Reaching Listeners on and Off the Farm

The Modern Acre Podcast

 

By Tim Hammerich with AgInfo.net

Tyler and Tim Nuss are 5th generation from a family farm in Lodi, California. The brothers each left the farm to start their careers, but are making their way back in the form of a podcast they’ve started about agricultural innovation called “The Modern Acre”.

The brothers started the podcast as a side business but say the benefits go far beyond money.

“What was surprising for me is all of the value I got out of doing it that was not financially related. It was about building connections with people and learning from other people, and partnership opportunities, said Tyler.“I would have done this a hundred times over with no visibility or roadmap to get money. I think just the network we have developed and relationships we, we’ve built has, has, has been truly valuable.”

Now that network built through the podcast is also coming in handy as the brothers become more active with the family farm.

“One thing we’re looking to kind of further integrate this year into just the overall storyline and narrative of the podcast is Tyler and I’s involvement with the family farm,” said Tim.“Where we’re not on the farm day to day, but we are involved from a strategic level and getting more involved in looking at kind of the the best practices and companies and people that we’re engaging with. How we can incorporate that into the farm and actually interweave that into The Modern Acre and what we’re doing there.”

Find “The Modern Acre” on any podcast player or at www.themodernacre.com

2020-03-05T20:10:04-08:00March 10th, 2020|

Decision Making Barriers Need to be Overcome

Barriers in Making Decisions in Tree Nut Orchards

By Patrick Cavanaugh, Editor

There’s a lot going on in agriculture throughout the year. There are many cultural practices, and decisions to make. Patrick Brown is a professor in the department of plant scientists at UC Davis. He’s looking at the barriers of that decision making.

“We’ve got an interesting project right now on the barriers to decision making processes and the adaption of new technologies by growers,” said Brown. “So it’s more of a sociological, cultural sort of analysis and it’s very interesting to see where their constraints lie and how you can use that information to focus our research and your extension.”

And we asked Brown what some of those barriers are and how growers in their employees get past them.
“There are some barriers on education that the irrigators, and the fertilizer guys who manage those systems might not necessarily have a full understanding of the needs and the science behind it, and perhaps not the time to make nuance decisions,” noted Brown. “In much of California, you have irrigation delivery systems both from the districts as well as the built engineering in the field that constrain the ability of the grower to make fine tuned decisions because they can’t turn the pumps on only when they wish them to be on.”

And Brown said there are other issues about where the information stream is coming from. Employees are not sure where to get that needed information, which is a definite barrier.

 

2020-03-04T16:08:34-08:00March 9th, 2020|

New Ag Labor Bill Introduced

Rep. Ted Yoho Introduces Bipartisan Ag Labor Bill to Solve America’s Ag Labor Shortage 

This week, Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced the “Labor Certainty for Food Security Act,”-HR 6083. The commonsense, bipartisan legislation will bring relief to America’s farmers and ranchers who are struggling to find steady, reliable labor.

The following Representatives are original cosponsors of this bill: Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), Andy Barr (R-KY), Neal Dunn (R-FL), David Rouzer (R-NC), Ted Bud (R-NC), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Mike McCaul (R-TX), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Ed Case (D-HI).

Congressman Yoho released the following statement:

“Today, we introduced a commonsense plan to end the Ag labor shortage in America.  The Labor Certainty for Food Security Act will bring relief to America’s farmers and ranchers who are in dire need of a steady, reliable labor force. Our nation’s Ag producers, seasonal and year-round, deliver the highest quality food in the world. We are fortunate to live with such abundance.

“To maintain this abundance and low food costs, we need individuals to work the fields, ranches, warehouses, and processing plants. Without a steady, reliable workforce, food prices will increase, and Americans will feel the effects at their local checkout line. If congress does not address this need in a bipartisan, meaningful way, we will either import our labor or import our food.

“I am honored to be joined by my colleagues Reps. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Andy Barr, Neal Dunn, David Rouzer, Ted Bud, Vicky Hartzler, Mike McCaul, Mike Kelly, Ralph Norman and Ed Case, who understand the importance of this issue and the needs of America’s Ag community.

“As our efforts gain momentum, it is important to remember that this is not a partisan issue. When Republicans and Democrats come together to provide our Ag producers with the workforce they need to feed America and the world, it benefits everyone.” 

Overview: Ag Reforms for the ‘Labor Certainty for Food Security Act’

2020-03-06T08:57:53-08:00March 6th, 2020|

Almond Pollination is Going Strong Throughout California

Keeping Bees Safe and Healthy During Almond Pollination

By Patrick Cavanaugh, Editor

It’s always good to think about those working bees in almond orchards, said Becky Langer the project manager for the North American Bayer CropScience Bee Health Program.

“Bees continue to face multiple challenges and that’s not necessarily new information. I think what we see though as people are getting a better grasp of awareness that pest and diseases continue to be a huge problem in those beehives,” said Langer. “Beekeepers are working very hard to monitor and control those.”

“We know forage and habitat continue to be a huge challenge. We have climate change, which can affect those wild flowers blooming in California during the drought years and then we know that the beekeepers and growers have to continue to communicate with one another, and use all those products according to label.,” she said.

And for almond growers, it’s a good idea if you can the plant a variety of different forages around the orchard, different species of flowers for instance. “That can be a great idea because we know those bees have to eat, and if we can have something blooming year round, it’s the best way to keep the pollinators healthy,” said Langer

 

“They also like diversity in different plant species, different colors, different size flowers. You want them to pollinate your crop, but if you’re offering some alternative resources in the area that keeps them better fed and happier pollinators, which will make better pollinators for the crops,” Langer said.

Langer reminds growers to read those product labels. “This again is going to help to provide a much healthier environment for the pollinators and it’s going to keep the grower in the good graces of the beekeepers too,” she noted

2020-02-28T10:45:52-08:00March 4th, 2020|

Pistachio Extracts Found to Have Anti-Viral, and Anti-Biotic Power

Antimicrobial Effects of U.S. Pistachio Extracts Shown to Prevent Growth of Bacteria and Viruses 

Initial findings point to extracts’ potential role in the development of novel medical treatments

 

Once just a snack, pistachios possess extracts that have been shown to stop the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Listeria and Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) — important findings amid growing antibiotics resistance and the increased need for new medical treatments.

In a study published this month in Plants1, researchers at the University of Messina in Italy discovered that polyphenols, health protective compounds found in plant foods, from pistachios grown in the United States have antiviral effects on HSV-1 and can, at their highest concentration, result in the complete reduction of the virus in lab settings.

Given these results, researchers concluded that pistachio extracts could become great candidates for the development of novel topical or oral drug formulations for the treatment of HSV-1 infections either alone or in combination with standard antiviral therapies.

Previously, University of Messina researchers and researchers from the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, UK, also found that polyphenol-rich extracts from pistachios have a strong bactericidal effect against Gram positive bacteria, including many clinical strains of the disease-causing Staphylococcus Aureus, MRSA strains and Listeria monocytogenes2,3, which could prove helpful in food safety applications or as a topical treatment for S. aureus (MRSA).

 

Both Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are responsible for a range of skin, respiratory and bone joint infections, endocarditis, bacteremia and toxic shock syndrome. HSV-1 causes oral herpes and is generally responsible for cold sores and fever blisters around the mouth and on the face.

 

The Plants study highlighted that cultures were infected with the HSV-1 virus and treated with different concentrations of pistachio extract. The highest concentration of the extract resulted in the total reduction of the virus. In earlier studies, researchers prepared polyphenol rich extracts from roasted and raw pistachios. These extracts were tested on a number of bacterial cultures to determine their bactericidal strength. Staphylococcus aureus and L. monocytogenes were the most susceptible strains.

“Pistachio extracts could provide a novel topical or oral treatment against HSV-1 infections (Herpes simplex), as well as a novel strategy to overcome problems related to drug-resistant strains,” said University of Messina’s, Dr. Giuseppina Mandalari. “Researchers are optimistic that the bactericidal activity of pistachio extracts could be used to help control the growth of some microorganisms in foods potentially leading to improved food safety and as an application for the topical treatment of Staph. aureus.”

Further studies are needed to confirm that results from recent studies can be translated in a clinical setting with humans, and while this research continues to explore the potential for concentrated pistachio extracts in pharmaceutical applications, snacking on whole pistachios can make a beneficial contribution to health, since pistachios are high in copper and manganese, and a source of selenium, zinc, riboflavin and vitamin E, which contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Pistachios are also high in vitamin B6 and a source of folate and iron which contribute to normal function of the immune system.

Traditional medicines based mostly on medicinal plants have been used for the treatment of various diseases by mankind for centuries, but plants can also be rich sources of biologically active compounds. The antibacterial properties of plant-derived compounds continue to be explored, mainly in view of increased antibiotic resistance both in community-acquired infections and those acquired in hospitals and healthcare settings. As more disease-causing bacteria become resistant to usual treatments, researchers will continue to look to new sources for medicines.

 

2020-03-01T12:47:05-08:00March 2nd, 2020|

Westlands Water Service Contract To Pay Applicable Charges

Statement from Thomas Birmingham, General Manager of Westlands Water District, on the Execution of the District’s Repayment Contract
Today,  Westlands Water District and the Bureau of Reclamation signed Irrigation and M&I Contract No. 14-06-200-495A-LTR1-P, which converted Westlands’ water service contract to a repayment contract, which will remain in effect so long as the Westlands pays applicable charges, consistent with section 9(d) of the Reclamation Act of August 4, 1939. 
Westlands was one of more than 75 water agencies that contract with the United States for the delivery of water service from the Central Valley Project that elected to convert their water service contract to repayment contracts pursuant to section 4011 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. 
The effective date of Westlands repayment contract will be June 1, 2020. Prior to that date, Westlands will continue to receive water under an interim renewal contract.
 
When President Barack Obama signed the WIIN Act in 2016, it was with the express intent of improving the nation’s water infrastructure, especially in the western United States. Section 4011 (a)(1) of Subtitle J of the Act provides that the Secretary of the Interior shall convert water service contracts to repayment contracts at the request of any existing water service contractor.
 
Section 4011 was included in the WIIN Act to create a source of money that the Bureau of Reclamation could use to construct water storage projects around the west. It was intended by the Act’s co-author, Senator Dianne Feinstein, to help California “prepare for [that] future while providing us with access to more water now.” When President Obama signed the bill into law, he stated that, “This important partnership has helped us achieve a careful balance based on existing state and federal law.”
 
Converting “temporary” water service contracts to “permanent” repayment contracts is not uncommon. In fact, an underlying principle of federal Reclamation law — that water users who have repaid the construction costs of a project would have a permanent right to the use of water developed by a project — has been reaffirmed by Congress multiple times since it was first laid out in the Reclamation Act of 1902.
In the Central Valley Project, the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act directed the Secretary of the Interior to convert water service contracts in the Friant Division to repayment contracts to generate revenue for the San Joaquin River restoration program, and those water service contracts were in fact converted to repayment contracts.
According to the Bureau of Reclamation, as of October 2019 more than 75 agencies that had “temporary” water service contracts to receive Central Valley Project water, including the State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, have exercised the option provided by the WIIN Act to convert their contracts to “permanent” repayment contracts. The contract terms proposed in the repayment contracts for Westlands and other Central Valley Project contractors under the WIIN Act are nearly identical to those in the Friant Division repayment contracts.
 
Further, as President Obama also noted, the provisions of Subtitle J of the WIIN Act were intended to help meet California’s long-term water needs, helping to “assure that California is more resilient in the face of growing water demands and drought-based uncertainty.” In the case of Westlands’ contract conversion, like all contract conversions done before or after, it offers a win-win for all parties.
The Westlands contract conversion will accelerate payment of approximately $200 million to the federal government years before payment otherwise would be due. This money, pursuant to the WIIN Act, will be placed in the Reclamation Water Storage Account to be used for the construction of water storage and supply projects that can benefit all Central Valley Project purposes.
2020-02-28T13:01:13-08:00February 28th, 2020|

CDFA Requests Proposals on Increasing Export Trade

Request for Proposals for Calif. State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Supporting Growth for California Small Business

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting proposals for the California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) – a federally funded grant program of the U.S. Small Business Administration to increase exports activities among small businesses.  Funding associated with this program will support trade development and enhancement activities that help small businesses enter or expand their exporting activity to foreign markets.

As the program administrator, CDFA is seeking project proposals from qualified entities to conduct export development activities in foreign markets to assist California businesses in trade expansion. Activities may include foreign trade missions and trade show exhibitions. Suitable promoted product categories include but are not limited to: aircraft /automotive parts; construction; manufacturing equipment/technology; medical devices; pharmaceuticals; health and beauty; food and agricultural products; and green/sustainable technologies.

Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit or provide profit to a single organization, institution or individual. Federal funding is dependent on a competitive grant award by the U.S. Small Business Administration to the State of California. Total available federal funding for California activities is estimated at $900,000.

Applications must be submitted via email to grants@cdfa.ca.gov no later than March 6, 2020, 5:00 p.m. (PDT). Further information on the grant program, including timeline and application criteria, are available at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants/.

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the STEP webinar on February 26, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. (PDT).  There is not a cost to attend, however, space is limited, and applicants must register in advance. To register, email grants@cdfa.ca.gov with your name and contact information. Further details will be provided with confirmation of registration.

The STEP Program is a partnership between the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship, California State University, San Bernardino, the Los Rios Community College District Center for International Trade and Development and CDFA. The program brings together state, federal, private and non-profit trade promotion organizations to promote export activities among targeted industries. California STEP is funded in part by a U.S. Small Business Administration Grant.

 

2020-02-28T10:54:35-08:00February 28th, 2020|

March is National Nutrition Month

Celebrate National Nutrition Month – Eat More Produce!

March is National Nutrition Month!  And, what is the only food group health experts everywhere agree we should eat more of?  Fruits and vegetables of course. While there are decades of peer reviewed studies that show the benefits of a diet rich in these healthy foods, here are just a few examples as we head into March.

  • A study published in PLOS Medicinedetermined that “prescriptions” for healthy foods could save more than $100 billion in healthcare costs.  The healthy foods include fruits and veggies plus seafood, whole grains and plant oils.
  • A study published in Science Dailyfound that one in seven cardiovascular deaths could be attributed to not eating enough fruit while one in 12 of these deaths could be attributed to not eating enough vegetables. Put another way, low fruit and veggie consumption resulted in an estimated three million deaths from heart disease or stroke.
  • A University College of London studyshowed that people who ate seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day reduced their risk of premature death by 42%. Consuming that many servings of produce each day reduced the risk of death from cancer by 25% and heart disease by 31%.

A plant rich diet may also positively influence fertility.  A 2018 study in human reproduction found females under 35 undergoing in vitro fertilization had a 65% to 68% increased chance of success with a stronger adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes eating lots of fruits and veggies each day.
Studies have shown that eating enough fruits and veggies has other positive benefits too like improving your mood, better sleep, shinier hair and whiter teeth.  It’s true!  Visit the Alliance for Food and Farming’s “A Dozen Reasons” section to learn more.

2020-02-25T19:33:35-08:00February 28th, 2020|

Different Weed Control Strategies

Glyphosate Alternatives for Weed Control in Winegrape Vineyards

By Tim Hammerich, with the Ag Information Network

For years, glyphosate has been a tool many grape growers have relied on to help manage weeds. What can managers do when glyphosate isn’t an option, such as when a winery doesn’t want to buy grapes where glyphosate was used for weed control. UC Cooperative Extension Advisor for Napa County, John Roncoroni, says growers have options.

“I know a lot of growers, once we found that we weren’t going to use glyphosate. Well their first thought was to just use different herbicides,” he said. “And it’s like, well, you can do that. But one of the other things is we really need to look at different strategies when we may not have, what I’ve called glyphosate the hammer.”

“If the hammer cannot be used anymore, you have to know which weeds you have. You want to get to them early, they’re much easier to control, but you also need to identify weeds at an early stage,” he noted. “And you can use a bunch of different kinds of techniques. Where you get in early with cultivation when the weather conditions are right. Or you use a flamer. Flamers are pretty efficient tools as long as the weeds aren’t big.”

Roncoroni said in addition to these techniques, cover crops can also be helpful.

“One of the old-is-new techniques, again, is looking at under-vine cover crops. Using something that won’t attract gophers, hopefully. But when we’re looking at something like that an annual reseeding crop such as Zorro fescue, which grows to be maybe eight to ten inches, will re-seed itself, and then you can cultivate,” noted Roncoroni.  “It takes two or three years to establish, so you have to be able to stick with it for a couple of years, but it competes with the weeds as it’s growing. It then leaves a dry duff, which does not need water once it goes dormant in the springtime, so it won’t interfere with irrigation.”

Contact your county extension agent for more information about integrated pest management practices.

2020-02-19T19:35:49-08:00February 27th, 2020|

Teaching Ag Technology in High School

Lemoore High School Launching Ag Technology Program

By Tim Hammerich, with the Ag Information Network

A new agricultural technology program is launching at Lemoore High School by Ag Teacher Shane Souza.

“The next level of maintenance mechanic or agricultural mechanic is going to be part welder, port electrician, part mechanic, and then part computer programmer,” said Souza.“So they’re going to have to deal with so many of the new technologies that we’re finding in ag nowadays.”

Souza would know. He spent the first part of his career working in industries such as dairy processing and energy. He pivoted his career to teaching ag after noticing how hard it was to find employees with relevant skills. Now he’s building a program that combines traditional ag mechanics with automation, robotics, and computer programming.

“I teach Ag Mechanics 1 and Ag Mechanics 2, which is the entry-level intro class, and then the ag mechanics do is the intro to welding, just because those skills are so universal, no matter where you go. And then the students have a choice,” noted Souza. “They can either continue going on with welding and fabrication or they’re going to branch off and they’re going to go into the ag technology side.”

Souza plans to develop relationships with local employers looking for these skills to create post-graduation opportunities for students. One of his ag technology courses even allows for college credit through a dual enrollment program with West Hills College.

“Agriculturalists were the original engineers. You know, they found ways on farms to help make their lives easier or more efficient. And I push that hard with my kids that, you know, everyone’s an engineer,” noted Souza. “If you’ve ever found a way to make something easier, you need to find a way to do that. And agriculture is no exception to that at all.”

2020-02-20T08:01:16-08:00February 26th, 2020|

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