California Ag Network

Category: News

  • CDFA Seeks Comments on Cap-and-Trade-Funded Alternative Manure Management Program

    Sacramento, Calif., (August 1, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting public comments on Requests for Grant Applications (RGA) for the new Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP). CDFA was appropriated $50 million dollars from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, authorized by the Budget Act of 2016, to provide financial assistance for early and extra methane emissions reductions from dairy and livestock operations. The AMMP offers grants to California dairy and livestock operations to implement non-digester manure management practices that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. AMMP is one of two programs designed by CDFA to reduced early and extra methane emissions from dairy and livestock operations.

    The RGA for AMMP can be found on the CDFA Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) webpage: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/AMMP/.

    CDFA will hold a webinar on July 25, 2017 at 10:00 am to provide information on how to comment on the DRAFT RGA and answer questions. To register for the webinar, please visit the program webpage at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/AMMP/ .

    Comments regarding the DRAFT RGA can be submitted to cdfa.oefi@cdfa.ca.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on Tuesday, August 2, 2017.

    The AMMP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.

     

  • Organic Grower Summit Coming to Monterey

    Monterey, Calif., (August 1, 2017) – General attendee registration is now open for the inaugural Organic Grower Summit (OGS), slated for December 13-14 in Monterey, CA. A joint production between California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN), OGS will bring together organic growers, producers and processors for two days of education, information and networking opportunities with organic production supply chain and service providers.

    Attendee registration is $399, with discounts available for CCOF members. The registration includes all activities and events associated with the event, including opening reception, breakfast, educational sessions, keynote presentation, lunch and trade show floor.

    Over 50 sponsors have confirmed their attendance to date at the event, with more than half of the 72 available trade show booths sold. Among participating exhibitors are leaders in the fields of seed, packaging, soil amendments, food safety and ag technology who will be connecting with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors and food safety experts.

    “The Organic Grower Summit offers an important opportunity for agricultural producers and leaders to network and stay on top of the latest trends in organic production,” said Cathy Calfo, CCOF Executive Director/CEO, “The overwhelming enthusiasm for this gathering speaks to its importance for California’s organic and agricultural community.”

    Educational session panels at OGS will range in topics including farm soil management, environmentally sustainable packaging, advances in agricultural technology, and a discussion with elected state and federal officials on key issues facing agriculture. Among confirmed speakers are Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Miles McEvoy, deputy administrator at USDA-AMS; plus additional keynote presentations and speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.

    Additionally, OGS is finalizing an educational Outreach Program for PCA, PRC and qualified applicators to kick off the event. Attendees are eligible for two hours of approved continuing education credit and will learn about new requirements for pesticide use near schools and worker protection standards.

    “The response to the event has been resoundingly positive from the organic community. They see the benefit of an event connecting organic growers and farmers with those on the supply and service provider side of the business. As organics continues to grow, the need for expanded education and information throughout the organic production community will be vital to our continued success,” said Tonya Antle, co-founder of OPN. “Our relationship with CCOF in putting together the OGS indicates we are producing the right event at the right time in bringing our community together.”

    For further information about the first-ever Organic Grower Summit, visit www.organicgrowersummit.com

     

     

  • Nominate A Deserving Agriculturalist Or Ag Business

    Fresno, Calif., (July 31, 2017) – The Fresno Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Agriculturalist of the Year award. The award recognizes an individual who exemplifies leadership and integrity and who has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the Fresno agricultural community through both personal efforts and leadership abilities.

    In addition to the Agriculturalist of the Year award, Baker Peterson Franklin will present the Ag Business of the Year award, which honors an agricultural organization whose achievements have contributed to the agriculture industry and the community.

    The awards are presented annually at the Ag Awards Luncheon, which will be held Wednesday, November 1, at the Bankers Ballroom, 1058 Fulton Mall, Fresno.

    The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 8. For more information, or to obtain an application, visit www.fresnochamber.com or www.bpfcpa.com.

  • FFA Corner: Riverdale FFA

    Riverdale, Calif., (July 31, 2017) – The Riverdale High School FFA Chapter was chartered in 1930 and currently has 191 members with two advisors. The chapter’s goal is to provide intra-curricular opportunities for all students that want to participate and encourage a future in agriculture.

    During the summer, the officers planned the “Program of Activities” for the year.  In August, the Riverdale Chapter Officers attended the San Joaquin Regional Boot Camp in San Luis Obispo and grew together as a team. In September, the freshmen experienced the Greenhand Leadership Conference and got “fired up”!   Then it is was fair season with 48 students exhibiting their livestock at the Caruthers and Fresno fairs. The FFA Pumpkin Patch for primary students with pumpkins grown on the school farm was enjoyed by all at the end of October.  Public speaking contests rounded out the fall as well as chapter, sectional and regional FFA activities.

    The winter began with the Advanced Leadership Academy as well as the annual Chapter Fund-Raising Dinner that helps finance chapter activities along with game concessions. The World Ag Expo trip, PLANT Foundation Event, FFA Week Activities and Career Development Event practices also kept students busy. Throughout the year, students have also been attending the Farms Leadership Academy, which provided an insight into the various career fields available in agriculture.

    Career Development Events including Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Farm Power and Machinery, and Welding were attended in the spring. Participating at the Fresno County Farm Bureau’s Farm and Nutrition Day by assisting with the milking demonstrations is an experience the members always look forward to.  Agriculture Adventure Day is a huge event the Riverdale chapter has held annually in April for over 30 years. Ten educational stations are run by chapter members and over 600 primary students attended. Several students received their State FFA Degree at the Sectional awards ceremony with one student awarded sectional goat proficiency as well as being named the Sectional Star Farmer for the West Fresno/Madera section. Fourteen members attended the State FFA Leadership Conference and took away many ideas to incorporate in the local chapter.

    The year ended with students already entering livestock for the next Fresno Fair and the annual FFA Banquet.

    By Prestin Rollin, Riverdale FFA Reporter

     

  • Sorensen Harvesting Continues the Legacy

    Fresno, Calif., (July 31, 2017) – The Sorensens have deep roots in California agriculture. The family has been farming in Fresno County for five generations.

    Mark Sorensen, who currently serves as FCFB’s president, always knew he wanted to be involved in agriculture. From a young age, he spent his summers working on the family farm, gaining hands-on experience. Later, he began to grow his own farming operation.

    Throughout his career, he experienced the ups and downs of the industry. After going through a labor shortage in the mid-1990s, Sorensen began converting his vineyards to dried-on-the-vine (DOV).

    Also in response to the labor shortage, a long-time manager of Sorensen’s encouraged him to invest in DOV harvest equipment. Thus, Sorensen Harvesting was formed, specializing in DOV harvesting and later incorporating continuous tray harvesting.

    “The opportunity came up for us to do a couple acres DOV, and I liked being in control of harvest,” said Sorensen.

    When Sorensen Harvesting began, continuous tray wasn’t being used. It wasn’t until 2006 that the company began incorporating this technique as well. This addition allowed the operation to keep a larger work force employed for a longer period of time. It works out that the continuous tray harvest season starts before the DOV harvest season.

    Additionally, as Sorensen’s son-in-laws joined the family, he saw the benefit and value of this business. He expanded the operation so they could be involved full-time. Today, the bulk of Sorensen Harvesting’s business is in continuous tray harvesting.

    Sorensen Harvesting employs up to 30 people during harvest season. Nearly 90 percent of those employed have been with the company for many years. A full-time mechanic was also recently hired.

    “By hiring the same work force year-after-year, we are able to continuously improve each season,” said Sorensen. “Our employees are good people who care about what they’re doing.”

    During harvest season, which runs from the last week of August to the middle of October, the company runs 24 hours a day. The harvest territory is from Easton to Selma.

    “For me, it’s very important to treat everyone’s field like my own. I take pride in my work and my name,” said Sorensen. “Quality control is also very important to me. This is an area that I’m continuously improving in.”

    Sorensen Harvesting became a Friends of the Family Farm premium member because the company believes in what Farm Bureau does and that it’s a good way to support the organization on top of annual membership dues.

    To learn more about Sorensen Harvesting, visit www.sorensenharvesting.com, or call 559-905-1210.

  • Parreira Elected Ag One Foundation President

    Fresno, Calif., (July 28, 2017) – Don Parreira, co-owner of Ultra Gro Plant Food in Madera, began his one-year term on July 1 as the new president of the Ag One Foundation at Fresno State.

    Parreira, of Fresno, previously served as vice president for Ag One – a development organization for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State – and has also served as treasurer and secretary on its board of directors.

    A co-owner of Ultra Gro Plant Food since 2008, he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fresno State in 1980. He has worked in accounting his entire career and has worked for respected agricultural leader Jess Telles of TRI Enterprises, a large Valley farming operation, and the late Ed Baloian and his son, Tim Baloian, of Baloian Packing in Fresno. Parreira also served on non-profit boards for Alpha Gamma Rho alumni, Bullard High School Boosters and other youth organizations.

    Born and raised in Los Banos, Parreira follows the lead of his father-in-law, Gerald Forrest, who served as the Ag One president in 1987.

    Parreira replaced John Migliazzo of Fresno, an attorney for the Michael J.F. Smith law office, who ended his one-year term as president on June 30.

    Ken Ramos, Wells Fargo’s president for Central California business banking, was elected vice president. He graduated from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.

    Bill Purewal, owner of PureFresh Sales produce marketing, was elected treasurer. The Selma native graduated from Fresno State in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.

    Annie Stuhr joined the executive committee as secretary. She is a senior loan analyst with Fresno Madera Farm Credit and graduated from Fresno State in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.

    A complete list of board members is available here.

    For more information on the Ag One Foundation, upcoming events or to become a member, visit www.agonefoundation.org or call 559-278-4266.

    Source: Ag One Foundation, Press Release, July 26, 2017

     

  • Nut Harvest Safety Seminar Co-Sponsored by Farm Bureau and UCCE

    Tulare, Calif., (July 28, 2017) – Tulare and Kings Counties have over 200,000 combined acres of nuts, valued near $1 billion, approaching harvest. To promote worker and community safety during the harvest season, UCCE Tulare County joined with the Kings County Farm Bureau and the Tulare County Farm Bureau to host a Nut Harvest Safety Seminar at the Kings County Fairgrounds on July 19, 2017. The event, conducted in both English and Spanish, attracted over 100 attendees. Due to positive feedback and consistent annual attendance, the program has been offered for three consecutive years.  Additional program sponsors include American Pistachio Growers and State Compensation Insurance Fund.

    Topics covered include equipment and road safety, as well as chemical safety and prevention of heat stress.  Course content was presented by Officers Chris Tuttle and Luis Guillen, California Highway Patrol, Martha Sanchez, Department of Pesticide Regulation, and Joe Zavala, Patrick Taylor, Paul Williams, and Annette Casares, State Compensation Insurance Fund.

    Annette Casares led discussion on equipment safety.
    Officer Chris Tuttle educated attendees on the influence of alcohol consumption on physical performance.
    UCCE Farm Advisors Elizabeth Fichtner and Mohammad Yaghmour assisted with advertisement and registration.

    Photo Credit:  Barbara Martin, Kings County Farm Bureau Community Relations Coordinator

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (July 28, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Alfalfa fields are making excellent progress; and being irrigated, cut, and baled. Corn and sorghum for silage is still being cultivated and irrigated. The corn silage crop is in various stages of development, from already producing tassels to developing ears. Cotton continues to be irrigated, cultivated, and growing well. Cotton is blooming and forming bolls. Black-eyed beans continue to be irrigated and cultivated.

    Mid-season peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be picked and shipped to both domestic and export markets. Domestic demand is strong enough to cause the number of export shipments to continue to be significantly less than that of previous years. Stone fruit is being exported to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, and Taiwan. Summer pruning and topping of harvest stone fruit groves is occurring. Last season’s almonds and pistachios are being exported to the Belgium, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Walnut, almond, and pistachio orchards continue being irrigated. Both mechanical and chemical weed control continues in orchards. Asian pears are being exported to Mexico. Table grape harvest continues throughout the county, and grapes are being exported to Australia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, New Zealand, Panama, and Vietnam. As with all permanent crops grapevines are being irrigated.

    Valencia orange harvest continues primarily for the domestic market. Regreening continues to become more common due to the higher temperatures. Valencia oranges are being exported to Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Harvest is nearing an end due to the high temperatures and overall fruit availability. Olives continue to develop.

    Certified producers are picking tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers for sale at the local Farmer’s Markets. Yellow squash, Zucchini, eggplant, Bell peppers, green Chili peppers, and cucumbers are being harvested and shipped domestically. Sweet corn harvest is continuing and available at roadside stands and the local Farmer’s Markets. Melons are being irrigated and prepared for the upcoming harvest.

    Low elevation rangeland continues to dry and conditions are fair to good, but quality is continuing to decrease. Cattle are still being moved to higher elevations. The higher elevations are providing more grass than previous years. Feed costs for cattle remains high. Harvested grain fields are being sheeped-off in the southern portions of the county.

    Nursery shipments are slowing overall. Wholesale nursery shipments to Canada and domestic markets have decreased due to the hot summer temperatures. Small amounts of citrus nursery stock continue to be sold. New wells continue to be drilled, with many existing wells showing higher levels due to increases in the water table.

  • Agricultural Officials Taking Steps to Battle Citrus Disease Recently Detected in Riverside

    Riverside, Calif., (July 27, 2017) – State and federal officials yesterday (7/25) confirmed the presence in Riverside County of citrus greening, a deadly disease for citrus plants that can be transmitted from tree to tree by the Asian citrus psyllid.

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the discovery of citrus greening, known as huanglongbing or HLB. The disease was detected in a CDFA sample collected July 10 from a grapefruit tree in a residential neighborhood in the city of Riverside, near the intersection of Chicago and Marlborough avenues. The disease affects citrus and closely related species.

    In cooperation with the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and USDA, CDFA has begun an extensive survey and treatment program. Crews will remove and dispose of the infected tree and are preparing to treat citrus trees within 800 feet for Asian citrus psyllid infestations. Taking these steps will remove a critical reservoir of the disease and vectors that can spread the disease, an essential tactic in protecting nearby citrus.

    The bacterial disease attacks plants’ vascular system but does not pose a threat to humans or animals. The Asian citrus psyllid can spread the bacteria when the pest moves from one location to another, feeding on citrus trees and other plants. Once a tree is infected there is no cure and it typically declines and dies within a few years.

    “The discovery of this disease means all citrus trees are at risk — including homegrown trees enjoyed by residents and thousands of acres of trees cared-for by citrus farmers,” said Ruben Arroyo, Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer. “It’s important for residents, growers and agricultural officials to work together to quickly find this disease and stop its spread. I encourage everyone to visit CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org to review symptoms of the disease and report disease sightings.”

    A quarantine will be established in the area where HLB was detected. The quarantine prohibits the sale of all host nursery stock and the movement of all host plants and fruits within a five-mile radius of the find, and applies to residents and commercial operations alike.

    Riverside has a storied history of citrus production and is home to California Citrus State Historic Park, which preserves the cultural landscape of the citrus industry and tells the story of the industry’s role in the history and development of California. Though not affected by this HLB quarantine, the historic park and all citrus throughout Riverside are threatened by any presence of the disease.

    CDFA, in partnership with local agricultural commissioners, USDA and the citrus industry, continues to pursue its strategy of controlling the spread of the Asian citrus psyllids while researchers work to find a cure for the disease.

    HLB is known to be present in Mexico and in parts of the southern United States. Florida first detected the pest in 1998 and the disease in 2005. The University of Florida estimates that the disease causes an average loss of 7,513 jobs per year, and has cost growers $3 billion in lost revenue since it was first detected there. The Asian citrus psyllid was first detected in California in 2008.

    For more information about ACP or HLB, Riverside County residents may call the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at (951) 955-3045 or CDFA’s toll-free pest hotline at 1-800-491-1899 or visit: www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/acp/

  • Walnuts Named an Official State Nut of California

    Folsom, Calif., (July 27, 2017) – The California Walnut Commission (CWC) is pleased to announce that walnuts were selected by the state of California as one of the official state nuts.

    “On behalf of the California walnut industry, we’re thrilled to be named an official state nut of California,” said Bill Carriere, Chairperson for the California Walnut Commission. “Walnuts have a long and rich history in our state, having been first cultivated in California by the Franciscan Fathers in the late 1700s, followed by commercial walnut production beginning in the 1870’s.”

    Today, the California walnut industry is made up of more than 4,000 walnut growers and more than 90 walnut handlers (processors), who harvest approximately 315,000 bearing acres of walnuts. Walnuts from California are more than 99 percent of the U.S. commercial supply and in the current 2016 crop year the California Walnut Board reported a record crop totaling 684,338 tons, with global shipments up 18% year-to-date.

    “California walnuts are the 9th leading commodity grown in the state and the 3rd leading export, contributing nearly $1 billion to the state in annual farm gate revenue,” said California Assemblyman Adam Gray. “I am pleased that my colleagues and I at the Capital have been able to recognize the tremendous contribution the growers and handlers make to agriculture in our state.”

    In addition to offering a broad range of culinary uses, walnuts also add essential nutrients to the daily diet. Unique among nuts, walnuts are the only nut to contain an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant-based omega-3 essential fatty acid required by the human body, with 2.5 grams per one-ounce serving. Walnuts also offer protein (4 grams per ounce) and fiber (2 grams per ounce).

    For more than 25 years, the California Walnut Commission has supported scientific research on consumption of walnuts and outcomes in areas such as heart health, cognitive function, cancer, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, weight, and male reproductive health.

    For more information about walnuts, including industry reports and nutritional information, visit www.walnuts.org.