Nov. 7, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hunter Francis, Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium
805-756-5086; wfrancis@calpoly.edu

Cal Poly to present Sustainable Pest Management Conference on Dec. 5 and 6

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Trends in organic farming practices and soil health will be the major themes of the seventh annual Sustainable Pest Management Conference to be held in San Luis Obispo on Dec. 5 and 6.

The conference is jointly organized by Cal Poly’s Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium and California Certified Organic Farmers.

The conference is open to anyone with an interest in sustainable agriculture, including pest control advisors, growers and agricultural consultants. Participants can gain a greater understanding of organic practices and standards and the latest developments in effective, sustainable pest control.

First-day sessions will include “How the Emerging Market for Sustainable Food Products is Changing the Crop Management Landscape,” “The Impact of Pest Control and Fertility Costs on the Adoption of Organic Farming Practices,” “Cultural, Chemical and Physical Weed Control in Organic Systems” and “General Principles and New Findings in Organic Fertility.”

Day One will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building, 801 Grand Ave. in San Luis Obispo.

On the second day, sponsored by Reiter Affiliated Companies, leading West Coast experts will present research findings and case studies on the role of soil organic matter, fertility sources, nutrition rates, and balancing micro- and macro-nutrients for optimal plant health.

Integrated Pest Management will figure prominently on the second day, including:

  • CCOF Policy Director Zea Sonnabend speaking on invasive pests and their impact on organic farming, with a focus on recent light brown apple moth infestations;
  • Monica Cooper from UC Berkley’s Environmental Science Policy and Management Program talking about an integrated pest management approach to vine mealybug in California;
  • a micro-fauna pest control panel with academics from Cal Poly and the University of California, focusing on controlling springtails and symphylans; and
  • regulatory updates provided by Miguel Guerrero of the Organic Materials Review Institute and Randy Segawa of the California Department of Pest Regulation.

Day Two will be held at the Cal Poly Crops Unit at Highland Drive and Mount Bishop Road.

Continuing Education Units are available for pest control advisors, (eight units for Dec. 5 and an additional four units for Dec. 6), including three laws and regulations units on Day One. For Certified Crop Advisors, 12 CEU credits have also been approved.

The early registration fee is $150 for Dec. 5 and $75 for Dec. 6. Registration includes parking, meals and materials. Student rates are available.

To register or for further information, visit www.ccof.org/pcaconference.php, call 831-423-2263, or e-mail ccof@ccof.org.

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