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Larson, and Gar Tootelian Honored in Fresno

Phil Larson Honored as Agriculturist of the Year

Gar Tootelian is Ag Business of the Year

By Patrick Cavanaugh, Editor

TODAY, Phil Larson, a life-long Fresno County farmer, pest control advisor, 3-term Fresno County Supervisor and major advocate for Fresno County Agriculture, became the 2013 Agriculturalist of the Year.

Phil Larson, Agriculturist of the Year

He was honored during a lunch with more than 500 Valley Ag leaders, including past recipients of the award.

Larson’s distinguished career had him facing off with Fish and Game in Washington D.C. and pressing ever forward for common sense in the Endangered Species Act, which has had a very negative and dramatic effect on both Central San Joaquin Federal water users and altered water deliveries to Central Valley farms.

“Farming has always been in my blood, but I went to college, joined the Marines and then came back to the farm to work with my father. During his farming years, Larson met his wife of 54 years, Joyce, a special education teacher, who retired in 2000. They have a son Tim, and a daughter Lisa, who are married with children.

While farming, Larson joined the team of Wilbur Ellis Co. and consulted for 38 years with other farmers on pest and disease control needs. He became a part of Farm Bureau, CAPCA and the School Board. “With Farm Bureau, we traveled and visited State legislators and representatives in Washington D.C. to talk about agriculture and the critical need for water.

“If we do not tell our story then no one is going to know,” said Larson.

“I can honestly say that in all my years with farming and Wilbur-Ellis, and as a County Supervisor, there has never been a day that I did not want to go to work,” said Larson, who will soon retire after serving out his current term as a County Supervisor. “When it’s over with, it won’t be over with, because I am going to still be around,” he said.

Karen Musson, Gar Tootelian

Gar Tootelian Inc. was also honored TODAY as the Baker, Peterson & Franklin Ag Business of the Year.

Established in 1949, the company still prospers as one of California’s oldest and largest independent agricultural chemical and fertilizer retailers. Second generation and family-owned, it serves more than 1,400 growers from Madera to Kern County.

Partner Karen Musson, whose parents started the business, produces daily spots for KMJ 580 Radio for awareness of the value of agriculture. Today Musson and her husband Greg run the company.

The Gar & Esther Tootelian Charitable Foundation established in 2003 has granted more than $2 million to local colleges, high schools, and FFA.

The Foundation was instrumental in establishing the recent Valley Farm at Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

A Crowd Gathers for Award Lunch

“I do not think my parents could have had any idea, as they started that small business in their barn behind our home, that we would be here today with so many employees and a $70 million business,” said Musson.

The event was presented by the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, along with major sponsors Lyons (a leader in Food Service); Fresno Equipment Co.; Baker, Peterson & Franklin, CPA, LLP; Inland Star Distribution; and Wells Fargo Bank.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:09-07:00November 14th, 2013|

WINEGRAPE ASSOCIATION NAMES NEW CHAIR

Heidi M. Scheid Elected CAWG Chair

California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) has announced that Heidi M. Scheid, senior vice president of Scheid Vineyards Inc., was elected chair during the board’s Nov. 7 meeting in Sonoma, CA. Interestingly, her father, Al Scheid, served as CAWG Chair in 1978. Scheid takes over the CAWG leadership post from Bill Pauli, of Pauli Ranch in Mendocino County, who completed a two-year term.

“It is an honor for me to be elected the chair of CAWG,” said Scheid. “Since its establishment in 1974, CAWG has made a significant impact as the only statewide organization specifically focused on representing and promoting the interests of California Winegrape Growers. CAWG is the unified voice for effective state and federal advocacy and I look forward to continuing our unique role in the industry through our ongoing development of sound public policies, strengthened through membership growth.”

Scheid joined Scheid Vineyards in 1992 as Director of Planning and served as the company’s Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to 2001. Prior to joining Scheid Vineyards she served as a senior valuation analyst at Ernst & Young, LLP and as an associate at the venture capital firm of InterVen Partners.

Scheid has been a director of Wine Market Council since 1990, a wine industry association aimed at expanding the American wine consumer base. She holds an M.B.A. degree from the University of Southern California.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Scheid achieved some noteworthy personal goals this year as she summited both Mt. Whitney (the highest summit in the contiguous United States) and Mt. Kilimanjaro (a dormant volcanic mountain in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania).

The CAWG Board also elected Aaron Lange, of LangeTwins Family Vineyards and Winery in Lodi and Dennis Wittchow, of Lent-Burden Farming in Oakdale, as vice chairs. J.D. Harkey, of Drake Enterprises in Temecula, was elected secretary. Ryan Metzler, of Fruita del Sol in Fresno, was re-elected as treasurer. Nat DiBuduo, president of Allied Grape Growers and Carson Smith, of Carson Smith Farming in Fresno, were re-elected as CAWG At-Large Directors.

CAWG’s elected officers begin their term of office on Dec. 1, 2013.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:09-07:00November 13th, 2013|

Syngenta is Committed to Agricultural Students

Syngenta Offers National Scholarships

• Scholarship available to students in all crop markets

• Scholarship open to undergraduate students

• Expands Syngenta investment in future of agriculture to national level

In conjunction with its 12-year anniversary this November, Syngenta is proud to announce TODAY the new national Syngenta Agricultural Scholarship. The scholarship application period runs January 2014 through April 2014.

“We’re excited to offer this opportunity to college students pursuing agricultural degrees throughout the nation and in all crop areas,” said Mary Streett DeMers, senior communications lead, Syngenta. “Syngenta has always been committed to the future of agriculture. This wide-reaching scholarship will help to strengthen that commitment.”

Scholarship winnings will be used to help finance the education of undergraduate students enrolled as of spring 2014 in an accredited agriculture program at a land-grant university.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders,” said Corey Huck, head of U.S. sales, Syngenta. “We know higher learning plays a critical role in the next generation’s ability to develop new strategies and innovate with new technologies to advance agriculture. When we invest in the next generation of ag leaders, we are investing in the future of the industry.”

Visit the scholarship website for more details, including prize amounts, essay topic and application guidelines, as Syngenta announces them.

For more information about Syngenta, visit www.syngenta.com. Follow Syngenta on Twitter (@SyngentaUS) and Facebook (Facebook.com/FarmAssist).

About Syngenta

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading companies with more than 27,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers, we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment, and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us, please go to www.syngenta.com

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:09-07:00November 13th, 2013|

AG CRIME ALERT: SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Two Santa Barbara County Nursery Thefts

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced TODAY two nursery thefts.

Pittosorum Silver Leaf Plant as is

On 11-01-13, Norman’s Nursery in Carpinteria, CA reported a burglary

of over $18,000.00 in fertilizers, pesticides, etc., along with 1200

by 15-gallon black plastic nursery

ots. (Case number 13-15226)

On the very next day, a grand theft report was taken from the same location, where 1200 Pittosorum Silver Leaf plants in 2” transplant containers were stolen. (Case number 13-15276)

Images of the plants are (1) as is, (2) adult plants that show the silver coloring better, and (3) photo of similar 15-gallon pots.

Adult Pittosorum Silver Leaf Plants

The agricultural chemicals taken are:

1 case Reward herbicide

1 case Safari insecticide

1 case Upstar insecticide

1 case Marathon II insecticide

1 case Conserve SC insecticide

1 case Hexygon miticide

Similar 15-gallon pots

Materials stolen are:

1 case of 1” green landscaping tape

1 case of 2” green landscaping tape

3 Corona TP 6850 pole pruners

If you have any information, please contact John McCarthy at the contact information below.

John McCarthy

Rural Crimes \ Santa Barbara Co. Sheriff

jhm2501@sbsheriff.org

(805) 934-6512 (Office)

(805) 896-6586 (Cell)

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:09-07:00November 13th, 2013|

LEGACY WORKSHOP FOR FARM AND RANCH FAMILIES

Succession Planning for California’s Farms and Ranches

Anderson Valley Land Trust is hosting a workshop on succession planning for farm and ranch families on Friday, November 22, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Anderson Valley Grange in Philo in Mendocino County.

Succession planning is the process of mapping the transition of the family farm or ranch business, land, and assets from one generation to the next, and a simple will or estate plan cannot fully cover the intricacies of the transition.

According to California FarmLink, 70% of U.S. farmland is going to change hands in the next 20 years; 70% of farmers have no will and 75% of farmers will have no named successor. In California for every farmer under age 35 there are 9 California farmers over age 65, thus underscoring the importance of estate and succession planning to keep farm and ranch lands in production and to preserve the agricultural heritage of communities like Anderson Valley.

Regional experts and workshops will provide key information and tools on such topics as: successful business transfers; how to decide who will run the farm or ranch in 5, 10, 20 or more years; how to develop the next generation’s management capacity while protecting the current generation’s interests; tools to keep harmony in the family through this difficult process; estate planning; and avoiding unnecessary transfer taxes (income, gift and estate).

All generations are encouraged to attend. Lunch, workshop materials, and one copy of California FarmLink’s Farm Succession Guidebook per family are included in the workshop cost of $25 each for the first two family members and $15 for each additional member. Workshop participants will be eligible for a low-cost, private consultation with an attorney and/or CPA at a future date.

Pre-registration is required by November 18^th. Call Shelly at 707-895-3150 or send an email with names of all family members who will attend and one contact phone number or email address to info@andersonvalleylandtrust.org. More information is available at www.andersonvalleylandtrust.org.

This workshop, presented by California FarmLink, is part of the Anderson Valley Land Trust’s Legacy of Working Lands. The project is funded, in part, by a grant from the Community Foundation of Mendocino County with additional support from the Savings Bank of Mendocino County, East Bay Community Foundation, Navarro River Resource Center, California Rangeland Trust, Anderson Valley Grange, and Mendocino Land Trust.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:09-07:00November 13th, 2013|

"REGULATIONS.GOV" IS WORKING AGAIN FOR FSMA COMMENTS!

Submit FSMA Comments by Nov. 15

TODAY, U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reported the following statement:

We are aware of the technical problems that regulations.gov has been experiencing, which has affected rulemaking government-wide. This situation has prevented some people from filing comments electronically on the FSMA proposed rules for produce safety and preventive controls for human foods, both of which are closing for comment this Friday, November 15.

Please note that the website is now up and running but that we will continue to monitor this situation. Your comments are important to us. Be assured that if technical issues should reoccur and you are unable to file your comments electronically by Friday, November 15, we will find a way to ensure that your comments are received and considered.

For more information on FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act, visit http://www.fda.gov/fsma.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:10-07:00November 12th, 2013|

USDA ANNOUNCES MUSHROOM COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

USDA Appoints California Producer to Mushroom Council

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsackhas appointed three producers to serve on the Mushroom Council, one of whom is Robert B. Murphy of Antelope, California, who will serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight of the Mushroom Council in accordance with the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990, and the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order.

The Council’s goals are to strengthen the mushroom industry’s position in the marketplace, maintain and expand existing markets and uses for mushrooms, and develop new markets and uses for mushrooms. In 1993, the Mushroom Council was established to carry out the direction of this act.

Today, the Mushroom Council, based in San Jose, California, plays a very important role in the national promotion of fresh mushrooms through consumer public relations, foodservice communications and retail communications.

To promote fresh mushrooms to consumers, the Council works with professional chefs in developing and promoting new recipes, works with produce department managers to maintain the highest quality mushroom product for customers and sends out thousands of brochures each year to consumers hungry for new mushroom ideas.

Thanks to the Mushroom Council, September is National Mushroom Month for mushrooms to be honored and eaten.

The Mushroom Council will fund City of Hope again this year with 2013 Pink Promotion Sales Kit Materials. There is no fee to participate and it’s easy to implement with your retailers. Participation benefits include taking pride in supporting the worthy cause of National Breast Cancer Month, supporting City of Hope’s invaluable research on mushrooms and cancer and increased sales of mushrooms.

Sources: USDA, Mushroom Council

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:10-07:00November 12th, 2013|

WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE ASK ABOUT LOCAL?

Preference for California or Local Wine?

Brad Rickard, Assistant Professor, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and Director of Horticultural Business and Policy Program at Cornell University, recently described his latest research conducted with colleague Robert G. Tobin, Professor of Marketing, Director of the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management’s undergraduate program, and Director of the Food Industry Management Program.

These two researchers studied local food demand at restaurants to raise a question: What, precisely, are we asking when we ask consumers if they are interested in buying local? Wine—being not really perishable and easily transported and sold through commercial channels—should, in theory, be marketed everywhere.

“In other words, if New York State wines are just as good as French or California wines, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be sold at a nice restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska,” said Rickard. “That they rarely are implies the quality of the wines is not as high as those from other production areas.”

A national survey of 1,000 wine consumers included an analysis of consumer perceptions of wines from the four top states — California, Oregon, New York and Washington.

“When respondents evaluated the wines of these states, California stood out in the areas of value (62%), enjoyment (88%), and future purchase intent (87%). Oregon was assessed similarly to California in terms of value (58%), and perceived as being a better value than wines from Washington (52%) or New York (50%),” Rickard reported. “New York wines ranked lowest in quality compared to all of the other three states (46%).”

Rickard explained, “When we are asking consumers would they buy local broccoli, we don’t think the intent of the question is to ask ‘Will you buy local broccoli even if the quality is not as good as California broccoli?’”

“We think the premise is that the quality will be equal, and that the question should be: ‘if we can grow local broccoli that is just as tasty and delicious as California broccoli, would you prefer it? Would you pay a premium for it?’ This question can be applied to any produce item,” said Rickard.

Consumers typically choose pro-local because it implies it will help enrich the local community and be fresher, less expensive because of savings in shipping, and better for the environment because of less shipping and related carbon output.

Wine is not a parity product, so the question is different. “When we go to the New York Finger Lakes Region, we love to try the local wines, but that is wine tourism,” explained Rickard. We lean toward Cabernet, but in the Finger Lakes one drinks Riesling. So the powerful question with local wine becomes: ‘Is the customer prepared to change his inclinations in order to buy local?’”

Sources: Jim Prevor’s Perishable Pundit, Cornell University, The New York Produce Show and Conference, 2013.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:10-07:00November 12th, 2013|

SECTION 179 AND BONUS DEPRECIATION

IRS Section 179 Deadline Approaches

“Farmers have gotten accustomed to high levels of Section 179 ($500,000 for the last few years) and at least 50% bonus depreciation since 2008,” says Paul Neiffer, a certified public accountant and business advisor for farmers and agribusiness processors. “For 2013, the levels are $500,000 for Section 179 and 50% bonus, however, for 2014, Section 179 is scheduled to drop to about $25,000 and there will be no bonus depreciation.”

Neiffer’s comments continue:

In a more normal Congress situation there would be a good chance of an increase in Section 179 and perhaps a change to bonus depreciation by the end of this year. However, this is not a normal time in Washington DC and the fiasco with the Health Exchange rollout may make it worse. I would not count on any changes to Section 179 and bonus depreciation for 2014 until after the Mid-term elections.

This means that farmers need to determine their equipment/tax savings plans assuming the lower levels will stay in place. If you are having a very good year and NEED to upgrade or get new equipment, I would certainly recommend getting it this year. If you have started the construction of new grain bins or other larger projects, make sure those are finished by year-end. If done by December 31, you get to deduct an immediate 50%; if done in January, you may only get to deduct 10% of less.

Remember that Section 179 is allowed for new AND used equipment, while bonus is only on NEW equipment. You cannot take Section 179 on trade-in basis of old equipment, but can use it for bonus. Section 179 applies to farm equipment and single purpose farm structures and land improvements. Bonus applies to all farm assets including buildings.

Some farmers who have financed their equipment may find their tax bill going up since they now have income with no tax depreciation to help offset it and still having to make equipment debt payments. If farm incomes start to drop this may crimp their financial situation. If this applies to you, take steps now to mitigate it.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:10-07:00November 11th, 2013|

CALIFORNIA AG TODAY HONORS VETERANS

To All Our Farmer Vets,

We Honor You on Veterans Day!

The Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) is a not-for-profit based in Davis, CA, to mobilize veterans to feed America. FVC provides meaningful and healing vocations to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, while also rebuilding our population of small farmers for food security in America.

FVC connects military veterans with opportunities for employment, training, job opportunities, an active support network of mentors, a resource center, and an empowering women’s program. Strategic grants to launch farm/ranch operations have been available through the Bob Woodruff Fellowship Fund for several years now.

“We believe that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable food systems for all. We believe that food production offers purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits,” the organization posted on their website.

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Farm Credit System is a series of farmer-owned lending associations that handle about half of our nation’s agriculture. Regional associations work with FVC to help farmer veterans with financial literacy, business planning, and when qualified, loan acquisitions.

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A growing partnership between the Farm Credit Council and Farmer Veteran Coalition aims to include and engage every Farm Credit institution to help introduce veterans and military communities to the business opportunities agriculture offers. Their guide provides a simple framework outlining the many different ways to participate in this new partnership.

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“Ground Operations” is a social-action

campaign featuring a documentary film and

companion book, and a national tour of

film/food/farm events to ultimately influence

public policy to support the beginning farmers

and ranchers our nation so urgently needs.

“GROUND OPERATIONS: Battlefields to Farmfields” is a film about the daunting transition our returning warriors face when their return to civilian life is marked by unemployment, prescription drug addiction and astronomical suicide rates. They need a new mission. Simultaneously, as half of American farmers will soon retire, and the USDA is calling for one million new farmers to fill the gap, “Agriculture’s problem is the veterans’ solution.”

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Some of California’s Resources include:

Northcutt Ranch in Los Corners (Napa Valley), CA, a veteran owned and operated ranch exploring viable options in sustainability, organic farming, livestock, and a family-oriented ranching lifestyle.

California: Veterans’ Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) at Archi’s Acres in Valley Center, CA which trains transitioning service men and women to be successful in the sustainable agriculture industry.

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Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:10-07:00November 11th, 2013|

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