns about agricultural pesticide use near Monterey County schools identifies flaws and limitations of the report. Read the ag commissioner's analysis here: High Resolution (60 MB) or Low Resolution (4 MB) 

Ranch Map books are now available for purchase at the Agricultural Commissioner's offices

The latest edition is current to 2014 data. The ranch maps are also available on a CD that has printable wall map versions.  For the web version and for more information click here.