Agriculture, Weights & Measures
If you've ever been to a farmers’ market, checked out at a
grocery store, pumped gas, or wondered if your produce was organic,
then you've benefitted from the Department of Agriculture, Weights
& Measures (AWM).
As part of the County’s Land Use & Environment Group, we're here to serve you.
What AWM Does For You
- Ensures pesticides are used safely and investigates related illness.
- Prevents the spread of pests that harm agriculture and the environment.
- Promotes the use of natural pest controls.
- Verifies produce that is marked as organic.
- Ensures vendors at farmers' markets grow what they sell.
- Verifies that commercial weighing and measuring devices and price scanners are accurate.
- Protects people from injury
and disease caused by wildlife.
Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine in La Mesa Area (March 2026)
CDFA has declared a quarantine in the La Mesa area on March 5, 2026, after the confirmed detection of five Mexican Fruit Flies (Mexflies) on four residential properties. The new quarantine will extend through La Mesa, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, and San Diego.
- Learn more and view an interactive map of the quarantine area on CDFA's website.
- Residents with Mexfly host plants are asked not to remove fruit from their property.
- Commercial growers can obtain a Mexfly Compliance Agreement to continue to ship, process, harvest and/or sell their crops by contacting us at CQP.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 614-7770.
- To report sustpicious pests, please call the CDFA hotline at (800) 491-1899.
Citrus Quarantine Declared in Ramona (March 2026)
CDFA has confirmed the detection of the citrus disease Huanglonging (HLB) in two trees on a residential property in the Ramona area of San Diego County on March 2, 2026. This is the fifth HLB quarantine in the region with ongoing quarantines in Fallbrook, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center.
- View an interactive map of the quarantine area or visit CitrusInsider.org to learn more.
- To report sustpicious pests or HLB symptoms, please call the CDFA hotline at (800) 491-1899.
Mexican Fruit Fly Detections in La Mesa, San Diego County
Between February 5-11, 2026, CDFA confirmed that three adult Mexican Fruit Flies (MexFly) were trapped in the City of La Mesa in San Diego County. Based on these detections, CDFA concludes that an infestation exists in the area. This pest requires immediate action to protect California’s natural environment, agriculture, and economy. In addition to a wide variety of commercial crops, MexFly threatens loss and damage to native wildlife, private and public property, and food supplies.
- Read CDFA's Proclamation of Emergency Program (PEP) for the Mexican Fruit Fly in La Mesa, San Diego, where you can find maps, host lists, controls, and more.
- For more on the Mexican Fruit Fly and other Pest Detection efforts in California and San Diego County, visit CDFA's and AWM's websites, or call the CDFA hotline at (800) 491-1899.
California Leads National Horticulture Sales with $3.07 Billion
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties report, the only source of detailed production and sales data for floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops for the entire United States.
Horticulture production occurred primarily in 10 states, which accounted for 67% of all U.S. horticulture sales in 2024. California ($3.07 billion), Florida ($2.15 billion) and Oregon ($1.29 billion) led the nation in sales.
Learn more in CDFA's Planting Seeds Blog post.
Multi-Hazard Farm-Ranch Emergency Plan Guide
CDFA California Animal Response Emergency Support (CARES) releases Multi-Hazard Farm-Ranch Emergency Plan Guide to help farmers and ranchers prepare in case of disasters.
Cotton Seed Bug (CSB) and Thrips Parvispinus
Two new invasive pests have been found in San Diego County nurseries: Cotton Seed Bug (CSB) and Thrips Parvispinus. Both pests are A-rated, meaning they are of known economic or environmental detriment. Learn more and help keep these pests from spreading by reading the fact sheets linked below:
- Cotton Seed Bug Technical Bulletin (USDA)
- Cotton Seed Bug Pest Alert (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)
- Thrips Parvispinus (PennState Extension)
- Thrips Parvispinus Distribution Update (UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research & Education Center)
For more questions and info, please contact AWM's Pest Exclusion Division at PHPP.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov or (760) 752-4700.
New World Screwworm (NWS)
New World Screwworm (NWS) is a fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of animals, including livestock, pets, wildlife, and even people.
CDFA is conducting outreach after recent detections in Oaxaca, Mexico, and encourages the public to stay alert and report any maggots in a wound or animals with draining, foul-smelling sores to CDFA's Sick Animal Hotline at (866) 922-BIRD (2473).
Private Applicator Certification Exam: Schedule Online
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