Organic/Sustainable Agriculture Production [2021]

OVERVIEW

This course focuses on sustainable organic farming practices and cultural and biological pest management without the use of synthetic chemicals. This course will provide a general overview of the most common pests in organic/sustainable agricultural systems and current methods of controlling insect pests, weeds and diseases in a range of organic crops grown in the United States. Organic/sustainable agriculture is expanding rapidly in the US with an average annual increase of 12% during the last 15 years. In the early years, organic production was limited and typically meant small farms and roadside stands. Now, however, the growing demand for organic produce is attracting conventional producers and retailers. Organic product sales now exceed $32 billion in the US.

Course Features

Lectures 10
Questions 40
Duration 2 h (approx)

COURSE OUTLINE
- Introduction
  
  4 min.
- Organic Agriculture
  
  4 min.
- Major Insects and Diseases of Citrus
  
  8 min.
- Major Insects and Diseases of Grapes
  
  12 min.
- Major Insects and Diseases of Pome Fruit
  
  12 min.
- Major Insects and Diseases of Blueberries and Strawberries
  
  16 min.
- Major Insects and Diseases of Stone Fruit
  
  18 min.
- Major Insects and Diseases of Nut Trees
  
  18 min.
- Major Insects and Diseases of Vegetable Crops
  
  12 min.
- Major Insects and Diseases of Forage Crops
  
  12 min.

CREDIT INFORMATION

This course is accredited by:

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (2 hours Other)
Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Accredited in U.S. and Canada (2 hours, Sustainability)
Arizona Department of Agriculture (2 credits) (Not accredited for PMD licenses)
Florida Department of Agriculture (2 CEUs General Standards/Core, Category 482 & 487)
Georgia Department of Agriculture [Hours: 10-Specific (1)]
Idaho Department of Agriculture (2 credits)
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (1 credit 1A, 1B, 1C, Comm CORE, Priv CORE)
Nevada Department of Agriculture (2 CEUs General)
New Jersey Department of Agriculture (4 units 1A, PP2) *Due to a recent change in NJ rules, in order to receive credit, NJ licensees must submit a photo of themselves holding their license, with the course open on their computer behind them. Send to [email protected]*
New Mexico Department of Agriculture (Pending)
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (1 Hour, Category 1A & 10)
Oregon Department of Agriculture (2 Credits, Other)
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (1 credit in 01 & 03, 2 credits in 02, 4 credits in 18 & PC)
Tennessee Department of Agriculture (1 CEU in 1, 4, 10 12)
Texas Department of Agriculture (1 CEU Gen Pest Features)
Virginia Department of Agriculture (1 credit, category 90)
West Virginia Department of Agriculture (4 credits in Categories 1, 11, 12 and PA)
Wyoming Department of Agriculture (1 CEU)

It is accredited for licensing categories: PCAs, Qualified Applicators, Private Applicators, Aerial Applicators, and County Permit Holders.

CONTRIBUTORS

We'd like to acknowledge the contribution of Dr. Lawrence Marais for his invaluable direction and input in the initial development of this course and Randy Dodds, Brandt Consolidated's Organic Products Manager, for his input in updating this course.

For their invaluable help, we also thank the following:
Bob Curtis, Almond Board of California
Roger Duncan, Pomology & Viticulture Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension, Stanislaus County
Bob Klein, Ph.D., Manager, California Pistachio Research Board
Rachel Elkins, Pomology Farm Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension, Lake and Mendocino Counties
Deborah Giraud, University of California Cooperative Extension Farm and Community Development Advisor
Dario Cantu, Assistant Professor, Department of Viticulture & Enology, University of California, Davis
Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell, IPM Specialist and Research Entomologist and Director of Lindcove Research and Extension Center
Carl Eidsath, Tech Support Director, California Walnut Board/California Walnut Commission
Dr. Surendra Dara, Strawberry and Vegetable Crops Advisor and Affiliated IPM Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension
Heather Scheck, Plant Pathologist, Santa Barbara County
Steven D. Wright, Farm Advisor, Tulare and Kings Counties
Thomas Turini, Farm Advisor, Fresno County