Press Release

Insight and Opinion: Creating a Pest Control District in Sonoma County

by Cindy Kron. PhD

Nov 8, 2022

California’s climate and soil creates a very special place for agriculture. With over 400 commodities, California is responsible for producing more than 33 percent of the vegetables and 75 percent of the fruits and nuts in the country although we only occupy 4 percent of the land that makes up the United States. 

According to the California Department of Food & Agriculture’s (CDFA) most current annual crop report (2021), California’s farms and ranches received $51.5 billion in cash receipts for their outputs of which grapes (wine, table, raisins) are ranked second bringing in $5.23 billion. Specifically in Sonoma County, winegrapes were the number 1 crop, bringing in $541 million which accounted for over 66 percent of the total crop value in Sonoma County for 2021. Winegrapes are very important to Sonoma county’s local economy and efforts to protect the future of this commodity along with the numerous jobs that it creates is of the utmost importance. 

Historically, the formation of pest control districts has played the role of […]

Subject: Invasive pest found in Napa County

The following information will be announced by the County Public Information Officer on May 20. 

On May 12, 2022, a county pest detection trapper discovered a single adult Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer (Harrisina metallica) in a trap located in Pope Valley near Dollarhide Road.  The Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer (WGLS) is a significant and destructive winegrape pest not known to be established in Napa County. All larval life stages are ravenous feeders that cause extensive leaf damage, including partial or complete defoliation of grapevines, especially on young vines. Excessive and uncontrolled feeding can damage fruit and lead to secondary fungal damage and rot of winegrape clusters.

Agricultural Commissioner staff have been in contact with the property operator to discuss the find and they are taking steps to respond to this issue.  Our department has responded to the WGLS find by placing 25 additional WGLS traps within a one-mile radius of the find and have requested all growers with vineyard property within this one-mile radius to be vigilant while inspecting their vineyards.

As this pest is rated as a “C” pest, there is no state enforcement action.  Additional finds of this pest may warrant further action on the part of the Agricultural Commissioner; however, delimitation trapping will continue throughout the remainder of the growing season and additional traps will be placed within the one-mile radius next year as well. WGLS was last detected in Napa County in June 2018 in Calistoga near Tubbs Lane, delimitation trapping was conducted with no further finds of the pest in the area.

The Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office request that growers, wineries, and residents become familiar with the pest’s appearance and feed behavior (refer to attached flier), similarly train employees, and contact our office at (707) 253-4357 or email Agcommissioner@countyofnapa.org if you think you have found WGLS.

WGLS may also be found or cause feeding damage on wild grapes, backyard grapes, Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidate) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Please be sure to also examine any of these plants if you have them on your property.

EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO ESTABLISH A SONOMA WINEGRAPE PEST & DISEASE CONTROL DISTRICT

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022.  BY JASON SALING, CHAIR PRO TEMPORE, SONOMA CO PCD.

Over the course of more than 18 months, a group of viticulturists and vineyard owners (listed below) have been working together to research both the benefits of, and the process for establishing a Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District in Sonoma County. We’ve engaged in research and discussed our effort with elected and appointed Sonoma County Officials, University of California Cooperative Extension & UC-ANR, Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, Napa County Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District Board of Directors, State Legislators, and other Pest Control Districts thr[…]

On January 4th, the Napa County Board of Supervisors Voted unanimously to continue the NCWPDCD until March 26th, 2027. You can find the full letter to the board about the merits, accomplishments, and services provided by the District in Napa County Agricultural Commissioner Tracy Cleveland’s letter to the Board here:

Report on the Reauthorization of the Napa County
Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District

We’re excited to have the support of both the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group and Malcolm Media as we prepare to present on Why We Need a Pest Control District in Sonoma County, like yesterday already!

Attending the Expo is free and you can fill your pockets will all manner of CEUs for your license while you’re there, and also fill your belly with their Breakfast and Lunch, also included. Visit the SCPCDC booth to learn more about what we’ve been up to, Oh, and don’t forget to visit the SCVTG Booth to learn more about the Vit Tech Group, and be sure to register for the 2022 meeting year!

See you there!! 🙂 Jason

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