United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack speaks on Jan. 10, 2025, at the 74th Honor Awards ceremony at Jefferson Auditorium at the USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
On Jan. 10, 2025, the United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recognized San Bernardino County Agriculture/Weights & Measures Commissioner/Sealer Brady Gergovich along with other commissioners in L.A., Riverside and Ventura counties for their efforts related to the California Fruit Fly Emergency Response at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 74th Honor Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The ceremony highlights the noteworthy achievements and accomplishments of employees at both the secretary and undersecretary level. This award was designed to recognize the most significant accomplishments in support of USDA’s mission, strategic goals, objectives and priorities. The Secretary’s Honor Awards is the highest non-monetary form of recognition at the Department of Agriculture.
In 2023, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed the presence of the Oriental Fruit Fly (OFF) in San Bernardino County and neighboring Riverside County and issued a Proclamation of Emergency Program to begin an eradication and treatment plan.
The detections of OFF required an immediate action to address the imminent threat to California’s natural environment, agriculture and economy. More specifically, in addition to a wide variety of commercial crops, OFF threatens loss and damage to native wildlife, private and public property and food supplies.
San Bernardino County areas under quarantine included Redlands, Yucaipa, Mentone and surrounding areas. The fruit fly attacks more than 230 different types of fruits and vegetables, including avocados, apples, citrus, tomatoes and peppers, and residents were urged not to move any vegetables or backyard fruit to prevent the spread.
Through the diligence of San Bernardino County Agriculture/Weights & Measure’s pest prevention team and local residents, the CDFA and USDA declared an end to the Oriental fruit fly quarantine in the county’s affected areas on Aug. 15, 2024, following the eradication of the invasive species.
The lifting of this quarantine signals the successful completion of a nearly year-long collaborative effort across the state to eradicate four unique invasive fruit fly species (Tau, Queensland, Mediterranean and Oriental) from seven quarantine areas across seven California counties — San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Clara, Sacramento and Contra Costa.
For more information on San Bernardino County Agriculture/Weights & Measures, visit their website at awm.sbcounty.gov.
Additional County Update News – Feb. 13, 2025
- Residents urged to prepare as season’s strongest storm arrives
- Board actions
- County Public Works recognized with three awards for outstanding projects
- ARMC recognized by American Association of Critical Care Nurses with Gold Beacon Award for Excellence
- San Bernardino County Museum honored as “Best of the Best” in the Inland Empire
- Supervisor Baca, Jr. named chair of the Continuum of Care Board
- Caregivers needed for county’s older adults and individuals with disabilities
- SBC Probation Super Bowl game plan: Conduct DUI compliance checks
- From struggle to success: Sandi McCabe’s inspiring journey
- San Bernardino County destinations: Oak Glen Preserve
- Call for submissions: Share your favorite San Bernardino County destinations
- San Bernardino County history: Town of Earp
- Things to do
- Pet of the week
- Jobs of the week