research

Shriya Rangarajan^1,2,5, Mark Lubell², Joji Muramoto^3,4, Houston Wilson^1,5

¹ Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside; ² Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis; ³ Center for Agroecology, University of California, Santa Cruz; ⁴ University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, ⁵University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources—Organic Agriculture Institute

Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation Helps Suppress Weeds, Disease, Without Fumigants

Troubled by puny plants, low yields, and persistent mite problems, third-generation Southern California strawberry grower Glen Hasegawa was ready to give up on his transition from conventional to organic 12 years ago.

“I've always liked a challenge—but it turned out to be more of a challenge than I thought it would be!” he said.

CCOF is gathering input from our members on their marketing practices, challenges, and needs so that we can develop tools and resources to help your organic business succeed. These marketing tools will be available at no cost to all CCOF members in fall 2024.

Please take the survey online. It should take three minutes or less to complete. The survey is intended primarily for small to midsize organic farmers, ranchers, dairy producers, and “multi” operations, and we also invite organic processor/handlers to take the survey.

The latest addition to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) series of crop cost and return studies describes the practices and associated costs of producing organic processing apples grown on the Central Coast, including land preparation, fertility and pest management, irrigation, labor, and harvest. The reports also include tables reporting potential profits under various price and yield scenarios. Processing apples grown in the Central Coast are typically used to make juice and sparkling cider.

Dr. Brian Hogg at the USDA in Albany, California, is seeking sites for research on a parasitic wasp that was recently found attacking bagrada bug eggs in California. 

The newest CCOF Foundation supporter Anaerobe Systems has partnered with University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) to launch a research project featuring their organic input, approved by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

Dr. Brian Hogg at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service based in Albany, California, is seeking sites for research on a parasitic wasp that his team recently discovered attacking bagrada bug eggs in California. 

The wasp can attack eggs in soil, where the bagrada bug lays most of its eggs, and is almost certainly helping to control bagrada bug. The wasp develops within bagrada bug eggs and is quite tiny. 

Graduate student Thais Spiropoulos of California Polytechnic University, Pomona, in association with the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) programs in Southern California, will be conducting a needs assessment of urban farmers who primarily use organic growing methods. This survey aims to assess the technical needs of urban farmers within non-desert areas of San Bernardino, Riverside, inland Los Angeles, and Orange counties.

University of California, Davis wants to hear from California dried fruit processors.

California is a major producer of dried fruits, and we at UC Davis want to support the production of high-quality dried products. A team of researchers in the Food Science and Technology Department is interested in developing guidance on the best practices to ensure the safety and quality of dried California specialty crops.