AnnualReport

2001-2002

University of CaliforniaCooperative Extension

Mendocino/Lake Counties

579 Low Gap RoadUkiah, CA 95482(707) 462-4495

883 Lakeport BoulevardLakeport, CA 95453

(707) 263-6838

University of California Cooperative Extension Mission StatementThe mission of the University of California Division ofAgriculture and Natural Resources is to serveCalifornia through the creation, development andapplication of knowledge in agricultural, naturaland human resources.

The goal of the University of California CooperativeExtension Offices for Lake and Mendocino Counties is to continue to provide educational and appliedresearch programs that ensure:

T Preservation of natural resources throughpromotion of scientifically soundmanagement practices.

T Agricultural and forestry practices are botheconomically and environmentallysustainable.

T Animal and plant agricultural products arecreatively marketed so that the economicbase is expanded.

T The Boards of Supervisors in both Countiesreceive timely information on resources andland use issues so they may make informeddecisions.

T Local youth become informed future leadersby their participation in both traditional andnon-traditional 4-H activities.

T The people of Mendocino and Lake Countiesare provided unbiased information so theycan make informed decisions and improvetheir quality of life.

University Staff

John Harper, County Director-Mendocino and Livestock/NaturalResources Advisor forMendocino/Lake Counties.

Rachel Elkins, Acting CountyDirector-Lake and PomologyAdvisor for Lake/Mendocino Counties

Gregory Giusti, Forest andWildlands Ecology Advisor forMendocino/Lake Counties

Glenn McGourty, Viticulture andPlant Science Advisor forMendocino/Lake Counties

Peter Passof, Forest Advisor,Emeritus

Currently vacant, 4-H YouthDevelopment Advisor forMendocino/Lake Counties

Linda Edgington, Inland Mendocino4-H Program Representative

Arlene Fuller, Mendocino Coast 4-HProgram Representative

Julie Frazell, Lake County 4-HProgram Representative

Ron Jones, Lake Food StampNutrition Education ProgramRepresentative

Lori Loupy, Mendocino Food StampNutrition Education ProgramRepresentative

Cross County University AssignmentsFrancine Bradley, Extension

Poultry SpecialistDavid Lewis, Area Watershed

Management Advisor forSonoma, Marin and Mendocino.

Susan McBride, Marine Advisor forHumboldt, Del Norte andMendocino Counties

Adina Merenlender, IntegratedHardwood Management ProgramSpecialist

Lucia Varela, North CoastIntegrated Pest ManagementAdvisor

Mendocino County StaffLinda Blatchford, Office ManagerJim Nosera, Agriculture TechnicianCarol Gottfried, Office Asst. II/

4-H SecretaryFrancine Hines, Office Assistant I/

ReceptionistLake County StaffShirley Morse, Office ManagerJim Benson, Pomology Research

Associate/Lab Assistant IIITraci Anderson, Office Assistant III,

4-H SecretarySarah Davis, Lab Assistant I

ProgramDescriptionThe University of CaliforniaCooperative Extension inMendocino and LakeCounties is part of astatewide system that makesUC research-basedinformation available to localagencies, industries, and thepublic. Our mission is tosustain a vital agriculture,environment, and communityin Mendocino and LakeCounties by providingUniversity of Californiaresearch-based informationon management, nutrition,and youth development. Inthe counties we are alsoknown as the Farm Advisors’Office.

Our programs operatethrough a unique partnershipbetween county government,the UC system, support fromthe USDA, and other privatefunds. Backed by theresources of the UCcampuses, our educationalprograms use practically-applied research to solvecommunity problems. Weconsult with individuals andorganizations, publishnewsletters, produceinformation for mass media,and conduct seminars andworkshops; we also conductresearch on local problems.

PomologyThe Pomology Program,coordinated by Rachel Elkins,continues to focus on threemajor areas: insectmanagement, diseasemanagement, and updatinghorticultural practices (i.e. newrootstocks, training systems,varieties, tree nutrition, and irrigation efficiency). TheLake County Areawide CodlingMoth Project now encompasses1,500 acres with another 1,000 acres under puffers outside theproject area. The pufferprogram has reducedorganophasphate use 75% to100%. A detailed cost andreturn study shows a $9.00 perton, or nearly $200 per acre, costsavings to growers in the thirdto fifth year of use.

The Lake County Pear andGrape Pest Cast Networkcontinues to expand withseveral new vineyards andwildland stations. This networkis jointly managed by the UCCEPomology Program, LakeCounty Department ofAgriculture, and Lake CountyAir Quality ManagementDistrict. It providescomprehensive real-time datafor frost control, pestmanagement, air quality, andgeneral weather uses.

In Mendocino County duringthe past year Rachel conducteda trial in Potter Valley using abiological control agent tocontrol codling moth in organicpear orchards. Another trial inTalmage is underway todetermine if putting off the firstone or two spring irrigationscould save water and enhance pear tree root system healthwhile maintaining yield and fruit size.

Along with pears, other cropsserved by the Pomology Programinclude walnuts, apples, olives,and other tree fruit and nut cropsin Lake and MendocinoCounties.

Currently an olive variety trial isunderway in Philo evaluatingdifferent olive cultivars grownunder local conditions forsuitability for olive oils.

Regular meetings are held toupdate growers on currentresearch conducted by Rachel,along with the Area IntegratedPest Management Advisor LuciaVarela, University specialists andother experts as are relevant.

Integrated PestManagement

The University’s Integrated PestManagement (IPM) Programworks with growers to reducethe use of pesticides inagriculture. IPM has provedeffective as an alternative pestcontrol system leading tosignificant reductions in pesticide

Lake County pear orchard.

Acorn woodpecker.

application. Lucia Varela is theIPM Advisor for Lake,Mendocino, Napa and SonomaCounties. She works closely inour area with the Pomology andViticulture Advisors.

Key research objectives includethe control of pests in pears(codling moth, oblique-bandedleafroller, box elder bug, pear psyllaand spider mites) and grapes(grape leafhoppers, mites, scales,mealy bugs, whiteflies andsharpshooters).

Lucia conducts IPM educationaland outreach programs toempower orchard and vineyardworkers to increase their IPMknowledge. Other programsincluded glassy-wingsharpshooter identification andmonitoring, riparian vegetationmanagement for preventingPierce’s disease in grapes, andpear research updates on theimplementation of matingdisruption in pear orchards tomanage codling moth and otherpests. Lucia also trained 200Spanish-speaking farm workersin grape and pear IPM andriparian vegetationmanagement.

Forestry andWildlandsEcology

The Forestry and WildlandsEcology Program coordinated byGregory Giusti continues tofocus on multi-disciplinarynatural resource issues thataffect a variety of landowners. The program strives to addresscomplex resource managementconcerns through an inclusiveapproach that allows forlandowner input and direction. Additionally, the program has

conducted and participated in a number of educationalworkshops aimed at improvingawareness among landowners,agency personnel and policymakers regarding conservationof natural resources and currentresource issues. Topics haveincluded oak woodlandconservation, forest wildlife andfisheries habitat management,and water qualityconsiderations in native forestsystems plus workshops onSudden Oak Death (SOD)syndrome.

In cooperation withrepresentatives from timber,financial, and environmentaland academic communities,Greg and Forestry AdvisorEmeritus Pete Passof areworking with an organizationwhose mission is to developalternative financial strategies topromote privately- owned,community-based forestmanagement. The aim of thiseffort is to secure the issuance of tax-exempt municipal bonds for the purpose of purchasingforestlands.

As Forestry Advisor, Gregcontinues to provide staffsupport to the MendocinoBoard of Supervisors and theMendocino Forest Council onforestry issues such as SuddenOak Death Syndrome andproposed forestry-relatedlegislation including the reviewof the Jackson DemonstrationState Forest proposedManagement Plan.

In Lake County, Greg continuesto support and remain involvedwith the Lake County ResourceConservation Districts (RCDs)to initiate watershed-basedCoordinated ResourceManagement Planning efforts invarious Lake Countywatersheds. He also served as

technical editor for a newlypublished pamphlet Landowner’sGuide to Watershed Managementdeveloped by the RCD.

At the request of the LakeCounty Board of SupervisorsGreg served on the ad hoc timber rules committee. Heauthored the County’s rulepackage that ultimately wasadopted by the California Boardof Forestry. The rule packagewas incorporated into the Staterulebook in January 2001.

Research

Current research saw thecompletion of the ninth year ofcollecting data on Parson’s Creekat the Hopland Research andExtension Center on avian use ofthe riparian zone of anintermittent stream. The goal ofthis ongoing project is todocument resident andmigratory bird use of the riparianzone of an intermittent stream inmixed oak woodlands. Between1993 and 2001, a total of 1,779bird observations were recorded.(See table on next page.)

Parson’s Creek Riparian Corridor

10 Most Commonly Observed Species

‚ Oak Titmouse (125)‚ Acorn Woodpecker (103)‚ California Towhee (94)‚ Western Scrub-Jay (78)‚ European Starling (66)‚ Black Phoebe (62)‚ House Finch (59)‚ Brewer’s Blackbird (54)‚ Nuttall’s Woodpecker (52)‚ Anna’s Hummingbird (46)

10 Most Commonly Observed Neo-Tropical Migratory Species

‚ Bullock’s Oriole (54)‚ Orange-crowed Warbler (49)‚ Violet-green Swallow (43)‚ Ash-throated Flycatcher (37)‚ Pacific-slope Flycatcher (33)‚ Western Tanager (27)‚ Lazuli Bunting (26)‚ Warbling Vireo (25)‚ Western Kingbird (24)‚ Black-headed Grosbeak (22)

Viticulture Advisor Glenn McGourty and Intern Ivana Picciau harvestinggrapes last fall.

Another study of Greg’s is anattempt to gain some science-based information on the characteristics of an old-growthforest. Working in MontgomeryWoods outside of Ukiah, Greg’saim is to quantify the structureof old-growth redwood forests:how many trees, how big thetrees are per acre, how manyredwoods versus non-redwoods,how much wood is on theground, etc. Once the analysis ofthe forest is completed, the goalwill be to develop strategies toadvance the forests to mimic theolder conditions while allowingfor selective logging.

Viticulture andPlant ScienceDuring the past year GlennMcGourty, Viticulture and PlantScience Advisor for Mendocinoand Lake Counties has helpedorganize or host severaleducational conferencesincluding an InternationalSymposium on Sauvignon Blanccosponsored by the Lake CountyWinegrape Commission and theFifth Annual Pinot Noir

Conference in Anderson Valleycosponsored by the AndersonValley WinegrowersAssociation.

Glenn also assisted the LakeCounty Wine GrapeCommission in conducting theirfirst-ever Wine Writer Tour lastSeptember. The theme of thetour was “Terroir of LakeCounty,” and featured vineyardvisits growing on different soiltypes from Guenoc Valley toLakeport.A grant-funded cooperative

effort with the UC Extensionoffice, the MendocinoWinegrowers Alliance andMendocino College resulted in asix-week course, “A WatershedApproach to VineyardEnvironmental Quality” to helpgrowers comply with the CleanWater Act regulations addressingnon-point source water pollutionand the Total Maximum DailyLoad (TMDL) process. Inaddition, research continues oncover cropping and othermethods for preventing soilerosion and subsequent waterpollution.

Glenn also sits on Lake County’sErosion Prevention EducationCommittee (EPEC). The EPECreviews applications forconversions of farmland to winegrapes and has been successful inassisting growers in amendingtheir practices to minimizeerosion and also provide growerswith additional environmentaland viticultural cautions.

A Vineyard Field Day lastAugust discussed strategies forreducing bird damage to grapesincluding a demonstration onbird netting.

MediterraneanWinegrape Cultivars

The following varietals are beingevaluated for suitability inMendocino and Lake Counties. AleaticoAlglianicoArneisCanaioloChardonnayCinsautClairetteCorvinaDolcettoFiano Pinot GrisForesteraFreisaFurmintGrecoGrenachGrilloLambruscoMalvasia biancaMammalo ToscanoMarsanneMarzamenoMontepulcianoMorastelMourvedreMuscat blancMuscato di PantarellaMuscato di Ter4racinaNebbiolo lampiaNebbioloNegroamaroPadegebitPelavergaPeverellaPicolitPinot St. GeorgeRousanneSangioveseSouzaoSuavisSyrahTempranilloTeroldegoTocaiTourigaVerdehloVernacciaViognier

Research

One of the biggest effort inviticulture research continueswith the experimental vineyardat the UC Hopland Researchand Extension Center (HREC)where Glenn is studying about50 different Mediterraneancultivars for suitability to thiswine-growing region.

Acreage of the Mediterraneanvarietals has grown from 23 in1990 to over 905 acres in 2001 asa result of these researchefforts,. A grant from theAmerican Vineyard Foundationis helping to fund this projectalong with support from theHREC and local wineries.

The American VineyardFoundation also provided grantfunds for the development of aSoft Powdery Mildew controlprogram for sustainable andorganic growers in the NorthCoast.

Mendocino County leads thenation in the percentage ofvineyards that use sustainableand organic winegrowingtechniques. This county isunique in that even thoughvineyard acreage has beenincreasing, total pesticide usehas been declining, the onlyviticultural region in the statewith that trend. Nearly 90% ofpesticide application inMendocino County to winegrapes is sulfur dust.

Within the last several years,many new compounds havebeen released or are underdevelopment that areconsidered as potentiallyacceptable to growers followingorganic certification programs. Some of these compounds were

extensively tested under NorthCoast conditions. Materials areexamined for efficacy, effect onflavor of the wine and costeffectiveness of treatment.

Glenn’s ongoing research alsoincludes wine grape varietaltrials in Lake County. Asconsiderable acreage is comingout of pears, these trials addressthe best choices for wine grapecultivars more suitable to LakeCounty soils and growingconditions.

Another grant, funded by theCalifornia Department of Foodand Agriculture, FertilizerResearch and EducationProgram, allowed Glenn toresearch and write a handbookfor grape growers to assist themin developing environmentallysafe and effective fertigationprograms for their vineyards. The primary focus of the book,currently in the editing andproduction process, is onutilizing drip irrigation systemsto deliver fertilizers to the vines.

Livestock & NaturalResources

The Livestock & NaturalResources Program continues totrain clientele in water qualityissues, natural resourcemanagement, and livestockproduction. To encourage ranchers and otherlandowners to take a pro-activeposition and become leaders inaddressing voluntary compliancewith the Clean Water Act, Johncontinues to present the RanchWater Quality Short Course for both counties. These classes

Advisor John Harper and UC Specialist Ken Tate, Garcia Watershed Research

have been grant-funded throughthe USDA-Natural ResourcesConservation Service (NRCS) and assist landowners increating a WaterQuality/Natural ResourceManagement Plan for theirproperty focusing on the 10-Mileand Eel River watersheds thisyear.

Also funded through the USDA-NRCS was a Low MaintenanceRoads Workshop designed togive owners and managers ofwildland roads the tools todevelop and maintain roads forminimal impact on watersheds. In addition, Area WatershedAdvisor David Lewis presenteda Rangeland Water QualityWorkshop for North Coastregulators.

Research

Research has been implementedto answer specific questions withregard to livestock grazing andwater quality issues. Severalpublished papers report newfindings on temperatureinfluences on streams importantfor fish habitat including theGarcia.

A cattle grazing behavior studyusing the Global PositioningSystem (GPS) to monitor cattle movement was started lastspring and will help cattleranchers develop improvedgrazing management practicesthat will protect critical riparianhabitat.

John Harper and David Lewisalso are part of a research teamthat was awarded a three-year,$570,000 grant through theUSDA for continued research onthe paired watershed projects atthe Sierra Foothills andHopland Research & ExtensionCenters. Other grants totalingmore than $75,000 have beengenerated by John to conductapplied research on the pairedwatershed studies, sedimentinventory, and streamtemperature studies. Inaddition, two projects surveyingboth domestic livestock andwildlife for water-bornepathogens that can affect humanhealth are in progress. Asediment inventory method andpractical worksheet for use bylandowners became a statewideUniversity publication. Usingthe inventory method in aresearch project summarizedand published in California

Agriculture, John and Daviddetermined that the current 10cubic yard volume thresholdcould be increased to 100 cubicyards and still account for 99% ofhuman caused sediment.

4-H YouthDevelopment andConsumerScience

Hunger Task Force

Hunger Studies for bothMendocino and Lake Countieshave been published and sharedwith the communities. Inaddition, the press and local statelegislators have been madeaware of these studies. Representatives of the locallegislators have attended theHunger Task Force meetingsalong with representatives fromcounty agencies, non-profitorganizations, the businesscommunity, and private citizensworking together to look into theissues of regulatory impedimentsto Food Stamp access, identifyfood sources and distributionincluding community gardensand food banks plus promotionaland educational outreach.

Food Stamp NutritionEducation Program

The major goal of the FoodStamp Nutrition EducationProgram (FSNEP) is to improvethe nutrition-related skills offood stamp recipients,specifically those skills related toselecting, purchasing andpreparing a low-cost nutritionaldiet for themselves and theirfamilies.

Food cooked on camp “buddy burners” usually tastes better!

Lake CountyDuring the first year of the FoodStamp Nutrition EducationProgram (FSNEP) in LakeCounty, program representativeRon Jones joined forces with theOffice of Education and the LakeCounty Health Department. Thefollowing examples highlightsome of the successfulcooperative program ventures inthe County. East Lake School inClearlake Oaks offers “EarlyConnection,” a preschoolprogram of the Lake CountyOffice of Education ChildDevelopment Program. Mrs.Laura Van Ness, the ChildDevelopment Center SiteSupervisor and her husbandheard one of Ron’s presentationsat the Kelseyville FarmersMarket and asked if he wouldgive a series of “Eating Right isBasic (ERIB)” curriculum to theparents of the children.

Ron also worked with the “Healthy Start” programsaround the county, the LakeHealth Department, the LatinoCoalition, and offered programsat local Farmers Markets.

The most promising newendeavor comes from theDepartment of Social ServicesFood Stamp Division. They

have obtained permission forRon to set up a table in theirlobby on certain days to recruitfood stamp recipients on thespot. Ron also has permissionto hold FSNEP classes at theNET building in Lower Lake notfar from the Social ServicesBuilding.

Mendocino County The FSNEP program reachedover 100 Food Stamp families inMendocino County this yearthrough the efforts of programrepresentative Lori Loupy teaching them about foodsafety, stretching food dollarsand basic nutrition. Lori workswith agencies including SocialServices; the Women, Infant,and Children (WIC) program inFort Bragg and Ukiah; the FordStreet Project; WillitsCommunity Center and FoodBank; Plowshares; NuestraCasa; the County’s Alcohol andOther Drugs Program; and theJob Alliance Welfare to Workprograms.

A major focus this year was onthe grant-funded “Five A Day”nutrition education programfocusing on eating more fruitsand vegetables. Currently theprogram’s primary target areasare Ukiah, Willits, and Fort

Bragg. Plans for the coming yearinclude outreach to some of Mendocino’s more remotelocations.

4-H and YouthDevelopment

Mendocino CountyThe 4-H Program has grown toserving 718 youth and over 288volunteer leaders throughout theCounty with offices in Ukiah andFort Bragg and responsibilitiesshared by programrepresentatives Linda Edgington(inland) and Arlene Fuller(coast). In addition to thetraditional 4-H program, morecounty youth are enrolled in 4-Hsponsored After SchoolPrograms such as the MiniSociety that introduces youth toan entreprenurial program, andfood safety and nutritionprograms.

Approximately 150 campersfrom both Lake and MendocinoCounty attended the four-day 4-H Summer Camp in July, and25 teens trained as campcounselors.

Food safety and nutrition is afocus of the 4-H program, andfood safety trainings wereprovided to 4-H leaders and members plus staff at NorthCoast Opportunities. Youth alsoare taking part in a grant-funded “Five A Day” nutrition programfocusing on eating fruits andvegetables. Collaborative effortswith the American CancerSociety are underway with localschools and community gardensto teach how to grow fruits andvegetables, share food safetyeducation, and to teach where

Cooperative Extension ObjectivesT Develop a coordinated, science-based UCCE Specialist, Advisor and landowner/watershed

group applied research and monitoring program to systematically address the critical issues andknowledge gaps in stream temperature dynamics and sediment delivery on rangeland andcoastal streams.

T Increase the use of electronic media to deliver information and educational programs to moreremote areas of the counties.

T Continue to identify new crops and marketing opportunities for growers that are botheconomically sound and environmentally sensitive.

T Expand the number of youth and volunteers involved in both traditional and non-traditional 4-H programs.

T Increase the educational materials available to low income families and youth to improve theirquality of life.

4-H Campers make adobe with their feet.

food comes from through theFarm Bureau’s “Ag in theClassroom” activities and a JuniorMaster Garden Program.

Lake County

Julie Frazell is the Lake County4-H program representative. Under her direction, Lake 4-Hhad two 4-H All Stars this pastyear. Jamie Buckner producednine educational videos covering

animal showmanship etiquetteand appearance in the showring. These videos will be usedthroughout the County by 4-Hand FFA members to sharpentheir showmanship skills. AnnaSabalone designed and created amural, which is painted on theside of the Donley Horse Barn atthe fairgrounds. The mural is a moving depiction of LakeCounty from sunrise to sunset.Lake County has a five-member

team that has been chosen tohelp the University of Californiadevelop a new roboticscurriculum. The team is helpingdevelop activities using the LegoMindstorm Robotics CommandSystem. They will be attendingthe Science and RoboticsConference in Merced at CastileAir Force Base to present theirportion of the roboticscurriculum. Another three-member team is working withthe University to develop guidelines for theCalifornia 4-H All-TerrainVehicle (ATV) Safety Program. This team attended the National4-H ATV Safety training inSpokane Washington in May.

There also were seven CaliforniaFocus delegates representingLake County in Sacramento thissummer. This program isdesigned to provide anopportunity for youth to increasetheir understanding of thefunctions of government andidentify individual citizenshiprights and responsibilities.