The commissioner shall, for the purpose of becoming informed about new and dangerous agricultural pests, observing and learning new and better methods of pest control, and determining the best and most efficacious methods of conducting the work of his department, consult with staff members of the United States Department of Agriculture, the State Department of Agriculture, the University of California, and with agricultural commissioners of other counties. He shall make such trips outside of the county which are necessary for such purposes, if authorized by the board of supervisors.