Sustainable pest control conference

A two-day conference on sustainable pest control for agricultural consultants and growers is scheduled for Dec.1 to 2, in San Luis Obispo and Templeton. The event is co-sponsored by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Cal Poly's Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium.

Dec. 1 workshops will be to review sustainable agricultural practices and comprehensive Integrated Pest Management programs.

The Dec. 2 agenda, to be held at Castoro Cellars winery in Templeton, will feature a workshop on “Assessing Operational Sustainability from a Pest Management Perspective.”

Applications postmarked before Nov. 15 are eligible for the early registration fee of $150 for Dec. 1 and $65 for Dec. 2. After Nov. 15, the fees are $175 and $75, respectively. Fees include parking, breakfast, lunch, refreshments and qualification for up to 14 continuing education units.

In addition to the workshops, the conference will offer information on biologically integrated pest control, including updates on pesticide resistance management strategies, non-toxic vertebrate pest control, beneficial soil organisms, new IPM programs offered through the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and important regulatory issues.

For more information, visit www.ccof.org/pcaconference, call Ellen Farmer of the CCOF at 831-423-2263, ext. 31, or e-mail ccof@ccof.org.