Agricultural Resources

Ag Economics & Small Farms

The Agricultural Economics & Small Farm Program focuses on the challenges and opportunities of California's small scale farm operators.

We develop field and marketing research aimed at the needs of small and moderate scale farmers, and provide that information to farmers who are often not reached by traditional extension programs. Our clients include farmers of many different cultures who operate a wide variety of farming operations, often with limited resources.

Visit the San Diego County Small Farms Website

Agriculture & Climate

The Agricultural and Climate Program focuses on the impacts of climate trends on agricultural production and farm enterprises in San Diego County.

We are developing information resources about the policies, research, programs and strategies available to support sustainable agriculture and contribute to soil, water and energy conservation. Our clients include agricultural producers, policy makers, government agencies, researchers, educators, consultants and other public and private agricultural service providers.

Visit the Statewide Climate Smart Ag Website

Visit the Climate and Agriculture in San Diego County Website

Ag Water Quality Research & Education

The Agricultural Water Quality Research and Education Program assists growers and the general public by researching and developing farming practices that protect water quality, and fostering the implementation of these practices in the field. As part of the University of California, Cooperative Extension in San Diego County, our programs are based on sound scientific research and cooperation with the participants in our programs.

Visit the Ag Water Quality Website

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a process you can use to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment. IPM can be used to manage all kinds of pests anywhere—in urban, agricultural, and wildland or natural areas. This section covers some work and information from Area IPM Advisor Cheryl Wilen, Ph.D. She works primarily with professional ornamental plant growers, pest control advisers, landscapers, and public agencies. Cheryl is also the Area Integrated Pest Management Advisor for Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties.

Visit the Integrated Pest Management Website

Human & Wildlife Interactions

The Vertebrate Pest Control Education Program provides flexible multimedia outreach and education focused on agricultural vertebrate pest control including pesticide application and trapping practices of wildlife in the state of California. Here you can also find information on acquiring study materials to assist you in preparing for the Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) exam as well as links to various handbooks for species specific Best Management Practices (BMPs). PLEASE NOTE: Our Online course certification is currently unavailable for both Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB).

Visit the Human and Wildlife Interactions Website

Farm Management

The Agricultural Economics & Farm Management program focuses on research and education that provides growers and managers business management tools for planning, evaluating and implementing a farm business.

We develop crop production costs and profit analysis, and educate growers and managers on how to apply them to evaluate farm profitability. We provide guidelines on how to do financial analysis and risk management in farm business. The program covers the southern California region in crop production economics. Our clients include farmers and farm managers of crops grown in southern California and allied industries including financial institutions, property assessors and insurances that do business with farming enterprises.

Visit The Farm Management Website

Nursery & Floriculture

The Floriculture and Nursery Farm Advisor Emeritus, James A. Bethke conducts applied research, education and outreach programs to improve production and viability of the floriculture and nursery industries in San Diego and Riverside Counties. Environmental issues such as water quality and exotic pests are challenging the viability of the industry. If you are among those affected, join us at one of our workshops or seminars and find out what we're doing to help you.

Visit the Nursery & Floriculture Website

Subtropical Fruit Crops

The Subtropical Fruit Crops program works closely with growers (old and new) on a wide range of issues affecting mostly avocados and citrus. Sonia Rios has been the Area Subtropical Fruits Advisor for Riverside and San Diego County since 2014 and has conducted research to help growers with avocado and citrus. She's coordinated field trials for applying treatments including testing for herbicide resistance, pest management studies, evaluating new herbicides and insecticides in greenhouses, ditchbanks, rangelands, orchards, vineyards, and non crop areas. Sonia's publications provide insight for California growers, industry clientele, and assist regulatory agencies with science based information.

Visit the Subtropical Fruit Crops Website

Viticulture

The viticulture program addresses critical needs and issues that affect wine grape and table grape production in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. The overall goal is to develop a program to maintain vineyards with a more sustainable approach that includes the control of pests and pathogens and the efficient management of irrigation, fertilization, and floor management.

Commercial growers contact:
Carmen Gispert PhD
Area Viticulture and Pest Management Advisor

UC Riverside Palm Desert Campus

75080 Frank Sinatra Drive Palm Desert, CA 92211

Mobile: 951-323-4006

Email: cgispert@ucanr.edu