CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE: Watershed-level water accounting; Rethinking responses to food safety outbreaks in leafy greens; Reducing runoff with cover crops and mulch; and more ... ~ MAVEN'S NOTEBOOK

California Agriculture is a quarterly peer-reviewed journal reporting research, reviews and news on California’s agricultural, natural and human resources. The journal is published by the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR).

Peer-reviewed research and review articles

Cover crop and mulch practices reduce agricultural pollutant loads in stormwater runoff from plastic tunnels, by Oleg Daugovish, Ben Faber, Eta Takele, Jamie Whiteford, Laosheng Wu
Financial effect of limiting pesticide use near schools for almonds in nine counties depends on soils and weather, by Rachael E. Goodhue, Karen Klonsky, Christopher DeMars, Steve Blecker, John Steggall, Minghua Zhang, Robert Van Steenwyk
Job satisfaction assessments of agricultural workers help employers improve the work environment and reduce turnover, by Malcolm Hobbs, Emanuelle Klachky, Monica Cooper
Youth in 4-H Latino Initiative programs achieve similar outcomes to youth in 4-H community clubs, by Steven Worker, Maria Fábregas Janeiro, Kendra Lewis
Agricultural water use accounting provides path for surface water use solutions, by Glenn McGourty, David Lewis, Josh Metz, John Harper, Rachel Elkins, Juliet Christian-Smith, Prahlada Papper, Larry Schwankl, Terry Prichard

News and opinion

Hasty responses to foodborne illness outbreaks impact California growers, by Brooke Latack, Rebecca Ozeran: Four major foodborne illness outbreaks in 3 years have led to stricter requirements for leafy greens growers that may satisfy corporate buyers and reassure the public, but also highlight a serious need for more food safety research.
Research highlights, by Lucien Crowder: Recent articles from the Agricultural Experiment Station campuses and UC ANR’s county offices, institutes and research and extension centers.
Natural history for all Californians, by Editors: The California Naturalist program, which links the state’s residents with their natural surroundings, is making strides toward addressing its diversity challenges.