Announcements

Dairies Under H5N1 Quarantines Released

Dairies previously under quarantine for H5N1 have been released. California is still at Stage 3 under the National Milk Testing Strategy due to intermittent low-level detections. Milk will still be tested across the state for the next few months.

H5N1 detections continue in wildlife across the state. H5N1 remains a reportable disease in livestock in California, and producers should still report any clinical signs consistent with H5N1 by calling CDFA's hotline: (866) 922-2473

Stay up to date on H5N1 and learn more on CDFA's HPAI Animal Health website, as well as in this CDFA Dairy Update Factsheet from CDFA. 

Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey Open Through April 3

The County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services has launched a community engagement survey for the Hazard Mitigation Plan update. Responses to the survey will inform updates to the Hazard Mitigation Plan by helping identify concerns about hazards and potential actions to reduce their impact. The survey will be open until April 3.

San Diego County Future of Food Job Fair, April 9

Join the San Diego County Future of Food Job Fair on April 9, where job seekers and employers can connect for opportunities in agriculture, water, technology, logistics, CPG, and food manufacturing.

San Diego County Future of Food Job Fair

  • Date: Thursday, April 9
  • Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Location: Escondido AgX Regional Innovation Hub, 455 N. Quince St., Escondido, CA 92025 
  • Registration: bit.ly/futureoffoodsd

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. Read more in CDFA's and the County of San Diego's news releases. 

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. 

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.

CDFA CARES Multi-Hazard Farm-Ranch Emergency Plan Guide

CDFA California Animal Response Emergency Support (CARES) released a 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:

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. 

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (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).

New Information for Snail Compliance Agreements

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) updated its Snail Free Master Permit (SFMP) Program compliance agreements. Please see the advisory to learn more.

Nursery License Renewal Late Fees

AWM would like to share some info from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on nursery license fees on how to avoid a late payment charge when renewing your nursery license.

CDFA Guidance on Nursery License Registration Late Fees