Agriculture, Weights & Measures
2022-23 CAO Recommended Budget
County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) promotes public health and safety, agricultural trade, consumer confidence, and a sustainable environment for the San Diego region. In partnership with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), AWM brings together education and research resources to help individuals, families, businesses, and communities address agricultural, environmental, horticultural, and public health issues.
Budget in Millions
Staff
| $30M | FY 22-23 | 199 |
| 7 % | change from FY 21-22 | 11.2 % |
The Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) is part of the County of San Diego’s Land Use and Environment Group (LUEG), which includes the departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Health and Quality, Planning and Development Services, Public Works, and San Diego County Library. AWM supports the region’s $1.8 billion agricultural industry and ensures an equitable marketplace. AWM conducts over 340,000 inspections annually to provide important services that support public health and safety, a resilient food supply, agricultural trade, consumer confidence, and a sustainable environment. The partnership with UCCE brings together resources to address local issues, and to empower individuals, and organizations with research-based information to improve themselves and their communities
Sustainability
Tackling the Climate Crisis
$572K
Reduce greenhouse emissions (fleet and solar): Budgeted vehicle purchases in FY 22-23, with goal of converting 20% of AWM fleet to EV $300K
Implement teleworking and alternate work schedules to help mitigate climate impacts and greenhouse gas emissions
Create more EV charging stations at County facilities : Inspect commercial EV charging stations $272K
Implement Departmental sustainability plans
Educational and outreach materials on sustainable agricultural practices through University of California Cooperative Extension
Protecting Natural Resources
$15.5M
Promote $1.8 billion local agriculture through mitigating the risks related to invasive agricultural pests and diseases $13.2M
Agricultural Water Quality Program helps to ensure that our waterways are protected by preventing pollutants from commercial agricultural businesses from entering the County's storm drain system $861K
Protect California citrus from serious pests and diseases that threaten the growth of citrus in residential communities and on commercial farms $544K
Support the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) $870K
Empowering & Improving Lives
$455K
Train employees on equity, diversity, and inclusion topics $154K
Use data to understand and track community needs $301K
Connecting & Involving More People
$454K
Involve the community in our programs through meetings and online options $118K
Translate information into eight languages $160K
New staff to advance cutting edge policies through collaboration, research and monitoring industry trends and best practices $176K
Consumers & Economic Opportunity
$7M
Inspect 30,000+ scales, cash registers and gas pumps for accuracy $6M
Inspect produce sold at Certified Farmers Markets $586K
Verify organic products and promote sustainable agriculture $383K
Protecting Health
$5.7M
Regulate the use of pesticides
Inspect agricultural, landscape, and structural uses and investigate complaints and illnesses involving possible pesticide misuse to protect employees, the public, and the environment $5.5M
Conduct fieldworker safety trainings for agriculture employees that work in pesticide-treated fields to increase knowledge of pesticide safety requirements $30K
Manage bee keeping safety and education programs $215K
Regulate hazardous materials used in agriculture
Collect unwanted pesticides to avoid improper disposal
