Department of Ag Information for Cannabis Cultivators

Hiring a Pest Control Business or Farm Labor Contractor?

In order to comply with federal and state laws, all Pest Control Businesses and Farm Labor Contractors are required to be properly licensed and registered.

For a business that performs pest control for hire (Pest Control Business):

Pest control businesses must register annually with the local County Agricultural Commissioner prior to performing any pest control work in the county. This is a two-step process:

1. Obtain a state license or certification from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).
2. Complete the county-specific registration application. 

For a business that provides farm labor for hire (Farm Labor Contractors):

Farm labor contractors are required to register with the local County Agricultural Commissioner for each county in which they work. This is a three-step process:

1. Register with the U.S. Department of Labor.
2. Register with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.
3. Complete the county-specific registration application.

If you would like to confirm that a company is licensed and registered in Sonoma County as a Pest Control Business or Farm Labor Contractor, contact the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures:

• Phone: (707) 565-2371
• E-mail: sonomaag@sonoma-county.org

Reminder for all Sonoma County Cannabis Cultivators

Please contact the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures (AWM) to schedule a cannabis canopy verification before harvest to confirm canopy size for your tax assessment. The FY 24-25 canopy verification (inspection) fee is $261 per hour. 

For indoor and mixed-light cultivation, a canopy verification should be conducted quarterly. For outdoor cultivation, a canopy verification should be conducted in the fall before harvest. 

In all cases, we are only able to verify canopy for tax purposes when the plants are in the ground and/or growing medium. 

If you suspect damage to your crop due to pests, disease, or an extreme weather event, please contact us right away to schedule a canopy loss verification. 

Call (707) 565-2371 or email sonomaag@sonoma-county.org. 

Best Management Practices for Cannabis Cultivation

The Department of Agriculture / Weights and Measures developed Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Cannabis Cultivation. These BMPs apply to all types of cannabis cultivation: outdoor, indoor, and mixed-light.

Link to Best Management Practices for Cannabis Cultivation