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Riverside’s agricultural business development coordinator has been recognized for her efforts in fighting the Asian citrus psyliid, which carries a disease often fatal to citrus trees.
Joyce Jong received an award from the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program, a state agency that works with cities and local officials to protect California’s citrus crop, according to a statement on the city’s website.
The Asian Citrus Psyliid, which was discovered in some Riverside citrus trees last summer, spreads huanglongbing,or HLB. Also known as citrus greening disease, HLB has caused major damage to citrus trees in other parts of the country.
Jong set up community meetings, shared information with residents and officials in the citrus industry and worked with the media, all to help educate the community on the dangers of HLB, according to the statement.
