Beet Curly Top Virus ALERT

A small population of Beet Leafhoppers (BLH) was found in the Tumey Hills area. Counts were on average, 7-9 2^nd and 3^rd instar nymphs and 1-3 adult BLH, per 10 sweeps.

Another small population of BLH was found in the Coalinga “Big C” area last week. Counts were on average, 2-3 adult BLH and 5-10 2nd and 3rd instar nymphs, per 10 sweeps.

The Beet Curly Top Virus Control Program is currently planning treatment in the Tumey Hills area for this week. Treatment plans and waivers are being prepared for the Coalinga area.

Email jennifer.willems@cdfa.ca.gov if you suspect curly top virus in your fields, so that the BCTV program can monitor and collect samples for testing. Thank you!

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:02-07:00April 14th, 2014|

EPA Scientist Receives Award for Pesticide Risk Model

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) TODAY honored Dr. Steven Thomas Purucker as a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government to science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

“Congratulations to Dr. Purucker for receiving this prestigious award,” said Lek Kadeli, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “EPA is honored to have dedicated scientists, like Dr. Purucker, who devote their careers to protecting human health and the environment. Dr. Purucker is not only conducting innovative research, but he is also providing the tools and information we need to turn the vision of a healthy environment into a reality for all Americans.”

Dr. Purucker is a research ecologist in EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory in Athens, Georgia. He received the PECASE award for his exceptional innovation and initiative in creating modeling applications that help decision-makers and scientists conduct chemical risk assessments that are important for protecting human health and the environment. His research involves updating mathematical models that are used to predict environmental exposures and effects.

These models are relied on as part of EPA’s pesticide registration process, which must be completed before a pesticide can be sold or distributed in the U.S. Dr. Purucker and his colleagues have been modernizing these models, including some that were initially developed in the 1980s. Dr. Purucker’s lab has updated many of these models, which are stored in the “cloud” and can be easily accessed and executed from a web browser.

This decision support “dashboard” accepts chemical properties, pesticide use information, ecosystem exposure data, relevant geographic information, and effects levels as input to estimate risks to water and land environments.

Dr. Purucker is also collaborating with other scientists at EPA’s lab in Athens to conduct applied research on amphibian exposures, working in the lab and field to characterize pesticide transfer rates across the dermis layer of skin and the subsequent impacts on amphibian metabolism.

Dr. Purucker has a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and a B.A. in Zoology from the University of Tennessee. He joins 101 researchers across the federal government who are also receiving PECASE awards this year. The awards, established by President Clinton in 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President.

Awardees are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach.

More information can be found at EPA’s Office of Research and Development and White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:02-07:00April 14th, 2014|

UCCE Publications Available on Irrigation Efficiency Systems

At February’s Ag Employer Seminar, UCCE Farm Advisor Franz Neiderholzer discussed several UCCE publications helpful to growers working to improve irrigation efficiency. Below are the discussed titles, with links for online purchase ($20-$25). For questions on the titles listed below, contact Franz Niederholzer at (530) 822-7515.
Monitoring for Moisture for Irrigation Water Management; ANR Pub. 21635

Monitoring soil moisture is an alternate method to water-based balance methods of managing irrigation water. Using this method you can “see” what is going on in the soil and determine answers to some key irrigation management questions.
•Did enough water infiltrate the soil?
•Is too much water being applied?
•What is the water uptake pattern of the roots?
•When should irrigation take place?
•What was the depth reached by the irrigation?
Includes 24 figures and 7 tables, metric conversions, and an appendix of typical root depths.
Maintaining Microirrigation Systems; ANR Pub 21637

This handy publication discusses the maintenance issues of microirrigation systems that can be used on tree crops, row crops, and trees and vines.
Chapters include an overview of maintenance needs, monitoring and water assessment, causes and prevention of clogging, flushing and safety concerns. Also includes methods of preventing root intrusion, soil ingestion, bacterial growth, and backflow contamination.
2009 winner of a “Blue Ribbon” award for excellence in educational publications from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
Fertigating with Microirrigation; ANR Pub 21620
Characteristics of Selected Fertilizers Commonly Used for Fertigation
Where does the Nitrogen Go?
Fertigation Strategies
Applying the Right Amount of Fertilizer
Nitrogen Irrigation in Water
Frequency of Fertigation
Applying Fertilizers Uniformly with Microirrigation
Nitrogen Fertilizer Distribution Around Drip Lines
Phosporus and Potassium Fertilizer Distribution Around Drip Lines
Injecting Gypsum
Mixing Considerations
Injection Devices
Preventing Backflow
Safety Concerns
Irrigation Pumping Plants ; ANR Pub 3377

Getting maximum output for every energy dollar spent is the primary objective in operating an irrigation pumping plant. This manual answers growers’ most frequent questions about irrigation pumping plants. Here you’ll find everything you need from the basics of how different pumps work to detailed information about pump design, motors vs. engines, performance tests, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
Agricultural Salinity and Drainage; ANR Pub 3375

This handbook has been developed to bridge the gap between the advanced salinity literature and practical information on salinity intended for lay audiences. A user-friendly resource for agricultural consultants and advisors, as well as for local, state and federal agricultural and water agency management staff. Includes thirty-eight chapters covering a broad spectrum of salinity and drainiage topics, written so as to be easily understood by anyone with a general agricultural background.
Also includes appendices presented as a shorthand guide to assessing soil salinity and to determining the suitability of a given water for irrigation. Illustrated with 27 tables and 44 figures.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:03-07:00April 9th, 2014|

USDA Farm Service Agency Offers Several Disaster Assistance Programs

Farm Service Agency (FSA) has a variety of programs available to help farmers and ranchers impacted by disasters, including the state’s drought. Complete details are on the FSA Disaster Assistance website.

Click on the programs below for additional details, or visit the FSA Disaster Assistance Program Please note signups for livestock programs begin in April.

• •

• Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire with retroactive authority to cover eligible losses back to Oct. 1, 2011. Sign-up will begin on or before April 15, 2014.

“These programs will provide long-awaited disaster relief for many livestock producers who have endured significant financial hardship from weather-related disasters while the programs were expired and awaiting Congressional action,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I prioritized the implementation of these disaster assistance programs now that the Farm Bill has restored and strengthened them.”

• Livestock Indemnity Payments (LIP) provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves and avian predators with retroactive authority to cover eligible livestock losses back to Oct. 1, 2011. Sign-up will begin on or before April 15, 2014.

• Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP) provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm- raised fish for losses not covered by LFP and LIP. Signups will be announced in near future.

• Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters with retroactive authority to cover eligible losses back to Oct. 1, 2011. Signups will be announced in near future.

• Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides low-interest financing for producers to build or upgrade farm storage and handling facilities. The program was enhanced to include 23 new categories of eligible equipment for fruit and vegetable producers, and makes it easier for farmers and ranchers around the country to finance the equipment they need to grow and expand. The maximum loan amount is $500,000.

NRCS Conservation Drought Assistance to California Farmers & Ranchers

California has seen many droughts come and go, but 2014 is creating especially dire conditions for the State’s farmers and ranchers. You’ll find more information on the NRCS Drought Assistance website .

Drought Assistance from Rural Development

Rural Development has several programs that may help rural communities, businesses, ag producers, farm workers and others impacted by California’s ongoing drought. Opportunities include $3 million in Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG) to help rural communities whose water supply is at risk. Additional help is available for homeowners that need help drilling a well or connecting to a community water system, food banks that anticipate increased demand, ag producers wanting to offset ag irrigation costs, and others. For a list of available programs, and local contacts, visit Rural Development’s website.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:03-07:00April 8th, 2014|

California Drought Puzzle: Store or Conserve More Water?

(Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle)

by Peter Fimrite, SF Chronicle

There was a time not long ago when much of civilized society considered each drop of river water that reached the ocean a wasted resource.

That was before environmentalists pointed out the benefits of the outflow to fish, wildlife and the ocean ecosystem, setting off an ongoing tug-of-war between fishermen and farmers in California that has reached a critical stage this year as the state struggles through a drought.

One thing that’s become clear amid the fallow cropland and rationing is that there is not enough water storage in California to sustain all the competing interests. The dilemma has again put a spotlight on the precious water that gets away.

In an average year, rain and snowmelt in California generate about 71 million acre-feet of water, some of which is captured in reservoirs or groundwater basins. An acre-foot is the amount needed to cover an acre with a foot of water, enough to supply an average household for a year.

About 32 percent of the 71 million acre-feet are used for agriculture and 10 percent for urban areas, according to the state Department of Water Resources’ chief hydrologist, Maury Roos.

About 35 percent of the total is reserved by law to help river ecosystems, wetlands and fisheries, and to maintain a healthy flow of water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

That leaves about 21 percent of the total to flow out into the ocean without being used for anything, according to Roos’ calculations.

“That is the segment we can capture more of,” Roos said. “If we could store more of that, we would have a larger water supply.”

Trouble is, nobody in California can agree on how, or even whether, to capture it.

Storage, conservation

Everybody agrees that something must be done to quench California’s ever-increasing thirst. The question is whether the state should spend billions of dollars capturing the water behind dams and distributing it through new pipelines or spend a little less money by maximizing usage through conservation.

A laundry list of proposals, including water recycling, groundwater storage and even cloud seeding, are listed in a working draft of the California Water Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for future management of the resource.

It is nevertheless Gov. Jerry Brown‘s proposal to build twin water tunnels to bypass the delta and take water south that is getting all the attention. The project, which is part of the Delta Conservation Plan, would include restoration of marsh habitat in the delta.

Jason Peltier, the deputy general manager for the Westlands Water District, said farmers generally support the tunnels because the project would free up more water for agriculture.

“Most years there is plenty of water in the system that we can’t get to because of operating restrictions,” Peltier said. “We’ve seen over the last 20 years layer upon layer of regulatory restrictions that have taken away water for humans and allocated it for the environment.”

Problem is, the tunnels could cost anywhere from $25 billion to $67 billion, according to recent estimates.

California’s reservoirs

In a typical wet year, California captures about 10 million acre-feet of water in its reservoirs, about 80 percent of which is held in the state water department’s two biggest reservoirs behind Shasta and Oroville dams.

That’s well below the 43 million acre-feet capacity of the 1,200 reservoirs under the jurisdiction of the state water department. The reason, said Roos, is that the department is required to release water for fish and wetlands management and must also leave space during winters to avoid flood-causing overflows.

More unallocated water would be captured from waterways like the American River in one proposal in a draft water plan. Photo: Michael Short, The Chronicle

Yet, agricultural interests support expanding California’s reservoir capacity by adding 18.5 feet to Shasta Dam and building Sites Dam, near the town of Maxwell (Colusa County), and Temperance Flat Dam, near Millerton (Madera County) on the San Joaquin River.

These proposals, like the tunnels plan, are expensive. The Shasta dam and Sites proposals together would cost about $3.5 billion and add about 2.6 million acre-feet of water to the system, just enough to “take you through one dry year,” Roos said.

Meanwhile, environmental groups mostly oppose the tunnels and water storage projects. The existing dams and conveyance system, they say, cut off the historic salmon and steelhead trout runs and have imperiled other fish populations, like the delta smelt. Instead, they are pushing for water conservation, treatment and recycling plants.

Jon Rosenfield, a conservation biologist for the Bay Institute, said water bond money would be better spent replacing thousands of old leaking water mains around the state, implementing tiered water rates and building storm-water capture and water recycling systems.

“It simply doesn’t make sense for us to be flushing toilets with pristine water transported miles from the Sierra Nevada,” Rosenfield said. “The notion that it just gets used once and then it is gone is crazy.”

Recycling success

Conservationists point to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California as the model for a successful recycling program. The district has built over the past two decades a wastewater treatment and reclamation system that cleans dirty household water and then filters it into the groundwater for reuse later on.

Tom Stokely, the water policy analyst for the California Water Impact Network, said Los Angeles County now uses less water than it did 30 years ago despite having at least a million more residents.

“It’s really up to the Legislature and the individual water districts to take this up, but if they use up all their borrowing on the twin tunnels there won’t be money left over for these things,” said Stokely, adding that statewide recycling and conservation programs could save 2 million acre-feet of water a year. “We see it as an either-or scenario. Do we have a sustainable water future or do we spend all our resources on costly tunnels and water storage projects?”

None of the various ideas would solve California’s water shortage problems, which are more severe than most people realize, according to regulators.

Capturing more water

California would need six times more water storage than it now has to make it through a worst-case-scenario drought, Roos said. That amounts to an additional 18 million acre-feet of storage. Water analysts at UC Davis estimate that all of the dam proposals together would only add 4 million or 5 million acre-feet, at a cost of $6 billion to $8 billion.

Meanwhile, demand just keeps growing as more people move into the state. It is a situation that can only get more dire as the world warms up, snow in the mountains decreases and droughts become more common.

Ultimately, Californians will have to come to grips with the fact that, no matter what gets done, the state will never be drought proof, said Jay Lund, the director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis.

“I think there will be some ability to improve, mostly in terms of giving incentives to store groundwater in wet years and to move water from north to south – efficiencies like that – but you can’t make it rain,” Lund said. “In the end, we will still be living in a semi-arid climate, and we will still have droughts. Most of what we can do is make it easier to prepare for the next drought.”

California’s drought

Find additional coverage at www.sfgate.com/drought.

Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:04-07:00April 8th, 2014|

EPA Announces Voluntary Process to Provide Applicators with Online Access to Pesticide Labeling

Today, EPA is launching a new voluntary process by which registrants can opt to make legally valid pesticide labeling accessible online. Until now, no version of online labeling has been legally valid for the purpose of making a pesticide application.

This Web-distributed labeling system will initially focus on agricultural and industrial pesticides and professional applicators.

Electronic or online labeling – called Web-distributed labeling – will allow pesticide applicators to download streamlined labeling, including instructions specific to the state and the use site where an application will be made.

Labels accompanying pesticide products in stores can include more than 30 pages of instruction. This new process will allow for online access to portions of the label such as directions for use, first aid and environmental statements for certain use sites.

Web-distributed labeling should provide:

• Improved compliance with the instructions on pesticide labels by making labels easier to access, read and comprehend

• Quicker implementation of measures to protect public health and the environment

• Faster access to new pesticide uses

• Lower costs for Industry and the EPA

The actual labeling on the container will not be shortened in any way with the addition of Web-distributed labeling. The Pesticide Registration Notice (PR Notice 2014-1) is effective immediately.

For more information, please see the announcement in the Federal Register or http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/labels/distribution/.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:04-07:00April 5th, 2014|

FDA Issues Final Rule on Record Access Requirements for Food Firms and Announces Guidance for Industry

What You Need to Know About Establishment and Maintenance of Records; Small Entity Compliance Guide

This guidance was created to inform domestic persons in the U.S. who manufacture, process, pack, transport, distribute, receive, hold, or import food for humans or animals, and foreign persons who transport food in the U.S., about final regulations that establish requirements regarding the establishment and maintenance of records.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/FoodDefense/ucm391329.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

FDA Records Access Authority Under Sections 414 and 704 of the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act

This guidance document provides updated information pertaining to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authority to access and copy records under sections 414 and 704 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/FoodDefense/ucm292745.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Record Availability Requirements: Establishment, Maintenance, and Availability of Records

More information can be found on this link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-07550.pdf

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:04-07:00April 3rd, 2014|

Asian Citrus Psyllid Quarantine Established in San Luis Obispo County

Breaking News: NEW ACP Discovery

Victoria Hornbaker, APHIS Citrus Program Manager, announced TODAY the first confirmed Asian citrus psyllid find in San Luis Obispo County as reported in a San Luis Obispo County Ag Commissioner’s press release.

Hornbaker also announced a Science Advisory Panel Report Stakeholder meeting will be held on April 16, 2014 at 9 am at CDFA headquarters, 1220 N Street, Room 220, Sacramento, CA 95814. To participate via conference call, please call 866-692-3158 and use participant code 87947483.

The meeting agenda follows this article.

Martin Settevendemie, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer, County of San Luis Obispo announced detection of an adult Asian Citrus Psyllid in an insect trap on March 26^th in a residential landscape near Arroyo Grande. The discovery prompted a high-density trapping delimitation survey of the immediate and adjacent area – about a nine square mile area – and no other ACPs were found.

A quarantine restricting the movement of citrus nursery stock and citrus fruit within a five-mile radius around the detection site has already been established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture to prevent the spread of this serious plant pest. “We are working with growers to get everyone in compliance with the regulation. This will help them understand what the requirements are to move any product outside of the quarantine area,” said Settevendemie.

CDFA announced that they will be conducting spray eradication treatments approximately 800 meters around the detection to eradicate this pest.

The first detection of the Asian Citrus Psyllid in California occurred in San Diego County in 2008. Since then, it has been found throughout southern California.

“This insect pest is of serious concern to California’s commercial citrus because it is responsible for spreading Huanglongbing, also called citrus greening disease, a plant disease that is fatal to all types of citrus trees. This includes citrus trees in countless landscapes across the county as well as local commercial citrus orchards valued at over $13 million in 2013,” according to Settevendemie.

Over the past ten years nearly 50% of the commercial citrus groves in Florida have been killed by this disease. The University of Florida estimates the disease has tallied more than 6,600 lost jobs, $1.3 billion in lost revenue to growers and $3.6 billion in lost economic activity for the state. The disease does not affect human health.

A single orange tree infected with Huanglongbing was found in a Los Angeles County backyard in 2012. To date no additional detections of the disease in California have occurred.

Staff from the San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioner’s office and officials from the California Department of Food and Agriculture continue to search for this pest by monitoring hundreds of insect traps placed in urban neighborhoods and commercial orchards throughout the county.

“It is difficult to close off all potential pest pathways into the county. An engaged community of all county residents is critical in successfully excluding pests such as Asian Citrus Psyllid,” said Settevendemie.

Community members can do the following to protect backyard citrus trees and the local citrus industry:

        Buy Local! Purchase citrus trees from reputable local sources selling plants that have been routinely inspected by the Agricultural Commissioner’s staff.
        Do not transport citrus plants or plant parts into the county from quarantine areas. Call 805- 781-5910 for information about quarantine areas.
        Check residential landscaping often for signs of unusual symptoms or strange insects. Contact the local University of California Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Program at 805-781-5939 for help in identification of unusual plant symptoms or pests.
        If asked, allow the Agricultural Commissioner’s staff to place an insect trap in your yard and cooperate with officials if it becomes necessary to exclude or eliminate Asian Citrus Psyllid from San Luis Obispo County.

For more information about the Asian Citrus Psyllid visit the California Department of Food and Agriculture website or the San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer’s website.

AGENDA FOR: ACP/HLB Ad Hoc Science Advisory Panel Report

Stakeholder Review/Conference Call

April 16, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

Call-in number: 866-692-3158

Passcode: 87947483

– This meeting is open to the General Public –

AGENDA

1. Call to order, introductions – Jason Leathers

2. Review of Science Advisory Panel Questions and Answers

3. Review of Science Advisory Panel Report

a. Rapid Detection of HLB Infected Trees and/or Psyllids

b. Longitudinal Study being Conducted at the UC Davis Containment Facility

c. Potential for Movement of CLas Infected ACP with Fruit Movement

d. Recommendations Regarding Areawide ACP Treatment Program

e. Recommendations Affecting Quarantine Area

f. Recommendations Affecting Citrus Nurseries

4. Additional Questions/Review Items

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:04-07:00April 3rd, 2014|

Public Listening Session: Water Transfer Process Streamlining

The staff of the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will hold a listening session to solicit ideas on recommendations to streamline the review process for temporary water transfers, in which water can be transferred for up to one year.

The purpose of the listening session is to obtain input to inform efforts by the State Water Board and DWR to streamline water transfers. Information provided will be considered in the context of near-term and long-term planning for improvements in transfer processing.

Background and Agenda:

On May 20, 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. issued Governor’s Executive Order B-21-13 (Executive Order), for the purpose of streamlining approval for water transfers to address dry conditions and water delivery limitations.

The Executive Order directs the State Water Board and DWR to expedite processing of water transfers and to assist water transfer proponents and suppliers, as necessary, provided that the transfers are consistent with the Water Code, will not harm other legal users of water and will not unreasonably affect fish, wildlife, or other instream beneficial uses.

The State Water Board and DWR were also directed to make all efforts to coordinate with relevant federal agencies, water districts, and water agencies to expedite the review and approval of water transfers in California.

On January 17, 2014, Governor Brown issued a Proclamation of a Drought State of Emergency (Proclamation). The Proclamation finds that dry conditions and lack of precipitation present urgent problems to drinking water supplies and cultivation of crops, which put farmers’ long-term investments at risk.

The conditions also threaten the survival of animals and plants that rely on California’s rivers, including many species in danger of extinction. The Proclamation directed the State Water Board and DWR to expedite the processing of water transfers as set forth in Executive Order B-21-13.

Proposed Agenda
• Overview of State Water Board Transfer role and current process

• Overview of DWR Water Transfer role and current process

• Public Comments on Streamlining Water Transfers

This Listening Session is designed as a forum for public input on the agencies’ streamlined water transfer processes, rather than discussion of specific transfer projects. Input received during the session will be taken into consideration in determining whether to modify the agencies’ water transfer processes in the short and long term.

DWR and the State Water Board seek suggestions for improving:

• availability of information on water transfers

• responses to comments on water transfer proposals.

• coordination between transfer approval agencies

• available information on impacts due to water transfers

• evaluation of surface water, groundwater, and environmental impacts related to water transfers.

Each commenter may be asked to limit their remarks to five minutes, depending on the number of parties present. Parties of like interests are encouraged to consolidate their comments and may pool their allotted time in a joint statement.

Parties also may submit written comments, either in lieu of or in support of their verbal comments. Comments will be collected for consideration in future transfer efforts, however the State Water Board and DWR will not be providing formal responses to comments.

Click here for more information.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:05-07:00April 2nd, 2014|

Ag Labor Identifies Solutions for Farmworkers

Housing & transportation recommendations to improve ag labor quality of life and labor force stability

Sebastopol, CA – On Tuesday, April 1, 2014, a multi-stakeholder task force will present the ag labor findings and recommendations of the California Agricultural Workforce Housing and Transportation Project to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. The project was a year long investigation into the challenge of providing safe and affordable housing and reliable transportation to the state’s specialty crop workforce, resulting in a report, SHELTER + MOBILITY: Recommendations for California’s Specialty Crop Ag Workforce.

The key recommendations of the report include:

Improve existing and develop new farmworker housing by reducing barriers and dedicating state funding sources.
Develop a central, online repository to house information related to farmworker housing and transportation.
Incorporate ag labor housing and transportation needs in federal, state, regional, and local planning and funding policies and priorities.
Maintain the newly revised definition of “rural” under federal law and create a recognized and accepted rural-specific definition of ”smart growth.”
Increase farmworker transportation options, both public and private.
Increase farmworker driver safety through training for farmworkers and their families.

There is an inadequate availability of safe, affordable housing and transportation options for California’s farmworkers. Not only does this impact the quality of life for workers and their families, it also affects labor force stability for the agricultural industry. Recognizing this need, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) awarded a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant to Ag Innovations Network to bring together 50 of the state’s agricultural, labor, housing, and transportation leaders to develop a set of recommendations for addressing these issues.

“We all respect the tremendous contributions of farmworkers to successful food and agricultural production,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “California Ag Vision: Strategies for Sustainability recommended we pursue a suite of policies and actions to secure a sustainable agricultural workforce for California agriculture, including options for public transportation and affordable housing. The open and frank conversations held throughout this project were a critical step toward identifying recommendations to achieve our goal of improving the availability of safe, affordable housing and transportation for farmworkers and their families.”

The stakeholders involved in the project offered these recommendations in the hope of ensuring that resources and systems are in place that will result in all of California’s specialty crop agricultural workers and their families having safe, reliable, and affordable transportation to their places of employment, and a home that reflects their dignity and importance.

More information about the project is available at http://aginnovations.org/workforce/. The report can be accessed athttp://aginnovations.org/images/uploads/Housing_Transportation.pdf.

The April 1, 2014 California State Board of Food and Agriculture meeting will be held at CDFA, 1220 N Street, Sacramento. Meeting details are available athttp://www.cdfa.ca.gov/state_board/.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:05-07:00March 30th, 2014|

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