108 - Coordination and Communication: Establishing Partnerships with Local Beekeepers

Abstract: The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) is a dual county District that encompasses over 700,000 acres of farmland creating the region known as America’s Farm to Fork Capitol. Mosquito control efforts in the District often include aerial adulticide applications over rice and other farm land, creating an environment where non-target populations have the potential to be affected. Honeybees are a critical part of the natural environment contributing significantly to food production and ecological diversity. Honeybees, along with other pollinators, can be susceptible to pesticides therefore it becomes imperative that Mosquito Control Districts and Beekeepers maintain communication and establish best practices. Within the District, there are over three hundred beekeepers registered with their local county Agriculture Commissioner. As part of the apiary program, pesticide applicators are required to notify registered beekeepers of planned applications in order to comply with the Food and Agriculture Code of Regulations. The notification system implemented by the Agriculture Departments was not compatible with the District’s operational workflow. As a result, the District developed a system that provided outreach to every registered beekeeper and was able to satisfy the notification process by using a combination of state databases and mosquito spray notifications. This presentation will detail the steps taken by the District to work in partnership with the local County Agricultural Commission offices on developing a solution that was compliant with the notification process while reducing the impact to the daily workflow of the District.