“This science would help our growers combat DBM in the future and give us some reprieve as industry experts continue to develop other tools that can help deter the pest,” said Hidalgo. Monterey County also maintains a unique local ordinance designed to combat lettuce mosaic virus (LMV). Each December, a two-week host-free period prohibits lettuce planting throughout the county, reducing opportunities for the disease to persist and spread. Hidalgo’s office is responsible for ensuring growers are aware of and comply with the requirement each season. “Growers have a tremendous responsibility to feed our nation, and we want to be sure we are doing the educational outreach necessary to make sure everyone is on the same page for compliance,” said Hidalgo. For commissioners, however, pest management is not only about responding to current threats; it’s about preventing future ones. Greer pointed to the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), an invasive insect that spreads Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, as a clear example of why early detection and coordinated response efforts matter. The disease has devastated citrus production in Florida, where the industry continues to struggle with its long-term impacts. In California, commissioners are on the front lines of monitoring, grower coordination and early response efforts aimed at preventing the disease from gaining the same foothold. Tulare County alone maintains more than 10,000 insect traps at any given time as part of that effort. “Sadly, we have it in California, but we are fighting hard to keep it at bay,” said Greer. While the threats facing Monterey County’s vegetable industry may differ from those confronting Tulare County’s citrus growers, the underlying mission remains the same: identify risks early, providing growers with the tools and information they need and protecting agricultural production before problems become widespread.
Most states, by comparison, inspect and certify agricultural products at the port of exit. By that time, if problems are discovered, growers may have already incurred transportation costs and logistical challenges. “You don’t want to ship your product all the way to the port, have them inspect it, and then find something that’s not going to allow it to be exported to that country,” said Cregan. “And now what do you do with it?” By certifying shipments at the source, commissioners help growers avoid costly disruptions while keeping agricultural products moving efficiently through domestic and international supply chains. This is just one example of how California’s system of having a dedicated ag commissioner for each county allows growers to have Facilitating trade is just one important function of the office; much of a commissioner’s day-to-day work centers on protecting crops from pests and diseases that threaten agricultural production. Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo, who also served in the same role in Santa Cruz County for seven years, oversees one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. With more than 150 commodities grown across the county and a growing season that stretches nearly year- round, preventing the spread of pests and diseases remains a constant priority. “Staying engaged and communicating is a must,” said Hidalgo. “Conversations around regulation can be difficult, but at the end of the day, we want to make sure growers have all the information they need to make sure they’re in compliance.” Hidalgo explained, “If growers don’t begin to take the steps necessary to control pest and disease pressure early on, it can really have significant impacts later in the summer and fall months, because that pressure just continues to build.” a more localized support system. The Front Lines of Defense One growing concern for the region is diamondback moth (DBM), a pest that attacks brassica crops. Hidalgo said current pesticide tools have become less effective against the pest, prompting the county to work with state and industry partners to expedite approval of new chemistries while exploring biological and mechanical control options. Juan Hidalgo (second from left) in Washington, D.C., with Congressman Panetta and members of CACASA.
Tulare County Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Christopher Greer
33 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com October – December 2026
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