David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth will be giving a talk and PowerPoint presentation about cannabis.Topics will include; identifying pest, disease, symptoms with all-organic solutions. Refreshments will be available. Roundtable discussion to follow.
VENTURA – Dietrick Institute for Applied Insect Ecology and University of California Cooperative Extension of Ventura County will bring Ken Kupfer, founding CEO of KM AntPro from Florida for a training session on ant baiting systems using liquid borate baits.
The event will be from 8 to 11 a.m. June 6, 2017 at the UC Cooperative Extension Conference Room 669, County Square Dr., Suite 100, Ventura, CA 93003, at no cost to farmers, landscape managers, and Master Gardeners.
The morning will open with Entomologist Anna Howell of the UC Cooperative Extension giving an overview on ant biology. Kupfer will demonstrate why organic and biologically based pest control becomes challenging in the presence of ants and the need to manage ants for cost-effective biological pest management. He invented the AntPro Liquid Bait Dispenser that gave exceptional performance in studies at the University of California at Riverside.
Joining Howell and Kupfer is Pest Control Advisor Tom Roberts of Integrated Consulting Entomology to talk about ant management systems in different crop settings. Liquid baits are generally more effective than dry, scatter baits. Borate based baits are the only ones that comply with the National Organic Program and are used by many certified organic growers. Future training workshops will cover other technologies for increasing soil biology on managed lands.
Contact: Ron Whitehurst, PCA, Ventura, CA, 805-643- 5407, email ron@rinconvitova.com.
Rincon-Vitova Insectaries is hosting a tour, potluck and discussion about the Ventura Food Coop. They won the 2016 Regenerative Business Prize for helping farmers manage biologically and get off of toxic pesticides, while minimizing their ecological foot print. See more at www.RinconVitova.com . Tour that starts at 3 pm -- see their evolving food forest, solar heating system, solar electric system, solar ovens, grey water systems, composting, compost tea brewing, tree nursery, and beneficial insect production and learn about how their mission and ways of doing business reflect the Seven Principles of a Regenerative Business.
Potluck Dinner at 5 - 6 pm -- Please bring a label with the food ingredients, such as veg, vegan, gluten free, sugar free. Solar and electric ovens available for warming items.
Discussion about the Food Coop 6 – 7 pm -- A new Food Coop in Ventura will have a culture shaped by its members. How will it benefit our community and not be just another business? How do we build community to support a Food Coop? How can businesses support a Food Coop that provides benefits to the community?