GreenSheet | March 16, 2023

The California Avocado Commission has hired food industry veteran Terry Splane to be the organization’s new vice president of marketing, effective March 13, 2023. Mr. Splane fills the role vacated by Jan DeLyser following her retirement last month.

Ventura County, in partnership with the nonprofit House Farm Workers! and all 10 County cities, will soon begin surveying agricultural employers, farmworkers and housing providers as part of its Countywide Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan. The goal is to identify farmworker housing needs in support of a stable and healthy workforce.

A recent article in the Topics in Subtropics newsletter notes red imported fire ants were found to be girdling and killing young avocado trees in the summer of 2022. Learn more about the pest and best mitigation practices. 

Planting California avocado trees generally takes place beginning in February, therefore Dr. Ben Faber recently shared planting advice based on common mistakes he sees in groves. Following is a summary of his observations concerning planting depth and soil amendments.

The California Avocado Commission is pleased to announce that the Special Local Needs registration for ProGibb LV Plus Plant Growth Regulator Solution (gibberellic acid) use on avocados in California has been renewed through December 31, 2025. Learn more.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced it has a vacancy on the Avocado Inspection Committee for an active handler of avocados. The AIC plays an important role in advising the CDFA Secretary on matters pertaining to the California Avocado Inspection Program.

The USDA is now accepting nominations for three producer and two importer members and three producer and two importer alternates to serve three-year terms on the Hass Avocado Board. Appointed members will serve from November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2026.

The Index Fresh Avocado Cultural Seminar Series is hosting a seminar concerning spring cultural tips and irrigation automation and technology.  The seminar will take place on March 22 in Temecula, CA and on March 29 it will be hosted in Ventura with simultaneous Spanish translation and a Zoom webinar option.

A recording of the “Get Down – Fertilizers” seminar is now available online. The seminar outlined best practices for fertilization, as well as how to read water and soil reports applicable to California avocado groves.

The California Avocado Tracking Study has been conducted regularly since the mid-1990s. The 2022 study provides a wealth of information that helps the California Avocado Commission marketing team direct communications, as well as measure progress against some objectives and performance measures detailed in the annual business plan.

To encourage early season demand for and awareness of California avocados, the California Avocado Commission launched pre-season media on popular online platforms — including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram — to engage with targeted consumers and generate excitement for the start of the California avocado season.