The CDFA PD/GWSS Board announced that they are having a special meeting 10 a.m. Wednesday (08/19/2015) to discuss the increase in Pierce's Disease on the North Coast.

This off-cycle proposal is a result of two observations. First, there are widespread reports of increases in PD in Napa and Sonoma counties at levels unseen during the last two decades, if not longer. Second, a large proportion of vines, and in some cases most of the vines, that have symptoms are not adjacent to riparian zones. These observations, while not scientific, have been made throughout Sonoma and Napa counties and relayed from growers/managers to UCCE Farm Advisors, who have independently confirmed these observations.

The board will hear from the Research Screening Committee, and then may vote on funding the project.

The agenda for the meeting may be found here.