Sustainable Ag Expo Offers Pest Management Solutions
News

Sustainable Ag Expo Offers Pest Management Solutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Atascadero, Calif., — Sustainable Ag Expo is a three-day educational seminar held November 12th- 14th, 2018, highlighting the latest in farming research, resource issues, and business trends related to sustainable agriculture for farmers, agriculture professionals and pest control advisors.   This year attendees can acquire up to 17.5 hours of California Department of Pesticide Regulation Continuing Education Units (CEUs) including two hours in the Laws and Regulations category. The sessions on Wednesday are devoted exclusively to pest management with 7.5 CEUs available on that day alone.

There are pest management related sessions on all three days covering the most economically damaging pests including: glassy-winged sharpshooter, native sharpshooters, stinkwort, brown marmorated stink bug, coyotes, ground squirrels, rattlesnakes, powdery mildew, red leaf diseases, vine mealybug.

“The intent of the Sustainable Ag Expo is to provide growers with the best and most recent information about the topics they care about including the pests and diseases they have to manage every season,” said Kris Beal, M.S., Executive Director of Vineyard Team. “If people come away having learned something new, then we have done our job.”

Continuing the tradition of excellence in applied IPM education, the speakers at this year’s Sustainable Ag Expo bring decades of experience in both the laboratory and the field. This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Michael McCarthy, of the South Australia Research and Development Institute.  The full line-up of speakers includes some new faces as well as some returning favorites such as Matt Daugherty, Ph.D., from UC Riverside with a focus on Glassy-winged Sharpshooters.  Walt Mahaffee, Ph.D., Research Plant Pathologist from USDA-ARS Corvalis, will discuss powdery mildew and Neil McRoberts, Ph.D., from UC Davis will cover the topics of red leaf disease and vine mealybug.

“We have identified the top pests of concern to growers through their feedback here at the Expo and at our regular tailgate,” said Craig Macmillan, Ph.D., Technical Program Manager at Vineyard Team. “We then find the top experts on the topic and invite to speak. We are fortunate to have such a distinguished line-up.”

Sustainable Ag Expo expert speakers present “Big Picture” topics such as: safety and labor regulations, invasive pests, climate change, irrigation system efficiency and maintenance and vertebrate pest management.  Other sessions delve into detailed technical, scientific and practical information.

The Expo features a robust lineup of more than three dozen exhibitors, with time during extended session breaks and at Monday’s Exhibitors’ Showcase where attendees have an opportunity to learn more about sustainable ag-related companies and the products and services they offer.

Conveniently held starting on Veteran’s Day and continuing through Wednesday, the Sustainable Ag Expo offers three-day and one-day passes.  Registration includes access to program seminars, entrance to the exhibit hall as well as the DPR and CCA continuing education hours.  Enjoy beverages, pastries, and lunch each day, and wine and appetizers at Monday evening's Exhibitors' Showcase.  One-day passes are $155 for Vineyard Team members and $180 for non-members. Three-day passes are $410 for Vineyard Team members and $460 for non-members.  Visit www.sustainableagexpo.org for tickets and more information on the 3-day event.

High resolution photos available upon request.


About Vineyard Team, host of the Sustainable Ag Expo:

Arising from growers' interest to educate and guide themselves towards sustainable winegrowing practices, the Vineyard Team has become an internationally recognized leader in the sustainability movement since 1994.

Not only has the organization influenced sustainability initiatives within the winegrowing community, Vineyard Team programs have influenced efforts in other crops as well. Recognized by governmental, environmental, and community organizations, the Vineyard Team's sustainable winegrowing programs are always leading the way in innovation.  Visit www.VineyardTeam.org for more information.


Back to News

Our Sponsors