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Ventura County Resource Conservation District
In June 1998, the
CIWMB contracted with the Ventura County Resource Conservation District (VCRCD) to
continue and enhance its Calleguas Creek Watershed Project relative to using municipal
mulch. CIWMB funding, which totaled $20,000, allowed the partnership to collect additional
data on the efficacy of mulch for erosion control in citrus orchards. The data is
graphically presented in a CIWMB brochure highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of
mulch, spreading costs, and use guidelines for erosion control in citrus orchards. Stop Runaway Soil--Use
Mulch!" (publication #443-99-021) can be ordered from CIWMB's Online
Publications Catalog.
Goals
- Collect data on mulch performance with respect to erosion control.
- Conduct at least one field day and one workshop for growers.
- Develop a brochure on mulch specification and use guidelines for erosion control in
citrus orchards of varying topography.
Partnership Organizations
- Fiscal Agent: Ventura County Resource Conservation District
- Contract Manager: Peggy Rose, VCRCD
- Key Partners: VCRCD, U.C. Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles Regional
Water Quality Control Board, Coastal Conservancy, and USDA/NRCS
- Participating Growers: Numerous Ventura County growers located in
Grimes and Long Canyons
Project Components
- Data Collection. The partnership recorded soil erosion, weed reduction, mulch depth, air
temperature, tree size, analyses of soil and leaf tissue, and conservation of irrigation
water associated with different applications of mulch made primarily from green material.
- Coordination of Field Days and Workshops. During the course of the
project, the partnership team conducted two field-days for commercial growers, one
end-user workshop, and published articles on project progress and results in VCRCD
newsletters, local newspapers, and scientific publications. It also conducted follow-ups
with workshop attendees to determine if they use mulch or cover crops for erosion control.
- Reporting and Publishing Results. The partnership provided periodic
project status reports and developed use guidelines for citrus growers. A citrus
erosion control brochure, Stop
Runaway Soil--Use Mulch!" (publication #443-99-021) can be ordered from
CIWMB's Online Publications Catalog.
Purpose:
- Demonstrate the value of mulch for erosion control in citrus orchards.
- Disseminate the results of the demonstration project to citrus growers in southern
California.
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