In the United States, families are increasingly worried about the rising food costs and the growing hunger problem. A recent survey by Feeding America, which represents food banks, showed that 82% of voters are concerned about high food costs. What’s more alarming is that 87% believe hunger is on the rise in our nation. The …
Have you ever thought about fruits and vegetables as medicines? Yes, you read that right! In a fascinating initiative by Bread for the City, a non-profit organization in Washington, DC, doctors prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to their patients. This innovative approach, highlighted in a Washington Post story, “At Bread for the City, doctors prescribe …
Washington Post: Fresh Fruits and Veggies Are A Prescription for Better Health Read More »
California’s tomato industry, which supplies 95 percent of the nation’s processed tomatoes and a significant portion of the world’s crop, faces a formidable threat in Orobanche ramosa, a parasitic weed. This invasive plant has re-emerged in tomato fields across several Central Valley counties, sparking concerns that it could decimate a significant portion of this vital …
In a victory for science and free speech, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has upheld an injunction that prohibits California from mandating that products containing glyphosate bear a cancer warning label as stipulated by Proposition 65. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse over the safety of glyphosate, …
California’s agriculture is under constant attack from invasive pests and diseases. These non-native organisms, be it plants, insects, diseases, or microbes, pose a significant threat to California’s ecosystems and food supply, and managing them has become a pivotal task for Western Plant Health’s members. These invasive species are often introduced primarily through unintentional and accidental …
The Constant Battle Against Invasive Pests and Diseases in California Read More »
To help reduce the risk of wildfires, the California Department of Transportation has established a “Roadside Vegetation Control” program act mowing, controlled burns, weed whacker, goats, and herbicide spraying.
In July 2023, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) placed parts of Los Angeles County under quarantine for the invasive Tau fruit fly. The impacted area of Stevenson Ranch is 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Stevenson Ranch is just 90 miles from the Central Valley, which grows around 250 different crops, with …
Parts of California Are Under Quarantine For Invasive Fruit Fly Read More »
Pests represent a considerable risk to food production, economic loss, and environmental harm. By leveraging technology, growers can implement pest management practices to protect the plant. In a recent article, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists used machine learning and NASA’s next-generation Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to observe roughly 11,000 acres of vineyards …
NASA Spots Wine Grape Disease From The California Sky Read More »
In response to the historically disproportionate impact of environmental pollution and degradation on communities of color and low-income communities that are often located in rural communities, Western Plant Health (WPH) members have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to advance technologies that have developed a wide range of new products. Not only are they designed to protect …
Western Plant Health’s Environmental Responsibility Read More »
Farmers are the original environmentalists. In keeping with their long tradition of protecting the land for future generations, California farmers are increasingly embracing the proper use of pesticide-treated seeds. Pesticide-treated seeds contain a significantly small and measured crop protection product applied to the surface of the seed. The seeds and the young plants that grow from …