National Ag Week Art Calendar Shines!

National Ag Week Art Calendar Contest Winners Announced!

Each year Tulare County Farm Bureau hosts an art contest for local K-12 students. We congratulate the students that participated in our 2020 Farm Bureau Art Calendar Contest, which we host in partnership with the Tulare County Office of Education. While the awards ceremony was postponed in light of COVID-19 and schools being closed, we still want to celebrate the awesome talent in this year’s submissions.

Calendars will be printed and distributed later this summer once normal school and business activities resume.

National Agriculture Week is celebrated March 22-28, so this is still the perfect time to celebrate all things AG, and congratulate this year’s top 14 winning entries.

Cash prizes and calendars will be awarded to the student artists, and copies of the calendar will be printed by the Tulare County Office of Education and distributed later this year. We hope to be able to present the awards before June 15, but that will be subject to schools re-opening.

Featured art is the overall Cover Winner by Jasmin Rivas, 9th Grade, Redwood High School.

Want more info on National Ag Week? Visit https://www.agday.org/promote

First Name	Last Name	Grade	School	Award
Jasmin	Rivas	9	Redwood High School	Overall Cover Winner
Rebecca	Acevedo	9	Redwood High School	Back Cover Winner
Oralia	Velasco	6	Tipton Elementary School	Monthly Winner
Mia	Gonzalez-Verdin	3	Snowden Elementary School	Monthly Winner
Catricia	Alvarez	8	Washington Intermediate School	Monthly Winner
Mary	Froula	6	St. Anne’s School	Monthly Winner
Ella	Boiano	6	Three Rivers Union School	Monthly Winner
David	Gonzalez	8	La Joya Middle School	Monthly Winner
Ashley	Carrion	8	Tipton Elementary School	Monthly Winner
Lainey	Hooper	3	Hot Springs School	Monthly Winner
Emma	Nicholson	10	Redwood High School	Monthly Winner
Anita	Fiorino	2	Three Rivers Union School	Monthly Winner
Axel	Miller	7	St. Anne’s School	Monthly Winner
Mason	Sowers	5	Denton Elementary School	Monthly Winner

California Ag Today2020-03-25T19:51:59-07:00March 26th, 2020|

Dirty Dozen List Hurts Consumption of Healthy Food

“Dirty Dozen” Promotes Fear, Discourages Consumption

Peer reviewed research and a recent survey of registered dietitians nutritionists has shown the potential negative impact on fruit and vegetable consumption caused by the so-called “dirty dozen” list. Further, the “dirty dozen” list has been repeatedly discredited by the scientific community and peer reviewed studies.

“Why continue to perpetuate misinformation and create another barrier to consumption, when you’ve been shown the negative impact it has on consumers,” says Teresa Thorne, Executive Director of the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF). “With only 1 in 10 Americans eating enough fruits and vegetables each day, we should be promoting consumption to enhance immune function and prevent illness, not discouraging it by inaccurately disparaging popular and safe produce.”

Scientifically Unsupportable
Peer reviewed research found that the substitution of organic forms of produce for conventional forms, as suggested in the “dirty dozen” list, does not result in any decrease in consumer risk because residues, if present at all, are so low. This study also found that the list authors follow no established scientific procedures in developing this list.

The AFF also asks that reporters, consumers and others review the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Report, which the list authors state they base the “dirty dozen” upon. The most recent USDA PDP report found over 99 percent of the samples tested had residues well below the safety standards established by the EPA with almost half having no detectable pesticide residues at all.

Discourages Consumption
A peer reviewed study published in Nutrition Today found that misleading messaging perpetuated in the “dirty dozen” list which inaccurately describes certain produce items as having “higher” pesticide residues results in lower income consumers stating they would be less likely to purchase any fruits and vegetables – organically or conventionally grown.

Further, a recent survey among registered dietitians found that 94% agreed that inaccurate, fear-based messaging regarding pesticide residues has a negative impact on consumers because it causes misplaced concern about whether conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables are safe to eat. And, when shown infographics from the “dirty dozen” list authors, an overwhelming 95% of dietitians agreed that the group’s misinformation about residues discourages consumption.

“Fresh, dried, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables comprise the only food group health experts universally agree we need to eat more of to improve health, boost immunities and prevent illness and disease,” Thorne says. “This recommendation is supported by decades of nutritional science. Knowing this, why would you choose to perpetuate misinformation about produce safety and raise needless fears among consumers, especially under our current circumstances?” Thorne says.

Consumers who are concerned about residues are advised to simply wash their fresh produce – organic and conventionally grown. According the Federal Food and Drug Administration, washing fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water is a healthful habit and can help remove or eliminate any residues that may be present on fruits and vegetables.

“We simply want people to know that whatever produce they choose – organic or conventional – both are safe and can be consumed with confidence,” Thorne says. “Be reassured that the correct and healthy choice is to always eat more. Don’t let unfounded safety fears or baseless shopping lists get in the way of healthy eating.”

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California Ag Today2020-03-25T10:27:23-07:00March 25th, 2020|

Almond Buyers Are Curious About The Farm

Buyers of Almonds Are Asking More Questions About Farm Practices

By Patrick Cavanaugh, AgInfo.net

Ben Goudie is membership development with Blue Diamond Growers, who move a lot of almonds around the word.

He noted that buyers of their products for distribution are interested in sustainability growing practices. “You know, in the past sales conversations have been pretty basic, with general questions about price and availability,” said Goudie. “Now, a lot of the sales meetings start with conversations about sustainability, start with conversations about corporate social responsibility and what we’re doing with our growers. What we’re also doing in manufacturing, looking at energy savings, looking at all aspects of sustainability on the corporate level,” h explained.

And the Almond Board of California’s Almond Sustainability Program (CASP) where growers fill out information on their growing practices is part of the information Blue Diamond Growers share where their buyers. “We are using the CASP survey as the basis for our grower information. We are also working on a full and comprehensive sustainability program with our sustainability manager, Catherine Campbell, and she has put together a full package that we supply to our buyers,” Goudie said.

Goudie noted that the in-house sustainability program they’re putting together is comprehensive. “It is pretty robust—everything from energy savings to looking at our distribution and supply chain, how we’ve made savings and looking at our carbon footprint,” he said.

California Ag Today2020-03-18T22:15:16-07:00March 23rd, 2020|

Ag Is Critical Infrastructure—Essential!

Ag Critical Statement from California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson:

With agriculture designated “critical infrastructure” by federal and state governments, the California Farm Bureau Federation continues its commitment to assist the state’s farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses during the statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“As people who work in a sector defined as critical, farmers, ranchers and people working in agricultural businesses recognize our special responsibility to maintain normal work schedules,” CFBF President Jamie Johansson said. “We encourage local, state and federal agencies to interpret the guidelines as broadly as practicable, to be sure everyone in agriculture can stay on the job, producing food and farm products during this crisis.”

As with any decisive action, Johansson said, there will likely be some confusion and questions about definitions, but he said he has been reassured agencies remain committed to smoothing the production, marketing and transportation of food and farm products.

“The state Office of Emergency Services has made it clear: People involved in agriculture, food production, distribution and transportation of food or agricultural products—anyone working in the food supply chain—people in those critical jobs are allowed and should continue to show up for work,” Johansson said.

To ensure people working in agriculture can do their jobs safely, Farm Bureau has redoubled its work with employers to make sure they’re aware of the latest guidelines from health officials and government agencies.

“Based on the questions we’ve been receiving from farmers, we know they’re being diligent in having employees engage in sanitary practices,” Johansson said. “That’s already a high priority for reasons both of food safety and employee health. Farmers take a number of steps on a regular basis to protect themselves, their employees, their families and their crops.”

County Farm Bureaus around California and CFBF will remain operational, in order to support their members.

“County Farm Bureaus provide a critical local resource for farmers, ranchers and people in agricultural businesses,” Johansson said. “County Farm Bureaus and those of us at CFBF will remain available to respond to our members and work with government agencies to assure continuity of critical food and agricultural activity.”

California Ag Today2020-03-20T14:41:58-07:00March 20th, 2020|

“Dirty Dozen” List is UnTrue and Fear Mongering

How Registered Dietitions Can Stop Food Fears Before They Begin Due to the “Dirty Dozen” List

By Elizabeth Shaw, MS RDN, CPT, CLT

Guess what? It’s that time again when media outlets will start covering the release of this year’s “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” produce lists. As a registered dietitian nutritionist in the media, this season is always a busy one.

I must first disclose I am an EOPP (equal opportunity produce pusher), a term I coined after realizing one in every 10 Americans is falling short of meeting their fruit and vegetable intakes. Being someone who has devoted their entire career to ensuring the public feels safe and informed about their food intakes, lists like the “Dirty Dozen” always make me feel like my messaging and the work I’ve strived so hard to do is taking three giant steps backwards.

Thankfully, the Alliance for Food and Farming invited me here today to share with you how we can stop the food fears before they even start!

Let’s rewind first, shall we?

The “Dirty Dozen” is a list produced by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that is released every spring with claims about produce items and “high” pesticide residues. I won’t repeat exactly what Dr. Carl Winter, toxicologist and professor emeritus, University of California Davis, had to say on the topic in this post here, but I highly encourage you to check it out.

Basically, there is flawed methodology not being conveyed to the consumer when the report is released. When this happens, an immediate fear is embedded into minds, leaving consumers apprehensive to purchase some of their favorite fruits and vegetables (like strawberries and kale, two of last years so-called “dirty” contenders.)

Here’s the deal: the produce picks included in the dirty dozen don’t tell consumers that the actual percentage of pesticide residue left on the items is so negligible, if present at all, that it poses NO POTENITAL RISK to humans, both adults and kids alike.

To me, that is just crazy! Right?

Not only do reports annually confirm the safety of both conventionally and organically produced produce (like the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) 2018 and the USDA Pesticide Data 2018 Report), but so do organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.)

And, for those who are still uneasy and need more proof, the Alliance has a robust, state-of-the-art Pesticide Residue Calculator that allows consumers to identify the number of servings they would have to consume for their gender and age group each day to remotely come close to having pesticide levels present to pose a concern.

For reference, as an adult female myself, I would have to consume 453 servings of strawberries to be a concern! My daughter, a young toddler, would have to consume 180 servings! While she is a strawberry addict, it’s hard to ever imagine she would get close to meeting that number of servings in a month, yet alone a day.

As much as we know produce is safe to consume and the above studies are valid and based upon peer-reviewed resources, it’s inevitable the fear messaging will come out rampant with the “Dirty Dozen” release.

To jump ahead three steps, I’m here to show you how you can actively use messaging to support produce consumption (both organic and conventional) and ease the minds of your followers as well as consumers at large that ALL produce IS safe to enjoy!

California Ag Today2020-03-18T16:04:48-07:00March 20th, 2020|

Safe Food Alliance on COVID-19

How Safe Food Alliance is Addressing COVID -19

SFC 2020 Has Been Canceled

As Safe Food Alliance grapple with these unprecedented circumstances, our team would like you to know that we are taking the COVID-19 outbreak very seriously.

The safety of our customers and consumers is our top priority, which is why it remains our primary focus to provide services to the greatest extent as practicable to ensure a safe food supply. We know you may have questions regarding next steps and we will do our best to help. To assist you during this difficult time, we have taken the following actions:

COVID-19 Resource Page –Created an online page with links, articles, guides, videos, and news to provide you with straightforward answers and updates. This page will be updated daily with the latest information.
Coronavirus Guidance for Food Facilities – An article written by Jon Kimble, Senior Food Safety Manager detailing steps a food processing facility should take under these circumstances.
Safe Food California – Unfortunately, we have canceled SFC 2020. An email has been sent to all attendees regarding refunds options. In light of the cancellation, we will still host the HACCP Refresher and Internal Auditor conference courses virtually on Monday, March 30th and Tuesday, March 31st. There will be no charge for these courses for any attendees that registered for our “all-access” pass.
Public Training – To stop the spread of the virus, all March and April training courses have been canceled. If you have registered for one of these courses, please reach out to our team to process your refund.
Laboratory Services – At this time, our laboratories remain open for business. We are aware that the demand for food has gone up, and we will continue to do our part to ensure that the food you produce is safe.

We understand this is a fluid situation and assure you that our team is addressing the outbreak constantly. As we know more, we will remain vigilant in communicating that information to you, likely on a daily basis. We must now all work together to contain COVID-19 and keep everyone safe.

California Ag Today2020-03-17T21:15:28-07:00March 19th, 2020|

Want Better Health—Consume More Produce!

Eating More Produce Is Always Good Advice

The advice to eat more fruits and vegetables for better health is always welcome and appropriate. Registered dietitians and nutritionists as well as other medical professionals universally recommend eating more to help prevent illness and disease, especially since only 1 in 10 Americans consume the recommended amount of fruits and veggies each day

But in today’s environment, there is even more emphasis on maintaining a healthy immune system. Dietitians and nutritionists are regularly being asked for their input on staying healthy and most are reiterating the need for appropriate hydration, adequate sleep and a diet that is rich in fruits and veggies. This video featuring Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, Maya Feller Nutrition, provides some simple advice for consumers on what foods and practices contribute to healthy immune function.

And, here are just a few quick reminders of the health-promoting attributes of fruits and veggies.

Apples: In addition to the many disease-fighting nutrients in an apple, red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin, which can help fortify your immune system, especially when you’re under stress. And remember to eat the peel, which is rich in fiber and antioxidants.
Berries: Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Eat them together for a powerful nutrient-rich punch.
Broccoli: A multi-vitamin approach in every bite, broccoli provides Vitamin A and C, and the antioxidant glutathione as well.
Citrus: During cold and flu season, everyone knows to reach for some citrus fruit because it is high in Vitamin C. Studies have shown that Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which help defend the body against viruses and diseases.
Red Bell Peppers: Most people don’t realize that red bell peppers are an amazing source of Vitamin C as well as beta carotene, which are both important in boosting your immune system.
Spinach: Often referred to as a superfood, spinach is not only high in vitamin C but it is also rich in antioxidants and beta carotene, which positively impacts the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems.
Watermelon: Like broccoli, watermelon contains the antioxidant glutathione, which has been shown to strengthen immunity.

While these are just some examples, reaching for any fruit and veggie will provide a nutrient-dense snack or meal component. Plus, peer reviewed studies have also shown that people who eat more fruits and veggies each day are happier and their mood is enhanced. And, we can all benefit from a little mood improvement about now.

California Ag Today2020-03-12T09:35:33-07:00March 13th, 2020|

Plant-Based–A New Consumer Buzzword

Animal Ag Wants to Share the Plant-Based Plate

By David Sparks, with AgInfo.net

The now-often used terms that you hear at such places as Whole Foods, Burger King and even McDonald’s “plant-based” seems to exclude meat, poultry, milk and eggs – but that’s not the whole story.

Registered dietitians Cara Harbstreet, Street Smart Nutrition; Nicole Rodriguez, Enjoy Food, Enjoy Life and Alison Webster, International Food Information Council, at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2020 Stakeholders Summit for a candid conversation about the latest consumer buzzwords.

Connecting with consumers can start with conversations that are more inclusive and less divisive. This panel will highlight best practices from producers in the field and strategies to partner with registered dietitians and other influencers in the food space. Summit attendees will leave this panel empowered to share their story of positively impacting consumer health and invite those who are hungry to learn more into the conversation.

The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the industry to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2020 event, themed “Primed & Prepared,” is set for May 7-8 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Va.

Harbstreet, Rodriguez and Webster will each bring a unique perspective to this panel, titled “Conversations that Cultivate: Staking Your Claim on the Plant-Based Plate.” The panel will be moderated by National Chicken Council’s Tom Super.

With sessions covering sustainability, animal welfare, influencer engagement, preparing for animal rights activist campaigns and other hot topics, attendees will leave the 2020 Summit primed and prepared with the tools they need to take action and be part of any and all conversations that could impact the future of animal agriculture and their business. Early registration discounts are available through April 3. To register, visit summit.animalagalliance.org.

“The animal agriculture community already understands the importance of delivering facts that are true to the science and safety of food production – now it’s time to elevate our messages to effectively showcase our products as an integral part of a ‘plant-based’ diet,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “This panel of rock star dietitians will leave 2020 Summit attendees primed and prepared to have conversations that cultivate trust with consumers, customers and influencers.”

Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date Summit information and the full agenda. You can also follow the hashtags #AAA20 and #PrimedAndPrepared for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

USDA

California Ag Today2021-05-12T11:17:08-07:00March 12th, 2020|

Harder’s SAVE Water Resources Act Takes Final Step Towards House Passage

Harder Bill Will Make Massive Investments in Local Storage Projects, Water Infrastructure, Research

WASHINGTON – The first bill introduced by Representative Josh Harder (CA-10), the Securing Access for the Central Valley and Enhancing (SAVE) Water Resources Act passed in the Natural Resources Committee today on a vote of 19-12. The bill provides a wraparound approach to addressing water issues facing the Central Valley by supporting local water storage projects, spurring innovation, and making long-overdue investments in our aging water infrastructure. This is the final step in the legislative process before the bill receives a vote in the full House of Representatives.

“My job is to teach these people in Washington what we need in the Valley – the top of that list is investments to protect our water,” said Rep. Harder. “This is a huge win for our area – it’s got local support from folks on all sides of the issue and it makes the investments we’ve needed for decades. Next stop is the House floor.”

The SAVE Water Resources Act touches on a broad range of water policy areas aimed at increasing water storage opportunities, spurring innovation in water sustainability, and making responsible federal investments in our aging water infrastructure. In brief, the bill:

SUPPORTS LOCAL WATER STORAGE PROJECTS

Improves water storage by requiring the Bureau of Reclamation to expedite feasibility studies for four specific storage projects in the Central Valley, including: Sites Reservoir, Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir, Los Vaqueros, San Luis Reservoir, and Pacheco Reservoir and provides $100 million in storage funding. Last year, Rep. Harder secured $14 million in federal funding for several of these projects – the first funding for a new surface water storage project in his district in 50 years.

Helps farmers prepare for SGMA by leveraging federal resources to identify prime locations for groundwater storage and recharge in California and across the Western United States.

SPURS INNOVATION

Creates the “X-Prize” program to incentivize private sector development of cutting-edge water technology including desalination and water recycling.

Invests in water reuse and recycling by increasing funding for WaterSMART programs from $50 million to $500 million and extending the program’s authorization.

INVESTS MILLIONS IN OUR AGING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Establishes a water infrastructure and drought solutions fund to provide $300 million for water surface and groundwater storage, water reclamation and reuse, and WaterSMART program projects.

Creates an innovative financing program which would provide low-interest federal loans to fund local water infrastructure projects.

Reauthorizes the Rural Water Supply Act, which requires the Bureau of Reclamation to work with rural communities to improve access to safe and clean sources of drinking water.

The SAVE Water Resources Act previously received a hearing in the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee.

California Ag Today2020-03-11T12:19:57-07:00March 11th, 2020|

Barn Owls Consume Loads of Vertebrate Pests

Barn Owls for Integrated Pest Management

By Tim Hammerich with AgInfo.net

Farmers have always turned to integrated pest management to control crop pests in both an economic and environmentally sustainable way. This includes vertebrate pests like gophers, voles, and mice.

Ryan Bourbour is a graduate student at UC Davis who studies what raptors eat in agricultural settings and during migration. One of the projects he is working on involves the use of barn owls for integrated pest management.

“Basically, if you have a pocket gopher problem or meadow vole or even mice. Barn owls are one of the most efficient hunters of those agricultural pests,” said Bourbour. “So they’re cavity nesters, and they readily use artificial cavities for breeding and even roosting. So if you want to check barn owls to hunt on or near your property or, adjacent to a crop field, you can just install nest boxes, and as soon as they find them, they’ll readily use them.”

Depending on how many are already in your area, it could take a long time for them to find your new nest box. But they’ll stick around as long as they are finding plenty of food.

“A single nest will consume a little over 200 pounds of rodent prey each year. And I think in California vineyards it has been estimated, that a single nest will remove about 800 gophers, 600 voles, and over 1500 mice per year. Even just having barn owl activity on farms has been shown to reduce gopher activity, so less mounds, gophers are more vigilant, they won’t be as active,” he said.

Plus owls are just beautiful creatures to have around.

California Ag Today2020-03-05T21:11:42-08:00March 11th, 2020|