Over the past year and a half, UCCE Tulare County Farm Advisor Elizabeth Fichtner and Lindcove Research and Extension Center (LREC) Director Beth Grafton-Cardwell have transformed unused space at LREC into a fully-functioning plant pathology laboratory accessible to all researchers working at the Center.  Working under a CDFA permit for conducting plant disease diagnostics on site, Dr. Fichtner has utilized the LREC facilities to accomplish applied research and extension objectives to address emerging disease issues affecting nut growers in the southern San Joaquin Valley.  This week the new laboratory was visited by Stephanie Theodore, Environmental Scientist with CDFA to assess the laboratory's compliance with permit stipulations.  Ms. Theodore's visit confirmed that all appropriate steps are being taken to mitigate risk of transmission of pathogens to the environment.