Visit the Pesticide Use Enforcement page

The apiary program entails the enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to the registration and identification of apiaries, notice of apiary movements, protection against pesticide injury and theft, apiary health and colony strength certification. We also assist beekeepers at their request in the identification and control of American Foulbrood disease, Acarine mite and Varroa mite.

Existing law requires every person that is the owner or in possession of an apiary, which is located within the State, on the first day of January of each year, or within 30 days thereafter, shall register the number of colonies in each apiary, and the location of the apiary.

If you would like to register your bees please visit https://beewhere.calagpermits.org/.

• California Laws Pertaining to Bee Management and Honey Production
• CDFA Apiary Brand Program Information and Application

The fruit and vegetable quality control program

Packing houses in Yolo County produce, pack and ship a variety of produce such as almonds, apricots, pears, plums, honeydew melons, walnuts and watermelons throughout the United States as well as to many foreign countries. These commodities are inspected at wholesale distribution points in the County.

Inspectors certify producers to sell their products directly to consumers at Certified Farmers Markets. Certification includes inspection of the growing site to assure that products sold at the markets are produced by the sellers. Inspectors also investigate complaints concerning certified markets and certified producers.

Producers, handlers and processors wishing to market their commodities as organic are required to register with the Agricultural Commissioner’s office annually in accordance with the California Organic Foods Act of 1990. Inspectors conduct record inspections of organic registrants as well as investigations of complaints concerning non-compliance relating to this Act.

• CDFA Licensing Forms (Processor, Dealer, Commission Merchant, Broker and Cash Buyer)
• CDFA Market Enforcement Branch: Licensing Requirements
• Fresh Produce Brochure- Container Labeling and Proof of Ownership 
• Fresh Produce Brochure- Container Labeling and Proof of Ownership (En Español)

The egg quality control program

 provides for the enforcement of regulations pertaining to quality, weight and marking requirements for shell eggs. Eggs are inspected throughout the County at various retail and wholesale establishments, or when there is reasonable cause to believe there is a violation of any law or regulation, and upon receiving a consumer complaint. Eggs are inspected with a candling device and egg scale, which enable the inspector to determine the condition of the eggshell and the quality of its contents.

• CDFA Egg Handler Information and Registration Forms
• CDFA Egg Handler Brochure

The Department staff inspect production nurseries for pests injurious to plants and for freedom from weeds; assist nursery personnel with pest identification; and inspect incoming shipments of nursery stock for pests, proper labeling and condition. Inspectors also issue shipping permits, nursery stock certificates and other required certificates to facilitate movement of nursery stock in trade.

Staff inspectors check agricultural, vegetable, grass, and flower seed at retail and wholesale outlets throughout the County to ensure compliance with the California Seed Law. Seed must be labeled correctly as to purity, germination, percentage, kind or variety and contaminants. Inspectors take official samples of seed for submission to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Seed Laboratory for analysis. The results are then compared to the label on the seed container that was sampled to verify that the labeling truly represents the commodity. Seed lots are also inspected for possible insects of quarantine significance, noxious weeds, and noxious seeds.

Visit our Nursery & Seed Inspection Page

The Pest Management program involves controlling and monitoring common pest populations of weeds, rodents and insects below economic threshold levels. This is accomplished through rodenticide manufacturing, weed and rodent control, pest identification and biological control.

Visit our Pest Management Page

Pest exclusion is our first line of defense against the introduction of detrimental insects, plant diseases, weed and vertebrate pests into the County. Upon arrival into the County, all shipments of plant material must be held for inspection. These inspections are conducted to assure compliance with State and Federal quarantine laws and regulations.

Visit the Pest Prevention Program page

The Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner's office is one of the few counties in California to offer an organic certification program to qualified agricultural producers and handlers.  The concept to create an organic certification agency within the Agricultural Commissioner's office was developed by the Agricultural Commissioner's staff, and the Marin Organic Certified Agriculture staff.  Yolo Certified Organic Agriculture (YCOA) was created and inspired by the community it serves: local growers and consumers.  The certification standards used by YCOA are the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP).  YCOA is a USDA accredited certification agency.

"Organic" is a systems approach to production and handling.  Organic certification is a process that approves a production/handling system, not a specific product.  The issuance of a "certificate of organic operation" is the equivalent of a legal license.  In order to earn this certificate, it is imperative that everything be done in a totally transparent manner.   Certification verifies compliance with organic standards and documents the operational practices of a sustainable agricultural system.  YCOA was created to provide organic certification at a local level.

Visit the Yolo Certified Organic Agriculture Page

The Weights and Measures program is charged with the responsibility of maintaining standards of measurement for consumers at the marketplace and various industries throughout our County.

Visit the Weight & Measures Page

Certified Farmers Markets provide a flexible marketing alternative without disrupting other produce marketing systems. The high quality and fresh produce brought to the CFM's by its' producers creates a diverse market and also provides the consumer with opportunity to meet the farmer and learn how their food supply is produced.

Visit the Certified Farmers Markets & Certified Producers Page