Apiary
Each year all beekeepers in the county are required to register their colonies with the Agricultural Commissioner. This process is designed to be beneficial to beekeepers as well as people who live and work near bee yards. It helps us know where hives are located and helps resolve certain complaints and issues concerning bees in our county. The possibility of Africanized Honeybees entering our county makes it especially important that we know where colonies are being kept. There is $ 10 registration fee. Blank forms are available at our office.
Crop Statistics
This program involves gathering information, compiling parcel records and publishing an annual crop report. The report puts a dollar amount on the value of agricultural production in Nevada County and highlights some of our department's accomplishments. Approximately 200 copies of our current (2002)
Annual Crop and Livestock Report are disseminated to the media, legislators, business and the public. These statistics provide the basis for crop value calculations used during disaster relief efforts. Copies are available at our offices.
Egg Quality Control
County inspectors enforce state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to eggs and egg products. Inspectors are licensed by the federal government as well as by the state. These inspections ensure wholesome eggs as well as correct size and truthful labeling.
Fruit & Vegetable Quality Control
This program involves the enforcement of state laws and regulations pertaining to packing, shipping and quality of these agricultural commodities. The Agricultural Commissioner is also responsible for the certification of producers of agricultural products sold at farmers markets, the certification of those Farmers Markets and the registration of organic farmers (organic registration).
Nursery Inspection
Nursery inspections ensure that the consumers are supplied with correctly labeled pest-free plants for food production and ornamental use. We also assist nurserymen in finding proper methods of controlling insects,
diseases and nematodes that would seriously affect nursery stock.
Seed Inspection and Certification
The aim of this program is to inspect the labeling of seed packages to be certain they reflect California Seed Law for the correct percentage of germination, date of test, purity, and weed seed content. Seed shipments are also checked for noxious weed seed. We also verify the proper handling of seed grown in our county to ensure that it meets quality standards for certification to other states and countries.
Wildlife Services
This is a non- mandated fee-for-service program that controls damage from wild animals to crops, livestock and personal property. This program is contracted out with USDA Wildlife Service personnel.
New fees effective October 7th 2004:- Place trap and remove animal – $87
- Removal of another animal from same trap at same property - $45
- Site visit for assessment of damage and remediation plan - $63
- Ranch work up to three weeks- $163.
- Residential bear and Mountain Lion work fee - $87.
- In Lieu of the above fees, the Agricultural Commissioner may enter into a memorandum of Understanding with a business, agency or person for a flat rate reimbursement where special circumstances may exist. Such reimbursement shall approximate the fee recovery at the hourly rate of $29.70 and shall not exceed the costs of service.
