Promote agricultural trade, public health, food security, consumer confidence, and a sustainable environment for the San Diego region.

Agriculture, Weights & Measures

2023-24 Adopted Budget $31M

Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) protects human health and the food supply, supports the region’s $1.75 billion agricultural economy, ensures an equitable marketplace, and fosters a sustainable environment. AWM conducts over 340,000 inspections annually in addition to registration, outreach, investigation, and enforcement to ensure compliance of approximately 12,000 regulated businesses regionwide. AWM also leverages the University of California Cooperative Extension’s (UCCE) expertise and research to benefit the community.

• Reduce Greenhouse gas emissions (fleet and solar): Electric Vehicle (EV) conversions $201K
• Inspect commercial  EV charging stations $242K
• Implement department sustainability plan $24K 
• Encourage eco-friendly purchasing $12K
• Promote sustainable agricultural practices through education and outreach $35K
• Support $1.75 billion local agriculture industry by mitigating the risks related to invasive agricultural pests and diseases $14M

• Prevent commercial pollutants from entering the storm drain system $861K
  
• Protect California citrus from serious pests and diseases that threaten the growth of citrus on commercial farms and in residential communities $600K
• Partner with UCCE for additional expertise on pest management $343K
  
• Manage bee keeping safety and education programs $250K

• Promote economic equity and sustainability by ensuring beverage container recyclers pay out the correct amount of money to customers $48K
  
• Ensure that consumers and working families are charged the correct prices at the register $874K

• Conduct nutrition education to underserved communities to promote healthy lifestyles that reduce childhood obesity and chronic diseases $198K
• Provide gardening and pest management expertise to the community through Master Gardeners Program, and other volunteer programs $360K

• Collect over 1,000 pounds of empty pesticide containers $7K
• Inspect and investigate agricultural, landscape, and structural pesticide use to support the safety of workers, the public, and the environment $5.4M
• Promote the safe and secure storage of hazardous materials at agricultural operations $170K

• Collect unwanted pesticides to avoid improper disposal $73K
  
• Conduct agricultural fieldworker safety trainings $33K
• Increase acceptance of nutritional benefits at various food outlets in underserved communities and provide more opportunities to purchase healthy locally grown food $90K