Agriculture, Weights & Measures

If you've ever been to a farmers’ market, checked out at a grocery store, pumped gas, or wondered if your produce was organic, then you've benefitted from the Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures (AWM). 

As part of the County’s Land Use & Environment Group, we're here to serve you.

What AWM Does For You

• Ensures pesticides are used safely and investigates related illness.
• Prevents the spread of pests that harm agriculture and the environment. 
• Promotes the use of natural pest controls. 
• Verifies produce that is marked as organic.
• Ensures vendors at farmers' markets grow what they sell.  
• Verifies that commercial weighing and measuring devices and price scanners are accurate. 
• Protects people from injury and disease caused by wildlife.   
  
  

News & Announcements

Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter on CA Costco Desert Willows

Did you buy a desert willow at Costco between June 24-July 3? The invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter has been found on desert willows sold at Costcos in CA. This pest is a serious threat to vineyards, backyard gardens & other plants. Please contact 760-752-4700 or sdcawm@sdcounty.ca.gov, or visit bit.ly/GWSS-Costco to learn more.

Upcoming El Niño Season Presentation – July 29

To help ag operations understand projected weather impacts and prepare for the anticipated El Niño season, the County of San Diego Departments of Public Works and Agriculture, Weights & Measures will provide a virtual presentation on Wednesday, July 29, at 1:30 p.m.: Virtual El Niño Meeting Link

If you have any questions or suggested topics we may be able to addresses in the presentation, please email AWQ.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Farmer Campus Wildfire Resilience Free Online Course

Prepare and protect your ag operation from wildfire with a free, interactive, self-led course from Farmer Campus that gives you tools and resources to reduce the human, production, financial, and legal risks from wildfires.

(Note: This resource is external and does not supplement required training for the County Ag Pass Program.)

Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine in El Cajon (June 2026)

CDFA has declared a new quarantine in the El Cajon area effective June 18, 2026, after the confirmed detection of one mated female Mexican Fruit Fly (MexFly) on one residential property. The new quarantine will extend through Winter Gardens, Dehesa, Rancho San Diego, and La Mesa. This find will not affect the current La Mesa Quarantine and will be treated as a new find and associated quarantine. Read more in CDFA's press release. 

• Learn more about MexFly and find an interactive map of the quarantine area on CDFA's MexFly website.
• Residents with MexFly host plants are asked not to remove fruit from their property. 
• Commercial growers can obtain a Mexfly Compliance Agreement to continue to ship, process, harvest and/or sell their crops by contacting CQP.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 614-7770. 
• To report sustpicious pests, please call the CDFA hotline at (800) 491-1899.
• Find additional quarantine boundary and sterile insect treatment maps in CDFA's Spring Valley MXFF Proclamation of Emergency Program (PEP), PEP Amendment 2, Amendment 3, and Amendment 4.

Proposed Pesticide Enforcement Response Regulation Changes

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is proposing updates to enforcement rules to better protect public health. These changes would increase penalties for serious and repeat pesticide violations, strengthen oversight of county enforcement, improve coordination with prosecutors, and add an annual public report on DPR’s enforcement actions.

Learn more and share feedback on DPR's website.

New World Screwworm (NWS) Detections in U.S.

USDA has confirmed New World Screwworm (NWS) detections in Texas and New Mexico. While no cases have been found in California, this pest poses a serious risk to livestock, pets, wildlife, and potentially people.

Federal and Texas officials are responding aggressively with quarantines, sterile fly releases, wildlife surveillance, and increased trapping. The national food supply remains safe — NWS does not infest meat or food products.

• Animal owners should check livestock and pets for unusual wounds, discomfort, or maggots — especially around the nose, ears, navel, or any open injury.
• If you suspect NWS in an animal, report issues immediately to (866) 922-2473; for people, seek medical care right away if you notice a suspicious wound.

For more information and updates, view CDFA's news release, or visit CDFA's New World Screwworm page.

Produce Safety Grower Training – UC Small Farm Food Safety

UC Small Farm Food Safety is offering Produce Safety Grower Training sessions throughout 2026-27. These trainings are designed to support farms in meeting food safety standards and implementing best practices that benefit both operations and consumers.

Opportunity to Participate in the Countywide Food Contract

San Diego County is seeking to expand its pool of local food suppliers. Growers interested in providing products for countywide programs are invited to complete the Food Supplier Interest Form. Your participation helps strengthen our local food system and increase access to regional agricultural products.

• June 24 Food Systems Resources and Grant Writing Meeting Recording
• June 24 Food Systems Resources and Grant Writing Workshop Presentation
• Food Safety Grant Programs List

USDA Drought Designation – Resources for Ag Operations

USDA has designated San Diego County as a natural disaster area due to severe drought. If your operation experiences any loss due to drought, please fill out an Agricultural Damage Assessment Form and submit it to sdcawm@sdcounty.ca.gov or one of our office locations:

• AWM Kearny Mesa Office:
  9325 Hazard Way, Ste. 100
  San Diego, CA 92123
  
  
• AWM San Marcos Office:
  151 E. Carmel St.
  San Marcos, CA 92078

These reports help determine eligibility for state and federal support. Affected operators may also contact local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices for elligible emergency loan assistance, with an eight‑month application window from April 6, 2026.

Citrus Quarantine Declared in Ramona (March 2026)

CDFA confirmed the detection of the citrus disease Huanglonging (HLB) in two trees on a residential property in the Ramona area of San Diego County in March 2026. This is the fifth HLB quarantine in the region, with ongoing quarantines in Fallbrook, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center. 

• View an interactive map of the quarantine area or visit CitrusInsider.org to learn more.
• To report sustpicious pests or HLB symptoms, please call the CDFA hotline at (800) 491-1899.