UC Blog
European grapevine moth found in Mendocino
As authorities collaborate on a battle plan to combat European grapevine moth, the pest has been detected in a new area.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported last week that 13 moths were found in a North Ukiah chardonnay vineyard, the first evidence the pest has reached Mendocino County. The discovery of the moths means that a quarantine with a three-mile radius around the vineyard will be established.
Mendocino County Ag Commissioner Tony Linegar believes the moth was transported on winegrapes from Napa County, where infestations are high, the story said. European grapevine moth, a native of the Mediterranean region, was first detected in California's wine country last September.
Meanwhile, the Napa Valley Register reported today that USDA is forming a technical team with experts from Italy, Chile and the University of California to determine the next steps in an effort to eradicate the new pest.Napa County Ag Commissioner Dave Whitmer, speaking to the Napa County Board of Supervisors last week, outlined a control strategy that includes additional trapping, working with growers where the pest has been found, maintaining quarantine standards and doing educational outreach, according to the article, written by Mike Treleven.
Grape industry leader Jon Ruel applauded the the efforts of the ag commissioner and UC Cooperative Extension for jumping on the issue early, Treleven reported.
“Dave (Whitmer) has done a good job to get state and federal agencies involved ... for getting money and a Technical Task Force, which drew the best scientists in the world,” Ruel was quoted.
Earlier stages of EGM larvae are tan to yellow-brown (top). Later stages are brown.
UC Riverside scientist receives national honor
UC Riverside plant cell biologist Jian-Kang Zhu has been elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Zhu's accomplishment was mentioned by UC Riverside Chancellor Timothy White in his "State of the Campus" address Wednesday, said a story on the Southwest Riverside County News Network website.
Zhu’s research focuses on the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying plant responses to adverse environments, such as salinity, drought and low temperature. His work has led to the identification of genes for modifying the responses of crops to environmental stresses, which will ultimately lead to major contributions to agriculture and the environment, the article said.Zhu is “an uncommon, terrific scholar,” White was quoted.
A UC Riverside news service press release said Zhu's election brings the number of current UCR faculty elected to NAS to five. Chair of the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences Jodie Holt said the award demonstrates the significance of Zhu's research to the scientific community.
“Many scientists come from around the world to work in his laboratory, which is further evidence of his expertise and reputation," Holt was quoted.
Jian-Kang Zhu speaks at a reception held in his honor at UC Riverside.
California Places 1st at National 4-H Horse Classic in Denver
NEWS RELEASESubmitted by Jeanne George, State 4-H Equine Educational Advisor
January 15, 2010
California Places 1st at National 4-H Horse Classic in Denver!
Nearly 1000 people attended Western National Roundup, January 7-10, 2010. Six hundred youth competed in fifteen national contests. Thirty states along with Alberta, Canada were represented this year in Denver, CO at the Renaissance Denver Hotel. The conference, in its 90th year, is held annually in early January, coinciding with the start of the National Western Stock Show.Local 4-H horse project members between the ages of 14 and 19 qualified for the conference by winning at the California State 4-H Horse Classic educational contests held last March. The California delegation competed in hippology, team & individual demonstrations, public speaking, horse bowl, and horse judging. As a state team, California placed 1st overall of over twenty states competing in the horse educational contests.
The horse bowl team placed third overall high point team. Members were Zach Provchy of Fresno County and Rebecca Riley, Jordan Riley, and Rebecca Tierce, all of Riverside County. Zach placed 2nd overall and Rebecca Tierce was 9th overall. It was a very exciting competition! Riverside County 4-H Leader Lynn Warren served as the team’s coach.
California delegates were national winners in the team and individual demonstration contests. Alyssa Perez and Shayla Duncan of Orange County and Christine Allen of San Luis Obispo County were each awarded $500 scholarships. Kaitlen Lawton, Kings County, placed second in the public speaking contest. Tisa Aley of Orange County was the coach, with LaDawna Lawton, Kings County, assisting.
The horse judging team placed 10th overall. Team members were Vanessa LeMasters and Elise Hewitt of Riverside County, Lorine Allen of San Luis Obispo County, and Christine Dingle of San Diego County. Debbie Allen from San Luis Obispo County served as their coach. The team also placed 6th in halter judging and 9th place for oral reasons.
The hippology team of Deanna Lestina and Carlisle Tiss, both of Riverside County, Allison Cuellar of San Joaquin County and Amanda Ames of San Diego County and coach Jeannine Lestina of Riverside County. They placed 5th overall, including a 2nd in team stations and a 7th in examination phrase. Deanna was the 2nd place overall hippology national winner. She also placed 7th in hippology exam, 3rd in stations, and 8th in judging.
Congratulations to all!
national horse classic
Tyler from San Bernardino 4-H honored by the NRA
The NRA Foundation has awarded $20,000 in scholarships to youths from all over the United States as part of the 2009 Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) Grand Scholarship Contest. This year, there were many outstanding applications to review. Tyler McGee, 17, a junior at Apple Valley High School, president of the High Desert Magic 4-H in San Bernardino County, and teen leader of the shooting sports project, was chosen as one of the recipients and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship.
Tyler was chosen to attend the Y.E.S. program sponsored by the NRA Foundation last summer. The seven-day, expense-paid, educational experience in the nation’s capital provided an exciting opportunity for Tyler and 45 select high school sophomores and juniors from across the United States. While in Washington, D.C., the students met members of Congress, learned the significance of the Constitution, visited with scholars and experts, and toured national landmarks. This experience gave students an understanding of the federal government and the importance of an individual’s active participation in government affairs.
After attending Y.E.S., the students are asked to submit two projects in a portfolio format. The first is to communicate their experience at Y.E.S. and how it has contributed to their personal growth. Tyler wrote several articles posted on the state and national 4-H websites. The second is to introduce an NRA program that they learned about during their Y.E.S. experience to their community and relay the results of the program in their portfolio. Tyler presented the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program to all the first graders in the Apple Valley Unified School District to teach them the safety rules needed in case they find a gun: stop, don't touch, leave the area, tell an adult.
For more information about the Youth Education Summit, visit www.friendsofnra.org/yes or contact Laura Dindal, Event Services Manager, at (800) 672-3888, extension 1354, or email her at ldindal@nrahq.org.
Submitted by Tyler McGee, High Desert Magic 4-H, San Bernardino County
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YES delegates
Food safety input collected in Monterey Co.
Food safety authorities were in Monterey County earlier this week gathering information from farmers, conservationists and scientists about new rules regulating the fresh produce industry, according to a story in the San Francisco Chronicle.
UC Cooperative Extension was represented by the director of Monterey County's UC Cooperative Extension office, Sonya Varea-Hammond. She is pictured at the meeting with the director of the Food Safety Project, Jim O'Hara, in the The Packer.
The Monterey forum was the fifth in a series offered by the Food Safety Project to gather comments and input to send to the FDA in May. The Packer story said the Food Safety Project "worked with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources during the forums."
The new rules being considered at the meeting, according to the Chron, are separate from food safety legislation now being considered by the Senate. However, they are similarly a reaction to a growing number of fruit and vegetable related food-borne illnesses.The article, written by Stacy Finz, says one of the fears expressed at the meeting is that the FDA will adopt regulations without regard for farm size, the type of crop grown and risk levels.
"A lot of what they're talking about seems too expensive to me," the story quoted Kevin McEnnis, owner of a 20-acre Santa Rosa farm. "I'm concerned that they're not as interested in our interests. We just don't have a lot of clout."
The safety of fresh produce the subject of Monterey County forum.