Private Train-the-Trainer Workshops Offered Free to Riverside and Imperial County Packinghouses

The Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program and California Citrus Mutual are offering free private, hands-on training workshops for local packinghouses and their crews and Farm Labor Contractors about how to prevent Huanglongbing (HLB) from threatening the California citrus industry’s livelihood and infecting commercial groves.

Presented in Spanish, this training informs front-line leaders in the field what they can do to reduce the risk of spreading the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and HLB, the fatal plant disease the psyllid carries as it feeds on citrus tree leaves. During the workshop, participants will:

• Understand the threat of HLB to the livelihood of the California citrus industry.
• Become familiar with best practices for field crews to prevent ACP from spreading.
• Practice using effective communication techniques to help their crews and others understand these best practices and why they are important.

All trainings are free of charge. Packers are encouraged to request a private training at their facility using the link below. These workshops can serve as a valuable addition to pre-season packinghouse meetings.

Trainings in Imperial and Riverside counties will take place from mid- to late-August; however, there is flexibility if this timeframe does not work for your organization.

For questions, please contact Annika Forester, workshop facilitator and coordinator, at 805-640-2525 or annikaforester@gmail.com.