Sustainable California Citrus
The following links will re-direct you to videos or documents released by the industry regarding various components of our sustainability efforts.
  
Citrus growers are practicing environmental stewardship and crop sustainability through the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
California fresh citrus has been a viable industry in the San Joaquin Valley for over 100 years and has grown to be a $2 billion industry. Citrus growers are on the forefront of innovative crop management and food safety standards in order to ensure only the highest quality fruit reaches the consumer.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an innovative and effective approach to modern pest management practices that is widely used in the industry. IPM strategies conserve inputs and take into account environmental conditions and biological resources in order to preserve the vitality of the crop while enhancing the natural ecosystem within the grove. An IPM program is specifically adapted for each grove depending on multiple cultural factors including geography, ecosystem, and soil and plant health. The use of beneficial insects as natural predators and selective use of soft pesticides have contributed to more effective pest treatment plans that preserve environmental and crop quality.
Sustainability efforts encompass practices that “result in conditions that that help meet current and future human needs, preserve environmental quality, responsibly use resources, and support economic viability.” Most citrus groves can go years without being sprayed as a result of IPM techniques and when pesticides are used, residues are virtually non-existent. Citrus growers recognize that less chemical applications are better for the quality of the fruit, the environment, worker safety, and also attribute to greater financial viability. IPM practices are adapted to meet the needs of growers, consumers, and the environment.
SunWest Fruit Company receives the IPM Innovator Award from the DPR
On January 26, 2012, SunWest Fruit Company was honored with the IPM Innovator Award from the Department of Pest Regulation. California Citrus Mutual's Shirley Batchman and Alyssa Nichols joined Greg Thonesen and Brian Fien of SunWest Fruit Company to accept the award at the CAL EPA offices in Sacramento. Martin Britz, president of SunWest Fruit Co. was also in attendance with his son, Brett Britz.
The awards ceremony was hosted by the Chief Director of the DPR, Chris Reardon. Both Matthew Rodriguez, Secretary of CAL EPA and Karen Ross, Secretary of CDFA were present at the awards ceremony and spoke about the importance of environmental responsibility in agriculture.
Award winners received a framed certificate from the Department of Pest Regulations as well as a gift bag of DPR branded items.
About SunWest and the IPM Innovator Award....
December 9, 2011- SunWest Fruit Company out of Parlier, CA was announced as a recipient of the CA EPA Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Integrated Pest Management Innovator Award. SunWest will be formally recognized onJanuary 26, 2012at the IPM Innovators Award Ceremony inSacramento. SunWest is represented on the California Citrus Mutual Board of Directors by Greg Thonesen who will be accepting the award on behalf of the firm.
The IPM Innovator award serves to recognize “Californiaorganizations that emphasize pest prevention, favor least-hazardous pest management, and share their successful strategies with others.” (DPR) SunWest Fruit Company has demonstrated their continuing interest in a viable Integrated Pest Management program by utilizing various crop management techniques. Sun West’s various IPM approaches have contributed significantly to the firm’s efforts toward sustainability.
SunWest’s IPM efforts include an in-depth scouting program designed to preserve beneficial insects through the use of pheromone puffers located with aGPSdevice as an alternative to chemical sprays. SunWest also employs an aggressive California Red Scale trapping system that includes one trap per five acres, compared to the industry norm of one trap per ten acres. GPS technology is used to identify areas that need to be treated, allowing for more direct, concise treatment program thus reducing unnecessary crop protection material applications. The use ofGPStechnology has enabled SunWest to streamline and create a more efficient and economical pest control budget.
SunWest has taken great strides to mitigate environmental impact and to promote food safety by becoming GlobalGAPcertified. All crop protection materials and fertilizers applied to all blocks are tracked and detailed using custom developed software. As a GAP Certified grower, SunWest must adhere to a higher standard of record keeping that address the entire production cycle, from field to the packing house. The custom technology allows SunWest to identify all materials applied to the field, the name of the applicator, the tractor number, and the application machinery used in each block for each application. By retaining detailed records, SunWest is better able to assess and continually improve the effectiveness and environmental efficiency of crop protection material applications.
SunWest has also eliminated the use of any herbicides known to cause ground and surface water contamination. All residual herbicides are applied using a banded approach, reducing the total use of herbicides and allowing for native vegetative growth and increased organic matter in the soil. Organic matter and native vegetation reduce the leaching of fertilizers and help to promote a healthy environment for beneficial microbial organisms to flourish. The native vegetation also helps to reduce soil erosion, soil compaction, and the potential of leaching and runoff.
“IPM innovators often conduct research to find new ways for managing pests.” (DPR) SunWest continues to pair with various entities to promote their IPM efforts and to develop innovative, sustainable pest management programs. SunWest clearly shows their dedication to IPM development by providing plots for experimentation for crop protection materials companies such as Gowan, BASF, and DuPont. SunWest has also worked with the Kings River Conservation District to reduce surface water contamination by installing a Bio-Weir in one of their natural drainage creeks.
Public outreach has shown to be a priority for SunWest. For more information about SunWest Fruit Company, consumers can visit www.zealicious.com or www.sunwestfruit.com.
California Citrus Mutual would like to congratulate SunWest Foods for their achievement of receiving DPR’s Integrated Pest Management Innovator Award. Their efforts in advancing IPM practices are exemplary of responsible pest management and have set a precedent for the citrus industry.
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