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Main Banana Discussion This is where we discuss our banana collections; tips on growing bananas, tips on harvesting bananas, sharing our banana photos and stories.


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Old 03-20-2009, 02:07 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default How hard can it be??

Right now I am a little flustered!!!! I have my first shipment of the year into California and I know it will require a phyto to travel into California. I shipped Basjoo into Arizona last year without any hitches, so I am thinking California not a problem. This is 2 Musa Zebrina to Ridgecrest, CA which is northeast of Bakersfield. So I called the USDA Office in Bakersfield to confirm what they require. Not a problem, phyto with a Beetle certificate, still no problem. I call my local agent thinking I have saved him some time and I am all but done. This is where the problem starts! Apparently the USDA has evolved a little since last year, because I had to register with the USDA's eAuthentication and obtain level 1 access. O. K., now I'm on unfamiliar ground and not feeling so confident. I go through the questions and fill in the blanks to register, and I feel alright with it but that was the easy part, although I'm not aware of that as of yet. We get to the end and the program screens everything and lets you know what is wrong, you might see where this is going. Well all of my information is fine but there is a slight problem with my password, some of you may have guess this, but wait it gets better. So instead of entering something I might have half a chance of remembering I enter something with capitals and numbers, now get this and try to imagine the expression on my face. The system tell me that my password cannot be a dictionary word!!!! furthermore nor can it be a part of a dictionary word, or a name, I tried that too. The requirement also state that it must be at least 8 characters but not more than 12. That's when I broke out the paper! It's also case sensitive!! My tax dollars went to pay for someone to hassle me over my password. Once that was over to make things better you have to wait twenty minutes after you check your email and click the activate my account button. So now I wait and go to log in and guess what..........
it doesn't recognize the password!!! I was hot!!! now I have to do a password recovery for a password that earlier the system determined was fine after at least 12 tries. I finally entered a password it liked and was able to log in. The PCIT system is not difficult once you can log in. I'm not a stupid person, but Lord have mercy if I were! I'm hoping the inspection goes better. You know the next California, Arizona, or Florida order will send cold chills down my spine.

Michael
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Old 03-24-2009, 06:15 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Default Re: How hard can it be??

Mike,

Sorry to hear of your problems. One would think they could have come up with a bit more user-friendly system. Hopefully now that you are in the system your next shipment will be a little smoother.

Remind me again where Florence is. I grew up in KY, but on the western end, south of Paducah.
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Old 03-24-2009, 11:18 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Default Re: How hard can it be??

Bananaman88,

Florence is in Northern Kentucky just 15 miles south of Cincinnat Ohio on I-75. I was just under pressure because I put everything into growing my plants, and I try to provide the best I can for my customers.

Michael
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Old 03-24-2009, 02:48 PM   #4 (permalink)
Been nuts, gone bananas
 
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Default Re: How hard can it be??

Mike, I believe you need a nematode certificate for California as well, though maybe a certification of soil-less media is okay. I don't remember right now as I'm on the receiving end here in CA.

Good luck with your patience!

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Old 03-24-2009, 08:02 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Default Re: How hard can it be??

Harvey,

You would be correct if I were growing my bananas in soil. This is one of the reasons I swear by coco coir. I personally called the USDA commissioner in Bakersfield (RIdgecrest is in Kern County) to confirm the requirements and because I grow in coco coir and the bananas are being grown indoors in my grow room I was exempt from a whole load of requirements. By the way my local USDA inspector paid his visit yesterday and I was able to drop my shipment off this morning for it's journey to Ridgecrest CA in full compliance. It pays to follow the rules and do it right.

Michael
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Old 03-24-2009, 09:44 PM   #6 (permalink)
Been nuts, gone bananas
 
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Default Re: How hard can it be??

Hi Michael, I did make the qualification in my comment above about soil-less plants being exempt from the requirement for a nematode certificate.

The title of the county official you spoke to is an Agricultural Commissioner who is responsible for carrying out the agricultural regulations in the county they are employed. My sister was a commissioner in another county and has been on my case if I've mentioned wanting to skip some rules. It especially pays to follow the rules when your little sister is watching over your shoulders! LOL

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Old 03-24-2009, 10:10 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Default Re: How hard can it be??

Harvey,

I'm glad my sister is an X-ray tech, not an AG professional.

Michael
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Old 03-24-2009, 10:21 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Default Re: How hard can it be??

Well, she does help me interpret the rules and alerts me to new problems, so it's got its advantages as well.
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