Center For Land-Based Learning Receives $15,000 From CLA Foundation

Donation to support general operations for the Center for Land-Based Learning

The Center for Land-Based Learning was awarded a $15,000 grant by the CLA Foundation to support its general operations as the organization continues to settle into its new headquarters in Woodland, CA. The new headquarters is located on thirty acres of prime farmland with a 5,400 square-foot administration building, 2 barns and additional outbuildings, and 9 acres of riparian habitat on the banks of Cache Creek.

“Any organization that receives a CLA Foundation grant must be nominated for consideration by a CLA employee. It is great to see our CLA employees engaging in this way. Center for Land-Based Learning fits so well with the CLA Foundation mission, and we’re thrilled to be supporting this important work,” Reed Matthews, Managing Principal of the CLA Sacramento office.

The Center for Land-Based Learning has experienced significant growth and change in the year 2020. In May, the organization moved from their previous location of 19 years in Winters, CA to a state-of-the-art, newly constructed Statewide Headquarters and new farm infrastructure. The new headquarters will be crucial to the organization’s ability to expand its programs and serve more people.

“We are so grateful to the CLA Foundation for their generous support,” notes Mary Kimball, Executive Director for the Center for Land-Based Learning. “This is a pivotal time for agriculture and natural resource management. As we move forward in the next chapter of the Center’s history in our new headquarters, the need for general operating support will become even more imperative. This generous grant makes a big difference in our ability to provide our critically important programs.”

The Center for Land-Based Learning’s move to its new headquarters has been made possible by its very successful Growing our Future Capital Campaign. To date, the Campaign has raised over $5.5 million and recruited over 100 donors. The organization is thankful for all of its generous donors who have made the new headquarters a reality.

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California Ag Today2020-07-14T08:53:37-07:00July 14th, 2020|

Genomic Testing for Healthier Dairy Herds

By Tim Hammerich with the Ag Information Network

Dairy health is of the utmost importance to the long term profitability of producers like Simon Vander Woude of Vander Woude Dairy in Merced.

Vander Woude… “I’m a huge believer in DWP, I mean, we were one of the early adopters of that.”

The Dairy Wellness Profit Index® (DWP) is based on traits that affect health, performance and profit in both cows and calves to achieve more of their full potential. Vander Woude uses genomic testing to ensure the healthiest herd possible.

Vander Woude… “It makes a big difference in the bottom line. We’re not producing for trophies. I’m not producing to have the highest producing herd. The overall health of the herd is what really feeds into bottom line profitability when the day is over. A healthier herd is going to be more profitable. A low that low somatics, it goes through the entire value of that cow from breeding to conversions to her milking longevity and all those sorts of things. They all kind of tie together.”

Vander Woude and other dairy producers are excited about the future of producing more milk with healthier cows through genomic testing.

California Ag Today2021-05-12T11:17:07-07:00July 10th, 2020|

California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships

California’s table grape growers recently awarded scholarships to nine students in grape growing regions of the state. All recipients will be attending California universities or community colleges.

Six field worker scholarships were awarded: three for $25,000 for four years of university study and three for $14,500 for study at a combination of community college and university. Recipients may study any field. Three agricultural scholarships were awarded as well: each for $25,000 for four years of university study in an agriculturally related field.

For 35 years California table grape growers have funded college scholarships through the California Table Grape Commission. More than 160 students have received scholarships to attend college.

$25,000 Four-Year Field Worker Scholarships

Mr. Jared Bautista is a graduate of South High School in
Bakersfield. Jared graduated with a 4.5 weighted grade point
average (GPA) and his SAT score of 1,300 placed him in the 91st
percentile nationally. Jared was a member of the school cross
country and track teams. Jared will attend University of California,
Berkeley in the fall where he will major in civil engineering with a
goal of becoming a civil engineer.

Ms. Nerin Delgado is a graduate of McFarland High School in
McFarland. Nerin graduated with 4.4 weighted GPA and her SAT
score of 1,350 placed her in the 94th percentile nationally. Nerin
was a member of the associated student body board and was the
varsity golf captain. Nerin will attend University of California, Los
Angeles, where she will major in human biology with a career goal
of becoming a radiologist.

Ms. Georgina Rodriguez Mendez is a graduate of Robert F.
Kennedy High School in Delano. Georgina graduated with a 4.53
weighted GPA and her ACT score of 31 placed her in the 95st
percentile nationally. Georgina was the senior class vice president
and a co-captain of the girls’ varsity soccer team. Georgina will
attend University of California, Los Angeles, where she will major in
mathematics with a career goal of becoming a math teacher.
California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships

$14,500 Bridge Field Worker Scholarships

Ms. Glarisa Perales is a graduate of Cesar E. Chavez High School in
Delano. Glarisa graduated with a 3.51 weighted GPA and participated
in the national organization “Family, Career, and Community Leaders
of America.” Glarisa will attend Bakersfield College and will pursue a
career as an elementary school teacher.

Ms. Diana Robledo is a graduate of Bakersfield High School. Diana
graduated with a weighted GPA of 3.83. Diana was the vice president
of the Advancement Via Individual Determination club, a three year
member of Future Farmers of America (FFA), and volunteers at the
Bakersfield Homeless Shelter, preparing and serving meals. Diana will
attend Bakersfield College and has a career goal of becoming a
veterinarian.

Ms. Rebecca Santoyo is a graduate of Porterville High School. Rebecca
graduated with a 4.11 weighted GPA. Rebecca is a member of the
school concert choir and volunteers many hours in the community for
various groups. Rebecca will attend Porterville College and has a
career goal of becoming a pediatrician or pediatric nurse.

$25,000 Agricultural Scholarships

Ms. Alissa Amaral is a graduate of Tulare Union High School. Alissa
graduated with a 4.18 weighted GPA. Alissa was a member of FFA, where
she won numerous awards. Alissa was also the president and a lifetime
member of the California Scholastic Federation and volunteered many
hours in the community including the American Cancer Society and Toys
for Tots. Alissa will attend Fresno State University where she will major in
agricultural business with a career goal of becoming an agricultural
marketing specialist.

Mr. Dale Fransen is a graduate of Selma High School. Dale graduated
with a 4.19 weighted GPA. Dale scored a 1,490 on the SAT, placing him
in the 99th percentile nationally. Dale is a member of the local, state, and
national FFA and is an Eagle Scout. Dale will attend Fresno State
University where he will major in agricultural education with a goal of
becoming an agriculture teacher.

Ms. Amy Swall is a graduate of Mission Oak High School in Tulare. Amy
graduated with a 3.83 weighted GPA. Amy is the regional president of
FFA where she has won multiple awards, a member of the Mission Oak
varsity tennis team that won the 2019 California Interscholastic
Federation Divisional title, and a member of the varsity soccer team as
well. Amy will attend Fresno State University where she will major in
agricultural communications with a goal of working in agricultural
advocacy.

California Ag Today2020-07-09T15:56:42-07:00July 9th, 2020|

Almond Conference Will be Virtual this December Due to Pandemic!

More People Will Be Able to Access It From Around the World

The Almond Board of California (ABC) will host The Almond Conference 2020 in a virtual conference setting during the week of December 7, 2020, with events for growers, handlers, and industry partners running throughout the week. The agenda will include educational sessions, social gatherings, an exhibit hall, and poster sessions, as in the past. The virtual setting also will present new opportunities for attendees, exhibitors and sponsors, including the flexibility to participate in an educational session in the morning, work in the orchard in the afternoon, and attend networking events throughout the day.

Given current restrictions on large gatherings in California and ongoing uncertainty around when such gatherings will be permitted, the Almond Board decided to halt plans to return to Cal Expo for a second year to avoid making financial commitments that could not be recouped if cancelled at a later date. Making the decision now also helps exhibitors and sponsors plan their involvement, which is critical to the success of the Conference. ABC plans to return to Sacramento in December 2021 at the new Sacramento Convention Center, set to open early next year.

“Shifting to a virtual conference was the only viable option at this time given the current uncertainty caused by the global pandemic,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board. “Going virtual will ensure we are able to gather with our friends and colleagues from around the world in a truly global event.”

The virtual setting also will allow ABC to bring in top notch speakers from any location without the time commitment required to travel and speak in person. Educational sessions will be recorded, allowing attendees from around the world to participate from any time zone on their own schedule.

Mark your calendars now for the week of December 7, with most of the content and conference offerings to be held
Tuesday-Thursday, December 8-10.

More details will be made available as they are
finalized over the next two months.

California Ag Today2020-07-09T14:45:11-07:00July 9th, 2020|

Virulent Newcastle Disease Eradication

By Tim Hammerich, with the Ag Information Network of The West

Some good news on the topic of viruses, this time Virulent Newcastle Disease. State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones says the latest outbreak was successfully eradicated last month.

“Newcastle disease is caused by a virus that’s highly contagious. The bad news is that it’s fairly lethal to poultry. The good news is that it really only affects birds, so it’s not a human health concern, it’s a bird and poultry health concern,” said Jones. “The greater Los Angeles area. So Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, that basin has actually had three major outbreaks of this virus in the past. One in the seventies, one in the early 2000s, and then the most recent one. Which we just successfully eradicated, just declared eradication and freedom on June 1st of 2020.”

Dr. Jones says the key to eradication was stopping the movement of birds. The exact source of the outbreak is still not known.

“In the previous two outbreaks, most of the evidence pointed to smuggled psittacines, which are parrots and parakeets, hook billed birds. They can be asymptomatic carriers.

Jones says education is key to preventing the next outbreak.

California Ag Today2021-05-12T11:01:44-07:00July 9th, 2020|

USDA-NASS Projects California Almond Crop Up 18 Percent to 3 Billion Meat Pounds

The California Almond Objective Measurement Report, published today by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), estimates that the 2020 crop will be 3.00 billion meat pounds, up 18% from the 2019 crop production of 2.55 billion pounds.^[1] This estimate is even with the 3.00 billion pounds estimated in the California Almond Subjective Forecast, published in May 2020.

According to the 2020 Objective Report, the average nut set per tree is 5,645, up 21% from the 2019 almond crop. The Nonpareil average nut set is 5,621, up 27% from last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.51 grams, down 2 percent from the 2019 average weight.

“This year’s crop is proof that California is the perfect place to grow almonds,” said Holly A. King, Kern County almond grower and Chair of the Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors. “Perfect weather during bloom, coupled with the steps almond growers have taken to ensure our orchards provide a healthy environment for honey bees and other pollinators, resulted in the abundant crop we are seeing on the trees up and down the Central Valley.”

Recent disruptions in global trade due to COVID-19, and ongoing trade disputes and negotiations with China and other key markets extending into the year, have caused some short-term challenges with the current crop, but the long-term outlook remains positive.

“As a shelf stable and nutritious food enjoyed by consumers around the world, we’ve weathered these disruptions in pretty good shape,” said Almond Board President and CEO Richard Waycott. “Domestic and export shipments are up year-to-date, and we expect global demand to be stronger than ever as we market this year’s record crop.”

While the Subjective Forecast provides an initial estimate of the 2020/2021 crop, the Objective Report is based on actual almond counts and uses a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield. In Dec. 2019, ABC’s Board of Directors approved a modified sampling protocol to further improve the accuracy of USDA-NASS’s reporting. From this year forward, the Objective Report will include measurements from 1,000 target orchards throughout the state (an increase of 150 samples from 2019) and provide nut counts on not one but two branches per tree. The Objective Report will also provide the weight, size and grade of the average almond sample broken down by growing region – no longer growing district – and variety.

USDA-NASS conducts the annual Objective Report, Subjective Forecast and Acreage Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions, and thanks all farm operators, owners and management entities for their time in providing the information necessary to create these reports. These reports are the official industry crop estimates.

California Ag Today2020-07-07T14:01:18-07:00July 7th, 2020|

CAL-OSHA Dairy Compliance Assistance Visits During Holiday Weekend

Over the holiday weekend, staff at Western United Dairies had been alerted by our members and CMAB that regional Cal-OSHA safety personnel had visited a number of dairies in Merced County given the spike in the number of COVD-19 cases in that county.

Immediately, WUD staff engaged the senior staff at Cal-OSHA in Sacramento and we felt it was timely to report to you on the scale and scope of these visits, and perhaps most importantly, give you the best information to protect you, your employees and your dairy.

It has been reported to us by Cal-OSHA staff in Sacramento that the visits were “compliance assistance” visits only and not part of an enforcement campaign. We have not received any reports that citations have been issued to any of our members. Cal-OSHA had coordinated these “compliance assistance” visits to educate and to ensure producers have hand washing stations available, soap, sanitation in lavatories and, a relatively new requirement, face coverings for all employees. We have also confirmed that official inspections – those associated with potential enforcement – would never occur on the weekends or holidays.

Through this platform, WUD had reported on new requirements, including masks, and the best available resources for obtaining face coverings for your workforce. If you’re looking to source face coverings please click on the link or forward this to your purchasing staff and have them obtain this safety equipment as soon as possible. If you have experienced a “compliance assistance” visit from Cal-OSHA and you would like to share with us your experience, please email: darby@wudairies.com

California Ag Today2020-07-08T08:19:34-07:00July 7th, 2020|

Westlands Water District announces recipients of its 2020 West Side Scholarship

Westlands Water District is proud to announce the recipients of its 2020 West Side Scholarship. The West Side Scholarship program recognizes and rewards exceptional academic achievement and leadership shown by graduating seniors at area high schools.
“Westlands is proud to recognize these outstanding students,” commented Tom Birmingham, general manager of Westlands. “These scholarships represent a small gesture of thanks to the communities on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley that make our region productive and vibrant. Our hope is that these students will continue to contribute to their communities and make them even better for future generations.”

The recipients of the 2020 scholarships are:

Maria G. Ledezman Arreola – Maria, a senior at Firebaugh High School, plans to attend California State University, Fresno, in the fall of 2020. Maria worked as a teacher’s aide at St. Joseph Elementary School, was a group leader for the St. Joseph’s youth group, an active member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Firebaugh chapter and an FFA State Degree holder. Maria’s dedication to her education was recognized with her status as an Honor Roll student and by making the Superintendent’s list all four years high school. Maria, who is described as a leader among her peers and passionate about teaching others, plans to pursue a degree in liberal studies and aspires to become an elementary school teacher.
Kenia Madelin Servellon Ayala – Kenia, a senior at Mendota High School, plans to attend California State University, Fresno, in the fall of 2020. Kenia volunteered as a translator in her spare time for patients at a rural clinic, worked in her school cafeteria at break and lunch, was an active member of FFA and was a Link Crew member at Mendota High School, which helps steward underclassmen through their high school experience. Kenia carried an impressive grade point average throughout high school while challenging herself with several advanced placement and honors courses. Kenia plans to return to her community after college to serve as a school counselor for her high school.

Magdalena Gallindo – Magdalena, an honors student at Coalinga High School, plans to attend California State University, Fullerton, in the fall of 2020. Magdalena played tennis all four years of her high school career while also volunteering at her church and United Health Care Centers. She participated in several clubs, earned the Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony Award and the AP Scholar Award and was on the Principal’s Honor Roll. Magdalena was described as a leader, a student who always goes above and beyond and as an individual who never hesitates to give back to her community.
Diego Lopez – Diego, a senior at Lemoore High School, plans to attend West Hills Community College in the fall of 2020. Diego served his school and classmates as a teacher’s aide, as well as a project manager and active member for the FFA Agriculture Pathway at Lemoore High School. Diego plans to continue his education in agriculture after West Hills Community College at a 4-year university and earn his degree in Agricultural Project Management.

Sienna Rollin – Sienna, an honors student from Riverdale High School, plans to attend Texas Tech University in the fall of 2020. Sienna volunteered extensively at the Poverello House serving the homeless, the Veterans Affairs Hospital where she aided patients, and Hands Across the Valley as a youth volunteer. Sienna has received numerous awards throughout her high school career including the California Dairy Milk Advisory Board District 8 Dairy Princess title, the Supreme Milk Cow at the Big Fresno Fair, the FFA Chapter Greenhand Degree, and the Veteran’s Affairs Central California Health Care System youth Volunteer of the Year. Sienna plans to major in Agricultural Communications, purse a law degree and someday serve as the US Secretary of Agriculture.

Kimberly Valadez – Kimberly is the first student from Tranquillity High School to be accepted to an Ivy League School. Kimberly will be attending Cornell University in fall of 2020. Kimberly, only a junior, will graduate from Tranquillity High School with honors and with an associate’s degree from West Hills Community College. Kimberly was actively involved in her school’s FFA chapter where she served as the Chapter Chaplain and Secretary. Kimberly participated in cross country, Upward Bound serving her fellow students, as well as mock trial. She aspires to major in linguistics and become a forensic pathologist.

Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 for community college or university expenses. Applicants were judged on their academic performance, school activities and community leadership.
Westlands Water District congratulates each of these talented students and wishes them the best of luck in their future academic and professional careers.

California Ag Today2020-07-06T19:09:41-07:00July 6th, 2020|

Farmers Push Back on Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Penalty

By Patrick Cavanaugh, with the Ag Information Network

Roger Isom is president and CEO of the Western Agricultural Processors Association, based in Fresno. It’s a trade association representing tree nut processors. He said, ag employers are trying very hard to protect their employees and don’t need a threat from Cal/OSHA.

“We want to provide a safe workplace,” said Isom. “You have to, I mean, this is a serious virus and can spread easily. So you’ve got to be careful about it. The problem we see is if you’re grossly negligent, yes, that’s an issue. But what we’ve seen historically is that Cal/ OSHA could cite you for checking your employees every day, but you didn’t document that you did. Why is that a criminal penalty,” noted Isom.

“We checked our employees and the workers say that we did it, but we don’t have documentation of it. And so now you’re going to make this a criminal penalty. No, that’s, that’s not acceptable,” Isom said.

“My guess is that there certainly is pressure on the legislature to do something. If they eliminate that criminal element and make it a standard penalty that we see typical Cal/OSHA requirements, it’s going to be enforceable.

“People are going to follow it,” said Isom. “Again, we need to do this. We don’t need Cal/OSHA to tell us to do this. We have to do this. So we don’t think it’s necessary for the criminal element at all,” said Isom.

California Ag Today2020-07-06T18:20:58-07:00July 6th, 2020|

CDFA Healthy Soils Programs Seeks Ideas

CDFA Accepting Proposals on New Management Practices for the Healthy Soils Program

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI), in coordination with the agency’s Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel, is now accepting proposals for new soil carbon sequestration management practices for inclusion in its Healthy Soils Program (HSP).

As part of program development beginning in 2016, CDFA identified specific soil management practices eligible for funding through the HSP. Some of these practices include no or reduced tillage, planting cover crops and compost application. In subsequent rounds of funding, CDFA expanded the suite of healthy soils practices through a public process in coordination with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). In total, 27 management practices that sequester carbon are now included in the program.

“As the Healthy Soils Program continues to grow, new and innovative contributions from our stakeholders are critical to ensuring that farmers and ranchers have the diversity of practices they need to produce the wide range of highly nutritious, affordable and safe food crops,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Improving soil health in California must be a collaborative effort between CDFA, stakeholder groups, sister agencies and federal partners.”

CDFA’s program stems from the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration between state agencies to support the development of healthy soils in California. By providing funds to incentivize management practices and on-farm demonstration projects, the HSP helps build soil organic carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) and enhance soil health.

There are several important requirements needed to submit a management practice for consideration in the HSP. Proposal requirements, process for consideration and other details on the submission process can be found on the Healthy Soils webpage.

Proposals are due by 5 p.m. PT on August 28, 2020 submitted via email to cdfa.HSP_Tech@cdfa.ca.gov.

California Ag Today2020-07-02T08:43:03-07:00July 2nd, 2020|

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