Posts Tagged: retirement

Bill Peacock called a guru, hero and innovator

Retired UC Cooperative Extension viticulture advisor Bill Peacock was christened "Tulare County's grape guru" in the headline of a Visalia Times-Delta story that lauded his 36-year career.

The story of his UCCE odyssey was punctuated with warm praise.

"I would say, in my eyes, Bill is one of the heroes of the industry," grower Alfred Guimarra was quoted in the article.

"Bill turned out to be an outstanding farm adviser," grower Pat Pinkham was quoted.

The article said Peacock played a prominent role in some of the most important innovations for Central Valley grape growers in the last 50 years. Among them:

• Introduction of drip irrigation, which cut per-acre water use in half.
• Use of gable v-shaped trellises, which doubled per-acre grape production 
• Development of dried-on-the-vine raisin-production system, often called the "Peacock system," which doubled per-acre raisin production. 
• Identification of ideal fertilizer-application times, mostly post-harvest, which ended years of wintertime applications.

For more on Bill Peacock's career, you can also read this news release from the UC ANR News and Information Outreach.

Bill Peacock

Ventura Star reports on Phil Phillips' retirement

The Ventura Star today ran a story about the end of IPM entomologist Phil Phillips distinguished career with UC Cooperative Extension. The story says Phillips was fascinated with bugs since he was 7 years old.

"I've been blessed with a spectacular career," Phillips was quoted. "It's playing with insects basically."

The story was most likely prompted by a news release by UC IPM writer Stephanie Klunk, but Ventura Star reporter Terria Smith gathered her own comments from Phillips' colleagues.

Mary Bianchi, horticulture farm advisor in San Luis Obispo County:

"In order to be able to start effective control programs, you really have to understand insects: where they come from, how they live. That's where Phil's work was key: by building the framework where researchers could start their programs and integrate them into farming systems."

Earl McPhail, Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner:

"He's done great in making sure they know what to do as far as what to look for as new pests come in. . . . He's going to be difficult to replace."

Phil Phillips

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