California Ag Today, Author at California Agriculture News Today

Park Farming Organics Receives California Leopold Conservation Award

Courtesy of Sand County Foundation

Park Farming Organics of Meridian is the 2023 California Leopold Conservation Award® recipient.

The award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Park Farming Organics’ owners, Brian and Jamie Park, and Scott and Ulla Park, were presented with the award during the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting. The Park family receive $10,000 and a crystal award for being selected.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In California, the award is presented with Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes farmers and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold advocated for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

Among the many outstanding landowners nominated for the award was finalist Bowles Farming Company of Los Banos in Merced County. Earlier this year, California farmers, ranchers and forestland owners were encouraged to apply (or be nominated) for the award. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders.

The California Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to generous contributions from American Farmland Trust, Sustainable Conservation, California Farm Bureau Federation, Sand County Foundation, The Harvey L. & Maud C. Sorenson Foundation, Farm Credit, The Nature Conservancy in California, McDonald’s, and California Leopold Conservation Award alumni.

ABOUT PARK FARMING ORGANICS

Scott and Ulla Park placed their bets on regenerative farming practices long before they were trending.

They spent the 1980s conventionally growing processing tomatoes before deciding to switch to organic production. Fueled by their love for agriculture and nature, coupled with a healthy dose of skepticism and common sense, they embarked on journey of exploration and discovery.

In their effort to mimic the natural world, the Parks chose gentler tillage methods, grew a variety of cover crops, and adopted a thoughtful rotation of crops. Their use of fertility inputs produced naturally balanced soils that help grow disease and pest-free plants. They noticed their once sterile soils became rich in earthworms and microbial life.

The Park’s farm, Park Farming Organics, grew to 1,350 acres, and is now run by their son Brian and his wife Jamie. What hasn’t changed is the family’s openness to experimentation and willingness to embrace new methods to adapt to changing consumer demands, market dynamics, environmental variability, and regulatory shifts.

Each year Park Farming Organics grows between 15-20 types of crops including rice, corn, wheat, sunflower, flax, alfalfa, barley, squash, cantaloupe, watermelons, cucumbers, and fresh market vegetables. It is governed by what the Parks call their “9 Cs of conservation”: critter cover, compost, controlled traffic, crop rotation, cover crops, conservation tillage, crop residue, conserving inputs, and crew care.

Their use of cover crops, compost applications, and crop residue annually returns an average of 15 tons of organic biomass per acre back to the soil. Growing sunn hemp as a cover crop helps improve soil properties, reduce soil erosion, conserve soil moisture, and recycle plant nutrients. The Parks’ unique border management of their fields includes growing diverse hedge rows that benefit wildlife and installing owl boxes to help control rodents.

Innovation and adaptability of farm equipment has been required to meet their production and conservation goals. Flotation tires on tractors help minimize compaction of rice fields. By modifying many core pieces of their farm equipment, the Parks have become leaders in developing specially adapted implements that other growers now rely on.

Exploring novel conservation practices has not been devoid of challenges and unexpected consequences. Scott and Brian participate in workshops, conferences, and fields days where they eloquently break down the challenges of organic and sustainable practices. Their expertise and willingness to share has made Park Farming Organics a go-to destination in northern California for students, scientists, journalists, and food sector professionals.

Collaborative partnerships with their local conservation district and universities have led to new innovations and provided regional context for adopting conservation practices. The impacts of their efforts to improve soil health are documented in a variety of peer-reviewed scientific journals. Promoting environmental stewardship among fellow farmers, educators, and environmental professionals is the purpose of the Parks’ involvement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Education and Awareness Center.

Through dedication, passion, and the ability to put their ideas into practice, the Parks have trailblazed a path for other farmers to begin their conservation journeys.

ACCOLADES

“We are honored to join Sand County Foundation, American Farmland Trust and Sustainable Conservation to recognize the extraordinary efforts of California farmers and ranchers who go above and beyond in their stewardship of our natural resources,” said Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation President. “The Park family has championed organic and regenerative agriculture for decades. Their innovative and trailblazing spirit demonstrates the ability of California farmers and ranchers to find solutions for the environment while continuing to grow food that feeds the world.”

“The Parks define innovation and perseverance in California’s private land stewardship,” said Ashley Boren, Sustainable Conservation CEO, which has co-sponsored the award since its launch in California in 2006. “Caring for the soil, water, and air that nourish Park Farming Organics’ food crops is a full-time job. Brian, Jamie, Ulla and Scott go above and beyond that work with keen attention to how they’ll leave the land for future generations, how they can improve nutrition in the produce they grow, and how they can steward their precious water into the future.”

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of Park Farming Organics,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three.”

“These award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today. Their dedication to conservation shows how individuals can improve the health of the land while producing food and fiber,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.

California Ag Today2023-12-04T13:04:41-08:00December 4th, 2023|

CDPR Proposes Statewide Advance Pesticide Application Notification System

Courtesy of the Western Agricultural Processors Association

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) has noticed a proposed regulation for a statewide system that will provide the public with information prior to intended applications of restricted material pesticides in California. Currently, applicators must be licensed, obtain a permit and provide notice to the county agricultural commissioner prior to applications of restricted material pesticides. The proposed regulation would require information about restricted material applications for the production of an agricultural commodity to be submitted electronically to DPR for public posting through a new statewide information system 24 hours prior to intended restricted material pesticide applications except for soil fumigant restricted materials, which would be posted 48 hours before an intended application. DPR is holding three public hearings on the regulation: Dec. 13 in Clovis, Dec. 14 in Ventura and Dec. 19 in a virtual setting. The department is additionally accepting written comments on the proposed regulation between Nov. 3, 2023, and Jan. 12, 2024.
The proposed regulation follows a two-year period of outreach conducted by DPR to inform development of the statewide information system, including four focus groups and eight public meetings held between 2021-2022 and a series of pilot projects hosted by four counties to test elements of system design in 2022.

DPR is hosting three public hearings to collect oral and written comments on the proposed regulation.

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.
Clovis Veterans Memorial District
Memorial Auditorium
808 4th Street
Clovis, California 93612
Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.
Ventura County Fairgrounds
Santa Rosa Hall
10 West Harbor Boulevard
Ventura, California 93001
VIRTUAL Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.
Held on Zoom
Webinar ID: 873 2837 5612
Passcode: 221172
Zoom join online
Join via mobile phone by calling: +16699009128,,87328375612#,,,,*221172#
Join via landline by calling: +1 669 900 9128 and enter the Webinar ID and Passcode when prompted

California Ag Today2023-11-27T13:21:48-08:00November 27th, 2023|

Westlands Water District Achieves Ambitious Groundwater Recharge Goal

Courtesy of the Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District (District) has met its ambitious goal of recharging 200,000 acre feet of groundwater and is prepared to capture more. With water still available for recharge, predictions of a wet “El Nino” for California, and strong enthusiasm from District farmers to prioritize groundwater recharge, Westlands has set a new target of recharging 275,000 af of groundwater by the end of this water year on February 29, 2024.

“This outstanding achievement demonstrates the District’s dedication to ensuring a long-term water future in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley’s prime farmland,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “This year farmers and the District went from drought to abundance of water supply and quickly pivoted to capture as much water as possible. With over 434 projects approved and a handful more coming online in the next few weeks, the District is in a great position to take advantage or another wet year.”

With increased surface water supply from this past wet winter, Westlands set a goal of recharging 200,000 af of groundwater back into District aquifers. Due to the strong commitment from landowners to implement climate-resilient farming practices and build a sustainable water future, Westlands achieved this ambitious goal early and set a new target of recharging 275,000 af of groundwater by February 29, 2024. Westlands recognizes and appreciates the efforts of dozens of family farms that contributed to achieving our goal and the additional farms coming online soon.

“Farmers in Westlands cautiously recognize that the next drought is only a matter of time and the District’s robust recharge projects will provide a lifeline to hundreds of family-owned farms during periods of prolonged drought,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President. “Updating our target after hitting our goal demonstrates that our farmers’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond rhetoric. We are ‘all-in’ for building a more sustainable water future for the San Joaquin Valley.”

In addition to investing in District projects, since 2019 Westlands has been working with District landowners to establish and invest in on-farm recharge projects, with the goal of using abundant water supply (when available) to improve groundwater levels in the lower and upper aquifers. To date, over 434 recharge projects have been processed and over 285 projects recharged thus far.

With predictions signaling the potential for another wet winter, the District will continue to prioritize groundwater recharge efforts but has also adjusted schedules for select infrastructure projects to ensure efficient water delivery to landowners. While mother nature is unpredictable, the District is doing what it can to be ready for another wet winter.

California Ag Today2023-11-21T15:07:36-08:00November 21st, 2023|

California Almond Acreage Drops Again in 2023

Courtesy of the Almond Board of California

First time since at least 1995 that total almond acreage dropped two consecutive years.

California’s total almond acreage dropped again in 2023, this time by about 74,000 acres, making two years in a row that acreage has decreased, something that has not happened since at least 1995, according to a new report from Land IQ to the Almond Board of California (ABC).

Total acreage dropped from just under 1.64 million acres last year to about 1.56 million in 2023, even though bearing acres – orchards producing almonds and planted in 2020 or earlier – increased slightly to 1.37 million acres compared with 1.34 million acres at this time last year. But the amount of non-bearing acreage – new orchards planted in 2021, 2022 or 2023 – sank about 105,000 acres from 294,000 acres in 2022 to 189,000 acres in 2023, according to the Land IQ 2023 Standing Acreage Final Estimate.

“The latest Land IQ California almond acreage analysis continues to point to a reduction in total acreage driven by fewer new plantings and an increase in orchard removals,” said Richard Waycott, ABC president and CEO. “The 1.37 million bearing acreage in 2023 established a new record, reflecting plantings in 2020 or earlier, but going forward, the analysis points to a lowering of bearing acreage in 2024.”

Orchard removals increased again in 2023 to about 83,000 acres as of Aug. 31, compared with 60,400 acres removed in 2022 and continuing a trend of an increasing pace of removals that started in 2021, according to the accompanying Land IQ 2023 Removal Update. That contributes to the analysis pointing to fewer acres next year and possibly beyond, Waycott said.

In addition, nearly 41,000 acres are classified as either stressed or abandoned. They were included in the standing acreage total because the orchards “may have the ability to recover,” Land IQ said.

The estimates come from multiple lines of evidence, including agronomic and remote sensing knowledge, robust on-the-ground verification, customized image analysis, artificial intelligence and more. Land IQ said the 2023 standing acreage estimate is 98.8 percent accurate.

Land IQ’s acreage estimates are commissioned by ABC to provide statistical transparency and a robust picture of California almonds to industry stakeholders around the world. In 2018, ABC first commissioned Land IQ, a Sacramento-based agricultural and environmental scientific research and consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive, living map of California almonds. The map is the result of more than a decade of research.

California Ag Today2023-11-21T11:14:04-08:00November 21st, 2023|

CDFA ANNOUNCES NEARLY $35 MILLION TO SUPPORT GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS FROM DAIRY AND LIVESTOCK

Courtesy of the CDFA

The Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation and the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) is pleased to announce the award of $21.41 million in grant funding to1 projects for the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), and $14.23 million in grant funding to 12 projects for the Dairy Plus Program.

“California has set ambitious climate goals, and agriculture is an important contributor to these achievements,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Dairy farmers and livestock ranchers are putting effective new technologies and best practices to work in their barns and fields, and these projects keep that progress in motion.”

These projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manure on California dairy and livestock farms while improving water quality and nutrient management. Funding for AMMP is made possible by the California General Fund and state Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment.

Funding for the Dairy Plus Program comes from a collaboration between CDFA, CDRF, and USDA as part of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant. Together, recipients will improve their manure management practices and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an estimated annual total of 87,350 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO₂e).

“Dairy families work hard every day to produce healthy and nutritious dairy products,” said Paul Sousa, Director of Environmental Services & Regulatory Affairs for Western United Dairies and a long-time AMMP Technical Assistance Provider. “At the same time, they look to be sustainable in how they care for their cows, the land, and the environment. AMMP and Dairy Plus help provide the incentives needed to implement Climate Smart Agriculture practices. However, addressing just one challenge at a time is not enough, and that is why Dairy Plus is addressing water quality in addition to methane reduction with the same practice. With these programs, dairy families are benefiting the environment and our communities while providing healthy food choices for all Californians.”

Dairy manure produces methane when it decomposes. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming.

The Alternative Manure Management Program incentivizes practices such as solid waste separation and creating ways to store more manure in a dry form while reducing methane production. Implementing these practices provides other important co-benefits, like reducing odor and air pollutants. The program also facilitates compost production from manure solids, which may be recycled as fertilizer and animal bedding.

This latest grant round has brought the total number of AMMP-supported projects to 172. Collectively, it is anticipated these practices will reduce over 294,000 metric tons of GHGs per year for California farms, equivalent to removing more than 65,000 cars from the road.

The complimentary Dairy Plus Program focuses on larger-scale projects for improved water quality and nutrient management in addition to methane reduction. Practices included filtration of manure wastewater using worms (vermifiltration), coagulation of fine manure solids out of liquid (advanced solid-liquid separation assisted by flocculants), and non-mechanical separation of manure solids from water (weeping walls) that can help capture nitrogen and keep more manure out of a liquid environment; projects could also incorporate aerated composting and subsurface drip irrigation for further nutrient processing and application.

CDFA selected 8 Dairy Plus projects in conjunction with a new 2023 AMMP project and 4 Dairy Plus projects to further advance past completed AMMP projects for awards (contingent on pre-project consultation and meeting federal requirements). Project information can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ddrdp/

California Ag Today2023-11-21T08:23:55-08:00November 21st, 2023|

California Table Grape Industry Applauds Pause to Chilean Systems Approach, Encourages Permanent Abandonment of Risky Scheme

Courtesy of the California Table Grape Commission

Applauding the recent decision by USDA to pause regulatory work on the table grape systems approach proposed by Chile, Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission, said the industry is encouraging USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to permanently abandon the risky proposal.

According to comments submitted in the Federal Register by the California Table Grape Commission, the implementation of the proposed systems approach would end the current empirically effective requirement that all table grapes from Chile be fumigated before distribution in the United States. The published comments note that the current fumigation is highly effective at killing pests that pose serious risk to the California table grape industry.

“The Chilean proposal abandons an empirically successful treatment regime in favor of an ill-defined systems approach through which many invasive pests could travel. The change would introduce a significant risk of potentially devastating infestations to the wine, juice, raisin, and
table grape crops across the country,” said Nave.

Noting a recent and very public push by Chilean importers that urged USDA to publish the proposed systems approach in the Federal Register as a final rule in time for the upcoming Chilean season, Nave said that Chile has perfectly adequate access to the U.S. marketplace. “Chilean table grape growers have been shipping under the fumigation requirement for decades,” Nave said. “The latest three-year average volume of table grapes from Chile to the U.S. is forty million 18-pound boxes so the idea that Chilean growers won’t be able to supply the U.S. market without this new untried system is simply not true. ”

Nave said that U.S. producers do not want this system put in place and the fact that Chilean
importers do, should carry no weight with USDA.

California Ag Today2023-11-17T09:26:16-08:00November 17th, 2023|

New Global Marketing Director for American Pistachio Growers

Scott Fryer, with more than a decade of experience in the food marketing sector, has joined American Pistachio Growers as Vice President of Global Marketing. Fryer will lead APG’s initiatives to expand consumption of American-grown pistachios in the U.S. and abroad.

Before joining APG, Fryer served five years as Marketing Innovation Director for Sun-Maid Growers in Fresno where he directed the innovation and base business marketing efforts. He brings to APG a strong track record of successfully marketing an array of products. For seven years in his prior career at WhiteWave Foods in Broomfield, CO, he expanded several businesses including International Delight Coffee Creamer, Stok Cold Brew Coffee, and So Delicious Dairy Free .

“I am excited to join American Pistachio Growers and help drive demand for pistachios across the world,” Fryer said. “American pistachios are an incredibly heathy and nutritious snack, and if we can make consumers aware of the benefits, I have no doubt that they will love them as much as my family and I do.”

Richard Matoian, APG President, said the addition of Fryer to the APG team is timely as the pistachio industry is coming off a successful 2023 harvest season and growers and processors are eyeing increased pistachio crops looming in the future.

“We welcome Scott to the APG family and look forward to his contributions to the pistachio industry,” said Matoian. “Our industry has incredible opportunities to expand consumption of pistachios in the years ahead, especially in overseas markets. Scott will play a pivotal role in helping to fuel demand in our key markets.”

Fryer earned a B.A. at Brigham Young University and an MBA from Purdue University’s Daniels School of Business.

Scott and his wife, Elly, have four children. Among his off-duty pursuits are travel, sports and enjoying the outdoors with his family.

California Ag Today2023-11-08T16:09:45-08:00November 8th, 2023|

Public workshop to explain staff report on Tulare Lake Subbasin ahead of SGMA probationary hearing

Courtesy of California Water Boards

Historic process underway to protect vital groundwater resources

The State Water Resources Control Board today will conduct an in-person workshop at the Hanford Civic Auditorium from 6-8:30 p.m. on a draft report recommending actions for the board at an upcoming hearing for the Tulare Lake Subbasin under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). During the workshop, State Water Board staff will begin accepting public comments at 7 p.m.

Tulare Lake is the first groundwater basin to be scheduled for a probationary hearing, which is set for April 16, 2024. Its groundwater sustainability plan, submitted by the basin’s groundwater sustainability agencies to fulfill SGMA’s requirements, was deemed inadequate in March by the Department of Water Resources.

Passed by the state Legislature in 2014, SGMA established a new framework for how groundwater would be managed locally at the basin scale to achieve long-term sustainability and preserve California’s at-risk groundwater resources for future generations. The board’s role in this process is to intervene and manage groundwater resources where local sustainability agencies cannot ensure that a basin will be brought into sustainable use within the 20-year timeline required by the legislation.

The 176-page draft staff report provides background on the requirements of SGMA, details how human activity over the past century has impacted the hydrology of the Tulare Lake basin, and lists recommendations for board action. An 11-page Executive Summary is also available for the public to review. If the board votes to place the basin on probation, the agencies that submitted the original sustainability plan will have 12 months to revise their plan.

Address of the workshop: Hanford Civic Auditorium, 400 N Douty St., Hanford, CA 93230

Time: 6-8:30 p.m., with public comments accepted beginning at 7 p.m.

California Ag Today2023-11-08T15:43:49-08:00November 8th, 2023|

CALIFORNIA FRESH FRUIT ASSOCIATION NAMES DANIEL HARTWIG NEW PRESIDENT

Courtesy of the California Fresh Fruit Association

Today, Wayde Kirschenman, the Chairman of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) Board of Directors announced that Daniel Hartwig has been selected to serve as the Association’s new president. Hartwig will succeed Ian LeMay, who has held the position since 2019 and will depart CFFA to assume the role
of President/CEO of the California Table Grape Commission.

Chairman Kirschenman stated, “We are excited to welcome Daniel to the CFFA team and look forward to him continuing the long legacy of strong leadership on behalf of the California fresh fruit industry.” He continued, “Our Board engaged in a thorough search process to fill this important role and we are confident that Daniel’s experience in both association management and within the private agriculture sector have prepared him to serve our membership well. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Ian for his leadership and the positive impact he has made over the nine years as a CFFA team member. Ian’s service is greatly appreciated by our entire membership, and we are glad to know that he will remain within the fresh fruit family while he serves at the
Commission.”

Hartwig has extensive experience in both the private sector and within agriculture associations. Since 2014, Hartwig has been employed by Woolf Enterprises, first as a Procurement Manager and most recently as their Director of Sustainability. From 2008 to 2014, Hartwig served as the Vice President of Grower Relations for the Nisei Farmers League. Beyond work, he has also served on the Board of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, most recently as the organization’s Board President from 2020-2022. Additionally, Hartwig is a recent graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 49).

“I could not be more thrilled to join the great team at CFFA,” said Hartwig. “I have always had a deep admiration for the work done by the Association’s staff and the leadership of the board. I also look forward to working with our partners in the industry to continue to protect agriculture from the many threats before us.”

Hartwig will begin his tenure as CFFA President on December 4. Daniel and his wife Jennifer reside in Fresno with their two children, Brooke, and Colby.

California Ag Today2023-11-08T09:48:59-08:00November 8th, 2023|

Scott Fryer Joins American Pistachio Growers

Courtesy of the American Pistachio Growers

Veteran food marketing specialist tapped as Vice President, Global Marketing