Nursery Inspection

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) funds the inspection of retail and wholesale nurseries across the county. This funding is partially sourced from fees paid by companies for state nursery licenses and certificates. Inspections are crucial because nursery stock can serve as a pathway for the spread of common and exotic pests into new areas.

During inspections, agricultural inspectors assess whether nursery stock meets cleanliness standards for common pests. If the stock does not meet these standards, treatment may be required. Inspectors often discover pests that are new to Ventura County or even to California. When an unknown insect or disease is identified, a specimen is sent to the CDFA Laboratory in Sacramento for analysis. The pest is then rated (A, Q, B, C, or D) based on its potential to harm crops or the environment.

Once rated, our office, in collaboration with the state, determines the appropriate course of action. In severe cases, a quarantine may be established, and an eradication program implemented. Quarantines can impact the movement of nursery stock within affected regions, including specific counties or portions of the state.