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On behalf of the National Citrus Nursery Association (NCNA) and the California Citrus Nursery Society (CCNS), we are excited to invite you to our joint conference, taking place November 19th - 20th, 2024. This event will bring together industry leaders, researchers, and regulatory representatives to discuss the latest advancements and challenges facing the citrus nursery industry.

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This conference is made possible by the USDA's PPA 7721 Project, which is funding the event as part of its broader efforts to enhance the sustainability and resilience of the U.S. citrus nursery industry. The project titled "Enhancing U.S. Citrus Nursery Sustainability: Collaborative Stakeholder Alignment & Engagement" is focused on fostering alignment within the citrus nursery sector across multiple states. The goal is to bridge knowledge gaps, promote best practices, and ensure the production of clean, disease-free citrus nursery stock. This conference will serve as a key platform to bring together stakeholders, including growers, researchers, regulators, and industry representatives, to discuss critical issues and build a stronger, more collaborative future for the citrus nursery industry.

​Scroll down to see the program for this year's conference and register!

Conference Outline:
Tuesday, November 19:
•    Location: Lindcove Research and Extension Center, 22963 Carson Ave., Exeter, CA 93221
•    Activities: Meeting Day - Engage in a full day of talks and panel discussions featuring leading experts on topics such as pest control, risk management strategies, and advancements in citrus nursery production.
 

Wednesday, November 20:
•    Location: Visalia, California (various sites TBD)
•    Activities: Join the CCNS-NCNA Field Tour to visit local facilities and gain insight into best practices in citrus nursery operations.
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Conference Schedule:
Tuesday, November 19, 2024

7:30 AM: Registration and Breakfast
8:00 AM: Introductions

Moderator: Heidi Cervantes 
8:30 AM: Generation of an optimally attractive scent for Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) biocontrol. Zoom.
Speaker: Alexander Aksenov, University of Connecticut
Topic: Developing a novel, low-cost lure device using graphene-based materials to release scent compounds that can attract or repel Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP). This technology supports an "Attract and Kill" strategy, offering potential applications for integrated pest management (IPM) in citrus nurseries.

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9:15 AM: Predictive Analytics and Insect Monitoring Technology - Title TBC
Speaker: FarmSense Representative (TBC) 
Topic: Utilizing FarmSense's FlightSensor™ for real-time automated insect monitoring to enhance pest detection and management in nurseries.

10:00 AM: Break

Moderator: Aaron Dillon
10:30 AM: A simulation-based approach to evaluating policies for psyllid breach risk. Zoom
Speaker: Robert Clark, EcoData Technology
Topic: Presenting a preliminary simulation-based approach to evaluate the molecular diffusion model for citrus nursery pest risk management. Clark will demonstrate how data from greenhouse inspection logs and insect monitoring can be incorporated to validate and refine the model, with insights from his team's expertise in pest management, including Asian Citrus Psyllid.

11:15 AM: Controlled Environment Pilot Crop Insurance Program
Speakers: Claire White, USDA Risk Management Agency
Topic: An in-depth look at the RMA protected culture insurance program and how nurseries can best utilize it as part of their risk management strategy.

12:00 PM: Winter Citrus Nursery Production: Controlling Light and Temperature for Optimal Growth
Speaker: Kim Bowman, USDA, Fort Pierce, Florida
Topic: Latest research findings on enhancing budbreak and citrus tree growth in winter nurseries using supplemental LED light.

12:45 PM: Lunch

Moderator: Michael Frantz
2:00 PM: The Systems Approach to Nursery Certification (SANC) Program - Title TBC.  
Speaker: Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort
Topic: Discussing a potential national compliance agreement or labeling program for online citrus sales, and how nurseries can add value with USDA-certified products.

2:45 PM: Proposed changes to the citrus nursery stock protocol
Speaker: Abby R Stilwell, USDA-APHIS
Topic: Updates on proposed revisions to the USDA-APHIS protocols based on public comments, and how nurseries can adapt to these new requirements.

3:30 PM: Break

Moderator: NCNA/CCNS Board Member - TBC
4:00 PM: Citrus Nursery Industry - Present and Future: Panel Discussion. 
Topic: A discussion of key priorities identified during NCNA meetings, focusing on national-level challenges and opportunities for the citrus nursery industry. Topics will include regulatory issues, strategies to enhance industry sustainability, enforcement mechanisms, and opportunities for diversification and innovation.

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Field Trip Schedule: November 20, 2024

8:00 AM:
Meet in front of the Visalia Convention Center/Marriott Hotel to load the bus.
300 S Court St, Visalia, CA 93291

8:15 AM:
Depart from Visalia Convention Center/Marriott Hotel. (Travel time: ~45 minutes)

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM:
Visit Citrolima Citrus Nursery US
41910 Rd 62, Reedley, CA 93654

10:15 AM:
Depart for the next location. (Travel time: ~30 minutes)

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM:
Visit Treesource Citrus Nursery
34816 Rd 192, Woodlake, CA 93286

11:45 AM:
Depart for lunch location. (Travel time: ~15 minutes)

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM:
Lunch at the Lindcove Research and Extension Center (LREC)

During lunch, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a citrus varieties tasting organized by the LREC and CCPP group.
22963 Carson Ave, Exeter, CA 93221

1:15 PM - 3:00 PM:
Visit Citrus Under Protective Screens (CUPS) at LREC and Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP) Greenhouse Facilities
22963 Carson Ave, Exeter, CA 93221
(On-site, no travel required)

3:00 PM:
Depart for next location. (Travel time: ~15 minutes)

3:15 PM - 4:15 PM:
Visit McEwen Nursery
22144 Boston Ave, Exeter, CA 93221

4:30 PM:
Depart for Visalia Convention Center/Marriott Hotel.
(Travel time: ~30 minutes)

5:00 PM:
Arrive at Visalia Convention Center/Marriott Hotel and unload the bus.
300 S Court St, Visalia, CA 93291

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The event promises to foster collaboration, share critical insights, and promote industry-wide best practices, bringing together stakeholders to strengthen the citrus nursery sector across the United States.

Registration Instructions