Dave Whitmer Honored for Ag Achievements

Napa County Agricultural Commissioner Dave Whitmer was awarded the first-ever “Special Achievement - Manager Award” by CACASA, the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association, at its Board of Directors’ General Assembly in Sacramento this month.

Whitmer was recognized primarily for his “well-orchestrated efforts” in responding to the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) infestation, which was first discovered in California in September 2009, by Napa County inspectors. Whitmer immediately reached out to state, federal and international partners and colleagues, forming the basis of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) EGVM Technical Working Group, which includes domestic and foreign scientists. He also led the Napa County response, including intense detection, treatment and quarantine efforts.

The CACASA web site notes that “the results speak for themselves. The EGVM population in Napa County has been drastically reduced, from 100,831 moths detected virtually Countywide in 2010,” to just 40 moths trapped at a few sites in 2013.

“Dave stopped [EGVM] from getting out to neighboring and surrounding counties in California,” said Tim Cansler, CACASA executive director. “Dave is a one-of-a-kind person in that he can bring together the scientific community; the agricultural organizations; university personnel; and county, state and federal government offices. He even reached out to the international community to work to control the moth. Dave is a wonderful government official.”

“This award is particularly gratifying to me because it was presented to me by my peers,” Whitmer said. “I must admit that while it is great to be personally recognized, much of my success can be attributed to a tremendous staff, great relationships and response from the local wine grape industry, State and federal agencies.”

CACASA is a voluntary organization comprised of County Agricultural Commissioners and County Sealers of Weights and Measures from California’s 58 counties. CACASA provides the venue for collaborative opportunities to address matters of statewide significance that affect California’s agricultural production, its natural resources, marketing, food safety, equity and public health as it relates to our environment.