California Ag Network

Category: News

  • Hartnell College Party in the Library

    Salinas, Calif., (May 1 2017) – The Hartnell College Foundation presents its 11th Annual Party in the Library on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Hartnell College Library, 411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA. The theme for 2017 is Catalyze!

    This is the biggest fundraiser for the College to benefit students and programs. This year the Party in the Library committee will recognize Bob Martin and Cathy Schlumbrecht with the Hartnell College Foundation Leadership Award.

    Bob Martin has always been involved in agriculture and a committed supporter of Hartnell College. In 2006 he joined the Ag Steering Committee at Hartnell College to seed and establish the Agricultural Business and Technology Institute, as a result of a unique partnership between Hartnell College and the Salinas Valley Agricultural Industry, we are able to serve over 1,200 students every year pursuing careers in the dynamic agricultural industry.

    Bob Martin’s leadership along with Ag Steering Committee members supported Hartnell College in developing new and innovative programs in response to workforce development in the areas of agribusiness, ag production, food safety, diesel and automotive technology, ag industrial fabrication and welding technology. Soon to launch the new degrees in Sustainable Crop Advisor Management, Horticultural Technician Degree, Food Safety Science and Refrigeration Technician Program.

    The shared vision that community leaders and the Ag Steering Committee had for the Agricultural Business and Technology Institute is to be the leading program in the state providing youth and adults with relevant and excellent education and training. We are grateful for the leadership of the Ag Steering Committee.

    Bob Martin retired after 35 years as General Manager at Rio Farms but continues to advocate for the agricultural industry and committed in supporting Hartnell College. Bob has been a champion of agriculture throughout the Valley. In 1997, he was King City Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and was a Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce Ag Leadership Award winner in 2008, the Valley of the World Ag Leader Award winner in 2012, and the California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award in 2016.

    Cathy Schlumbrecht has been the spark plug igniting community organizations and their volunteers to set and achieve remarkable goals for more than two decades. The recently retired Senior Vice President and 33 year employee at Comerica Bank, Cathy has melded her role as a business banker with engagement in the larger community in the best traditions of local banking. She has been the creative force and organizer of successful community projects such as Cruzin’ Courses, IMPOWER, and Hartnell College Foundation’s own Party in the Library.

    She is a sought-after nonprofit volunteer, having served on the Dominican Foundation, the Boards of the Salinas Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Leadership Advisory Board with Community Foundation for Monterey County, CSUMB Foundation, Hartnell College Foundation, and the Natividad Medical Foundation.

    Join us at Party in the Library to recognize Bob Martin and Cathy Schlumbrecht!

    Tickets purchase and more information at www.hartnell.edu/party, call 831-755-6810, or email Ashton Clarke at aclarke@hartnell.edu .

  • Funding Available For Ag Land Preservation

    Sacramento, Calif., (May 1, 2017) – For the third year, the California Department of Conservation (DOC) has announced that funding will be available for projects that protect agricultural land and reduce greenhouse gases.

    Cities, counties, and land trusts are invited to apply for grants that will help California reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and the environment. Grants are made available through California’s Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) and are funded through a portion of cap-and-trade auction proceeds dedicated to greenhouse gas reduction.

    The amount available has yet to be determined, but totaled more than $37 million last year. While complete applications are due August 1, the DOC encourages submission of pre-proposals by June 1, so that the department can help guide applicants through the process.

    Launched by the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) in 2015, the SALC Program dedicated $4.6 million to agricultural conservation easements and planning grants in its first year. In 2016, it awarded $37.4 million in grants to preserve 20 properties, protecting 19,000 acres of agricultural land.  The Department of Conservation’s Division of Land Resource Protection (DLRP) administers the program on behalf of the SGC, and contributes expertise to the SALC Program by developing the guidelines.

    The SALC Program is part of the California Climate Investments Initiative, 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.

    Link to full news release

     

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (April 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 Winter wheat is being cut for silage. Some harvested wheat fields are being sheeped-off before planting to a new crop. Alfalfa fields are making excellent progress; some are being cut and baled with the coming of drier weather. Dryland oats are being windrowed. Local dairies are green-chopping irrigated oats for feed and silage. Corn is both being planted and germinating well. Dried Black-eyed beans were exported to Australia and Malaysia.

    Grapevines continue to leaf out. Some leaves are being picked off to allow for improved air circulation around the developing bunches. Stone fruit trees continue leafing out. Thinning of immature stone fruit continues. Cherries are progressing well and harvest should start near the end of the month. Almonds are being exported to Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. Pistachios and walnut trees continue blooming and leafing out. Pistachios are being exported to Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and Spain. Both mechanical and chemical weed control continues in orchards. Old vineyards and orchards continue to be pushed out to make way for new plantings. New orchards and vineyards are being planted.

    The late navel harvest is nearing its end. Navels continue to experience rind issues. Navel orange exports continue to Australia, China, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Valencia orange harvest continues at an accelerated pace. Valencia oranges are being exported to China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Grapefruit are being picked, with most of the fruit being packed for the domestic market and exported to Chile and China. Minneola tangelos are being exported to Japan and the Netherlands. Lemons are being shipped to Japan. Orange groves are being hedge-rowed and skirted. Seedless tangerines are netted to prevent cross pollination by bees during the bloom. Olive trees are blooming.

    Cucumbers continue to grow under hot caps, although their increasing size will require caps to be removed soon. Eggplant and squash are being planted. Early planted Summer squash continue to grow and bloom. Additional summer vegetables are being planted without hot caps. Blueberries were exported to Japan and Taiwan. Strawberries are being harvested and sold at roadside stands.

    Sunny warm weather continues to allow rangeland forage to grow rapidly. Recent rains will continue to benefit rangeland forage growth. Range and pasture conditions remain excellent. The fed cattle price remains at $128.00 per hundred-weight.

    Wholesale nurseries are shipping large amounts of stock to both local and out-of-state retail outlets. Mature olive trees are being dug from groves and sold for use in landscaping.

  • Ag Crimes Report: By Sgt. Arley Terrence, Fresno County Sheriff’s Ag Task Force

    Fresno, Calif., (April 28, 2017) – As the seasons transition from spring to summer, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department’s Ag Task Force (AGTF) continues to investigate thefts throughout Fresno County. Recently, several large pieces of equipment were reported stolen from the Mendota area, which included: Caterpillar road grader, a 2,000-gallon steel water storage tank and a John Deere hydraulic row disk.  The case was assigned to AGTF Detective Michael Wynn, who located the stolen property near 29000 W. Whitesbridge Ave., in Mendota.

    Detective Wynn found that the property owner/renter had bought the items off of another man for pennies on the dollar.  The detective identified the man who sold the stolen equipment as David Brisco, and a short time later he was arrested and taken into custody.  Detectives interviewed Brisco and learned that he posed as the owner of the stolen equipment and took the buyer onto the property to conduct a private sale. The purchaser didn’t realize he was buying stolen equipment and once he was contacted by detectives, he returned the stolen property to its original owner.  He is out thousands of dollars he had paid Brisco.

    As it is often said, “if the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.”  The AGTF reminds you to be appropriately suspicious of subjects selling items either in person or online where the deal appears to be too good to be true.

    Anyone with information regarding subjects selling what may be stolen items are asked to contact the Ag Task Force at 559-600-8150 or agcrimes@fresnosheriff.org. As always, we are here to serve.  Please contact us if we can be of assistance.

     

  • Hartnell Western Food Safety Summit – May 3rd & May 4th

    Salinas, Calif., (April 28, 2017) – The Agricultural Business and Technology Institute of Hartnell College is excited to host the twelfth year of the Western Food Safety Summit. This year’s summit theme is “Food Safety Modernization Act Rules and Applied Food Safety Science.” The event will convene at the Main Stage Theatre (Building K) on the Main Campus on May 3 and 4, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA.

    The first day features current practices, science, and topics related to key FSMA rules as presented by some of the leading experts in the United States. The second day (separate registration) offers US FDA approved Grower Training for the Produce Rule following curriculum developed by the Produce Safety Alliance. This all-day training includes the in-depth grower training manual and AFDA certificate of participation which meets FSMA regulation.

    Wednesday’s food safety summit program will highlight key topics such as: produce rule and resources for growers, water quality – sampling and harvest, legal methods to control animal intrusion, sanitary transportation of human and animal foods rule, sanitation controls in processing facilities as a preventive control, food safety education via Hartnell College, foreign supplier verification programs for importers of food for humans and animals, whole genome sequencing science and implications, process controls as preventive controls in food safety plans and GFSI versus Federal FSMA regulations.

    Participants will get clarification on training requirements to comply with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) as well as earn a certificate of participation for the Produce Rule Grower Training.

    “The Ag Institute’s Food Safety Industry Advisory committee is excited to offer a full day of current food safety science and technology as well as the new Produce Rule Grower Training prepared by the Produce Safety Alliance. Participants will become better informed and able to apply specific practices to their own operations to manage risks and increase the basis for a strong culture of food safety,” says Dr. Susan M. Pheasant, Director of Agriculture Business & Technology Institute. Whether you are involved in growing, producing, handling, and/or purchasing fresh produce on a small or large scale on behalf of consumers, this is an event you will want to attend. Growers and farm production managers are especially encouraged to attend the Produce Rule Grower Training on Thursday.

    Register here for DAY 1.

    Register here for DAY 2.

  • California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross Visits Fresno State

    Fresno, Calif., (April 27, 2017) – Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, visited Fresno State April 24 and met with University President Joseph I. Castro, faculty and students.

    Her visit included a tour of the new Jordan Agricultural Research Center, visits to culinology and agricultural business classes, a demonstration of the Bee Sweet Citrus Fresh Fruit Packing Line and a tour of the 1,000-acre campus farm and Gibson Farm Market.

    “Fresno County and the Central Valley is the heart of agriculture in the state, and Fresno State is a big reason for that success,” Ross said. “The best part of my job is getting to meet students and seeing their intelligence and passion. There’s also tremendous work happening right here on campus with water conservation research that can help connect urban and agricultural areas, and we’re also seeing great promise in joint water recharge and recycling projects.”

    Ross also attended the FFA state convention in Fresno, which was held April 22 to 25 at the downtown convention center and on campus.

    “We were very excited to have Secretary Ross visit, and I think she was really impressed,” said Dr. Sandra Witte, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. “Our students were equally inspired by her message and learning how they can make a big difference in helping our industry grow and meet the world’s needs.”

    Ross has served in her position since 2011 after previously serving as chief of staff for former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. She is a former president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and former vice president of the Agricultural Council of California.

     

  • ‘CA Grown’ and ‘California Thursdays’ On The Agenda For Upcoming State Board Of Food And Agriculture Meeting On May 2

    Sacramento, Calif., (April 27, 2017) – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will be discussing value-based marketing opportunities for California’s farmers and ranchers at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, May 2nd. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.

    “We have an amazing story to tell in California agriculture,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “We farm in one of the most iconic places, with the highest environmental and labor standards and produce some of the finest, most nutritious products in the nation. Our practices – how we farm – are of interest to buyers and consumers and we need to engage with them to build relationships that can enhance their appreciation and support for what our farmers and ranchers do to make California a better place to live.”

    From the popular ‘California Thursdays’ initiative in 71 school districts throughout the state, introducing freshly prepared school meals made from California-grown food to more than 1.85 million students, to the partnership between CA GROWN and Visit California featuring the state’s producers; California’s farmers and ranchers have many value-based marketing opportunities in schools, supermarkets and restaurants to tell the California agriculture story.

    Invited speakers for the meeting include: Walter Robb, Whole Foods Market; Zenobia Barlow, Center for Ecoliteracy; Karen Brown, Center for Ecoliteracy; Cherie Watte, Buy California Marketing Agreement (CA GROWN); and Sarah Hanson, CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork.

    “Building relationships between retail and foodservice buyers is something California farmers and ranchers can do very effectively,” said President Craig McNamara, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “Highlighting California agriculture’s commitment to a healthy people, planet and communities – is an opportunity for all of us.”

    The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

    All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.

    Follow the board on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard

  • Three agriculture scholarships offered by UC ANR

    Davis, Calif., (April 27, 2017) – Three scholarships are being offered by the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources to college students majoring in agriculture. The scholarships will be awarded for the fall 2017 semester or quarter. The deadline to apply or nominate for the scholarships is May 19, 2017.

    Rob Wilson describes a potato variety trial at Intermountain Research and Extension Center.

    Knowles A. Ryerson Award In Agriculture : Amount  $2500 – two awarded each year, one each at Berkeley and Davis.

    The Knowles A. Ryerson Award in Agriculture is awarded annually to a foreign undergraduate student in a college of agriculture at UC Berkeley and UC Davis, in any curriculum, preferably after completion of the junior year. Students must be nominated by UC faculty or academic advisors. The $2,500 award is made on the basis of high scholarship, outstanding character and promise of leadership. One recipient will be selected from the Berkeley campus and one from the Davis campus.

    Howard Walton Clark Prize In Plant Breeding And Soil Building: Amount:  $5,000 – one awarded each year

    The Howard Walton Clark Prize in Plant Breeding and Soil Building is given to a senior student in a college of agriculture at UC Berkeley, UC Davis or UC Riverside who seems to show the greatest promise. Students must be nominated by UC faculty or academic advisors. Selection for the $5,000 scholarship is based on high scholastic achievement, talent for independent research and other characteristics, with particular reference to either plant breeding (leading to new/improved crops and new/improved varieties using appropriate tools) or soil building (leading to improving soil quality related to soil productivity and sustainability as a resource).

    Bill And Jane Fischer Vegetation Management Scholarship: Amount: $1,000 – one awarded each year

    The $1,000 Bill and Jane Fischer Vegetation Management Scholarship will be given to promising students with demonstrated interest in vegetation management (weed control) careers. Students from any accredited California university are eligible, with preference given to graduate students. The recipient will have an academic major and emphasis in one of the following areas (listed in order of preference):

    • Vegetation management in agricultural crop production;
    • Plant science with emphasis on vegetation management in horticultural crops, agronomic or vegetable crops;
    • Soils and plant nutrition with emphasis on field, vegetable crop relationships;
    • Agricultural engineering with emphasis on developing tools for vegetation management;
    • Agricultural botany with emphasis on weed biology and weed ecology;
    • Plant pathology with emphasis on integrated vegetation management;
    • Plant protection and pest management with emphasis on field, vegetable, or horticultural crop relationships; or
    • Agricultural economics with emphasis on vegetation management in field, vegetable or horticultural crops.

    For more information about the scholarships and nomination and application processes, visit http://ucanr.edu/Development_services/Awards_and_scholarships.

  • It Only Takes One Person to Spread Harmful Invasive Pests

    Sacramento, Calif., (April 26, 2017) – Each year, harmful invasive plant pests and diseases cost the United States about $40 billion in crop losses, damage to forests and vulnerable ecosystems, and expensive eradication and control efforts. It only takes one person who moves one piece of infested firewood, one infected plant, or one piece of infested fruit to spread these invasive pests to a new area. That’s why USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has designated April as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month. Spring is the perfect time to remind everyone of the simple steps they can take to prevent the spread of harmful invasive plant pests.

    For example, USDA believes Huanglongbing (HLB, or citrus greening) was spread from Florida to California by one person who likely mailed an infected plant to that State. HLB was first detected in Florida in 2005 and has since spread rapidly. A concerted effort by USDA, California and the citrus industry is underway to find new strategies in the fight against HLB.

    The good news is that individuals can also stop the spread of invasive pests by looking for and reporting suspicious insects or signs of damage. For example, the Asian long horned beetle was detected in Boston in 2010 when a single groundskeeper with a keen eye noticed and reported an unusual dime-sized hole in a tree. That one call provided early warning to jump-start an eradication effort that quickly eliminated this destructive pest from that city.

    Here’s what you can do to help keep invasive pests from spreading as spring gets underway and all year round:

    • Spring is a busy time for buying plants. Buy yours from reputable nurseries or online businesses. Ask if they comply with federal and state quarantine restrictions to ensure their plants are pest-free.
    • Planning to travel? Whether it’s between states or to another country, check with your local USDA office before you bring back fruits, vegetables or plants so you know what’s allowed. And when returning from abroad, always declare all agricultural items to U.S. Customs and Border Protection so they can make sure items are free of harmful pests or diseases.
    • When enjoying the great outdoors, don’t move untreated firewood. Instead, buy or responsibly gather firewood near the place you’ll burn it. Or, take certified, heat-treated firewood on your trip with you.
    • If you live in an area under state or federal quarantine for an invasive pest, don’t move produce or plants off your property. Call your local USDA office to find out how to safely dispose of yard debris like trees and branches. Also, allow authorized agricultural workers access to your property for pest or disease surveys.
    • Make sure to clean outdoor items before moving them. Wash dirt from outdoor gear and tires before traveling long distances to or from fishing, hunting or camping trips. If relocating to a new home, clean lawn furniture and other outdoor items before placing them in a moving van or storage pod.
    • Finally, report any signs of invasive pests by going to http://www.HungryPests.com

    To learn more, visit www.HungryPests.com or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter. The website includes photos and descriptions of 19 invasive pests that can be moved easily by people, an online federal quarantine tracker by state, and phone numbers for reporting signs of invasive pests. Questions? Contact CDFA’s pest hotline at 1-800-491-1899.

  • SB1 Changes for Trucks

    Modesto, Calif., (April 26, 2017) – For those that own diesel powered trucks, there are some recent changes to how those trucks are regulated for air quality. SB1, the gas tax law, which was recently passed by the legislature, had some provisions regarding diesel powered trucks over 14,000 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (does not include pickups) that will affect agriculture. Starting in 2020, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will have to confirm with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that a truck is in compliance with air quality rules before that truck can be registered. This is similar to how our smog check program works now for cars and pickups.

    This provision gives even more value to the agricultural extension that Western United Dairymen and other Ag organizations negotiated into the truck rule. There is also a low use vehicle extension that allows trucks operating less than 1,000 miles per year (5,000 miles per year through 2019) among other extensions for logging, construction and other trucks. Having those extensions gives you more flexibility in maintaining older trucks that stay within the mileage limits of those extensions. However, CARB has recently been reviewing their database of trucks that have the extensions and preventing the update of vehicles that are missing some information or were not reported correctly. If you got a notice from CARB or were not able to report this January it is important that you resolve any issues so that your dairy is able to maintain its extensions. This is further complicated by the fact that if you call or e-mail CARB regarding your trucks it will likely be weeks until you get a response and resolving something that takes multiple correspondences could take months. If you need help with this please let me know.

    Lastly, it seems that CARB is not waiting until 2020 to find trucks that are operating out of compliance with their truck rule. That rule currently requires that all trucks greater than 26,000 GVWR have an exhaust particulate filter and an engine that is 1996 and newer. Apparently CARB is checking DMV records for trucks that may not fit these criteria and reaching out to the truck owners. This quite complex just for owning a truck in California and that is why Western United Dairymen is here get provisions like the agricultural extension into rules like this and to help you understand and comply with them. If you need any help with reporting your trucks or understanding what this means for your dairy please give me a call.

    by Paul Sousa, WUD Director of Environmental Affairs