VASCM: NRCS EQIP Funding Available for European Grapevine Moth Eradication

[Mary Lindsay, Muns Vineyard]

Following is an announcement from the NRCS about funding available to 
help combat the spread of the European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia 
botrana).  This funding is available to growers in Santa Cruz and Santa 
Clara Counties - areas close to recorded trappings. Note that 
applications will be accepted through April 22. Those in Santa Cruz 
County can contact Rich Casale (his contact info is in the release).

We hope to have a tailgate later this month with a speaker to talk about 
the EGVM, spraying for larvae, etc. Larvae generally hatch around 
May-June (and feed on the flowers), and spraying needs to be done before 
then.

In the mean time, here are a few resources about the EGVM:

- UC Davis website at 
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/EXOTIC/eurograpevinemoth.html .

- a list of recommended sprays at 
http://cenapa.ucdavis.edu/news_970/European_Grapevine_Moth_688/?newsitem=25609 
.

-  http://cawg.org/images/stories/pdf/egvm_fresno_update.pdf  provides 
some helpful information (keep in mind that the timing recommended here 
applies to Fresno).

We will get back to you with more information and a date for a tailgate. 
We don't think anyone wants to see the spread of lobesia in the Santa 
Cruz Mountains.

Regards,
The VASCM Board:
- Mary Lindsay
- Rachel Ormes
- June Salsbury
- Bruce Manildi



    Funding Available to Farmers Fighting the European Grapevine Moth


    /Applications will be accepted through April 22, 2011/

DAVIS, Calif., April 1, 2011 -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation 
Service (NRCS) in California is offering assistance to California 
farmers to combat the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM). In this second 
year of the program, NRCS is offering Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 
tools to prevent isolated pest finds from becoming a widespread 
infestation.

Eligible farmers are those located within 500 meters of a recorded 
trapping of EGVM. The affected counties include Fresno, Mendocino, 
Merced, Monterey, Napa, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and 
Sonoma.

Treatment will be based on IPM systems for EGVM developed by the 
University of California. Treatment scenarios vary depending on the 
nearby pest incidence and will include pheromone mating disruption 
and/or use of compatible chemicals. Options are available for farms that 
are organic or seeking organic certification.

EGVM was first discovered in Napa County in September, 2009.USDA's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and California's 
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), are the federal and state 
agencies respectively charged with protecting the Nation and the State 
from foreign pests such as EGVM.In 2010, APHIS, CDFA and local 
Agricultural Commissioners implemented intense trapping and monitoring, 
and USDA and CDFA implemented parallel federal and state quarantines.

NRCS is providing funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives 
Program (EQIP). Eligible farmers may receive approximately half of the 
costs of the recommended IPM strategies.

"NRCS will offer contracts that may extend for multiple years to address 
eligible growers' treatment needs," says Ed Burton, California State 
Conservationist for NRCS. "Beyond the immediate need of treating for 
EGVM, growers are also invited to consider the robust Year Round IPM 
program developed by the University of California" (see 
www.ipm.ucdavis.edu <http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/>).Additional 
conservation planning for air, water and other natural resources is also 
available upon request.

Under the 2008 Farm Bill, agricultural producers need to meet 
eligibility criteria, including income limits, to participate.

Applications are now being taken at NRCS offices in the affected 
counties http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=CA.Sign ups 
will continue until April 22, 2011.For affected vineyard properties in 
Santa Cruz County contact: Rich Casale at the Capitola NRCS office at 
831-475-167. Sign ups will continue until April 22, 2011.

For more information on UC IPM recommendations for EGVM see 
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/EXOTIC/eurograpevinemoth.html.

Additional information on EGVM is available from APHIS at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/eg_moth/index.shtml 
and from CDFA at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/egvm/index.html.