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In between the cotton candy and the corn dogs, visitors to the California State Fair can find solutions for home and garden pests using touch-screen kiosks developed by the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.
Look for the kiosks at the Master Gardener exhibit in “The Farm” building from Aug. 17 to Sept. 3. The kiosks are designed to help consumers solve pest problems while protecting the environment and preventing runoff from residential landscapes.
The kiosk displays were created in collaboration with the Healthy Garden/Healthy Home Project; UC Cooperative Extension, San Diego; the California State Water Resources Control Board; and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers and the Elvenia J. Slosson Foundation provided additional support.
From aphids to snails and slugs, users can find information about 50 common home and garden pests, including identification and management, alternatives to pesticides and least-toxic pest control, as well as safe use and disposal of pesticides. The kiosks also include tips related to proper watering, fertilizing and avoiding problems associated with garden chemicals.
UCCE Master Gardener Coordinator Kathy Ann Hofmann used the kiosk at her display at the Alameda County Fair.
“We won the first place award for best interaction with the public for our display,” Hofmann said. “Sometimes people just want to confirm their own diagnoses of gardening problems, and having the kiosk there with its easy-to-read printouts lets them find the answers for themselves.”
UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener for Sacramento County Judy McClure said the kiosks are an excellent means of expanding our ability to reach the Master Gardener clientele.
“The computer puts the client in charge and is an exceptional tool for us,” McClure said. “People will approach a computer more readily than a person, and they like the interaction.”
Kiosk users can look up a pest by category and name, or diagnose a problem on plants. They can also watch videos, print information, or locate resources for finding additional pest management help in their home counties.
For those who miss the kiosks at the State Fair, there are other opportunities to use these unique, interactive tools. Twelve kiosks are circulating around the state at retail nursery and garden centers and as part of UC Master Gardener outreach events, as well as at county fairs and plant clinics, libraries and garden exhibits.
CONTACT: Stephanie Klunk, (530) 754-6724, sjklunk [at] ucdavis [dot] edu
The kiosks will be at these locations:
Fresno County
Sunnyside Branch Library—Ongoing
5566 East Kings Canyon Road, Fresno
Lake County
Lake County Fair, Lakeport, Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, 2007
Piedmont Lumber, Lakeport, Sept. 5 to Oct. 17, 2007
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Arboretum—Ongoing
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
Orange County
UC Cooperative Extension office, Costa Mesa
By appointment only, call (949) 733-3970
Sacramento County
Cal/EPA, lobby—Ongoing
1001 I Street, Sacramento (corner of I and 10th Streets), Sacramento
San Diego County
Grangetto’s Farm and Garden Supply, May 1 to Oct. 31, 2007 – Rotating through all four retail stores: Escondido, Encinitas, Fallbrook, and Valley Center
Poway Nursery, Aug. 1 to Sept. 15, 2007 – 12237 Oak Knoll Road, Poway
Plant World, Escondido, Sept. 16 to Oct. 31, 2007
San Diego Zoo—Ongoing
Santa Clara County
Yamagami’s Nursery, Cupertino, Sept. 4 to Oct. 15, 2007
Yolo County
Yolo County Fair, Woodland, Aug. 15 to 19
For future dates and locations, visit www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/FAQ/kiosk.html.