99th ESA Annual Meeting (August 10 -- 15, 2014)

FT 16

Agroecology in Action: Woodleaf Farm and Lundberg Family Farms Tour

Agriculture in California is diverse and large: California produces over 400 commodities and nearly half of the US-grown fruit, nuts, and vegetables. This field trip will visit three farm and ranch operations in the Greater-Sacramento area that are not only incorporating agroecological principles, like developing complex cropping systems that mimic natural ecosystems, but are pushing the envelope and using the scientific process to find new ways to reduce the reliance on synthetic and organic purchased inputs to manage pests and diseases. The trip will begin with a tour of an orchard that has been certified organic since 1980. We will meet the growers and learn about their Farm System Analysis work that has resulted in eliminating the need to spray for aphid and Lepidopteran pests.  We will visit the Lundberg Family Farms, a pioneer in organic rice farming that now manages over 14,000 acres. A local foods lunch will be provided during the tour.