California Ag Network

Tag: Tulare County

  • Funding Committed to Fight Pierce’s Disease

    The Consolidated Central Valley Table Grape Pest and Disease Control District Board of Directors authorized the use of up to $1.7 million in district reactionary funds, generated through the California table grape industry, to support CDFA activities related to the prevention and control of Pierce’s Disease (PD) and the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS).

    The action was taken during the district’s board of directors meeting on Friday, August 21, 2026, in response to an approximately $1.7 million funding shortfall associated with current PD/GWSS program activities.

    The district recognizes continued GWSS surveillance, treatment, and suppression as critical to limiting the spread of Pierce’s Disease and protecting California’s table grape, wine grape and raisin industries. Since there is currently no cure for Pierce’s disease, preventing the movement of the disease and controlling populations of GWSS remain essential to protecting California vineyards.

    Background

    The Consolidated Central Valley Table Grape Pest and Disease Control District was formed pursuant to Article 8.7 of Chapter 9 of Division 4 of the California Food and Agricultural Code.

    Under California Food and Agricultural Code Section 6047.87, the district is authorized to take actions necessary to control, eradicate, remove, or prevent the spread of GWSS, Pierce’s Disease and other designated pests and diseases injurious to table grapes. GWSS presents a significant threat because it can spread the bacterium that causes Pierce’s disease as it feeds on grapevines.

    Historically, USDA and CDFA have provided funding for the GWSS Area-Wide Treatment Program. Due to federal and state funding shortfalls, the funding toward the GWSS program has been cut year-over-year. The district’s board of directors is providing emergency industry funding to prevent disruption of the program while longer-term state and federal funding solutions are pursued.

    Protecting Kern and Tulare Counties

    GWSS and Pierce’s Disease do not recognize county, crop, or district boundaries. A

    coordinated, area-wide approach to surveillance and treatment is critical to reducing GWSS populations and limiting the potential movement of the pest into vineyards and other agricultural areas.

    Citrus plays a particularly important role in GWSS management because citrus trees serve as a primary year-round host for the pest. Area-wide programs use trapping and monitoring to identify areas with elevated GWSS populations and coordinate treatments in citrus and other host areas when necessary.

    The funding commitment from the district will help support continued CDFA-coordinated PD/GWSS activities, including area-wide efforts that provide resources for eligible citrus growers to conduct approved treatments designed to suppress GWSS populations. These activities complement trapping, monitoring, and other preventative measures intended to reduce the movement of GWSS and protect nearby vineyards.

    By committing up to $1.7 million from accumulated district reactionary funds, the board is

    investing industry-generated funds directly into efforts intended to protect table grape

    growers. For growers in Kern and Tulare counties, there will be no assessment change.

    The district remains committed to working collaboratively with CDFA, county agricultural

    commissioners, growers and other agricultural partners to protect California’s grape industry from Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter.

    For additional information, please contact the Consolidated Central Valley Table Grape Pest and Disease Control District at 559-210-0118. — Story contributed by the Consolidated Central Valley Table Grape Pest and Disease Control District

  • California Table Grape Growers Double Impact of Food Bank Donations

    California table grape growers are doubling the impact of each gift made to the Central California Food Bank between October 20-31 to help provide meals for families facing hunger across the Central Valley.

    October is California Farmer and Farmworker Month, a month-long acknowledgement of California’s hardworking farmers and farmworkers. In celebration of the hands that help feed us, every dollar donated during the two-week campaign, up to $15,000, will be matched by California table grape growers. The campaign is designed to raise awareness and provide essential support to sustain food distributions in the San Joaquin Valley. Specifically, funds raised will help strengthen Central California Food Bank’s Farmworker Community Partnership Program across Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties.

    Central California Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Central California, serving Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties. In Central California, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 3 children face food insecurity, which is the limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Through a network of more than 260 member partner agencies, Central California Food Bank distributes nutritious foods to over 320,000 people each month, including more than 100,000 children.

    The campaign is a demonstration of California table grape growers’ collective commitment to building thriving communities in the table grape growing regions. “The commission is a service-based organization, and this initiative is a reflection of the commitment of California table grape growers to the communities they live and work in,” said Ian LeMay, commission president.

    For more information about the campaign, please visit give.ccfoodbank.org/calgrapes.

  • Increase of Navel Oranges Expected in California this Upcoming Season

    The initial 2025-26 California Navel orange forecast is 80.0 million cartons, up 6% from the previous year. These forecasts, by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, are based on the results of the 2025-26 Navel Orange Objective Measurement (O.M.) Survey, which was conducted from June 12 to August 21, 2025. Estimated fruit set per tree, fruit diameter, trees per acre, bearing acreage, and oranges per box were used in the statistical models estimating production.

    This forecast includes production of conventional, organic, and specialty Navel oranges (including Cara Cara and Blood orange varieties).

    Survey data indicated a fruit set per tree of 375, down 9% from the previous year. The average diameter from the survey was 2.179 inches, up 6% from last year. Bearing acreage is estimated at 109,000, which results in a forecasted yield of 734 cartons per acre.

    Funding for the survey was provided by the California Citrus industry.

    CARA CARA PRODUCTION FORECAST

    Cara Cara variety production is forecast at 10.0 million cartons. Survey data indicated a fruit set per tree of 290, down 4% from the previous year, but 8% above the five-year average of 269. The average diameter from the survey was 2.216 inches, 3% above the previous year and 2% above the five-year average of 2.171 inches.

    SURVEY SAMPLE

    A sample of 804 Navel orange groves was randomly selected proportional to county and variety bearing acreage, and 753 of the groves were utilized in this survey. Once a grove was randomly chosen and grower permission was granted, two trees were randomly selected.

    For each randomly selected tree, the trunk was measured along with all connected branches. A random number table was then used to select a branch, and then all connected branches from the randomly selected branch were measured.

    This process was repeated until a branch was reached with no significant limbs beyond this point. This randomly selected branch, called the terminal branch, was then closely inspected to count all fruit connected to this branch, as well as all of the fruit along the path from the trunk to the terminal branch. Since each selected path has a probability of selection associated with the path, a probability-based method was then applied to estimate a fruit count for the entire tree.

    In the last week of the survey period, fruit diameter measurements were made on the right quadrant of four trees surrounding the two trees of every third grove. These measurements were used to estimate an average fruit diameter per tree. Of the 753 utilized groves, 133 were in Fresno County, 420 were in Tulare County, 174 were in Kern County, and 26 were in the remaining counties.

    SURVEY HISTORY

    A Navel Orange Objective Measurement Survey has been conducted in the Central Valley every year since the 1984-85 crop year, except for the 1991-92 season due to a lack of funding. The data from the first two years were used for research purposes in developing crop-estimating models. The Cara Cara forecast was undertaken at the request of the California Citrus Advisory Committee starting with the 2018-19 crop year.

    Beginning in the 2023-24 crop year, only state level forecasts will be published, and the Central Valley forecasts will be discontinued.

  • Golden State Farm Credit Awards Over $15,000 in Scholarships

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) is proud to announce that it has awarded more than $15,000 in academic scholarships to outstanding high school seniors and college students pursuing degrees in agriculture. These scholarships reflect GSFC’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of rural communities and supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.

    Each year, GSFC recognizes and supports students who reside within its service area, including Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties, or are children of GSFC customers. Recipients must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to agriculture and can receive awards ranging from $500 to $1,500 to support their education at two-year and four-year colleges.

    “Our scholarship recipients are the future of agriculture,” said Rob Faris, President and CEO of Golden State Farm Credit. “By supporting their education, we’re not only investing in individual students but also in the long-term sustainability of agriculture in California.”

    The scholarship program is one of many ways GSFC works to strengthen rural economies and encourage youth to pursue careers in the agricultural industry. In addition to academic scholarships, GSFC supports youth in agriculture by purchasing livestock at county fairs, offering a summer internship program, and providing interest-free youth loan opportunities for junior livestock exhibitors. These initiatives underscore the cooperative’s mission to develop future ag leaders and strengthen rural communities.

    Applications for the scholarship program open annually in January. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit GSFC’s website to apply for the 2026 cycle.v

    For a full list of 2025 scholarship recipients, see the following:

    About GSFC:

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) is a lending institution of the Farm Credit System with offices in Northern and Central California that service the counties of Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Fresno, Kings and Tulare. The GSFC administrative office is located at 3013 Ceres Avenue, Chico, CA 95973. The Farm Credit System (System) is a nationwide network of borrower-owned lending institutions that provides loans, leases, and related services to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, agribusiness, agricultural and rural utility cooperatives, and Young, Beginning and Small Farmers nationwide. Congress established the System in 1916 to provide a reliable source of credit for the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Today, the System provides more than one-third of the credit needed by those who live and work in rural America.

    For more information about Golden State Farm Credit, call (530) 895-8698 or visit us online at www.goldenstatefarmcredit.com.

  • Variety and Neighboring Crops are Predictors of Leaffooted Bug Risk in Almond

    Leaffooted bug is a sporadic pest in almond, but damage can be significant in years when pest pressure is high. The pest may evade early detection by growers and PCAs because it overwinters as adults in vegetation outside of the orchard and tends to colonize the upper tree canopy, rendering it generally out of sight. As a result, pest pressure is often realized after damage has occurred. The damage may vary considerably between almond varieties, adding yet another challenge for diagnosis.

    In Tulare County, heavy leaffooted bug damage was observed in May 2025 in almond orchards surrounded by citrus.  Adult leaffooted bugs (Figure 1A) overwintered in the citrus and then entered the neighboring almond orchards in March and April. By early May, symptoms of infestation included extensive nut drop (Figure 2A) and gummosis on the nuts (Figure 2B). Although the adults were not observed in the orchard, the pest was identified based on the observation of the characteristic egg strands of leaffooted bug (Figure 1B). In orchards with Nonpariel and Aldrich, both varieties were affected; however, the nut drop was more extensive in Aldrich than Nonpareil (Figure 2A).

    The full impact of the pest may not be realized until harvest because the quality of affected nuts remaining on the tree may also be compromised, thus reducing crop value. Nuts that are stung in late April to early July can be severely shriveled, have sunken lesions, or a brown spot depending on how developed the kernel was prior to feeding (Fig. 3, row 2-5).  These nuts stay in the tree, are harvested, and can significantly increase the percentage of nuts classified as inedible during nut quality assessments.  When examining a library sample of damaged kernels at harvest, nuts damaged by leaffooted bug fall into the same category as stink bug damage, as kernels damaged by these two pests are indistinguishable.

    In 2007, UCCE Kern County Farm Advisors David Haviland and Mario Viveros had the opportunity to evaluate the relative susceptibility of 15 almond varieties to leaffooted bug damage. That year, leaffooted bug invaded a Kern County variety trial research block that included 15 varieties planted in replicated, randomized blocks. This unique situation allowed for unbiased evaluation of the performance of varieties under equivalent pest pressure. Results indicated that the average number of aborted nuts per tree ranged from 0 to 33% of the total crop. Additionally, at harvest, the estimated rejects from leaffooted bug damage ranged from 0 to 30% of the harvested yield. Researchers also noted that crop loss varied by variety, with Fritz exhibiting the highest crop loss at 63%, followed by Sonora, Aldrich, Livingston, Monterey and Carmel.  The other varieties in the block had 3% or less total damage from the pest.

    The underlying basis for the differential susceptibility of almond varieties to leaffooted bug is unknown. Damage does not appear to be related to harvest date or shell hardness at harvest. Other factors such as plant volatiles, hull thickness, or shell hardness in April and May when the bugs are present may play a role in varietal susceptibility. Haviland and Viveros also noted that varietal susceptibility is somewhat relative, explaining that Wood Colony exhibited low susceptibility to leaffooted bug in the research plot, but significant damage was reported on Wood Colony in commercial orchards when combined with less susceptible varieties (ie. Nonpariel and Carmel).  These observations indicate that leaffooted bug prefers certain varieties, but in the absence of a preferred variety, the pest will remain in the orchard and feed on the most preferable variety of the less-preferred varieties present in the orchard.

    The 2025 observations in Tulare County, taken in consideration with the 2007 data from the UCCE variety trial suggest that the best way to monitor leaffooted bug is to focus attention on the most susceptible variety in the field. Gummosis and nut drop in the most susceptible variety will serve as an indicator of pest pressure in a given orchard. Growers with Fritz, Sonora, Aldrich, and Livingston should be extra vigilant in monitoring pest pressure.  Haviland and Viveros note that orchards composed of relatively unsusceptible varieties will have characteristically lower risk of leaffooted bug damage. Additionally, growers and PCAs should consider pest pressure from surrounding orchards and landscape plants that may serve as overwintering sites for the adults, thus contributing to the cryptic nature of the pest.

    Management programs for leaffooted bug consist of monitoring for the pest and spraying primarily with pyrethroids, when needed. Pest management guidelines for leaffooted bug and other pests can be found at www.ipm.ucanr.edu and reports of Almond Board of California-sponsored research can be found at https://www.almonds.com/research-database. — By Elizabeth Fichtner, UCCE Farm Advisor, Tulare County, and David Haviland, UCCE Entomology Advisor, Kern County

    Figure 2. Aborted nuts were prevalent on Aldrich, but the neighboring Nonpareil exhibited minimal damage (A). Gummosis and egg strands on aborted nuts indicated leaffooted bug damage (B).

    Figure 3. Leaffooted bug predation affects the quality of nuts remaining on the tree. Unaffected nuts are represented in row 1; affected nuts of varying quality are represented in rows 2-5.

    Figure 1. Leaffooted bug adults (A) are difficult to scout. Pest pressure is evident by the gummosis at feeding sites and the deposition of eggs in strands (B). Alternate hosts may harbor overwintering populations of leaffooted bug (C and D). Photos A, C, and D: W. Bentley.
    Figure 2. Aborted nuts were prevalent on Aldrich, but the neighboring Nonpareil exhibited minimal damage (A). Gummosis and egg strands on aborted nuts indicated leaffooted bug damage (B).
    Figure 3. Leaffooted bug predation affects the quality of nuts remaining on the tree. Unaffected nuts are represented in row 1; affected nuts of varying quality are represented in rows 2-5.

  • Tulare Surpasses Fresno as #1 Ag County in the Nation

    It’s official. Tulare County is the number one ag producing county in the United States for 2022. While Fresno County reported a record $8.095 billion haul for 2022, it didn’t beat Tulare County’s $8.6 billion report. Both counties benefited from improved market prices and continue to corner the market in the top spots in the nation for ag production. Add in Kern County at number three, and the Central Valley counties are a combined agriculture and economic powerhouse valued at $24,432,162,300. Putting this in perspective, three California counties account for 44% of California’s total ag production value of $55,871,204,000.

    Their ag prowess doesn’t stop at farm gate receipts. Central Valley agriculture is a hotbed of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Farmers have always been problem solvers with longevity in mind, and now they are using poop to power their farms and communities.

    You heard that right. Poop power is a thing. Tulare County produces the most milk in the nation and has 40 operational dairy digesters. The digesters capture methane from manure and convert the greenhouse gas into a natural resource used to fuel farm vehicles, homes, and transportation fleets. Tulare County has reached 56% of their 2030 pollution reduction goal and had a net reduction of 592,131 metric tons of CO2e in 2021 alone. Once all planned digesters have been operational for 10 years, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions will total nearly 8.5 million MTCO2e.

    This win-win-win strategy combined with scientifically advanced animal nutrition and breeding genetics has also allowed dairy herd sizes to be reduced while increasing milk production. Since 2013, the number of dairy cows in Tulare County has declined by 30,000. This has led to reduced methane emissions and even better cow comfort.

    Innovations like these allow this powerful tri-county corridor to continue to improve sustainability and food security. They need the strong support of Sacramento and Washington D.C. to continue these successes.

    ·    2022 Tulare County Crop Report

    ·    Tulare County Supervisor Vander Poel Testifies on behalf of dairy digesters to CARB

    ·    Tulare County Lobbies to Save Dairy Digester Funds

    ·    The Golden State is Going Greener

    ·    2022 Cash receipts by commodity, state ranking – USDA

    About County of Tulare

    Located in the heart of the Central Valley, Tulare County is situated in a delightful and geographically diverse region. There are a variety of opportunities for all-season outdoor recreation such as camping, hiking, water and snow skiing, fishing, and boating.

    The County has a growing population of 479,112 and includes an area of 4,863 square miles. Mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada range rise to more than 14,000 feet in its Eastern half, which is comprised primarily of public lands within the Sequoia National Park, National Forest, and the Mineral King, Golden Trout, and Domeland Wilderness areas. Meanwhile, the fertile valley floor in the Western half has allowed Tulare County to become the top producer of agricultural commodities in the United States.

    Learn more at wwwGrowTulareCounty.org.

  • TULARE COUNTY CROP REPORT – For week ending September 8, 2018

    SMALL GRAINS, OTHER FIELD CROPS:
    Corn and sorghum continue to be harvested for silage. Alfalfa cutting and baling for hay continues. Cotton is in bloom with bolls being set.

    DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES:

    The stone fruit season continues on. Peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be exported to Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Peru, Taiwan, Panama, Colombia, Guatemala, the Philippines, and China. Apricots continue to be exported to Mexico and Australia. Early hand- pruning is taking place in some stone-fruit orchards after harvest. Some stone fruit orchard blocks are being removed after harvest to make way for new plantings. Almond harvest continues, with exports going to Korea, India, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Spain, and Trinidad & Tobago. It is currently the middle of harvest season for pistachios, with nuts being exported to Israel, Italy, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. To the north, pistachios continue to develop. Table grapes are being shipped domestically, as well as exported to Australia, Taiwan, Guatemala, El Salvador, Malaysia, the Philippines, Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica, Japan, Colombia, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Thailand. Raisin grapes are being picked for sun-drying, with raisin beds being prepared. Pears are being exported to El Salvador and Mexico. Persimmons continue to mature and develop external color. Pomegranate harvest is underway. Walnuts continue to develop.

    CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:

    Valencia oranges are still being packed for domestic markets and some exports to China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, and Mexico. Limes are being exported to New Zealand. Development and maturation of olives continues. Citrus groves are being hedged and thinning of fruit continues. Pushed-out citrus groves continue to be prepared for planting, and some are now being replaced with young trees.

    VEGETABLES, MELONS, HERBS, BERRIES:

    Various summer vegetables continue to be grown and sold at roadside stands and farmer’smarkets, including assorted peppers, squash, Zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons, and cantaloupes.

    LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:

    Pasture conditions are poor. Supplemental feeding with hay and/or grain continues. The fed cattle price is at $109 per cwt.

    ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Fall shipments of nursery stock from local wholesale nurseries continue. Roses are being exported to Lebanon. Most citrus groves, tree fruit, nut tree orchards and row crops are being irrigated.

    Prepared by:
    Marilyn Wright
    Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

  • 101st Annual Meeting of Members Celebrates Farm Bureau Leaders

    Tulare, Calif., (April 27, 2018) – Tulare County Farm Bureau is pleased to announce their annual celebration of members and leaders to take place during the 101st Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner to be hosted on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 6:00 pm at the Heritage Complex in Tulare.  Tickets for the event are $50 each and can be purchased by contacting the Tulare County Farm Bureau at 732-8301.

    Tulare County Farm Bureau will present the following major awards: the Agriculturalist of the Year Award, Service to Farm Bureau, Friend of Farm Bureau, Agricultural Business of the Year, and Educator of the Year; along with graduating the 33rd class of youth leaders and awarding over $21,000 in local scholarships to 24 deserving students.  Being honored this year with major awards are:

    Agriculturalist of the Year – Brian Watte

    Brian Watte will be this year’s Agriculturalist of the Year.  Farm Bureau’s highest honor recognizes leaders in our community who give tremendous support to the farming community through leadership, generosity, and service to organizations.  Brian farms west of Tulare on ground that his family has owned since 1959.  The Watte family has been strong community leaders in agriculture, and in support of the International Agri-Center, and the founding and development of events at the Center. Brian has shown tremendous devotion, leadership, and support to the International Agri-Center, and is a leader in the farm community.  He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the American Pistachio Growers Association, and is head of their Marketing Committee. Brian is also current Chairman of the Board for International Agri-Center, and a past Grounds Chairman, and was World Ag Expo Show Chairman in 2000. Brian and his wife Patti have three grown children who all live nearby and continue to be directly involved in agriculture.

    Service to Farm Bureau Awards – Kelly Mitchell and Larry Stoneburner

    Kelly Mitchell and Larry Stoneburner, two dedicated volunteers will both be honored this year with service awards.  Kelly Mitchell is the owner of Mitchell Insurance Services agency in Visalia, and provides farm and crop insurance to local farmers in the community.  Kelly has been an avid supporter of the Fundraiser Committee of the Farm Bureau, involved since 2005 as a donor, committee member, and stalwart volunteer.   Larry Stoneburner, a retired doctor, and owner of KTIP Radio has been an active Farm Bureau volunteer since 2006 when he joined the Farm Bureau.  Larry has served on almost every committee of the Tulare County Farm Bureau.  Both individuals exemplify service, dedication, and volunteer spirt and are being honored for service to the organization.

    Friend of Farm Bureau Award – Jim Vidak

    Soon to retire after a long and distinguished career in education, Tulare County Superintendent of Schools, Jim Vidak will receive the Friend of Farm Bureau award.  Jim’s leadership and support towards the Farm Bureau’s agricultural education programs is well known, and his friendship and passion towards agricultural literacy is deeply appreciated.  Mr. Vidak has offered over two decades of support, collaboration, and leadership to the Farm Bureau through shared efforts on school garden funding and support, the calendar art contest, hosting an annual Superintendents’ Breakfast with the Farm Bureau and numerous other educational activities. We are honored by Jim’s commitment and dedication to agricultural education in the County, and appreciate his support and friendship to the Farm Bureau.

    Agricultural Business of the Year Award – Valley Tech Agricultural Laboratory

    Valley Tech Agricultural Laboratory, founded in April 1997, will be named this year’s Agricultural Business of the Year, for their dedicated service to the agricultural community, and their philanthropic support of many local organizations and the Farm Bureau. Each year Tulare County Farm Bureau honors a local business that has shown extraordinary support to Farm Bureau and the greater agricultural community.  Owners Sam Modesitt, Joe O’Brien, and Jeff Sa have distinguished themselves as community friends and supporters to the agricultural industry through their professional services and as an allied business that serves agriculture in an exemplary manner. Valley Tech Agricultural Laboratory’s goal is to help growers who use their testing and consulting services have a successful crop year after year. Agriculture cannot succeed without allied support industries and businesses like Valley Tech Agricultural Laboratory, who offer their outstanding service and knowledge to help advance agricultural operations and provide them with solutions for their agronomic needs.

    Educator of the Year – Frank Tebeau

    A dedicated career educator, currently in the Industrial Technology division at College of the Sequoias, Frank Tebeau is an outstanding educator in every respect.  Frank started as an agriculture instructor in 1976 at Washington Union High School and a few years later accepted a position at Mt Whitney High School, where he had the opportunity to teach alongside his former ag teachers. In 1997, Frank moved to College of the Sequoias where he has served as an agricultural faculty member teaching animal science, welding, and mechanics courses.  He currently serves on 11 advisory committees, and has developed more than 100 courses for COS in agriculture and industrial technologies.  He believes that Career Technical Education is critical to helping young people reach their potential and be both college and career ready and has served as a mentor and coach to thousands of young people throughout Tulare County over his distinguished career in agricultural teaching.

    Youth Awards and Recognition – Numerous students will be also recognized at the banquet including 26 students graduating from the 33rd class of the nationally recognized Youth Leadership program. The outstanding Youth Leadership participant award will be awarded to a student of the class who was selected as an exemplary member of this year’s program. The outstanding participant will receive a $1,000 scholarship upon enrollment in college.

    Scholarship Recipients for 2018 – Scholarship recipients from throughout Tulare County, listed below will be recognized, 24 students are receiving $21,000 in scholarship aid.   Awards are made possible by the Tulare County Farm Bureau’s charitable trust fund, which is a 501c3 charitable trust for Educational and Scholarship programs of the Farm Bureau.  Donations for scholarships are made by contributors throughout the year, and are always appreciated.  Memorial awards have been established by certain families, and the Scott Shannon memorial award is a renewable award for up to $2,000 total.   All other awards listed below are one-time awards. New in 2018 the Ken and Cindy Williams Scholarship for $2,500 has been added to the fund, to be offered to a student pursuing agriculture engineering or other technical agriculture trade programs of study.

     

    First Name Last Name Award Name  Amount School
    Kiara Benavides TCFB Ag Career  $      1,000 Woodlake High School
    Erick Burgos Student of Farm Employee  $      1,000 University Preparatory High School
    Lauren Davis Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 El Diamante High School
    Lauren Davis Mary Rankin Memorial  $      1,000 El Diamante High School
    Sarah Dreyer Merit Award  $         500 Cal Poly, SLO
    Jared Faria TCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers award  $         500 Mission Oak High School
    Hayley Fernandes Merit Award  $         500 Mission Oak High School
    Garon Gostanian Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Redwood High School
    Garon Gostanian Ken and Cindy Williams Scholarship  $      2,500 Redwood High School
    Bailey Gruber Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Golden West High School
    Bailey Gruber TCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers award  $      1,000 Golden West High School
    Grace Guthrie Merit Award  $         500 Cal Poly, SLO
    Taelor Hire Merit Award  $         500 Exeter Union High School
    Lauren Leonardo Student of Farm Employee  $         500 Mission Oak High School
    Jaqueline Longino Student of Farm Employee  $         500 University Preparatory High School
    Pia Martinez TCFB Ag Career  $      1,000 Woodlake High School
    Tanner Nuckols COS RRS Endowment  $         500 Strathmore High School
    Aaron Oppedyk Student of Farm Employee  $         500 Mission Oak High School
    Abbigail Prins TCFB Ag Career  $      1,000 Mission Oak High School
    Charliez Racicot Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Mt. Whitney High School
    Charliez Racicot Two Year College  $         500 Mt. Whitney High School
    Edgar Sanchez Student of Farm Employee  $         500 El Diamante High School
    Cole Shannon Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Central Valley Christian
    Kelsey Story Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Golden West High School
    Taylor Stout Fred and Marilyn Collison Memorial  $      1,000 El Diamante High School
    Lindsey Swall TCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers award  $      1,000 Mission Oak High School
    Ashley Tartaglia Merit Award  $         500 Central Valley Christian
    Payton Thomas Scott Shannon Memorial  $         500 Redwood High School
    Payton Thomas Frank Ribeiro Memorial  $      1,000 Redwood High School

     

    For more information about this year’s honorees or to attend the dinner, contact the Farm Bureau office at 559-732-8301. Tickets at $50 each are available please call soon as seating is first come, first served.  Reservations for a full table of 8 may be requested in advance.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (April 27, 2018) – 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 Corn is still being planted as weather and soil conditions allow. Some fields are emerging. Winter wheat and oats are being cut, dried, and baled. Alfalfa is maturing and harvest has started. Ground preparation is continuing for spring forage and row crops. Cover crops are being incorporated into the soil.

    Vineyards are leafing-out and some are in the early stages of flowering. Leaf removal is being conducted in some vineyards. Stone fruit has completed its bloom period. Immature fruit on early varieties is being thinned. New orchards are being planted. Cherries are sizing and some are starting to show color. Pomegranates, persimmons, and kiwis are blooming. Walnuts and pistachios are starting to bloom. Pistachio nuts are being exported to Australia, Chile, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, and Latvia. This season’s almonds are developing nicely. Almonds are being shipped to Belgium, Colombia Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.

    The harvest of late variety navel and Valencia oranges continues. Navel orange fruits are showing some grading issues. New fruit is being sprayed to prevent thrips damage. Navel and Valencia oranges are being exported to China, the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Seedless tangerine groves remain netted for the bloom. Lemons continue to be harvested and packed for export to China and Japan. Grapefruit are being packed and exported to China, Japan, and Korea. Citrus trees are being planted. Olive trees are blooming.

    Squash and cucumber seedlings continue to grow in the fields. Greenhouse vegetables continue to be harvested. Strawberry and plantings are progressing well, with bloom and mature fruit being picked. Blueberries are being exported to Taiwan. Additional summer vegetable fields are now being prepared for planting.

    Rangeland forage is in good condition, and recent rains will benefit the new growth of grasses and forbs. The warm weather will accelerate drying, especially on south and west facing slopes. The fed cattle market is at $120 per hundred weight this week.

    Retail nurseries are stocking up on both perennial and annual plants for the spring season. Some mature olive trees are being dug for landscape purposes. Bare-root roses are still being processed and shipped to various states and Canada. Local wholesale nurseries are busy shipping nursery stock to local and out-of-state nursery outlets, as the demand for spring plants grows.

    Petal Fall was declared in District 1 beginning at 1:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (April 20, 2018) – 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 Corn is still being planted as weather and soil conditions allow. Some fields are emerging. Winter wheat and oats enjoyed the latest rains, growth is excellent. Alfalfa is maturing and harvest has started. Ground preparation is continuing for spring forage and row crops. Cover crops are being incorporated into the soil.

    Vineyards are leafing-out and some are in the early stages of flowering. Leaf removal is being conducted in some vineyards. Stone fruit has completed its bloom period. Immature fruit on early varieties is being thinned. New orchards are being planted. Cherries are sizing and some are starting to show color. Pomegranates and persimmons are producing flower buds. Walnuts and pistachios are starting to bloom. Pistachio nuts are being exported to Australia, Chile, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, and Latvia. This season’s almonds are developing nicely. Almonds are being shipped to Belgium, Colombia Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and Trinidad and Tobago.

    The harvest of late variety navel and Valencia oranges continues. Navel orange fruits are showing some grading issues. Navel and Valencia oranges are being exported to China, the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Seedless tangerine groves remain netted for the bloom. Lemons continue to be harvested and packed for export to China and Japan. Grapefruit are being packed and exported to China, Japan, and Korea. Some citrus trees are being planted. Bee keepers are maintaining hives in citrus and olives groves.

    Squash and cucumber seedlings continue to grow in the fields. Greenhouse vegetables continue to be harvested. Strawberry and plantings are progressing well, with bloom and mature fruit being picked. Blueberries are being exported to Taiwan. Additional summer vegetable fields are now being prepared for planting.

    Rangeland forage is in good condition, and recent rains will benefit the new growth of grasses and forbs. The fed cattle market is at $119 per hundred weight this week.

    Retail nurseries are stocking up on both perennial and annual plants for the spring season. Some mature olive trees are being dug for landscape purposes. Bare-root roses are still being processed and shipped to various states and Canada. Local wholesale nurseries are busy shipping nursery stock to local and out-of-state nursery outlets, as the demand for spring plants grows.