Smart Solutions for Climate Change - The Groasis Waterboxx, Using Nature’s Way to Water Trees

1. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
AND WEIGHTS & MEASURES NEWSLETTER
Asian Citrus Psyllid Update: Good News and Bad News
by Brian Cabrera, Entomologist and Heather Scheck, Plant Pathologist
The Asian Citrus Psyllid
(ACP) is a citrus pest native to
Asia now present in parts of
Southern California. Feeding
by the psyllid (pronounced sill
-id) damages new leaves but,
more importantly, infected
psyllids can transmit the dead-
ly citrus disease Huonglong-
bing (HLB). This disease
could ruin California’s citrus
industry if it should become
established.
Since two ACP were found
in Ventura County last De-
cember, one in Santa Paula
and one in La Conchita, an
additional single ACP was
found in April in the Camaril-
lo area. The three finds were
separated by a large geograph-
ical area, suggesting they were
“hitchhikers,” and not from
locally established popula-
tions. Due to the ACP finds,
a two year CA Dept. of Food
& Agriculture (CDFA) quar-
antine remains in effect. The
quarantine area extends north-
west from La Conchita into
coastal Santa Barbara County
up to Highway 154. This
quarantine restricts the move-
ment of nursery stock and
fruit to prevent the spread of
ACP into new areas. It is be-
lieved that ACP and HLB
were rapidly spread through-
out Florida via infested nurse-
ry stock, citrus and ornamen-
tals in the citrus family.
Both the CDFA and Citrus
Research Board are conduct-
ing aggressive ACP monitor-
ing programs using sticky
traps and inspection of citrus
nursery stock. Several govern-
ment agencies, including both
Ventura and Santa Barbara
County Ag Commissioner
Offices, are conducting in-
spections and outreach to
fruit vendors at local swap
meets, certified farmers’ mar-
kets, and roadside produce
stands. Thousands of ACP
and citrus plants are being
tested for the HLB bacterium
in the hopes we can catch it
early before it becomes estab-
lished.
Finally, we urge residents
not to bring in any citrus fruit,
plants or plant parts from out-
side the county and to report
any suspicious insects and/or
plant damage on citrus to
their local Agricultural Com-
missioner’s Office.
For more details on ACP and
HLB and what you can do,
please visit these web sites:
http://
www.californiacitrusthreat.org
/
http://www.hungrypests.com
Spring Edition 2011
Santa Barbara County
Agricultural Weights &
Gaviota Coast Thistle
Project
2
Leaf Scorch Disease 3
Field Fumigant Update 4
A Menacing Moth and an
Evil Weevil
4
Weights & Measures 5
Career Day 6
The “Waterboxx” 6
Fed Ex Inspections 7
Tractor Program 8
Livestock & Land 9
On Site Recycling 10
SBC Conservation Plan-
ning Sign up
10
News & Announcements 11
Inside this issue:
Contact us:
lmmartin@co.santa-
barbara.ca.us
(805) 681-5600 (SB)
(805) 934-6200 (SM)

2. Gaviota Coast Artichoke Thistle Project
Submitted by: David Chang, Weed Management Area Program Specialist
Artichoke thistle, (Asteraceae: Cyna-
ra cardunculus), is a “B” rated regulat-
ed noxious weed that occasionally
occurs on coastal rangeland of Santa
Barbara County and California. It is
a bushy, extremely spiny, herba-
ceous perennial plant, that grows up
to six feet tall and five feet
wide. Artichoke thistle spreads
from seed produced by showy, pur-
ple to white flowers, in the spring
and summer. The plants can create
dense patches, up to 22,000 plants
per acre, that reduce forage produc-
tion, limit movement of livestock
and inhibit recreational access.
Native to the Mediterranean re-
gion, artichoke thistle is the wild
form of the edible globe artichoke,
(Cynara scolymus). When grown from
divisions of the perennial crown,
globe artichoke will reliably produce
the spineless, edible flowerhead
found in your local market, but
grown from seed it can revert to a
wild form, producing the inch-long
spines normally found on Cynara
cardunculus. Artichoke thistle can be
traced to its introduction for orna-
mental and culinary us-
es. Naturalized artichoke thistle has
been recorded from pastures in San
Diego County since 1897.
The County of Santa Barbara
Agricultural Commissioner's Office
is working on the eradication of a
specific patch of artichoke thistle on
the Gaviota Coast, five miles west
of Refugio Road. The original in-
festation was over six net acres in
size. After three years of consecu-
tive treatment, the infestation has
been reduced to approximately less
than two net acres. The results of
this year’s (2011) fourth treatment
has yet to be evaluated. The pic-
tures accompanying this article
show the infestation prior to treat-
ment and its appearance after two
consecutive years of treat-
ment. Click here for more infor-
mation about the Agricultural Com-
missioner’s Gaviota Coast Arti-
choke Thistle Project.
Figure 1. Infestation's appearance prior to treatment.
Picture was taken in March of 2005.
Figure 2. Infestation's appearance after two consecu-
tive years of treatment. Picture was taken in March
Page 2 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures

3. Leaf Scorch Diseases in Southern Santa Barbara County
Submitted by: Heather Scheck, Plant Pathologist
Leaf scorch diseases caused by the
bacterium Xylella fastidiosa are on the
increase in Santa Barbara. Two that
are causing major damage are Olean-
der Leaf Scorch and Olive Leaf
Scorch. Xylella is probably most fa-
mous for causing Pierce’s Disease of
grape http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/
PMG/r302101211.html but this
pathogen also infects hundreds of
native plants, fruit trees and orna-
mentals.
Xylella gums up in the water con-
ducting tissue of plants causing symp-
toms of water stress. It’s spread from
plant-to-plant by flying leafhoppers,
usually by the glassy-winged sharp-
shooter (GWSS). Fortunately GWSS
is not established north of the Santa
Ynez Range where most commercial
olive groves are planted. Strains of
Xylella from grape do not infect ole-
ander or olive; they each have their
own unique strains of the pathogen.
Often the first symptom of Xylella
infection is browning of the leaf tips.
Leaves turn yellow and wilt as the
pathogen cuts off their water supply.
Gradually branches die back until the
whole plant is lost.
There are no pesticides that cure
Xylella diseases. Controlling GWSS
and removing infected plants has
been effective at slowing the speed of
epidemics. Infected oleanders and
olives usually die within 5 years.
Since the arrival of GWSS in the
late 1980’s there has been a big in-
crease in the number of leaf scorch
diseases and their severity in South-
ern California. Commonly grown
trees recently diagnosed with Xylella
diseases include: liquidambar, lilac,
ginkgo, heavenly bamboo, sweet
gum, crepe myrtle, magnolia, jacaran-
da and purple leaf plum. Symptoms
are similar for all these and could be
confused with water problems or
root disease so a lab test is required
to confirm the diagnosis. We are
always interested in recording new
hosts and contributing samples for
University research efforts. Good
samples would be branches at least 12
in long showing leaf scorch symp-
toms and can be dropped off at any
of our offices.
Oleander Leaf Scorch Olive Leaf Scorch
Page 3 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures

4. Submitted by: Brian Cabrera, Entomologist
Besides the Asian Citrus Psyllid, be
on the lookout for two other destruc-
tive, exotic pests: the European
Grapevine Moth (EGVM), Lobesia
botrana, and the Red Palm Weevil
(RPW) Rhyncophorus ferrugineus.
EGVM (“Egg-vum”) is a grape
pest native to southern Italy. It was
found in several vineyards in Napa
County in October 2009 and has been
discovered in several more counties.
EGVM is particularly damaging be-
cause the caterpillars feed on grape
flowers and fruit making the grapes
vulnerable to bunch rot. Eggs and
early stage larvae can be hard to see
so considerable damage can occur
before infestations are detected. For-
tunately, EGVM can be easily con-
trolled with conventional treatments.
The California Dept. of Food & Agri-
culture (CDFA) has established quar-
antines in infested counties. In non-
infested counties, thousands of moni-
toring traps have been deployed, in-
cluding here in Santa Barbara County.
University of California IPM advisor
Lucia Varela believes EGVM is being
spread via infested fruit and contami-
nated machinery.
RPW was discovered in a Canary
Island date palm in Laguna Beach last
August. This was the first find of this
species in the U.S. Native to South-
east Asia, RPW is one of the most
destructive palm pests in the world.
It attacks many different palm tree
species, including date and fan palms.
Feeding by the legless grubs turns the
inner core of the host palm into a
soupy, foul-smelling mush. Eventual-
ly, the tree crown will fall off. CDFA
has been closely monitoring the situa-
tion and so far, only a few trees in
one neighborhood have been con-
firmed positive for RPW attack.
Nonetheless, we nervously await
word of any new finds this spring.
Detailed information on EGVM and
RPW is available at these websites:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/
hungrypests/euroGrapeMoth.shtml
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/egvm/
index.html
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/rpw/
index.html
To report any suspect finds, please
contact CDFA: Pest Hotline 1-800-
491-1899 or Report-A-Pest website
www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/reportapest; or
your local Ag Commissioner’s office.
New fumigant labels are now out.
These were approved by US EPA and
California Department of Pesticide
Regulation. The changes are broad
and numerous and we are working
together with growers and pest con-
trol businesses to sort through them.
In February, members of the Santa
Maria staff met with representatives
of each pest control business and
talked about label and County condi-
tion changes. We opened a dialogue
to discuss our mutual concerns and
suggest approaches for adopting these
changes.
In the middle of March, I present-
ed more information about these label
changes at the 5th Annual Pesticide &
Safety Conference sponsored by Crop
Production Services.
And, last week, staff biologists met
with our last group of growers to join
us for our fumigation outreach ses-
sions. In these sessions, biologists met
for about an hour with growers in
small, informal groups to talk about
how label changes will affect them.
Growers had a chance to see each
other again, ask questions and learn
more about their responsibilities dur-
ing fumigations.
The biggest changes with the new
labels include a site-specific fumiga-
tion management plan, new levels of
supervision, more detailed respirator
use, replacement of restricted entry
period (REI) with entry restricted
period (ERP), and documentation of
good agricultural practices (GAP).
A monthly township cap on me-
thyl bromide use went into effect in
December. Along with that change, a
new regulation decreases respirator
work hours and we’ve incorporated
this information into our worksite
plan posted on our website:
http://countyofsb.org/
uploadedFiles/agcomm/forms/
MethylBromideWorksitePlanPack-
et.pdf).
We spent a great deal of time cre-
ating our new metam conditions and
have posted those conditions online.
We will post our streamlined chemi-
gation and shank conditions online as
soon as we can incorporate infor-
mation on methyl iodide.
Overall, we are looking forward to
having an incident-free fumigation
season. To do this, we’ll need to
watch closely for inversion conditions
and work with each other to keep
homeowners, school staff and sur-
rounding growers informed.
Field Fumigant Update
Submitted by: Susan Bryant, Pesticide Use Enforcement Deputy
Page 4 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures
A Menacing Moth and an Evil Weevil

5. Weights & Measures in-
spectors work in many dif-
ferent programs designed to
protect consumers. One of
the most direct methods for
ensuring consumer protec-
tion is the Price Verification
Inspection. The price verifi-
cation inspection is per-
formed at retail stores and is
a method of checking the
accuracy of the stores auto-
matic scanning system or
manual price entry system to
make sure that a customer is
being charged the lowest
listed price for an item they
purchase.
Most of our local stores
use some type of an elec-
tronic scanner for their cash
registering system. These
systems are also known as
point of sale or POS sys-
tems. The electronic scan-
ner is hooked up to a com-
puter, monitor, cash drawer
and receipt printer. The
scanner reads the bar code
from the product label of
each item. A signal is sent
from the scanner to the at-
tached computer that search-
es a database for the price
associated with that specific
barcode. Once the price is
located, the computer enters
the associated price into the
register.
Price look ups (PLU) or
stock keeping unit (SKU)
numbers may also be used at
check out and work similarly
to a bar code for the com-
puters to reference. PLUs
and SKUs are unique identi-
fying numbers for each of
the store’s products. The
produce department in most
grocery stores uses PLU’s to
identify the individual types
of fruit or vegetable for
check out.
The electronic scanner
systems are designed to
speed up the check out pro-
cess, reduce the number of
errors while checking out,
and help stores maintain
accurate inventory records.
However, electronic POS
systems are not without er-
rors. Most shoppers have
found a price discrepancy on
their receipt at one time or
another. These price dis-
crepancies are the reason
Weights and Measures con-
ducts price verification in-
spections.
The procedure for the
inspection is fairly straight
forward. Either a County or
State Inspector enters into a
store or business. To elimi-
nate all possibility of bias
during the inspection, the
inspector does not identify
themselves to any member
of the business staff. The
inspector walks the isles ran-
domly selecting a predeter-
mined number of items
from displays and shelves
throughout the store. The
number of items selected is
based on store size so that
larger stores will have a larg-
er number of items selected
than a smaller store. Com-
modities selected can include
sales items, display items,
bulk items, and produce.
The inspector discreetly
writes down the posted price
for each item selected. The
price could be indicated by
the shelf tag, an ad sign, or a
price tag attached to the item
itself. California law states
that the consumer shall be
charged the lowest price
found for that item.
Once the inspector has
collected the predetermined
number of items, they take
the items to register as if it
was a regular purchase. Af-
ter the items are rung up, the
inspector then identifies
themselves as weights and
measures official and the
transaction is voided. The
inspector compares the reg-
ister receipt prices to the
prices the inspector wrote
down from the display, shelf,
or ad. Any price discrepan-
cies are verified, and the
entire transaction is docu-
mented on a Sales Price Re-
port form.
Any discrepancies found
will either be overcharges or
undercharges. Undercharges
are documented but are not
considered violations. Each
overcharge is a violation of
the Business and Professions
Code and a Notice of Viola-
tion is issued to the store.
The magnitude of over-
charges and any history of
repeat violations are consid-
ered for assessing additional
penalties such as fines or
legal prosecution.
Another feature of the Price
Verification Inspection is to
verify that the store has a
display monitor that allows
the customer to watch the
transaction. California law
requires that any store
that uses a POS system
must have a display which
is positioned so that it can
be easily seen by the con-
sumer. Additionally, the
entire overall transaction
must be visible at least once
on the screen before the
customer is required to pay
for the goods or services.
The customer displays can
be a full sized monitor, a
smaller screen, or even a
small display on the credit
card reader as long as the
letters and numbers are easi-
ly visible to the customer.
Santa Barbara County
Inspectors check as many
businesses as other duties
allow. Consumers can help
by knowing their rights,
checking their receipts, and
registering complaints about
any pricing discrepancies or
customer displays that are
not visible. For best results,
complaints should be filed as
soon as possible after any
pricing error that has oc-
curred. These complaints
must include the name and
location of the store, a de-
scription of the mispriced
item, and as much infor-
mation that the customer
may have about the sign,
display, or advertisement
that listed the price.
Please call the Santa Bar-
bara County Weights and
Measures Division of the
Agricultural Commissioner’s
Office at 681- 5600 (SB) or
934-6200 (SM) if you have
any questions or concerns
regarding the accuracy of
price determination in Santa
Barbara County.
Protecting Consumers:
The Price Verification Inspection
Submitted by: Chris Tyler, Weights and Measures Inspector
Page 5 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures

6. Ag Commissioner’s Staff at Career Day
Submitted by: Brian Cabrera, Entomologist
On February 16, I participated in
San Marcos High School’s Career
Day. I was one of several profession-
als who talked about what we do and,
perhaps more importantly, how we
achieved our goal of becoming scien-
tists. I started my presentation by
informing the students of the impacts
of agriculture and horticulture on
their daily lives and their importance
to Santa Barbara’s economy. To
make that point I told them that all of
the food they eat and most of the
clothes they wear are agricultural
products and the flowers they gave or
received on Valentine’s Day came
from floral nurseries. In addition, I
showed them a satellite photo of the
area around San Marcos High point-
ing out several agricultural fields, or-
chards, and nurseries.
I explained some of the work our
office does and my specific duties,
especially the identification of insects,
mites, snails and other creatures. I
showed them photos of some inter-
esting insects and told them about
serious economic pests such as the
Asian Citrus Psyllid. I enjoyed telling
them how I used to play with bugs in
my backyard when I was a kid and
how, back in the last century, my high
school biology teacher, Mr. Gar-
lough, had us make an insect collec-
tion. That was the start of a long and
winding path that led to my current
position as an entomologist here in
Santa Barbara.
In other sessions, Weed Program
specialist David Chang and Weights
& Measures Inspector Chris Tyler
talked about their work. Our sincere
thanks go to San Marcos High for
being gracious hosts and giving us the
opportunity to talk to the students
about agriculture, entomology, weeds,
and weights & measures.
The “Waterboxx”—Using Nature’s Way to Water Trees
Submitted by: Bill Tietje and Royce Larsen, UC Cooperative Extension
Santa Barbara County residents often
want to plant a tree or two in the far
corners of their property, but find it
challenging, given our climate with irreg-
ular winter rains and no summer rainfall,
to keep the newly-planted trees green
and growing. A devise that has come
onto the market recently is dubbed the
“Groasis Waterboxx”. According to the
website (Groasis.com) the Waterboxx
has proven effective at “self-watering”
new plantings, even in a truly desert cli-
mate.
Recently, we started a trial to test the
Waterboxx by planting some oak seed-
lings and elderberry plants in a remote
area. The Waterboxx is a round plastic
“box” that fits around the tree trunk.
The inward-slanting corrugated top
cools during the night and channels con-
densed dew and heavy fog that collects
on the top to the base of the tree. The
Waterboxx also provides some protec-
tion for the newly planted tree and re-
duces the evaporation of water from the
soil around the base of the tree, im-
portant additional benefits for new
plantings. Once the tree is established,
the Waterboxx can be removed and re-
used for another plant. Placing a collar
around a tree that collects moisture and
at the same time provides some protec-
tion can be a big incentive and a boost
to getting that tree started that you
should have planted 20 years ago.
As you can see, the Waterboxx can
be a big help as an alternative to carrying
water to distant areas or setting up a
drip system. For more information
about the Waterboxx, contact the UC
Cooperative Extension Office in San
Luis Obispo or go to the Groasis Water-
boxx website: Groasis.com. On the
website you will notice that the inventor
of the Waterboxx is providing users the
opportunity to provide information on
the growth and survival of their plant-
ings. You may want to check it out.
The Groasis Waterboxx (from Groasis.com;
"©AquaPro"). The Waterboxx is approxi-
mately 20 inches in diameter and 8 inches
deep.
Page 6 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures

7. Bella Jean searching boxes Bella Jean alerting on a flower box Bella Jean getting assistance.
The employees at FedEx Express in Goleta were greeted by a surprise visitor on March 14th. Bella, a CDFA de-
tection dog, joined the FedEx employees and staff from the Ag Commissioner’s Office for their daily sorting of pack-
ages. Bella weaved her way though the boxes on the conveyer belt looking for packages that contained hidden plants
or plant products and “alerted” on four boxes that contained cut flowers by pawing those boxes.
Bella and her handler, Cecilie Siegel, are one of 13 dog/handler teams working for CDFA in 9 different counties
through out California. Bella is one of two dog/handler teams located in Contra Costa County.
Parcel delivery facilities, such as FedEx, UPS, On Trac, and the US Postal Service can unknowingly be a point of
entry for unwanted pests and weeds into California. Santa Barbara County agricultural biologists perform daily in-
spections at Santa Barbara and Santa Maria parcel delivery facilities and visually inspect packages for pests or weeds.
California State law requires packages which contain plant materials or plant products be labeled as such on the out-
side of the package. Unfortunately, unmarked agricultural packages can slip through undetected.
CDFA uses dog teams to enhance the inspection process and increase the likelihood that unmarked packages will
be found. A dog’s nose is 40 times more sensitive then a human’s nose and this sensitivity makes the dogs much
better suited to find trace odors from plants that might be hidden in packages.
Between July 2009 and June 2010 CDFA Dog teams located 2,270 unmarked packages containing agricultural
products. 53 of these unmarked packages contained actionable A-rated or Q-rated pests. Additionally, 1,560 of the
unmarked packages were rejected for violations of either State or Federal quarantines.
Due to the success of the detection dogs in locating unmarked agricultural packages and the importance of agricul-
ture in Santa Barbara County, our Ag Department is currently exploring the possibility of incorporating a Detection
Dog team into our exclusion program to augment inspections. Funding for the detection dog program is provided by
a grant from the 2008 Farm Bill.
To see video and photos of the detection dogs in action or for more information on the program please visit:
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/dogteams/index.html
CDFA Scent Detection Dog Visits Santa Barbara
Submitted by: Chris Tyler, Weights & Measures
Page 7 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures

8. Page 8 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures
Carpinteria High School FFA Tractor Restoration Project
Submitted by: Bradley Miles
The Carpinteria High
School FFA tractor pro-
gram started in 2004 when
students worked on getting
a tractor running. My son,
Wesley, asked me to come
and help with the wiring on
the tractor. How could I say
no? The following year the
students, including my son,
decided to work on a 1946
McCormack Deering or-
chard tractor. This one
could not move as they
thought the transmission
was frozen. Also the engine
would not turn over. Since
the tractor had a lot of local
history, there was a desire to
make it work. Half the or-
chard skirts were missing as
well. The Ag teacher, Mr.
John Avila, asked me to just
come when I could to help
them. I soon realized it
needed a lot of work. My
visits turned out to be daily
as I became hooked on see-
ing the students make it run.
Each day one of the stu-
dents would haul my tool
box out of my truck and we
would work on it outside
rain or shine for the most of
the year. I will not forget the
look on the students faces
when the tractor was
cranked over by hand and it
started. Every student was
proud that they could take a
piece of junk and make it
run. In the end we went to
the Cheveron National
Tractor Restoration compe-
tition in Louisville, Ken-
tuckey as one of the ten
finalists. Our success reaf-
firmed that if a student
gains confidence in himself
that it will cascade into oth-
er endeavors.
Twice a year we run our
tractors in the Carpinteria
Christmas and Fourth of
July parades. The
Carpinteria locals love see-
ing us driving our little con-
voy through town. Each
year we refurbish more trac-
tors. Carpinterians put up
the money to build our trac-
tor barn. Tractors keep be-
ing donated which we refur-
bish and sell. The program
is self-sustaining now
through our teams being
commissioned by individu-
als who want their tractors
worked over. We make
them mechanicaly sound as
well as paint them. All of
this renders experience to
the students. On more than
one occasion I have had a
parent tell me that the trac-
tor program was what made
their child get to school on
time. Sometimes the stu-
dents want to work after
school and on holidays
which I comply with and
show up.
The amazing part is the
program is run by two of us
as volunteers. We keep the
program in the black. When
a team completes a tractor
the owner of the tractor
pays for the parts as well a
tax deductable donation to
the program which part of it
is shared with the students.
Only a select handful or so
of students do the program
each year. This year we have
two young ladies in our pro-
gram. Everyone is working
to get tractors ready for the
Tulare Antique Tractor
show. And yes, we will be
working during Spring
break.

9. Page 9 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures
4-H was one of the first youth
development organizations in Amer-
ica. The program started over 100
years ago. It is now the largest youth
development organization in the
United States.
The program was originally con-
ceived as a result of university re-
searchers finding a need to share
new information and ideas with the
rural agricultural communities in the
late 1800’s. University researchers
found the adults of the rural farming
community were not readily accept-
ing the new agricultural discoveries
and techniques being developed. It
was decided that rural youth pro-
grams would be an innovative way to
share the new developments and
technology with the community’s
youth who could then share the in-
formation with the rest of the com-
munity.
Several community clubs focused
on agriculture popped up around the
Country in the early 1900’s. A.B.
Graham started a youth program in
Ohio in 1902. The club was called
“The Tomato Club,” and is consid-
ered to be the beginning of the 4-H
program in the United States. T.A.
Dickerson also started agricultural
clubs in Minnesota in 1902.
The Smith-Lever Act in 1914 cre-
ated the Cooperative Extension Sys-
tem at the United States Department
of Agriculture. The Cooperative
Extension included work with many
youth clubs involved with agriculture
and is the point when 4-H was na-
tionalized. The term “4-H” first
appeared in a federal document in
1918. By 1924, the name “4-H” was
adopted. The clover emblem was
also adopted in 1924 and the H’s
stand for Head, Heart, Hands and
Health. The use of the name and
emblem are still protected by patent
and Congressional law today.
The 4-H program in Santa Barba-
ra County was started in 1925. The
first club in the County began in Go-
leta. Since that time, 4-H has grown
throughout the County. There are
now fifteen clubs serving 665
youths. There is a 4-H club in nearly
every community in the County,
from Santa Maria to Goleta,
throughout the Santa Ynez Valley,
and Lompoc to Cuyama. Many of
the clubs have continued support
and participation from the original
families spanning three generations.
The original focus of 4-H as a
tool to educate youth through practi-
cal, “hands-on” learning has re-
mained constant throughout history.
4-H has grown into a program that
serves not only rural youth, but ur-
ban and suburban youth from com-
munities in every state in the nation,
as well as youth in over 80 countries
throughout the world. Some of the
worlds’ most important issues, from
food safety and security, global cli-
mate change and sustainable energy
are part of the 4-H program of the
21st century.
Submitted by: Lottie Martin, Ag Biologist
Days Gone By….
4th District Supervisor Joni Gray Anna Scheck at S.B. County Fair

10. COMING SOON!!!
The wet weather of winter keeps livestock owners up to their knees in mud and sludge. This has led many locals
to ask, “What can we do on our property to control the seemingly uncontrollable?” In response to this the Cachu-
ma Resource Conservation District (RCD) is creating a half-day training focused on the healthy management of
horses, livestock and land. The Livestock and Land Program has been successfully assisting Monterey Bay Area
Counties to improve conditions related to animal health, land aesthetics, chore efficiency, safety, reducing flies and
increasing property values, while protecting our valuable watershed resources. The Cachuma RCD is excited to
bring this program to Santa Barbara County!
The program focus’ on land stewardship Best Management Practices (BMPs), including pasture and paddock man-
agement, weed management, aerated manure composting, mud issues, site planning, and how
these issues effect livestock health. The half-day training will be held this autumn in Santa Barbara County at a
ranch already outfitted with a Best Management Practice (BMP) addressing these topics. Workshops will include a
site tour. Presentations from local experts and information exchange from equestrian and livestock facility own-
ers. Assistance with site plans will be available and encouraged during and after the workshop, at your request.
Keep an eye out for this fun and educational event! The program will be advertised through the Ag Commissioner
newsletter, county feed and tack stores, as well as with the help of various horse and livestock groups. Also, check
out LivestockandLand.org for more information on the program. Or you can call Kate Dickson at 805-928-9269
ext.107 or email at Katherin.Dickson@ca.nacdnet.net. We hope to have a great turnout, help our local land and
facility owners while positively impacting the environment and animals!
AREA ORGANIZATION JOINS FORCES TO BRING EQUES-
TRIAN, LIVESTOCK and FACILITY OWNERS A WORK-
SHOP FOCUSED ON RESPONSIBLE MANURE AND MUD
MANAGEMENT.
Page 10 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures

11. Page 11 Spring Edition Santa Barbara County Agricultural
Weights & Measures
Free, On-The-Spot Recycling of Plastic Pesticide Containers
Submitted By: Susan Bryant, Pesticide Use Enforcement Deputy
Location: North of Donovan off Blosser
Date: July 11, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Who: Interstate Ag Plastics
Interstate Ag Plastics travels throughout California and Arizona to collect and recycle properly rinsed plastic containers
and is supported by the Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC). This website link provides more information and a
photo gallery : http://www.interstateagplastics.com/
Plastic containers from 1/2 pint to the 55 gallon drums are acceptable as long as they are TRIPLE RINSED as required
by law. NO caps, NO label booklets, NO foil seal from spout are allowed.
This service is NO COST with a site provided by DB Specialty Farms.
Please call the Ag Commissioners office at (805) 934-6200 for more information or to make an appointment.
For form and map click the following link : http://countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/agcomm/bulletins/Recycle.pdf (this
link will expire July 12, 2011)
Santa Barbara County’s Conservation Planning Sign-Up Underway
Submitted by: Nikki Smith
Santa Barbara County’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing their first Conservation
Planning Initiative Sign Up. It is a voluntary conservation initiative that encourages stewardship planning and im-
provements on agricultural land. The confidential free conservation planning service provides a professional analysis
of a landowner’s natural resources and works with owners/managers to craft alternatives based on their goals and
budget. The alternatives can include engineering, agronomic, soils and biological solutions to address problems such
as erosion, water quality, stream habitat improvement, forage quality, irrigation and nutrient management, and more.
Plans can also be developed to further enhance already healthy land or to augment properties with habitat beneficial
to wildlife.
The deadline to request assistance through the Conservation Planning Initiative is July 1, 2011. Applicants who
enroll and complete a plan through this initiative will receive a high screened application if they choose to apply for
the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) later on in the year. EQIP provides incentive payments for
qualified applicants to implement practices within their conservation plans. It is a competitive application process;
having a completed conservation plan on file, will greatly improve chances of funding through the program.
To enroll in Santa Barbara County’s Conservation Planning Initiative please contact Nikki Smith, Soil Conserva-
tionist at (805) 928-9269 x 108 or nikki.smith@ca.usda.gov. You can also visit our office in person at: 920 E. Stowell
Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454.
The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

12. Santa Barbara Office
263 Camino del Remedio
Santa Barbara, CA 93110-1335
Phone: (805) 681-5600
FAX: (805) 681-5603
Hours: M-F 8:00AM to 4:30PM
Santa Maria Office
624 W. Foster Rd., Suite E
Santa Maria, CA 93455-3623
Phone: (805) 934-6200
FAX: (805) 934-6202
Hours: M-F 8:00AM to 4:30PM
County of Santa Barbara
www.agcommissioner.com
Staff Highlights!
In May, our office was chosen to represent the
county with an employee of the month. We have
so many great employees in our department we
couldn't narrow it down to just one! Our em-
ployees of the month for the month of May 2011
are, Tom Donlon, Mary Ann Rajala and Debbie
Trupe. Congratulations!!
News & Announcements
WE ARE NOW ON FACEBOOK!!!
Please “like” our page on Facebook to keep updated on the
latest news and Ag events going on in our community!
http://www.facebook.com/agcommissioner
RODENTICIDE USE FOR PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE
You may have questions about recent label changes made by US EPA for rodenti-
cide baits. As of June 4, many rodenticide labels containing diphacinone or chloro-
phacine will no longer be allowed for home use and will be federally restricted.
Production agricultural users, including those of you with cattle, pasture or range
land, will have to double check the new labels to make sure they continue to allow
use in your setting. Because these labels will now be federally restricted, some of you
who previously did not need to be certified may now need to be certified to pur-
chase and/or use the rodenticide.
We can help you with any of these steps: studying for the exam, taking the exam,
completing monthly pesticide use reports, and getting more information on the
application of the products.
Studying and taking the exam
Our office is authorized by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to proc-
tor an interim rodenticide exam which will certify individuals as a Private Applicator
(PAC). You will need to schedule an appointment at any one of our offices and pass
the exam with a minimum score of 70%.
Options for application
You have the option of becoming certified as mentioned above or hiring a pest
control business to apply the bait.
Product option
You may not be aware that CDFA, through a Special Local Needs registration
(SLN), provides county agricultural commissioners with labeling that allows them to
formulate and sell 0.005% and 0.01% chlorophacinone and diphacinone rodenti-
cides. Kings County formulates and sells these oat-groat products. Specific bait pur-
chase information can be found at the VPCRAC’s website (Vertebrate Pest Control
Research Advisory Committee) http://www.vpcrac.org/about/handbook.php. This
site also has some good information on studying for the private applicator exam.
Lompoc Office
401 E. Cypress Avenue
Lompoc, CA 93436-6806
Phone: (805) 737-7733
FAX: (805) 737-7735
Hours: By Appointment Only
North County Phytosanitary Certificates
Help Us Help You!
In an effort to expedite the inspection process for commodities requiring Phytosani-
tary Certificates, please adhere to the following guidelines:
∙Ensure orders are placed before noon if expecting an inspection that day.
∙Make sure to contact Cooler personnel to ensure product is set up in time for in-
spection.
∙All product that is listed on the Phyto must be staged and ready for inspection by
1:00p.m the day you request the Phyto.
∙Product should be staged in an area for the inspector to see the entire order.
∙Shipment needs to be identified by order number or phyto number.
This is a busy time for all of us and our inspectors have many products for inspec-
tion at numerous coolers everyday. If the product is not set up and ready for inspec-
tion the inspector may have to leave without issuing the Phyto.
Please help us help you by having all product staged and ready for inspection.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office