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Agricultural Division - Agricultural Commissioner

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Grading, Drainage, Vineyard & Orchard Site Development
Updated Permit Application Information

Please note:

All projects, including Level I and Level II projects require an appointment when submitting completed permit application and required documents. Please call (707) 565-2371 to schedule an intake appointment.

Posted April 25, 2013

Sonoma County Launches Online Gardener Certificate Program

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - The Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner's Office, in collaboration with the Sonoma County Department of Health Services and the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), announces the launch of an online program to allow local gardeners to sell or donate their eligible produce. The online self-certification program supports goals outlined in the Sonoma County Healthy and Sustainable Food Action Plan, and reflects the County's ongoing commitment to supporting locally grown healthy foods and increasing access for consumers.

The Agricultural Commissioner's office will be hosting two informational meetings about the program on April 16th, and May 13th, 2013 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Agricultural Commissioner's conference room located at 133 Aviation Blvd, Suite 110 in Santa Rosa. All interested gardeners are encouraged to attend.

Please go to the following website to register for one of the informational meetings as space is limited:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/360310

The Approved Produce Gardener Certificate website can be accessed from the following URL:
https://secure.sonoma-county.org/agcomm/produce_gardener/

Posted April 3, 2013

Agropreneurship Training Program

Sign up for the 2013 USDA funded Beginning Farmer & Rancher Training Program encompassing a combination of agriculture and business training, and time spent with experienced farmers & ranchers. Classes are held at SRJC's Shone Farm. Limited scholarships available. Deadline to apply is April 15th!

Posted March 25, 2013

2013 European Grapevine Moth Trapping

The Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner's Office is coordinating the local trapping survey for the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM). The 2013 EGVM trapping season began on February 14 and will continue until mid October. The trapping program is similar to what occurred the last few years with only a small portion of the county near the Napa County border still under quarantine. You can find quarantine maps on our website.

Within the quarantine area we will be trapping at a density of 100 traps per square mile in commercial vineyards. We will still be trapping at 25 traps per square mile in all commercial vineyards outside of the quarantine area, which is the majority of our county.

If your vineyard is gated or there is any other condition which would prevent us from placing traps on your property, please call Gayle Carter or Alexis Ramey at (707) 565-2371, or email us at SONOMAAG@sonoma-county.org.

Our office appreciates your continued support and assistance with this important program.

Posted March 22, 2013

Spring Plastic Recycling Day - May 22, 2013

Posted March 18, 2013

Online Fillable Crop Report Survey Now Available for Small Producers

Posted February 27, 2013

Historical Crop Reports

As the new year begins, we share a look back at the history of Sonoma County agriculture through 84 years of Sonoma County Crop Reports from the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. This vast and significant base of knowledge is available because of farmers participation in crop report surveys over decades. Note to Growers: Please complete your crop report surveys and return them to our office by March 1, 2013. You may mail in your envelope, or you can fax your surveys to our office at (707) 565-3850. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Andrew Smith at (707) 565-2371.

Posted January 29, 2013

Removal of Areas of Sonoma County from European Grapevine Moth Quarantine

On December 21, 2012, USDA announced the eradication of the European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana, EGVM) in Nevada, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and most of Sonoma counties in California, thereby releasing them from quarantine.

This action further reduces the EGVM quarantine area approximately 317,000 acres or 35 percent. All of Napa County remains under quarantine as well as portions of Solano County and Sonoma County, which are within 3 miles of an EGVM find site in Napa County. A map of the revised regulated area can be found at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/eg_moth/index.shtml

Additional more detailed maps may be found on the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s website here:
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PE/InteriorExclusion/egvm_quarantine.html#maps

The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is working to update our website with the latest EGVM quarantine map of Sonoma County as well as lists of commercial sites that are with the quarantine boundaries. We will also be sending out letters to compliance agreement holders informing them of their quarantine status.

Posted January 18, 2013

Disaster Declaration for Sonoma County Due to Drought

On December 19, 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture granted a Secretarial disaster designation for several counties in California including Sonoma County due to agricultural losses caused by drought beginning January 1, 2012, and continuing.

Sonoma County growers with questions or who wish to apply for assistance should contact the USDA-Farm Services Agency office located in Petaluma at (707) 794-1242, or at 1301 Redwood Way, Petaluma, CA 94954.

Posted January 18, 2013

Frost Protection for Vineyards & Orchards – Updated

Posted December 21, 2012

DPR Licensing Exam in Santa Rosa in March 2013

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will be holding a licensing exam in Santa Rosa in March 2013. The exam dates are March 12th, 13th, and 14th. You must apply to DPR by January 23, 2013, in order to take this exam.

Several different licensing exams may be taken during this testing session including: Qualified Applicator License, Pest Control Advisor License, and Qualified Applicator Certificate. Persons who may need this exam include individuals that oversee the use of restricted materials or who oversee pesticide use for a pest control business, such as:

  • Qualified applicators for wineries that use sulfur dioxide for sterilizing barrels
  • Qualified applicators for Vineyard Management Companies
  • Qualified applicators for Maintenance Gardener Companies

More information on the exam including study material and how to apply for the exam can be found on the following page: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/license/liccert.htm

Posted December 10, 2012

Continuing Education Class Information

Fresno County Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association (CACASA). Offers online classes for licensees and certificate holders to complete courses to obtain continuing education requirements mandated by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) in the category of 'laws and regulations'.

National Organic Certification Cost Share Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) is providing funds to assist with the cost of organic certification under the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program. The California Department of Food and Agriculture will be distributing reimbursement to operations that have been certified by a USDA accredited certifying agent. Cost Share applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. More information (PDF: 62 kB)

Posted January 18, 2012

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