March 6, 2025 — Sierra Valley, CA – On March 6, farmers and ranchers gathered at the Sierra Valley Grange Hall for Sierra Valley Grower Day hosted by the University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension. The event served as a valuable opportunity for farmers and ranchers to engage with experts, gain insights into key agricultural practices, and fulfill their Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements.
“The event drew attendees from across the valley and beyond, featuring presentations on everything from pesticide regulations and invasive weed control to effective pasture management and rodent control strategies,” said Tracy Schohr, the Plumas, Sierra, and Butte Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor for the UC Cooperative Extension. “The event focused on addressing the urgent challenges faced by the region’s agricultural producers, providing strategies that farmers and ranchers can apply to boost their productivity and sustainability.”
Key Highlights from the Event:
-Regulatory requirements are changing this year, requiring a new online reporting process. The Plumas-Sierra Agricultural Department is available to help farmers and ranchers navigate this process.
-Tom Getts, from UC Cooperative Extension, shared crucial management strategies for controlling invasive weeds like Perennial Pepperweed, Scotch Thistle, and Palmer Amaranth in the region. The session offered research-based techniques for tackling persistent weed species for farmers and ranchers!
-Dr. Charlie Brummer from UC Davis shared innovative solutions for enhancing pastures and rangelands in the region. He discussed new varieties for irrigated pastures, emphasizing their benefits in improving forage quality and quantity. The session also covered best practices for establishing and enhancing non-irrigated rangelands through proper seeding techniques and site preparation.
-Grazing, irrigation, and soil nutrient management are all important to pasture management, shared DJ Eastburn with UC Davis. This segment of the day gave an overview of pasture management research findings in the region, along with a “how to on soil testing,” and interpreting results to make informed soil health management decisions.
-Pesky pests that find their homes on rangelands and ag fields can cause significant economic losses. Dr. Roger Baldwin from UC Davis provided strategies that farmers and ranchers can use to manage rodent infestations, including gophers, ground squirrels, and voles.
"I am truly grateful to the expert speakers who braved the storm last week to share their invaluable knowledge with our local agricultural community," said Schohr. "Thanks to their dedication, attendees left the event armed with practical strategies they can consider to improve their farms or ranches.”
The Sierra Valley Grower Day highlights the critical role of continuous research and education offered by the UC Cooperative Extension for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. To learn more, visit https://ucanr.edu/sites/Rangelands/index.cfm. If you are interested in learning about future UC Cooperative extension events and more, sign up for their newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/b6410b4a1dd0/sofpg7zney.
