California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • Philippine Market Opens to US Fresh Blueberries

    On May 24, 2020, the Philippines will formally open its market to U.S. fresh highbush blueberries. Since the United States is the only country with official access to the Philippine market, U.S. suppliers are poised to take advantage of the opportunity to supply the Philippine retail and food service sectors. Traders estimate sales of U.S. fresh blueberries could reach $500,000 this season, with greater potential in the years to come.

    The Philippine Department of Agriculture’s (DA) regulation allowing complete market access for U.S. fresh blueberries will take effect on May 24, 2020, making the United States the only country with formal market access. U.S. suppliers and Philippine importers now have much stronger incentive to cultivate trade relationships to supply the expanding food retail sector, and eventually the food service sector once COVID-19 community quarantine measures are eased.

    In the past, DA had allowed limited and intermittent importation of fresh blueberries specifically for hotels, restaurants, and high-end supermarkets. Sales over the past five years (2015 to 2019) averaged $150,000 each year (roughly 20 metric tons). With formal market access in place for the entire Philippine market, multiple trade contacts forecast U.S. sales could reach $500,000 this season and exceed $1,000,000 in succeeding years if there is a concerted marketing effort to increase consumer awareness on the availability, quality, and health benefits of U.S. fresh blueberries.

    Like all fresh fruit importation, a licensed importer must secure a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry. Products must not load for export before their issuance, must be shipped within 20 days following their issuance, and must arrive in the Philippines within 60 days from the must ship-out date.

    The full import requirements are outlined in the Administrative Circular, which can be found here: https://law.upd.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/DA-AC-No-05-Series-of-2020.pdf.

    Tariff Rates

    The Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate for blueberries is seven percent and subject to 12 percent Value Added Tax or VAT.

    Competition

    Aside from the United States being the only approved country to source fresh imported blueberries, the Philippines has only very limited local production. Consistently supplying the multitude of hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and other retail outlets with quality product remains a challenge for Philippine growers due to limited production area and the lack of adequate post-harvest facilities and cold chain infrastructure.

    Further Information and Assistance

    USDA-FAS at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines is ready to help exporters of U.S. agricultural products achieve their objectives in the Philippines. Contact us at AgManila@fas.usda.gov

  • USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to this direct support to farmers and ranchers, USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program is partnering with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat and deliver boxes to Americans in need.

    “America’s farming community is facing an unprecedented situation as our nation tackles the coronavirus. President Trump has authorized USDA to ensure our patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers are supported and we are moving quickly to open applications to get payments out the door and into the pockets of farmers,” said Secretary Perdue. “These payments will help keep farmers afloat while market demand returns as our nation reopens and recovers. America’s farmers are resilient and will get through this challenge just like they always do with faith, hard work, and determination.”

    Beginning May 26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), will be accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses.

    Background:

    CFAP provides vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline due to COVID-19 and face additional significant marketing costs as a result of lower demand, surplus production, and disruptions to shipping patterns and the orderly marketing of commodities.

    Farmers and ranchers will receive direct support, drawn from two possible funding sources. The first source of funding is $9.5 billion in appropriated funding provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act to compensate farmers for losses due to price declines that occurred between mid-January 2020, and mid-April 2020 and provides support for specialty crops for product that had been shipped from the farm between the same time period but subsequently spoiled due to loss of marketing channels. The second funding source uses the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to compensate producers for $6.5 billion in losses due to on-going market disruptions.

    Non-Specialty Crops and Wool

    Non-specialty crops eligible for CFAP payments include malting barley, canola, corn, upland cotton, millet, oats, soybeans, sorghum, sunflowers, durum wheat, and hard red spring wheat. Wool is also eligible. Producers will be paid based on inventory subject to price risk held as of January 15, 2020. A payment will be made based 50 percent of a producer’s 2019 total production or the 2019 inventory as of January 15, 2020, whichever is smaller, multiplied by the commodity’s applicable payment rates.

    Livestock

    Livestock eligible for CFAP include cattle, lambs, yearlings and hogs. The total payment will be calculated using the sum of the producer’s number of livestock sold between January 15 and April 15, 2020, multiplied by the payment rates per head, and the highest inventory number of livestock between April 16 and May 14, 2020, multiplied by the payment rate per head.

    Dairy

    For dairy, the total payment will be calculated based on a producer’s certification of milk production for the first quarter of calendar year 2020 multiplied by a national price decline during the same quarter. The second part of the payment is based a national adjustment to each producer’s production in the first quarter.

    Specialty Crops

    For eligible specialty crops, the total payment will be based on the volume of production sold between January 15 and April 15, 2020; the volume of production shipped, but unpaid; and the number of acres for which harvested production did not leave the farm or mature product destroyed or not harvested during that same time period, and which have not and will not be sold. Specialty crops include, but are not limited to, almonds, beans, broccoli, sweet corn, lemons, iceberg lettuce, spinach, squash, strawberries and tomatoes. A full list of eligible crops can be found on farmers.gov/cfap. Additional crops may be deemed eligible at a later date.

    Eligibility

    There is a payment limitation of $250,000 per person or entity for all commodities combined. Applicants who are corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships may qualify for additional payment limits where members actively provide personal labor or personal management for the farming operation. Producers will also have to certify they meet the Adjusted Gross Income limitation of $900,000 unless at least 75 percent or more of their income is derived from farming, ranching or forestry-related activities. Producers must also be in compliance with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions.

    Applying for Assistance

    Producers can apply for assistance beginning on May 26, 2020. Additional information and application forms can be found at farmers.gov/cfap. Producers of all eligible commodities will apply through their local FSA office. Documentation to support the producer’s application and certification may be requested. FSA has streamlined the signup process to not require an acreage report at the time of application and a USDA farm number may not be immediately needed. Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2020.

    Payment Structure

    To ensure the availability of funding throughout the application period, producers will receive 80 percent of their maximum total payment upon approval of the application. The remaining portion of the payment, not to exceed the payment limit, will be paid at a later date as funds remain available.

    USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only, and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

  • LGMA Partners with Western Growers to Offer Remote Food Safety Audits During Pandemic

    Mandatory government food safety audits of leafy greens farms under the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement are continuing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Announced today by Western Growers (WG) and the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (CA LGMA), is the availability of a new process developed through a collaboration with iFoodDecisionSciences (iFoodDS), that streamlines all verification documents and data for online review by government auditors.

    This process will allow the execution of remote audits and has been reviewed and accepted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which has oversight of the LGMA programs and auditors. While in-person inspections may be temporarily limited to protect farm workers, farm office employees and government auditors, much of the LGMA audits are focused on reviewing verification documentation which can be presented in various forms, including large amounts of paperwork. 

    “As an industry leader in produce safety, Western Growers remains committed to leading produce safety initiatives and solutions,” said Sonia Salas, WG assistant vice president of food safety, science & technology. “In a time where COVID-19 is testing all industries, this new auditing process will support food safety oversight during this pandemic.”

    The system was developed over the past few weeks, has been tested and is now available to certified members of the LGMA who are audited an average of five times over the year.

    “We were able to use this new process in a real audit situation and it worked extremely well from start to finish,” said Sharan Lanini, Director of Food Safety for Pacific International Marketing and chair of the LGMA’s Technical Committee. “This is a great development in the government audit process.”

    “The streamlining of data and verification documents online is a really positive outcome of our ‘new normal,’” said Diane Wetherington, Executive Chair of the iFoodDS board. “The use of iFoodDS software will not only save the auditors time, but it will allow them to more efficiently assess compliance with LGMA food safety metrics through the use of a consistent online verification system.”

    “When the LGMA began in 2007, it was the first program of its kind in the nation. As we navigate through these unprecedented circumstances, the LGMA program continues to find innovative ways to move forward and achieve its objective of advancing food safety for leafy greens products,” said Scott Horsfall, Chief Executive Officer of the California LGMA. “This new auditing system is another example of the pioneering spirit of the LGMA and its commitment to find new and better ways to enhance the safety of leafy greens.”

    WG has worked with the AZ and CA LGMAs since their inception in 2007 and is currently the facilitator of proposed changes to the LGMA food safety guidelines. WG continues to explore and support new ways to enhance food safety efforts, particularly in these challenging times. 

    About California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement:

    The California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (LGMA) was formed to protect public health by reducing potential sources of contamination in California-grown leafy greens. LGMA membership requires verification of compliance with the accepted food safety practices through mandatory government audits.

    About iFoodDecisionSciences:

    iFoodDecisionSciences is a leading provider of food safety and process control data management software solutions for growers, shippers, packers, processors and distributors. iFoodDecisionSciences’ client-centered SaaS offerings provide easily accessible database and underlying analytics for regulatory compliance and process improvements. iFoodDecisionSciences is privately held.

    About Western Growers:
    Founded in 1926, Western Growers (WG) represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. WG members and their workers provide half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. For generations WG members have provided variety and healthy choices to consumers. Connect with and learn more about Western Growers on the association’s Twitter and Facebook.

  • Enology Building Named in Honor of Jordan College and Winery Supporter

    Donald Emil Gumz was a Valley native, who like many lifelong residents, had a love and passion for the region, including Fresno State. He came from a family of grape farmers but worked with numbers, in an accounting career that started with a local entrepreneur and developer, and ended with the Vie-Del Company, which produced brandy, wine and juice concentrates, where his love for wine and the winemaking process began. He also developed an interest in water education through his second cousin, Dr. David Zoldoske, who oversaw Fresno State’s Center for Irrigation Technology and the University’s water initiatives for 35 years.

    Gumz, who died in September 2018, left $4.66 million in his estate plans to support the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. His generosity will provide $3.7 million toward renovation of the research winery while the other $933,000 will be used to support the Center for Irrigation Technology.

    To recognize this transformational gift, the enology building at Fresno State, which includes the research winery, will be named the Donald E. Gumz Enology Building. The California State University Trustees approved on Tuesday, May 12, the naming of the building in his honor.

    “We are deeply grateful for Mr. Gumz’s generous and impactful gift, which aligns perfectly with his passion in winemaking while also broadening the University’s national reputation for research in the fields of viticulture and enology,” said Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro.

    About a decade ago, Gumz started attending yearly wine-tasting events hosted by the Ag One Foundation at the Fresno State Winery. There, he met many enology students over the years and enjoyed learning about wine. His first cousin and Zoldoske’s father, Robert, would often accompany him to the wine tastings. It was through Dr. David Zoldoske that Gumz learned about the importance of water for growing grapes.

    Gumz’s father grew grapes, and his maternal grandfather was Henry Engelman, who started farming grapes near Biola in the early 1900s. The family continues farming wine grapes today and produces local wines at Engelmann Cellars and LoMac Winery.

    Gumz had many interests, which led him to make annual gifts that would improve the student experience in Jordan College programs that included horticulture, the Center for Irrigation Technology and the Viticulture and Enology Research Center.

    “While Don never personally attended Fresno State, he knew superior educational opportunities would help build a strong community,” Zoldoske said. “His many significant gifts will leave a lasting legacy here in the San Joaquin Valley.”

    Gumz’s generosity will help the winery bridge the gap between laboratory-scale wine research and commercial winemaking, said Dr. Stephan Sommer, director of the Viticulture and Enology Research Center.

    “By enhancing our abilities to make wine in small batches while still using modern technology, we enhance learning opportunities for our students and the potential for state-of-the-art research in the same space,” Sommer said. “This will build on Fresno State’s national reputation to provide students with an applied and hands-on learning experience. It will also intensify our collaboration and partnership with the grape and wine industries.”

    In addition to Fresno State, Gumz also supported a number of community organizations to help fight hunger, abuse, children’s health and the arts. Recipients include Valley Children’s Healthcare, Marjaree Mason Center, Poverello House, Fresno Art Museum, Ronald McDonald House and Hinds Hospice.

  • Grapes, Health and a Healthy Immune System

    The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a refocus on building and maintaining a healthy immune system. Information on the way in which fresh grapes contribute to both is now available in one place for easy reference.

    The health info-sheet combines results of health research on the benefit grapes provide to brain, heart, and colon health with data from two professors at Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy showing how healthy diets that include grapes can help flatten the COVID-19 curve. In addition, two recent magazine articles summarize a number of ways grape consumption positively impacts health.

    The first magazine article, from Good Housekeeping titled, “10 Health Benefits of Grapes That’ll Make You Want to Eat the Whole Bunch,” highlights how grapes help regulate blood pressure, lower the risk of diabetes, and can help with weight loss or management.

    The second article, “Feast Upon the 100 Best Foods for Men,” from Men’s Health, highlights the antioxidant power of grapes to help fight disease.

    In fact, grapes have over 1,600 phytonutrients that may also help maintain health in a variety of ways from promoting antioxidant activity to enhancing cell-to-cell communications, which help maintain the health of cells.

    See the following health info-sheet as the 2020-21 California table grape season gets underway in the next few days and runs through January:

    Supporting immune function through a healthy diet has become a focus for government officials, registered dietitians and the medical community during the COVID-19 pandemic. One key dietary recommendation is to eat more fruits and vegetables each day to improve immune function and prevent heart disease and diabetes. “How Your Diet Can Help Flatten the Curve” by two professors from the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and a former Secretary of Agriculture provides important facts on how a healthy diet contributes to improved health overall. Excerpts include:

    • Higher intakes of specific nutrients appear to boost the immune system, while low intakes lead to less effective immune responses and higher susceptibility to infection.
    • Beyond the measures taken to fight the virus in the short term, long-term impacts must be reduced. Preventing and lessening the severity of existing cardiovascular disease and diabetes should be a key tactic. Among different risks and preventive approaches for these diseases, nutrition tops the list.
    • A recent multi-investigator study estimated that about 45 percent of all cardiovascular disease and diabetes deaths are directly attributable to poor diet. Another recent study estimated that poor diet kills about 530,000 Americans annually, equating to nearly 1,500 deaths everyday. Studies have found grapes to be both heart healthy and linked to benefits in multiple areas of health, including support for immune function. Some specifics:
    1. Fresh, whole grapes contain over 1,600 natural plant compounds including antioxidants and other polyphenols, both of which have been shown to protect the health and function of cells, which help protect against diseases.
    2. Grapes are a natural source of the polyphenol stilbenoid called resveratrol. Studies have shown resveratrol positively influences immune function.
    3. Grapes are heart healthy. Nutritional studies have shown that adding grapes to your diet every day supports a healthy heart and may reduce certain risk factors for heart disease.
    4. Grapes are hydrating, containing about 82 percent water. Hydration is critical to optimizing immune response.
    5. Grapes are a low glycemic index fruit and can fit into balanced diabetic diets. A recent study found that eating grapes was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, unrelated to their low glycemic index.
    6. Grapes may help support a healthy brain. In a preliminary study conducted at UCLA, researchers found that consuming a little over 2 cups of grapes every day preserved healthy metabolic activity in regions of the brain associated with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
    7. Grapes may help protect against certain cancers, such as colon cancer. Researchers found that consuming about 21⁄2 cups of grapes every day for two weeks showed a significant reduction in the expression of certain target genes responsible for promoting tumor growth in the colon.

  • Automated Delivery System for Therapeutic Materials to Treat HLB Infected Citrus

    Why is this research needed?

    In 2005, a disease called Huanglongbing (HLB, citrus greening, was identified in Florida’s commercial citrus groves. The disease is caused by a bacterium that affects all citrus cultivars by disrupting the flow of nutrients from the source of production, to the site of use, causing tree decline. HLB weakens the root system, increases early fruit and leaf drop, lowers tree productivity and fruit quality and ultimately kills the tree. The disease has spread to all the major production regions in Florida. Economic losses have exceeded more than $4 billion dollars. Currently, more than 95% of Florida’s trees are infected. There is currently no cure for the disease.

    Efforts to control HLB have been unsuccessful as the bacterium cannot be cultured, literally grown, in a petri dish, and once in the plant it proliferates within the citrus phloem. Phloem is the system that transports sugars from their site of production, the leaves, to plant parts that use sugars, the roots or flowers.Phloem transport is generally downward but can be upward as well.

    Once the HLB bacterium is in a tree’s phloem it has the potential to infect the entire tree. It is exceedingly difficult to introduce any control agent into the phloem with the conventional control methods of foliar spraying or soil drenching.

    Thus far, no treatment preventing HLB infection, or controlling the bacterium once within the tree, has been developed. Potential chemicals are being investigated, but in order to test them, direct or indirect phloem delivery, where the bacterium proliferates, is needed. Therefore, an effective method of delivering an effective volume of theraputics into the phloem is needed to evaluate potential treatments.

    What is the focus of this project?

    Our project focuses on developing a method of delivering therapeutic liquid materials, bactericides, microbial metabolites, RNAi, or biologicals, into the citrus vascular tissues, both the xylem which conducts water and nutrients upward from the roots and the phloem, which conducts sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves. We are investigating diffusion, trunk punctures with a surrounding liquid reservoir for passive uptake and infusion, low pressure active injections. We are focusing on these methods as foliar sprays and root drenches have not been successful phloem delivery methods.

    Who will be doing the research?

    The project is led by plant pathologist Dr. Ozgur Batuman with colleagues at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) at University of Florida in Immokalee. This four-year project will also study the citrus vascular system with a multidisciplinary research team including UF Plant Pathologists Drs. Nabil Killiny and Amit Levy at Lake Alfred, SWFREC UF Plant Physiologist Ute Albrecht, Citrus Horticulturist Fernando Alferez, Precision Ag. Engineer Yiannis Ampatzidis, Agricultural and Natural Resources Economist Tara Wade, University of California-Davis Extension Specialist Louise Ferguson and Texas A&M-Kingsville Citrus Center Plant Pathologist Veronica Ancona as well as number of graduate students, postdocs, and Florida, Texas and California citrus industry members.

    How will this research be done?

    Our earlier research involving comparisons of delivery methods including foliar sprays, soil drenching and trunk injection determined Needle-Assisted Trunk Infusion (NATI) was the best potential delivery method (Figure.1). In initial experiments, using NATI, 1 ml of rhodamine (1%) dye was injected into the trunks of one-year-old citrus seedlings. A visible red color, indicative of rhodamine uptake and movement, was detected in the upper-most leaves within 30-60 min and an increase in color intensity was observed within 24 hours. Similar results were observed in two-year-old grafted Valencia plants within 48 hours. If the NATI delivery method can be automated, large numbers of trees could be treated quickly. Once the delivery method has been developed, implementation will be tested with potential treatments developed within other research projects.

    Our proposed automated delivery would consist of a robotic arm with several modules at the end of the arm, installed on an ATV or tractor. One module with needles would grip and puncture the trunk, a second module would wrap a reservoir around the trunk below the punctures and third module would fill the reservoir. (Figure 2). Hopefully, a robotic arm plus automated system will be inexpensive enough for growers to purchase and simple enough to use.

    Another approach is disease prevention; application pf prophylactic chemicals that prevent infection. In this scenario our system would be used treat healthy young trees with bactericides or boost their immune system. When infected by the ACP the bacterium would either be killed or suppressed, perhaps below the level that harms tree growth and productivity. This option is analogous to the vaccinations that prevent diseases in humans and animals.

    What are the greatest challenges and opportunities?

    The greatest challenge is successful phloem delivery. The greatest opportunity is that, if successful, we will have developed a method that will allow much more precise deliver of theraputics to citrus trees. For example, if an effective phloem delivery method is developed, it could be used to control insects that feed on citrus plant parts. Or, it could be used to deliver growth regulators, perhaps nutrients and carbohydrates, to roots and fruits to increase growth, development and fruit quality; much like an intravenous injection functions in an animal.

    Among the questions we hope to investigate are:

    • When, what kind of, and what amount of therapeutics can be applied by NATI?
    • At what frequency?
    • What type of citrus tree: cultivar, age, infected, healthy is the best for treatment by NATI?
    • Can we kill the bacterium? How and when to assess a change in bacteria titer after treatment?
    • When will become available and be economically feasible for growers?
     — By Ozgur Batuman, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida; and Louise Ferguson, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis

    Figure 1. Distribution of rhodamine (red dye; 1%) applied by NATI in various tissues (left) of grafted and non-grafted young citrus plants grown in the greenhouse (right). Photos taken 2 weeks after the treatments. Treatments and tissues observed are indicated. Yo = year-old.Figure 2. Projected automated delivery system (ADS); an ATV with extendable arm with NATI and the cover placement systems on the arm guided onto the tree trunk.

  • PPE in Short Supply for Farm Work During the COVID-19 Crisis

    While most Californians are staying home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, California farmers, farmworkers and other agricultural professionals are out in the fields and packing houses working to produce food. With increased demand for personal protective equipment, or PPE, to protect against COVID-19, these essential workers are facing shortages. Agricultural commissioners in 28 counties are hearing from farmers who are having trouble getting PPE for their employees and farmers in another 11 counties who are worried about running out of PPE in the next month or two, according to a California Department of Pesticide Regulation survey.

    Gloves, N95 respirators, coveralls and other gear that workers wear to protect themselves from COVID-19, pesticides, dust and other health hazards are in short supply as priority is given to health care workers during the pandemic.

    To reduce the spread of COVID-19, workers may wear homemade face coverings, but for applying pesticides, they must wear respirators specified on the pesticide product label, said Whitney Brim-DeForest, UC Cooperative Extension rice advisor.

    Pesticide applicators may use gear that is more protective than required by the product label and regulations. 

    “Although this could change in the days ahead, half-mask and full-mask respirators are more available than disposable N95 respirators for now,” said Lisa Blecker, coordinator for the UC Pesticide Safety Education Program.

    Before the pandemic, 10% of N95 respirators from 3M went to health care, but that number is now 90%, the company said in a letter to distributors. This has led to significant backorders of PPE supplies for distributors.

    Carl Atwell, president of Gempler’s, an online distributor of worker supplies, said that before the crisis, normal lead times for PPE was up to 10 days. He estimated disposable respirators will become available in the fall and other PPE supplies in August.

    In the meantime, there is alternative PPE that agricultural professionals can use during the shortage.

    Atwell suggests looking for lesser known brands of PPE as opposed to the first tier of choice: “It’s sort of like searching for Purell hand sanitizer. Purell brand might be out of stock, but can you find a different disinfectant?”

    On Gempler’s website, the more recognizable Tyvek coverall from Dupont is sold out, however disposable protective clothing is available from other brands. Reusable chemical-resistant clothing is also available as opposed to their disposable counterparts. Supplies in high demand are reusable and disposable nitrile gloves, protective clothing, disposable respirators and certain protective eyewear, such as goggles and face shields.

    For workers who will be applying pesticides, Blecker and Brim-DeForest offered some guidelines on how to meet PPE requirements as the shortage continues.

    General PPE requirements: “Remember, the label is the law,” said Brim-DeForest. “PPE requirements for agriculture are not being loosened.” The UCCE advisor recommends purchasing only what you need for the season and choosing reusable PPE whenever possible. Growers who have excess supplies of PPE can coordinate with their county agricultural commissioner or UCCE advisor to help other producers in their area.

    Respirators: If you can’t find the respirator required on the label, Blecker said, “Use an alternative, more-protective respirator. For example, if an N95 is required, you can use a half-mask with N95 particulate filters; these can be stand-alone filters or ones that attach to an organic vapor cartridge. You could also use a different pesticide that doesn’t require a respirator. Consult with your PCA (pest control adviser) for options.”

    Gloves: Chemical-resistant gloves, usually 14 mil or more in thickness are required for most California pesticide applications and should be worn by mixers, handlers and applicators. If nitrile gloves are not available, viton and laminate gloves are universal chemical-resistant materials for most pesticide labels. If the glove material is specified on the label, that instruction must be followed.

    “Disposable gloves less than 14 mil can be worn, but not for more than 15 minutes at a time,” Blecker said. “Farmers should also note that thinner gloves cannot be layered on top of one another.”

    Coveralls: Coveralls should be worn when required by the pesticide label or when the signal word is “WARNING” or “DANGER,” or when applying by backpack or airblast. “Coveralls can be made out of high-density polyethylene fibers (Tyvek and other brands), which are disposable, or cotton, which are reusable,” Brim-DeForest said. “If reusable coveralls are worn, the employer must ensure employees are provided clean coveralls.”

    Goggles/face shields: Face shields are required for mixing and loading pesticides only if it’s stated on the label. “If a face shield is unavailable, a full-face respirator can be used,” Blecker said. “Goggles or protective eyewear should always be worn in California when handling pesticides, regardless of what the label says. The face shield, goggles or safety glasses must provide front, side and brow protection and meet the American National Standards Institute Z87.1 standard for impact resistance.

    The UC Integrated Pest Management Program also covers these topics in their pesticide safety webinar series at http://ipm.ucanr.edu/IPMPROJECT/workshops.html.

    For more information about PPE, contact your county agricultural commissioner or see the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s posters at https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/pdf/gloves_for_pesticide_handling.pdfand https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/pdf/n95_alternatives_for_pesticide_handling.pdf. — By Katrina Hunter, UC Integrated Pest Management Program pesticide safety writer

  • Students Keep Campus Farm Active While Classes Operate Virtually

    Like other essential agricultural operations across the Central Valley, the Fresno State University Agricultural Laboratory has kept up a near-normal pace over the past month, thanks to its workforce that relies partially on students who are dedicated to gaining hands-on, career experience.

    The 1,000-acre campus farm surrounds the Fresno State campus to the north, west and east edges and mirrors the diversity of the surrounding counties that lead nation in agricultural production.

    The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology’s 2,300 students rely on the farm as a valuable learning resource for classes, as do campus researchers, industry partners and other area schools that learn where their food comes from through student, staff and faculty presentations.

    Public tours have stopped, but livestock student workers and managers still provide daily care for the beef and dairy cattle, quarter horse, sheep and swine units.

    Campus fruit and nut orchards, row vegetable crops and vineyards also need continual management and occasional irrigation to keep production schedules on track to provide produce for customers at the Gibson Farm Market on campus.

    Campus winery, creamery and meat processing facilities are also still providing fresh products and are among the 22 enterprises coordinated by Mark Salwasser.

    The campus farm manager is a 1988 Fresno State plant science graduate and has also managed row crop, orchard and vineyard units in his 29 years working on the farm.

    He recently gave an update on farm operations, campus sweet corn and other potential changes.

    FresnoStateNews.com: How has the COVID-19 situation and campus access restrictions affected the campus farm?

    Mark Salwasser: We’re still in business, moving forward and keeping up with social distancing. We feel that agriculture is an essential element of our society, and grocery stores need to stay open to some extent. We are going to keep growing food and raising animals, and that’s why we’re still here working as much as possible.

    FSN: How important is it to keep the farm operating from a production standpoint?

    Salwasser: Shutting it down would be a drastic measure, especially for some units like the dairy. Moving cows out, and then later trying to start back up would be a challenge. Also, the orchards are a year-round, long-term investment that need to be managed regularly to keep them healthy and productive. We’re trying to keep business as usual as much as possible.

    FSN: How have the social distancing measures come into play among the farm staff?

    Salwasser: We’re keeping our workers separated as much as possible. In the ag operations office, we normally have five people, but only two are there right now including myself. The others who work with our budget and administrative needs are working from home.

    FSN: Have any of your units created online resources for class labs?

    Salwasser: Our horticulture nursery is a big resource for plant science labs this time of year, and I think seven classes were using it this semester. We’ve retooled it a little so student workers are doing the transplants that classes would have done and are sold at the farm market. We’re also creating some online teaching resources for the students to use for their classes via photos and Zoom, and collecting data for them for their assignments and projects.

    FSN: How does the summer sweet corn season look so far?

    Salwasser: We have had sweet corn planned out well in advance since seeds need to get planted early to meet our goal to have corn at the farm market by the end of May or early June. We’ve already had eight plantings, and that continued in between rainy weather and wet soil, and will continue on in stages to keep an ample supply throughout the summer. We expect to have the same supply of sweet corn as in the past, about 70 acres, and we’re excited to kick off the 2020 corn season. We’re happy with the planting so far.

    FSN: How has the winter weather affected operations in recent months?

    Salwasser: The winter has been atypical. It’s unusual to have such dry soil in February and early March, so we’ve had to irrigate crops like corn, wheat, alfalfa, almonds and other early blooming trees and the vineyard. After the moisture in late March and April, hopefully we have enough snow to get some surface water when we need it in the later spring and summer. A few weeks ago we were struggling with dry soil and planting sweet corn and pre-irrigating, and then we had the fields that were too wet to get into for several days.

    FSN: Any new things to look for at the Gibson Farm Market?

    Salwasser: We’re growing strawberries for the first time in several years. We were trying to give customers another product in the early spring time to go with the asparagus. They’re selling really well, and we’re just getting into the production levels since the rain has slowed their growth in recent weeks.

    FSN: Any other things to look for on the campus farm this month?

    Salwasser: The winery is doing a special $5 shipping sale in April for orders of three packs or more shipped around the state. They’re also planning on canning our Tailgate wines for the first time in 375-milliliter single cans — a little over 12 ounces — and four-packs that will be fan-friendly for the football games. They’ll also tentatively continue their bottling dates if they can.

    FSN: What about any changes in the summer and fall?

    Salwasser: We’re transitioning our full olive orchard into organic status, and we’re in the final stage of the three-year phase, which will be completed in August. We grow three varieties — Koroniki, Arbosana and Arbequina — and those olives lend themselves to being organic because they don’t have a lot of insect issues, and the returns are significant for organic olive oil. We also wanted some more organic ground on the farm.

    FSN: For those who drive by the farm near Sierra Avenue, what’s the new orchard out there and how does that play into the farm’s long-range plans and needs?

    Salwasser: To help our long-term economic sustainability, we just planted 36 acres of new almonds to replace a section of alfalfa. We may add another 35 acres of almonds and 36 acres of pistachios in the winter of 2020-21, but we’ll need some industry support. We pulled out 35 acres of almonds that needed to be retired about one and a half years ago, and that’s where the new almond block would go in next year. The new pistachio block, which could be used for research that is in high demand, would go just east of the current block in a section of alfalfa. Beyond that, a third phase would be to retire another 27-acre block of older almonds in two to five years.

    FSN: Is the Gibson Farm Market still open normal hours?

    Salwasser: Yes, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Certain areas are selling well like our meats section, so our meats lab has picked up production. The creamery is also continuing to focus on making ice cream and cheese. We’re trying to keep it open for our community, for our neighbors and friends to help provide key food products for students and area families.

  • Shifting Priorities: COVID-19 and the New Face of Sustainability

    In the midst of COVID-19, new sustainability priorities are emerging. Focus on health and safety is first and foremost. Packaging and single-use plastics are less of a concern as convenience, necessity and safety drive a dramatic spike in take-out and home deliveries. Worker health and safety is front and center with a focus on essential workers – doctors, nurses, grocery store employees, food production line workers, and the like. How will shifting priorities continue to shape the sustainability landscape now and as the pandemic subsides?

    “When it comes to environmentalism, in particular, I think a lot of people are putting it on the back burner,” said Kevin Ryan, founder of Malachite Strategy and Research and a founding member of The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) Consumer Trust Insights Council. “We can only handle one big crisis at a time, but I think the issue might come back with a sharper edge.”

    Ryan is a featured panelist on a free webcast “Shifting Priorities: COVID-19 and the New Face of Sustainability,” Thursday, May 14, 11 a.m. CDT. Hosted by CFI CEO Charlie Arnot, the webcast also includes Ujwal Arkalgud, an award-winning cultural anthropologist, co-founder of MotivBase and a member of the CFI Consumer Trust Insights Council.

    “For the first time now we’re seeing a change,” said Arkalgud, who points to the entry of issues around the labor force and, in particular, being responsible toward wealth inequalities that exist. “We’ve seen specific discussions among consumers about everything from ensuring companies pay a living wage to providing full sick pay, generous health care benefits and job training programs to support workers who may face loss due to automation in the post-coronavirus world.”

    The webcast will cover current shifts in sustainability, the potential increase in sustainability demands post-pandemic, the new non-negotiables for food companies and brands moving forward and an approach for navigating sustainability tradeoffs and making values-based decisions that are truly sustainable.

    “With so much at stake, the food system must cautiously consider tradeoffs before caving to demands that are deemed sustainable, but may fall short and stifle the technology and innovation that’s truly helping produce more food, more sustainably,” said Arnot. “Dedicate the resources necessary to make decisions that result in real sustainability and that you can confidently stand behind for the long-term.”

    Register at www.foodintegrity.org. The webcast is funded by the United Soybean Board.

    The Center for Food Integrity is a not-for-profit organization that helps today’s food system earn consumer trust. Our members and project partners, who represent the diversity of the food system, are committed to providing accurate information and working together to address important issues in food and agriculture. The Center does not lobby or advocate for individual companies or brands. For more information, visit www.foodintegrity.org.

  • Enrollment for 2020 Safety-Net Programs Fast Approaching

    Challenges and uncertainties are synonymous with farming and ranching. To say these are challenging, uncertain times is an understatement. But, as is their inherent nature, farmers and ranchers will certainly adapt and persevere, and we at USDA are here to help them.

    Our USDA Service Centers are open for business, and program delivery staff are continuing to come into the office but are working with producers only by phone – call to schedule an appointment – and using online tools whenever possible.

    Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff here in California stand ready to help you obtain credit for spring farm operating needs, service loans or sign up for programs, including the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2020.

    Producers simply need to enroll in the ARC or PLC program – their 2019 crop year program election applies to 2020 – by the June 30 deadline. If you fail to enroll, you will be ineligible to receive a payment for the 2020 crop year should one trigger.

    Give us a call today. We will send the ARC/PLC contract for signature via mail or email, depending on your preference. You can find the phone number for your local FSA county office at farmers.gov/service-center-locator.

    Farmers looking to mitigate the impact of risks, including low or falling commodity prices, and the effects of trade disruptions and natural disasters recognize that ARC and PLC provide the financial protections they need to weather substantial drops in crop prices or revenues as evidenced by record ARC and PLC enrollment for the 2019 crop year.

    Producers signed a record 1.77 million ARC and PLC contracts for the 2019 crop year, which is more than 107 percent of the total contracts signed on average over the past five years. We anticipate 2020 enrollment to be equally noteworthy.

    As of April 27, FSA records in California show 5,691 farms out of an expected 8,418 farms have completed ARC or PLC enrollment for the 2020 crop year. Although we are well on our way to another successful enrollment, we have many producers to assist between now and June 30.

    During these unprecedented circumstances, USDA Farm Service Agency is here to support you through delivery of our farm programs while you selflessly work to feed our nation and the world.

    For all you do … THANK YOU!

    By Connie Conway, State Executive Director in California, USDA Farm Service Agency