CDFA Area Wide Glassy Winged Sharpshooter Control Program FY 25/26 & 26/27

On October 21, 2025, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors entered into an agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to fund the CDFA Area Wide Glassy Winged Sharpshooter Control Program for fiscal years 2025/26 and 2026/27. Managed by the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, this countywide initiative is designed to mitigate the presence of the invasive Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) to prevent the spread of Pierce’s Disease, which poses a significant threat to the agricultural industry. The program is fee-exempt under Government Code Section 6103 and complies with the CDFA certified Final Program Environmental Impact Report for the Statewide Plant Pest Prevention and Management Program. The primary scope of work involves providing financial reimbursements to Tulare County growers who participate in the pest management program. To qualify for reimbursement, growers must utilize licensed Pest Control Advisors (PCAs) and licensed applicators to apply pre-approved chemicals for GWSS control within their orchards. This program serves a critical public benefit by implementing necessary actions to prevent an agricultural emergency and protect the regional economy from invasive pest populations. The lead agency for administration is the Tulare County Resource Management Agency, with key oversight provided by the Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer and environmental planning staff.