Volunteer Opportunities with County Extension
DANR Workgroup for those interested in soil solarization, biofumigation, and other, non-traditional and IPM strategies for managing soilborne pests. In modern agriculture, urban residents and farmers are often located near each other. A large portion of California residents are concerned about the use of agricultural pesticides, and the possibility of health and environmental hazards resulting from pesticide residues in the air, water, soil, and in the crops and products themselves. Methyl bromide, the most effective soil fumigant, is currently undergoing a worldwide phaseout. Producers need useful alternative treatments for managing soilborne pests. A UC workgroup on soil solarization operated for several years during the previous iteration of the DANR workgroup structure. Our interests cut a broad and interdisciplinary swath ranging from plant health (weeds, diseases, nematodes, insects) to commodity foci (small farms, specialty crops, ornamentals, etc.). The workgroup gave us the opportunity to get together annually to share information, initiate collaboration, and generally discuss topics of mutual interest.
Since the dissolution of the old workgroup concept, progress has continued in the solarization and soil IPM area. In 1997, the Second International Conference on Soil Solarization and Integrated Management of Soilborne Pests was held at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Aleppo, Syria, under the umbrella of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). More than 80 researchers from 22 countries on 5 continents were in attendance, and 56 papers were submitted for inclusion in the proceedings, which was published as Plant Production and Protection Paper #147 by FAO in 1998. An interational working group was initiated at the Conference, and Clyde Elmore and Jim Stapleton were elected to the Advisory Committee. Jim is serving as the current chair, and developed a website for the workgroup, which can be accessed through the Kearney Ag Center homepage (www.uckac.edu; then click on "research and extension activities" and look under the pest management section). A third interenational conference is now in the planning stages, perhaps to be held in Morocco in 2002. Another momentous event has been the initiation of the worldwide methyl bromide phaseout. Those involved in soil fumigation know that the main effect of the first 25% reduction has been the increase in cost, now up to around $1,500 per acre.
After some discussion, we propose to re-establish our workgroup, but broadened to include various IPM and other methyl bromide alternatives, as well as just solarization, under the new workgroup format. This workgroup will address DANR program priorities including AR issues #1 - Productivity and Efficiency of Agriculture, #2 - Pest and Disease Management, #3 - Environmental Quality and Resource Conservation, and #4 - Quality, Safety, and Public Confidence in Agricultural Products. We don't believe there is any other single workgroup where those working in the area of soil pest management, soil disinfestation, and/or methyl bromide alternatives can communicate and interact in a multidisciplinary, integrated fashion.
Since the dissolution of the old workgroup concept, progress has continued in the solarization and soil IPM area. In 1997, the Second International Conference on Soil Solarization and Integrated Management of Soilborne Pests was held at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Aleppo, Syria, under the umbrella of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). More than 80 researchers from 22 countries on 5 continents were in attendance, and 56 papers were submitted for inclusion in the proceedings, which was published as Plant Production and Protection Paper #147 by FAO in 1998. An interational working group was initiated at the Conference, and Clyde Elmore and Jim Stapleton were elected to the Advisory Committee. Jim is serving as the current chair, and developed a website for the workgroup, which can be accessed through the Kearney Ag Center homepage (www.uckac.edu; then click on "research and extension activities" and look under the pest management section). A third interenational conference is now in the planning stages, perhaps to be held in Morocco in 2002. Another momentous event has been the initiation of the worldwide methyl bromide phaseout. Those involved in soil fumigation know that the main effect of the first 25% reduction has been the increase in cost, now up to around $1,500 per acre.
After some discussion, we propose to re-establish our workgroup, but broadened to include various IPM and other methyl bromide alternatives, as well as just solarization, under the new workgroup format. This workgroup will address DANR program priorities including AR issues #1 - Productivity and Efficiency of Agriculture, #2 - Pest and Disease Management, #3 - Environmental Quality and Resource Conservation, and #4 - Quality, Safety, and Public Confidence in Agricultural Products. We don't believe there is any other single workgroup where those working in the area of soil pest management, soil disinfestation, and/or methyl bromide alternatives can communicate and interact in a multidisciplinary, integrated fashion.